Mal-Shi vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison

Mal-Shi vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed ComparisonMal-Shi is originated from United States but Entlebucher Mountain Dog is originated from Switzerland. Mal-Shi may grow 20 cm / 7 inches shorter than Entlebucher Mountain Dog. Mal-Shi may weigh 23 kg / 50 pounds lesser than Entlebucher Mountain Dog. Both Mal-Shi and Entlebucher Mountain Dog has almost same life span. Mal-Shi may have less litter size than Entlebucher Mountain Dog. Both Mal-Shi and Entlebucher Mountain Dog requires Moderate 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.

entlebucher mountain dog - historyThe Entlebucher Mountain Dog is the smallest of the Swiss Mountain Dogs, but he is still a powerful dog used to herd cattle. The four breeds are the Bernese Mountain Dog, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, the Appenzeller Mountain Dog and the Entlebucher. It was though that these dogs came to Switzerland with the Romans over 2 centuries ago. The Entlebucher was put to work guarding and herding sheep, pulling carts and flocking cattle. Toward the end of the 19th century the breed was on the edge of extinction because many were breeding them with German Shepherds. So, Franz Schertenleib, in 1889 brought all the existing Entlebuchers together and bred them. He is credited with keeping the breed alive.

It is believed that the breed comes originally from a valley in the District of Cantons Lucerne and Berne, called Entlebuch. They were considered the same breed as the Appenzell Cattle Dog until 1913 when they were classified as a Mountain Dog – the fourth breed of Mountain Dog. The AKC did not recognize the breed until 2011.

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.

tion

entlebucher mountain dog puppy - descriptionThe Entlebucher Mountain Dog is a muscular, compact, and medium sized dog. Their heads are square, and the skull is flat. He has dark eyes that are alert and expressive in a friendly way. Their ears are triangular and hang on the side of his head. With compact feet, a muscular body and well angled hocks, he is a good looking dog and ready for his jobs.

His coat is striking, and it is familiar in its closeness to the other Mountain Dogs coats. Yet he has some distinctive differences that tell you this is not a Bernese or a Swiss, it is an Entlebucher.

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.

entlebucher mountain dog dog - characteristicsThe Entle is a happy, clever dog that needs a job. They are intelligent and physical. They love people and throw themselves at you when they see you. They are loving and loyal but again he has to have a job.

He makes a great watchdog, therapy dog or companion for your children. He only barks when he has to but is wary of strangers and he is territorial.

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 Entlebucher is prone to:

Hip Dysplasia

entlebucher mountain dog puppies - health problemsCommon to large dogs. Can cause lameness and arthritis.

Hemolytic Anemia

The immune system destroys its own blood cells.

PRA – Progressive Retinal Atrophy

This is inherited and causes degeneration of the retina. There is new medication for this.

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

entlebucher mountain dog dogs - caringThe Entlebucher Mountain Dog is a large working dog. He needs good solid food, but he doesn’t need to be overfed. Give him about 2-3 cups per day fed in 2-3 meals. Be careful of Bloat in the large dog.

Health issues

The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is prone to these issues as well as those mentioned earlier.

  1. Entlebucher Urinary Syndrome
  2. The Ureter is misplaced.
  3. Luxating Patellas
  4. Movable kneecaps
  5. Exercise and games

Entlebucher Mountain Dogs love to play, to work and to exercise. They are great with people who want to walk them every day, run with them, ride bikes or hike. They can play for hours or work for hours. They need a lot of activity every day and excel at tracking, obedience, herding and agility.

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Working dog
Origin:
United States
Switzerland
Height Male:
25 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
48 - 50 cm
18 - 20 inches
Height Female:
25 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
46 - 48 cm
18 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
20 - 30 kg
44 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
18 - 28 kg
39 - 62 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
11 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 5
6 - 12
Size:
Small dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Malti Tzu
Entlebucher Mountain Dog Entlebucher Cattle Dog Entlebucher
Colors Available:
white and apricot, brown., black and white, White
tricolor
Coat:
Long, silky, wavy
thick double coat
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, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Playful, Protective, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Mal-Shi vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  2. Mal-Shi vs Alaskan Klee Kai - Breed Comparison
  3. Mal-Shi vs Coton De Tulear - Breed Comparison
  4. Mal-Shi vs Japanese Spitz - Breed Comparison
  5. Mal-Shi vs Fruggle - Breed Comparison
  6. Mal-Shi vs Lhasapoo - Breed Comparison
  7. Mal-Shi vs Hawaiian Poi Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Mal-Shi vs Kyi-Leo - Breed Comparison
  9. Malti-Pom vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  10. PekePoo vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  11. Schipperke vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  12. Schweenie vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  13. Meliteo Kinidio vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  14. Prazsky Krysarik vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  15. Pugalier vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  16. Tsvetnaya Bolonka vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  17. Muggin vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  18. Pomeranian vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  19. Maltese vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  20. Pug vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  21. Maltipoo vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  22. Miniature Schnauzer vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  23. Mal-Shi vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Mal-Shi vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  25. Mal-Shi vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  27. Great Pyrenees vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  28. Presa Canario vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  29. Labrador Husky vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  30. Giant Schnauzer vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  31. Goldador vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  32. Mackenzie River Husky vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  33. German Longhaired Pointer vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  34. Pyredoodle vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  35. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  36. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  37. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  38. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  39. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  41. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  42. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  43. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  44. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  45. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  46. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  47. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  48. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  49. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  50. Entlebucher Mountain Dog vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds