Zoe

The little Yorkshire Terrier thinks they're Great Danes, and like most terriers, are bold, brave, and independent. They are very intelligent and  develop deep bonds with their owners. Full-grown, they typically weigh 4-7 pounds and stand 8-9 inches tall.

Yorkshire Terriers are generally excellent with children of all ages. Because of their diminutive stature, Yorkies are well-suited to apartment life, but households with young children are not recommended unless carefully supervised. They're fairly vocal dogs that bark regularly.

The Yorkshire Terrier can have most of their exercise needs met through indoor play, but they prefer a daily walk or romp in a fenced-in yard. They don't need much exercise, so don't wear your Yorkie out too much, but they will need to play with their families throughout the day. Overall, their exercise needs are high.

Yorkies' coats can be a bit high maintenance, especially for those with the long, silky coat. Long coats require professional maintenance, including adding oil and wrapping the coats in rice or tissue paper, along with weekly washings. The Yorkshire Terrier has no undercoat, and they do shed a small amount. Grooming-wise, this breed is high-maintenance. Yorkshire Terriers are considered hypoallergenic, which can be a plus for allergy sufferers.

Yorkshire Terriers are best suited for apartments and smaller homes. Because of their diminutive stature, Yorkies are well-suited to apartment life, but households with young children are not recommended unless carefully supervised. They are fairly easy to train.

The Mal-Shi is a cross between a Maltese and a Shih Tzu. This hybrid originated in the United States. It is also known by Shih-tese, Shihtese and Malti Tzu. The Maltese is a small, fearless and very playful dog with a long, white silky coat that is hypoallergenic (very low shed cycle). Maltese do very well with other animals, but are often leery of strangers. The Shih Tzu is a medium sized and more sturdy breed with a double coat that is very people focused and literally thrives on attention and affection. The combination of these two breeds produce a cute, sturdy, intelligent, family focused dog with a slow shed cycle. Full-grown, they typically weigh 6-12 pounds and stand 10-10 inches tall.

Mal Shis are generally okay with older children who know how to handle dogs. They do well with older children, nearly all animals, and with those of whom they are accustomed. They're not overly vocal and often fearful of strangers, making them a poor candidate for watchdog. They're fairly vocal dogs that bark regularly.

Mal-Shi are house pets in need of protection from extreme temperatures and they require plenty of exercise and playtime. A brisk twenty minute daily walk may do the trick, but don't neglect to fulfill their never ending desire to run, chew and play. A bored lazy Mal-Shi is likely to become depressed, destructive, disobedient or even worse, missing. Overall, their exercise needs are moderate.

The MalShih coat typically resembles that of a standard Shih Tzu with less, or no, undercoat. Like the standard Shih Tzu, the Mal-Shi does not shed as like most breeds do, but rather lose hair slowly like people. Most owners keep their Mal-Shi in a puppy cut (coat trimmed short) and others groom them daily using the traditional top knot and center part. Grooming-wise, this breed is low-maintenance. Mal Shis are considered hypoallergenic, which can be a plus for allergy sufferers.

Mal Shis are best suited for apartments and smaller homes. They are fairly easy to train.