Jack
A Sheptese, or Malshep as they are sometimes called, is the offspring of a purebred Maltese and a German Shepherd.
There are other combinations of purebred dogs that can make a Mity Mix, such as a mix between a Pomeranian and a German Shepherd, but these dogs don’t have the unique Maltese ancestry.
The Maltese German Shepherd Mix breed emerged in recent years, but there is evidence that people were breeding this type of dog back in the 1930s. It is a designer dog that is becoming increasingly popular.
This is a guide to everything you need to know about the Maltese German Shepherd mix, from personality traits to expected lifespan.
Introduction to The Maltese German Shepherd Mix
The German Shepherd breed is well-known for a variety of excellent traits. As a result, they are frequently used to cross with other breeds to create offspring with certain features.
They are frequently mated with other big working dogs. However, now and then, GSDs become involved with unexpected unions and produce strange but undoubtedly attractive pups, like the Maltese German shepherd hybrid.
Getting to Know The German Shepherd
The German Shepherd was first seen in a display in Hanover in 1882. A guy named Max produced them through the cross-breeding of rural sheep dogs. They were originally transported to America in 1906. Following that, the breed became quite popular in the United Kingdom.
The German Shepherd is considered a Herding dog. With both males and females weighing 74 – 98 pounds, they differ when it comes to height as males can be around 24 – 27 inches tall and females 21 – 25 inches. This breed can live up to 13 years.
Appearance:
He is a well-balanced dog. The wide head tapers gracefully to a pointed nose. The ears are rather huge and stand upright. The back is flat and strong, with a bushy tail that slopes downward. The coat is rough and thick, and it can be black, tan, black and tan, or gray. The coat should be rough and medium in length; although, long-coated individuals are common.
Speed:
The German Shepherd’s build and stature make it a speedier runner, capable of reaching speeds of up to 30 mph.
Temperament
Because the GSD is an excellent guardian, it does not tolerate visitors. However, if taught as a puppy, it will fit itself for gaining new mates. GSDs prefer to be with someone at all times, whether it be their master, family members, or a companion. Because the GSD is incredibly clever and lively, they need always be kept engaged, exercised, and played.
Getting to Know The Maltese
The Maltese breed needs a little introduction because it is an old breed that is still as popular as ever. It is also known as the “Maltese Lion Dog” or “Melita,” Malta’s former name.
The American Kennel Club chose the name Maltese for the dog breed in the nineteenth century. To maintain its tiny size, the dog has been selectively bred. The precise origin of the dog is uncertain, and different myths surround its origins, which are considered to be in Italy.
The Maltese are considered toy dogs. Males and females are both around 7 – 10 inches tall and weigh between 2 – 12 pounds, with a lifespan of 12 – 15 Years.
Appearance
The Maltese Dog has a rounded face, a pitch-black nose, brown eyes, and medium-length floppy ears. The tail is curled and fluffy. This breed has a silky, long pure white coat with no undercoat. Because it does not shed, it is considered hypoallergenic.
Speed:
Based on their performance in the AKC, Malteses are rather quick, running at average speeds of 14.7 mph.
Temperament
These little canines were bred to be companion dogs. They may be little, but it is a good idea to get them taught and socialized because they may be a little prickly, especially around youngsters.
General Characteristics of A Maltese German Shepherd Mix
Although there is no standard appearance for the German Shepherd Maltese mix, here are a few qualities to look for:
Size and lifespan:
Given the parent breeds’ features, the Maltese german shepherd mix is often tiny to medium-sized. While they may be larger than a Maltese, they hardly grow to be the size of a german shepherd.
They will most likely be between 10 and 18 inches tall and weigh between 20 and 25 pounds.
They are normally predicted to live between 10 and 12 years, presuming no difficulties from uneven proportions.
Coat
The colors of the Shepherd are usually dominant genetically. The Sheptese typically gets the GSD’s black saddle, making it easily identifiable as a German shepherd mix. Even if the GSD parent has a different color, the cross is likely to inherit the same color and the same medium-to-long double coat. Very infrequently will the pups have the Maltese’s long and silky white coat.
Speed
Given its two parents’ running speeds, the Maltese-GSD mix is likely to run fairly quickly.
