Mal-Shi vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison

Small and pretty, the Mal-shi is a new crossbreed dog which originated in the United States and only recently - in the 1990s.

There hasn’t been much interest shown in developing this small dog into an independent breed, so most of these dogs are regarded as crosses from the two parent breeds – the Maltese Poodle and the ShihTzu.

Known as a designer dog he was also bred to be a low shedder. No breed clubs for this dog have been established and there are no breed standards either.

Hailing from Ireland and known also as the Wicklow Terrier or just Glen, the Glen of Imaal Terrier was used to get rid of rats, badgers and otters as well as being a good all-round farm dog.

Using his strength, he was good at digging into burrows to root out badgers, but unlike other terriers, he wouldn’t go on and on yapping around his prey. He isn’t an excessive barker.

The terrier was recognised by the Irish Kennel Club in 1934 and later by the American Kennel Club in 2004. The Canadian Kennel Club recognized Glens in 2017.

The Mal-Shi is a small dog standing at around 25–30 cm in height and weighing between 3 and 7kg. As a designer dog he has a low-shedding coat of many colors – white, black and white, white and apricot and brown.

The coat is usually soft and silky and slightly wavy and it can grow long if left untrimmed. Most people take their pets to a professional groomer to be cut.

The skull of the dog is domed, he has small ears which can be half-erect and half-floppy.The tail is long and fairly feathery. Sometimes the dog inherits the underdeveloped tear duct of the Maltese and then there is that usual tear-staining around the eyes.

Temperament:

THE Mal-Si is such a cute little dog, making him a splendid pet for children and he is more than happy to be cuddled and petted. Small and active, he is adaptable and will live easily in the city or the countryside, as his exercise needs aren’t that demanding. He basically requires a walk each day and will love some ball games both inside and outdoors.

He is an extrovert and also an entertainer, and his amicable nature allows him to get along with other pets in the home. However, contrary to what he looks like, he is a bold dog, social and also intelligent, making him easy to train.

It is to any owner’s advantage to have a little dog like this trained and socialized, even though he is so good natured. He makes a great therapy dog too. When the Mal-Shi is at home he’s an affectionate, loving dog who just wants to spend time in the company of his human family.

As a companion dog, he won’t do well when left for hours on end on his own. Dogs are social creatures, and they can battle with separation anxiety when left alone for too long. Every dog owner needs to think of this before investing in a dog.

An interesting fact with the Glen of Imaal Terrier is that this is a dwarf breed, being a big sized dog on short legs, with the front feet turning out.

A typical Glen of Imaal Terrier stands at roughly 30 – 36cm and weighs up to about 16kg. Another interesting aspect with this dog is that it can take up to 4 years to reach maturity.

The head of this muscular dog is large, the ears are half erect, and while the tail has always been traditionally docked, it is often left long. The double coat of the dog is soft with the undercoat but he has a wiry outercoat. The color of the coat is essentially wheaten, tan or blue. The coat doesn’t shed much but some Glen owners strip excess hair a few times during the years.

Temperament:

Glen of Imaal terriers are energetic, easygoing and they make splendid pets for any family. He is more than happy to give up lying around for games and activity just to lie at his owner’s feet. He is an intelligent dog too and even though he is somewhat stubborn, he responds well to training and socialization. In fact training and socialization is important for every dog breed to prevent negative behavior and to ensure your pet is obedient.

The Maltese Shih Tzu is an attractive little dog who is guaranteed to make you a splendid pet. Those who have owned both Maltese and Maltese Shih Tzu will tell you that the temperament of this dog is more amicable than that of the Maltese.

With his amicable nature, he is willing to be everyone’s friend, and he makes a particularly good choice for elderly people.

Being such a people-dog, the Maltese Shih Tzu's greatest joy comes from being petted and taken notice of by his human family. He can’t bear to be left for long periods of time. Like any other dog, he will require training and socialization, requiring a firm, balanced, consistent, fair owner.

Cheerful and good-natured, when he is loved to the moon and back, this little dog promises to make you and exceptional best friend.

The Glen of Ismaal Terrier is more docile than other terrier breeds, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t feisty. He loves to play and is an adventurous dog, always on the lookout for exciting opportunities and to chase prey.

He is a good natured pet and he gets on well with adults, children and pets in the home. He can adapt well to life in the city or in the countryside so long as he is with his family members.

He isn’t a couch potato dog though, and wherever he lives, he will need a good amount of exercising. Treat him with the love and respect he craves, and you’ll have a wonderful canine companion.

The Maltese Shih Tzu is a robust little dog, and with good care he can live to be anything between 10 to 15 years of age.

There are some health issues you want to be aware of with this particular dog breed.

Respiratory Problems:

Your little canine friend can have respiratory problems because of him being a flat-faced breed. Known as brachycephalic dogs, these dogs can have breathing difficulties. They are usually fine when resting, but during exercise or if they become too hot, they battle with breathing. It makes them more prone to heatstroke, so it is important to keep dogs like this cool and calm.

Patellar Luxation:

This is actually a common problem in small dogs - dislocation of a bone at a joint. Patellar luxation is when the knee joint slides in and out of place, causing pain.

White Dog Shaker Syndrome:

This is a disease which is seen in the Shih Tzu and Maltese. Symptoms include uncontrollable shaking and tremors. These can continue all day. The illness is worse during times of stress and there may even be difficulty with walking. The cause is unknown but he will certainly need to get to the vet.

The Glen of Imaal Terrier is a feisty, healthy breed, particularly when he gets the best food there is, then he is not likely to get ill easily.

However, just like other dogs, he can be prone to certain health conditions such as hip dysplasia. When a dog is diagnosed with hip dysplasia, the socket part of the joint is poorly developed, so that is causes abnormal friction.

Inflammation and pain can be the result and your dog can become lame. Unfortunately, rapid weight gain with puppies can put more stress on the hips, and diets without the right balance of vitamins and minerals can be bad for good bone development.

Diet:

The Mal-Shi is a small dog and will require eating two small meals a day. An adult Mal-Shi will eat according to his age, size and activity levels.The quality of the dog food you buy will make a huge difference to his wellbeing. The better quality foods – those without preservatives, colorants and fillers will ensure good health and longevity for your pet.

Don’t just give him dry kibble every time – mix in some chopped up cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables. Remember that some vegetables like onion can be bad for your pet.

Dogs love simplicity, and feeding your dog these simple foods will ensure you don’t battle with upset stomachs. Make sure you always have a bowl of fresh, cool water available for your pet.

General:

Trim his nails when they get long and don’t wear down naturally.

Check his ears for redness, itchiness and discharge which could indicate an ear infection.

If you have him professionally groomed, you will still need to brush him twice a week. It’s also your time to check him over for ticks and fleas and any unusual lumps.

Caring for a Glen of Imaal isn’t going to be a huge job. This is what makes him such a wonderful pet as he is a straightforward pet, requiring little more than a brush to avoid the hair matting.

Check his ears, teeth and nails from time to time to ensure he is always in tip top condition.

Diet:

If you intend making use of the convenience of commercially manufactured dog foods, the top quality one will provide you with balanced nutrition for your Glen and you can mix in some cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken from time to time.

The Glen of Imaal Terrier is a small-breed dog and, he should be offered dog food that has been specially formulated for small, energetic dog breeds. You can also add in a little bit of raw meat into his kibble as a treat as this is important for keeping him free of skin allergies.

Make sure he always has a bowl of fresh, cool drinking water.