I'm going to go get a puppy tomorrow and i have to choose between a maltese, maltipoo, or shih tzu. If you have any information regarding behavior that would be great. I also have a Golden Retriever so i need a breed that gets along well with other dogs.
2006-07-23 04:49:59 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
A maltipoo is a mutt, while a Maltese and a Shih Tzu are purebred dogs. Your choices of breeds and the rush you seem to be in is scaring me - are you going to a pet store for your puppy? Terrible idea! You should take your time about choosing a dog that is going to share your life for the next 10-14 years!!
It's a heck of a lot harder to train and housebreak a Toy Breed than a Golden Retriever - I hope you're expecting that.
Don't get a dog just because it's "cute" - you have to be able to live with its behavior!!! Find a good breeder by going to www.akc.org or talking to people at dog shows. You can also find info about the breed clubs on the akc site - they probably have a rescue group where you can get an older dog for less money. The best breeders will be members of their breed club, promoting healthy dogs with great temperaments. They should ask you a bunch of questions to make sure their puppy will be getting a good home. If all a "breeder" seems to care about is whether your check will clear, you can be sure he won't care a week later when the pup is dying from distemper or parvo and you want your money back.
Whatever you do, DON'T go to a pet shop, a flea market or buy one sight-unseen off the Internet!!!! You'll pay top dollar for what is usually a poor quality puppy mill dog. And you'll be supporting one of the cruelest industries in the country. The breeding animals are often kept in deplorable conditions - spending their entire lives in small wire-bottomed cages. They probably haven't been vaccinated against contagious diseases or tested for any health or temperament problems or genetic diseases - that costs money and cuts into their profits. A female is often bred every time she comes into heat. When her poor little body can't take it any more, she is often clubbed in the head and tossed into a dumpster or an open ditch. Most puppy mills ship their pups to pet stores at wholesale prices and many pups die before they even get there.
These so-called "breeders" have now figured out that they can use the internet to ship a dog directly to the customer and thus make more money by cutting out the middleman. If you buy a dog from out of state, good luck getting your money back if there's something wrong with the pup. These people count on you becoming instantly attached to the poor little guy and being willing to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars at the vet to treat whatever is wrong with him.
2006-07-23 14:16:25 · answer #1 · answered by Danger, Will Robinson! 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I know people with both. Also someone that has bred them, she always goes back to the maltipoo because she believes that mix is a sweet demeanored loving dog. That said the shihtzu is too. BUT it all depends on if you want a smooshfaced dog or a dog with more of a muzzle that the shihtzu. I have poodles, so when getting a maltipoo, you could get a dog with more of a poodle look which is longer muzzle and legs, or it could be shorter legs and a bit shorter of a muzzle like the maltese. The coats can vary.
2006-07-23 05:19:28 · answer #2 · answered by June V 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have maltese, maltipoos, poodles, and a shih tzu. If you want a lap compagnion, the maltese is the best. the maltipoos are great because they are a bit smarter than the maltese. As for the shih tzu, they are more aloof, but still affectionate.
2006-07-23 05:38:19 · answer #3 · answered by Val 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all I would reccomend a pure breed dog before any other. This way you have less change of congenital disorders and temperment. Dont get me wrong I love ALL animals, but with mixed breeds (especially toy breeds) are more susceptible to conditions and diseases than pure breeds.
However as far as a purebreed is concerned, I reccomend a MALTESE. I have two of my own and they have the best temperment and ability to learn and adapt than any other toy breed, plus they play well with cats and other dogs. They are also hypoallergenic. The only downside is grooming. Do NOT get a maltese if you are not going to be prepared to groom on a regular basis.
Hope that helped.
:) Maltese Lover
2006-07-23 14:41:46 · answer #4 · answered by LaToyia & Sean 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the question you should be asking, is "What life style do I live right now, and what are my expectations from a new puppy/dog?" Get on line; there are tons of sites where you can learn about each dog you are referring to. As far as other dogs getting along with your Golden. If you take on the proper roll of "pack leader" in a calm/assertive manner, then any dog you bring into your home will get along with your Golden. However, this calm/assertive state goes for your Golden also. You tell your dogs ok, you both live here, now there will be no fighting/competeing etc. You are the one who deligates these things to your dog. All dogs are made of energy. Some have higher energy than others. If your Golden for instance has this high energy, than your energy must be even higher. In this I mean your dog should always do what you tell it too. This goes right along with bringing a new puppy in your home. Remember you are calm/assertive and your dogs should be calm/submissive. You decide what kind of dog you want; it will be more special to you that way.
2006-07-23 04:58:20 · answer #5 · answered by Fawnice 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Maltipoo is a "boutique" breed. A Shih Tzu is a Pure Breed.
Boutique breeds are fairly new and haven't been around long enough to know their inherent flaws.
2006-07-23 04:55:06 · answer #6 · answered by DEATH 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to find out more about a "breed"..check with that breed's national parent breed club... such as Shih Tzu Club of America...
If the breed is an AKC recognized breed..there will be a national parent breed club.. usually easily found by a net search by searching for that breed's name + Club of America...
As to the "designer" dogs.. .maltipoo , labradoodle, etc... they're too new to have much of a "history" as a "breed"....but as they are a mixture of two different breeds..they won't be considered a "breed" by AKC as they are not a "pure" breed....
Hope that helps
2006-07-23 05:06:00 · answer #7 · answered by sheersibes 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shih Tzu! They are so cute, and my friend has one and she also has a golden retriever. They get along quite well and, they play with each other all the time! They're best buddies. Good luck!!
2006-07-23 06:01:26 · answer #8 · answered by moose_luver 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Go AKC.org and they have an area for telling you the characteristic of each breed. If your dog has been around other dogs, then there should be no problem. Older dogs give puppies a "puppy permit", so you shouldn't have a problem.
2006-07-23 04:57:35 · answer #9 · answered by mustanglady 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maltipoo is not an AKC, UKC registered breed, but a mutt.
2006-07-23 04:53:37 · answer #10 · answered by Ginbail © 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