Mal-Shi vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison

Mal-Shi is originated from United States but English Water Spaniel is originated from United Kingdom. Mal-Shi may grow 21 cm / 8 inches shorter than English Water Spaniel. Mal-Shi may weigh 13 kg / 28 pounds lesser than English Water Spaniel. Both Mal-Shi and English Water Spaniel has almost same life span. Mal-Shi may have less litter size than English Water Spaniel. Mal-Shi requires Moderate maintenance. But English Water Spaniel requires Low maintenance

History

mal shi - historySmall 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 English Water Spaniel breed is extinct and has been since the early 1900’s. It was last seen in the 1930s. The breed was a hunting breed, diving for duck and hunting other waterfowl. Legend has it that Shakespeare was referring to this breed of dog in Macbeth when he refers to the “water rug”. Again, in Two Gentlemen of Verona one of the character states about another that “She hath more qualities than a water-spaniel.’

The English Water Spaniel came along before the Irish Water Spaniel and had a part in the development the Curly Coated Retriever, the American Water Spaniel and the Field Spaniel. The English Water Spaniel looks somewhat like a Poodle/Springer Spaniel cross or a Collie. It is not known whether the English Water Spaniel was part of the development of the Irish Water Spaniel.

When the English Water Spaniel was first developed the UKC had a “Water Spaniels other than Irish” and the English Water Spaniel had no standard written and accepted for it yet. But by 1967 the breed was extinct. Still the American Water Spaniel and the Flat Coated Retriever are believed to be descendants of the English Water Spaniel.

Description

mal shi puppy - descriptionThe 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.

Resembling the Springer Spaniel, poodle, collie and setter the English Water Spaniel has very little in common with the Irish Water Spaniel in respect to looks. The English has a narrow and somewhat longer head their than other spaniels and they have long furry ears. Their body is stout, and they are shaped like a barrel – more like a Clumber. With long legs and large feet, it is ready to take to the hunt. There coat was waterproof, and their toes were webbed.

Characteristics

mal shi dog - characteristicsThe 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 English Water Spaniel was aloof with strangers but loyal with his hunter. He was a little stubborn and an excellent water dog. They loved being in the water and could enter it without making any noise so as not to frighten his prey. He was highly intelligent and trainable. He also was very affectionate with his people.

Health Problems

mal shi puppies - health problemsThe 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 English Water Spaniel is a fairly healthy breed given to some fairly common disorders such as:

Hip Dysplasia

Can lead to lameness and arthritis

Cardiac abnormalities

Arterial fib and flutter and other problems that could lead to death.

Degenerative Myelopathy

This is a disease seem in several “Dwarf” breeds such as Corgis, as well as in many spaniels. This is the canine version of Lou Gehrig’s Disease or ALS and it is fatal.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

mal shi dogs - caringThe 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.

Feeding

The English Water Spaniel is not an overly energetic dog and has a tendency to over eat. Feed him 1 to 1.5 cups of high quality dry dog food over two meals each day.

Health issues

In addition to the health issues mentioned earlier, the English Water Spaniel is also prone to:

Baldness

Pattern baldness – is genetic and occurs on the neck and back of the hind legs.

Cataracts

English Water Spaniels can have these in old age like most other breeds.

Retinal Dysplasia

Clumps form in the retinal tissue and can lead to blindness

Exercise and games

The English Water Spaniel was a worker and an outdoor athlete at a time before organized canine games and activities such as agility and flyball. They loved to swim, and they loved to hunt. Without a job to do they could become barky and destructive.

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Sporting dog
Origin:
United States
United Kingdom
Height Male:
25 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
49 - 51 cm
19 - 21 inches
Height Female:
25 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
45 - 47 cm
17 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
16 - 20 kg
35 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 5
4 - 8
Size:
Small dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Malti Tzu
Water Dog, Water Rug
Colors Available:
white and apricot, brown., black and white, White
liver and white
Coat:
Long, silky, wavy
dense, waterproof, doublecoated
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. French Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  2. Flat-Coated Retriever vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  3. Finnish Spitz vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  4. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  5. English Water Spaniel vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  6. English Water Spaniel vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  7. English Water Spaniel vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison
  8. English Water Spaniel vs Beagador - Breed Comparison
  9. English Water Spaniel vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  10. English Water Spaniel vs Curly Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  11. English Water Spaniel vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  12. English Water Spaniel vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison
  13. English Water Spaniel vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  14. Field Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  15. Lagotto Romagnolo vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  16. Formosan Mountain Dog vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  17. Shikoku vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  18. Slovakian Hound vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  19. Small Munsterlander vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  20. Sussex Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  21. Kooikerhondje vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  22. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  23. West Siberian Laika vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  24. Wetterhoun vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  25. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  26. Mal-Shi vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  27. Mal-Shi vs Alaskan Klee Kai - Breed Comparison
  28. Mal-Shi vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  29. Mal-Shi vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  30. Mal-Shi vs Fruggle - Breed Comparison
  31. Mal-Shi vs Lhasapoo - Breed Comparison
  32. Mal-Shi vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  33. Mal-Shi vs Kyi-Leo - Breed Comparison
  34. Malti-Pom vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  35. PekePoo vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  36. Schipperke vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  37. Schweenie vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  38. Meliteo Kinidio vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  39. Prazsky Krysarik vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  40. Pugalier vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  41. Tsvetnaya Bolonka vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  42. Muggin vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  43. Pomeranian vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  44. Maltese vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  45. Pug vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  46. Maltipoo vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  47. Miniature Schnauzer vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  48. Mal-Shi vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  49. Mal-Shi vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  50. Mal-Shi vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds