Portuguese Water Dog has average risk of obesity, needs daily walks and quality diet to maintain healthy weight.

Mal-Shi has high obesity risk, needs regular exercise and food control to maintain healthy weight.

While no dogs are truly 100% hypoallergenic, Portuguese Water Dogs are about as close as it gets, making them an ideal pet if you are an allergy sufferer.

Unfortunately, the Mal-Shi is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Brave
Impetuous
Obedient
Docile
Intelligent
Quarrelsome

Affectionate
Independent
Loving
Playful
Social
Alert
Intelligent
Going
Quiet

Portuguese Water Dogs make excellent watchdogs - they're vocal and protective of their territory.

Mal-Shis are decent watchdogs - they'll alert their owner if something seems amiss.

Portugal

United States

poodle

Shih Tzu, Maltese

700 BC

1990

Brown

Hazel
Amber

Black
Brown

Black

Black
White
Brown

White
Black
Brown

Portuguese Water Dogs have coats that can be either short or medium in length.

Mal-Shis are known for their coat length.

Curly

Straight

A Portuguese Water Dog can have a litter of 10-14 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

A Mal-Shi can have a litter of 12-15 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Portuguese Water Dogs are highly adaptable and versatile, making them excellent companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.

Mal-Shis have average adaptability to changes in lifestyle and living environments compared to other breeds.

Hip Dysplasia
Addison's Disease
Follicular Dysplasia

Patellar Luxation
Respiratory Problems

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

None Known

Eye
Hip
Blood Test
X-Rays
Eye Examination
Physical Examination

X-Rays
Respiratory Tests
Full Body Physical Examination especially of the joints

Portuguese Water Dogs thrive on an active lifestyle due to their high-energy nature.

Mal-Shis are suitable for those with a balanced lifestyle as they have an average energy level.

Portuguese Water Dog has very high social needs and requires regular mental and physical stimulation, a job or purpose, and companionship.

Mal-Shi has above average social needs and thrives with interaction with humans and other dogs.

Portuguese Water Dogs require significant physical activity and suit those with an active lifestyle.

Mal-Shis need moderate physical activity and are great for families and active individuals.

Portuguese Water Dogs are active and require sufficient sleep to stay healthy.

Mal-Shis have moderate energy levels and typical sleep patterns of 12-14 hours per day.

Portuguese Water Dog dogs are generally less vocal than other breeds and only bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or communicate.

Mal-Shis bark moderately when necessary and may also bark due to certain triggers like fear, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety and compulsive barking.

While Portuguese Water Dog dogs can defend their territory or owners, it's not their primary trait, and they are not ideal guard dogs.

Mal-Shi dogs have a strong protective nature and territorial instinct. They are highly vigilant and will fiercely defend their home and family.

Walking, Petting, Running, Run, Frisbee, Swim, Fetch, Nose work, Sniffing, Drinking water, Jogging, Walk, Tug-of-war, Jump

Go to Beach, Go to Park, Run, Frisbee, Road trip, Tug-of-war, Chase, Fetch, Jumping, Shake, Walks, Play, Walk, Nap, Bath time, Brushing, Dog Parks, Eating Snacks, Walking, Sitting, Sleeping, Everything, Groom, Catch treats, Ride, Play ball

Portuguese Water Dogs are high-energy dogs. They need mental as well as physical exercise. These dogs require a lot of your involvement and without it they can, and will, become problematic dogs.

Mal-Shis are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Portuguese Water Dog, it's at least 10 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Mal-Shi, it's at least 5 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Portuguese Water Dog should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Ideally, Mal-Shi should be brushed at least 2 or 3 times a week (preferably daily) improve shedding.

Slicker Brush
Scissors
Clipper
Nail Clipper

Pin Brush
Clipper
Nail Clipper

For an average 42-60 pound (19 - 27 kg) Portuguese Water Dog feed 2.5 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

For an average 10-12 pound (5 - 5 kg) Mal-Shi feed 1 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

The average cost of a Portuguese Water Dog is somewhere $1.70 - $2.00 per day.

The average cost of a Mal-Shi is somewhere $1.40 - $1.40 per day.

The average per month expenses of a Portuguese Water Dog is between $48 - $63. This makes an average of $576 - $756 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

The average per month expenses of a Mal-Shi is between $35 - $42. This makes an average of $420 - $504 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Portuguese Water Dog is a very intelligent and trainable breed.

Mal-Shi has below average obedience intelligence, but they excel in understanding human emotions.

The Portuguese Water Dog is a great apartment dog, thriving with sufficient exercise and time outside as part of their daily routine.

Mal-Shis are good apartment dogs as long as they get enough exercise and stimulation outside of the apartment.

Portuguese Water Dogs are good with cats, but early training is needed to prevent chasing behavior.

Mal-Shis are average in their friendliness toward cats and tend to do well with them, especially if raised together.

Portuguese Water Dogs are a playful breed that needs daily playtime to be happy.

Mal-Shis have an average level of playfulness, enjoying playtime like most dogs but not excessively so.

Portuguese Water Dogs are popular for their ease of training and quick learning ability.

Mal-Shis are usually easy to train but require consistency to fully obey commands.