Mal-Shi vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison

Mal-Shi vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed ComparisonCao da Serra de Aires is originated from Portugal but Mal-Shi is originated from United States. Cao da Serra de Aires may grow 25 cm / 10 inches higher than Mal-Shi. Cao da Serra de Aires may weigh 20 kg / 45 pounds more than Mal-Shi. Both Cao da Serra de Aires and Mal-Shi has almost same life span. Both Cao da Serra de Aires and Mal-Shi has almost same litter size. Both Cao da Serra de Aires and Mal-Shi requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Companion dog
undefined
Portugal
United States
Height Male:
45 - 55 cm
17 - 22 inches
25 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
Height Female:
42 - 53 cm
16 - 21 inches
25 - 30 cm
9 - 12 inches
Weight Male:
17 - 27 kg
37 - 60 pounds
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
Weight Female:
15 - 27 kg
33 - 60 pounds
3 - 7 kg
6 - 16 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
10 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 6
2 - 5
Size:
Medium
Small
Other Names:
Portuguese Sheepdog, Portuguese Shepherd Dog
Malti Tzu
Colors Available:
Fawn, gray, yellow and black
white and apricot, brown., black and white, White
Coat:
Long, shaggy, single-layer coat,
Long, silky, wavy
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Detached, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

cao da serra de airesAncestors of the Cao da Sera de Aires were used for herding livestock in the Serra de Aires and Alentejo, Portugal. This herding dog is native to Portugal and throughout the 20th Century he was kept as a working dog.

Known also as the Portuguese Sheepdog, Portuguese Shepherd Dog or Serra de Aires Mountain Dog, there are some questions surrounding the breed's ancestry as there are few records of dogs before 1900. The dog is thought to be related to the Pyrenean and Catalan Sheepdogs and that it has descended from Briards which were imported into Portugal and crossed with the Pyrenean Sheepdog.

The Cão da Serra de Aires breed standard was accepted by the Portuguese Kennel Club, and the breed was recognized internationally in 1996. The dog was also recognized by the United Kennel Club in the Herding Group in 2006.

mal shiSmall 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.

Description

cao da serra de aires puppy - descriptionThe beautiful Cão da Serra de Aires is a medium-sized dog. He stands at 45 to 55 cm at the withers and weighs about 17 to 27 kg. He is recognizable by the long, shaggy, single-layer coat, of straight or slightly wavy hair. Don’t be deceived by the coat as below, the dog has a muscular, athletic body.

The coat comes in different shades such as fawn, gray, yellow and black. The dog has a long tail which is held straight out or down and he has medium-length, floppy ears. You’ve got to look hard, as the facial features of the dog are hidden by its shaggy coat. He has a lot of facial hair that sometimes you have to wonder if he can see out of his eyes.

Temperament:

The Cao da Serra de Aires is a wonderful canine companion and is devoted and loyal, forming strong bonds with their human family. He is a playful, amicable dog and gets on well with children in the home as well as with other pets.

He is intelligent and trainable, and when properly trained and socialized,he becomes an even nicer pet to have around and is obedient to his master’s voice. He is territorial, strong willed and dominant and makes a good watchdog too.

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.

Characteristics

cao da serra de aires dog - characteristicsThe Cão da Serra de Aires is such a loyal dog to his human family that he makes a splendid pet. He is active, having worked historically at herding and guarding.

Socialization and obedience training ensure that he becomes an exceptional pet and he has a host of positive attributes to his name – he is intelligent, energetic, loyal and loving. He may have been used long ago to guard livestock, but today he is selected as a pet specifically for his excellent companionship and for his protective nature.

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.

Health Problems

cao da serra de aires puppies - health problemsAs with most dogs that are looked after well, their health can be good. The Cao da Serra de Aires isn’t likely to keep you at the vet often. Just like with any good dog, there are some health disorders that can benefit you to know about.

Being forewarned , you can get your pet to the vet quickly before the illness gets out of hand.

There are some pet owners who want to have their pets tested by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals as well as the Canine Eye Registration Foundation to rule out health defects such as hip dysplasia and cataracts before they manifest themselves in their pets. This is of particular importance to breeders so as to prevent the parent dogs passing bad genetic conditions to the puppies.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a common skeletal disease where the dog’s hip joints don’t develop properly. It can be terribly painful for your pet to get around. It’s a genetic condition and while it is more prevalent in big dogs, any breeds are susceptible.

Your dog will battle along with painful joints and sometimes his hind-end will be lame. You’ll notice that once lying down, he battles to get up again. Fortunately vets are well acquainted with this ailment and they have different options to treat and manage it.

Cataracts:

Cataracts in your dog come about from a disease process which affects the lens of the eye. The eye loses its transparency and impairs vision. There are some instances where cataracts can cause blindness. You’ll see a whitish gray area in your pets eye. The most common cause of cataracts is genetics. Get your pet to the vet who will do certain tests to evaluate the eyes and make a recommendation.

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.

Caring The Pet

cao da serra de aires dogs - caringAs a working dog used to long hours of action, the Cao da Serra de Aires will need lots of activity. He’ll need you taking him for long walks and playing ball games with him. He can become frustrated and destructive when left without any physical stimulation.

Grooming

The Cao da Serra de Aires may have long hair but he isn’t high maintenance. He won’t require professional grooming, but will require a good brush a least twice a week. This is because the long coat can tangle.

To keep him looking his best, you’ll want to be trimming the hair around his paws. Another important grooming task is checking his ears and cleaning them. You have to be careful about cleaning your pet ears if you don’t know how, as it could damage the ears. Your vet can always advise you on how this is done.

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.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Cao da Serra de Aires vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Cao da Serra de Aires vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Cao da Serra de Aires vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Cao da Serra de Aires vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Cao da Serra de Aires vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Cao da Serra de Aires vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Cao da Serra de Aires vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Mal-Shi vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Mal-Shi vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Mal-Shi vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Mal-Shi vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Mal-Shi vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Mal-Shi vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Mal-Shi vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Mal-Shi vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Mal-Shi vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Mal-Shi vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Mal-Shi vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Mal-Shi vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Mal-Shi vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Mal-Shi vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Mal-Shi vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Mal-Shi vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Mal-Shi vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Mal-Shi vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Mal-Shi vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Mal-Shi vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Mal-Shi vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Mal-Shi vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Mal-Shi vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Mal-Shi vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Mal-Shi vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison