Mal-Shi vs Grand Anglo-Francais Blanc et Orange - 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.

The Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange is one of three Grand Anglo-Français breeds. The dogs comes from crossing French scenting hounds with English Foxhounds way back in the 19th century.

The sporting dog is rare, believing to be be pretty much confined to their country of origin – France. It is recognized in France by the French Kennel Club and also internationally by the Federation Cynologique Internationale. Since 2006, they have been recognized by the UKC and are thought to be kept essentially as a working dog as opposed to being kept as a companion dog.

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.

The lean, muscular Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange is a large, powerful dog standing at 60 – 70cm at the withers and weighing 30 to 36 kg.

He has a short, broad head with a broad, flat skull. He has long legs, a long tail and long, floppy ears. His coat is white with orange markings. These dogs are instinctive hunters with a superb sense of smell and the ability to track their prey for miles.

Temperament:

Sociable, independent, loving and loyal, the Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange can become attached to his owner. He doesn't want to be left alone for long periods of time, becoming bored and destructive.

Training and socialization is excellent for your dog, making him obedient and also more relaxed when you're not there.While he is patient and good with children, if you're looking for a playful pet, this dog wouldn't come as recommended for children, as his heart longs to just be outside on the hunt.

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 Grand Anglo – Francais et Orange has always been a pack dog and used to being social. He will get on well with his entire human family as well as with any other pets in the home.

The Grand Anglo-Francais Blanc et Orange is a loyal dog, and when trained he becomes an excellent companion. He is patient with children, but doesn't make a particularly great playmate as he has a more serious personality.

The Grand Anglo-Francais Blanc et Orange is a dog that has been specifically developed to hunt, so ensure that he gets a good amount of exercise. While he is essentially a dog that loves working in a pack, he can still make his human family a loving and devoted pet.

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.

Capable of reaching 10 to 12 years in age, you won't really find any particular health issues with this dog. He is a fairly healthy dog and will be able to reach a good age with good nutrition, exercise, love and care.

Because of the long, floppy ears, you want to be checking inside the ears. As a hunting scentdog, he will chase his prey through water if needs be, and damp ears can encourage bacteria.

Ear infections are common in most dogs, and you'll notice your pet scratching and rubbing at his ear and even shaking his head. You may also notice swelling or redness. Veterinary intervention will be necessary.

If your dog's ear infection has cleared up, you can maintain the health of the ear by cleaning them with a gentle cleanser and cotton wool. There is always caution when cleaning a dog’s ear, and rupturing the ear drum is one. Be careful, and if you're not sure, rather make an appointment with your vet to have his ears cleaned.

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.

Exercise:

As a scenthound, your Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange loves being outdoors and following a scent trail. These dogs therefore are better suited to life in the countryside as opposed to life in the city. Make sure you provide him with plenty of exercise – walks, swimming and running with you when you go cycling or jogging. Include ball- and rope games too.

Grooming:

Your orange and white scent dog will thrive on you taking time out for him to brush his short coat twice a week and to also check for fleas and ticks at the same time.

Diet:

Looking forward to his food, your energetic Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange will require a high quality commercially manufactured food. Make sure that you buy the best brands to ensure your pet gets his vitamins and minerals in instead of just a lot of fillers, colorants and preservatives.

Many dog owners prefer giving their dogs several smaller meals throughout the day as opposed to one or two large meals. With his dry kibble you can add in some raw meat from time to time as well as cooked brown rice, cooked chicken and vegetables. See that he has access to a constant supply of fresh, cool water.