Nonetheless, its speed will be proportionate to its size, as longer legs entail greater strides. You can anticipate these dogs to be nimble, swift, and lively.
Strength
The German Shepherd-Maltese cross’s strength is mostly determined by its size. They may inherit the GSD parent’s more muscular physique, but they will not be as powerful solely because they are not large enough.
Despite this, they may still have a strong bite compared to the size of their muzzle.
The temperament of the Maltese German Shepherd Mix
The Sheptese is predicted to be friendlier and more appealing than a standard GSD.
Are These Dogs Good for Families?
Although both parent breeds are compassionate, the Maltese is slightly less family-friendly. With this breed, separation anxiety is a potential problem. Although this puppy is generally amiable with strangers, early socialization is essential.
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
The German Shepherd in your Sheptese has a strong hunting drive. It’s also bad news for your cat or other tiny animals. This puppy tolerates other dogs to a degree. It will be beneficial if you take your dog early on to a park to socialize with other pets.
The Maltese German Shepherd Mix Care:
Here is the necessary knowledge you need to have to take care of your pet dog:
Grooming Your Maltese German Shepherd Mix
To maintain a GSD Maltese mix’s appropriate grooming, not much is required. Trims and continuous brushing are unnecessary because they rarely obtain the Maltese’s long and smooth coat. However, you can give your Shepherd Maltese weekly baths to keep its coat healthy and clean.
The set the pup inherits will determine how to maintain its ears; in general, the GSD’s erect ears are healthier and simpler to maintain. However, the Maltese drop ears need a little bit more attention. To reduce the danger of ear infections, you must constantly keep it clean and dry.
Regular nail clipping is beneficial for all dogs, and the Maltese-German Shepherd mix is no exception. To maintain good dental health, regular brushing will also be necessary.
Training Your Maltese German Shepherd Mix
One of the smartest breeds in the world is the German Shepherd. It is among the most intelligent dog breeds, therefore learning a command only requires up to five repetitions.
The Maltese, on the other hand, are not as trainable. These canines are of the fifth cognitive level and may require up to 80 repetitions to master a new command.
This hybrid isn’t as smart as its GSD parent. Nevertheless, despite its lack of innate intellect, this cross may be a well-behaved and enjoyable companion thanks to early exposure and socialization.
Exercising Your Maltese German Shepherd Mix
As they have a GSD parent, they are likely to be highly active and intelligent. To avoid the development of negative habits they need at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. They will also require a lot of cognitive stimulation such as puzzle toys.
Food & Diet Requirements
The nutrition needs of your Maltese German Shepherd Mix are determined by which parent breed is dominant. The size of your dog is an important consideration. Use your observations as a reference, as feeding for tiny and large breeds differs. It is critical to select the best one.
If your dog is more like Maltese, which is more likely the case, he is more prone to blood sugar fluctuations. You must ensure that he eats at all meals. Start with three or four meals per day for a puppy and two times per day for an adult.
Health:
Overbreeding is a concern with popular breeds such as the Maltese and German Shepherd. This raises the likelihood of congenital diseases, especially in puppy mills that do not test for them. Another reason we advise against puppy mills. That will almost certainly raise the cost of a puppy, but we believe it is worthwhile.
Here are some serious health concerns that you should be aware of:
- Elbow dysplasia
- Hip dysplasia
- Patellar luxation
- Heart issues
- Microvascular dysplasia (MVD)
- Bloat
AKC Recognition:
Since the organization is a purebred registry, the AKC does not accept this breed because it is a hybrid between two breeds.
Nonetheless, it may engage in the AKC canine companions program, which permits hybrid dogs to register and compete in a variety of events.
Final Thoughts on the Maltese German Shepherd Mix
The Maltese-GSD hybrid is a joy to possess, just like any other breed. Even more so because of its very distinct look and a blend of the two parents’ personality traits.
However, because both parent breeds have a lot of health issues, doing your homework is even more important if you are thinking about adding a Sheptese into your family,
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a loving and loyal companion, a Maltese German Shepherd mix may be the perfect dog for you. These dogs are intelligent and eager to please, making them easy to train. They’re also great with children.
