Is the Mal Shi Better than the Maremma Sheepdog as a Pet? Answer…

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Mal Shi Versus Maremma Sheepdog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Mal Shi and the Maremma Sheepdog? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Mal Shi and the Maremma Sheepdog better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Mal Shi and the Maremma Sheepdog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Mal Shi and the Maremma Sheepdog is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Mal Shi and for the Maremma Sheepdog. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Mal Shi and the Maremma Sheepdog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Mal Shi or the Maremma Sheepdog.

Mal Shi versus Maremma Sheepdog: Overview

A very important difference between the Mal Shi and the Maremma Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Mal Shi is a tiny-sized dog while the Maremma Sheepdog is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Mal Shi belongs to the Hybrid Dogs group. Hybrid Dogs are the offspring of 2 or more known, but different, dog breeds.

On the other hand, the Maremma Sheepdog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Mal Shi versus Maremma Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Mal Shi to the Maremma Sheepdog based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Mal Shi and the Maremma Sheepdog

Factor Mal Shi Maremma Sheepdog
Does NOT Shed 5/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 11 to 13 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
General Health 2/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
Weight 6 to 12 pounds 65 to 100 pounds
Height From 10 inches tall at the shoulder 23.5 to 28.5 inches
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1730 $1160
Price Range $1300 – $2000 $495 – $1500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Shoulders
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Mal Shi in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Maremma Sheepdog. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Mal Shi is 80 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Maremma Sheepdog is 68 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Mal Shi is a better pet than the Maremma Sheepdog. So, you should get the Mal Shi!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Mal Shi and the Maremma Sheepdog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Mal Shi and the Maremma Sheepdog

    Below is a list of where the Mal Shi and the Maremma Sheepdog are most different:

  • Mal Shis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Maremma Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Mal Shis have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Maremma Sheepdogs are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Mal Shis are very easy to train. However, Maremma Sheepdogs are not easy to train.
  • Mal Shis adapt well to apartment living. However, Maremma Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Mal Shis are good for new dog owners. However, Maremma Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Mal Shis have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Maremma Sheepdogs have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Mal Shi and the Maremma Sheepdog

    The Mal Shi and the Maremma Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Mal Shi and the Maremma Sheepdog are most similar:

  • Both the Mal Shi and the Maremma Sheepdog do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the Maremma Sheepdog cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the Maremma Sheepdog require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the Maremma Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Mal Shi versus Maremma Sheepdog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Mal Shi and the Maremma Sheepdog.

    Mal Shis weigh 6 to 12 pounds when fully grown. Mal Shis are From 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Maremma Sheepdogs weigh 65 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Maremma Sheepdogs are 23.5 to 28.5 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Mal Shi versus Maremma Sheepdog

    The lifespan of Mal Shis is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Mal Shis is 13.0 years.

    The lifespan of Maremma Sheepdogs is between 11 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Maremma Sheepdogs is 12.0 years.

    Mal Shis live longer than Maremma Sheepdogs.

    Price of Mal Shi versus Price of Maremma Sheepdog

    The average price of the Mal Shi puppy is $1730. The price of the Mal Shi typically ranges from $1300 – $2000. However, the price of a Mal Shi can be as low as $700 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 216 Mal Shi puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Maremma Sheepdog puppy is $1160. The price of the Maremma Sheepdog typically ranges from $495 – $1500. However, the price of the Maremma Sheepdog can be as low as $300 and as high as $4135. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 41 Maremma Sheepdog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Mal Shi is more expensive than the Maremma Sheepdog.

    Mal Shi Maremma Sheepdog
    Average Price $1730 $1160
    Price Range $1300 to $2000 $495 to $1500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Mal Shi and Maremma Sheepdog. For different price points, the charts show how many Mal Shi puppies or how many Maremma Sheepdog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Mal Shis. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Mal Shis. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Maremma Sheepdogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Maremma Sheepdogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Mal Shi puppy or the Maremma Sheepdog puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Mal Shi versus Maremma Sheepdog

    Mal Shis can be left alone only for a short time.

    Maremma Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Mal Shis shed more than Maremma Sheepdogs?

    Mal Shis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Maremma Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Mal Shi or the Maremma Sheepdog

    Mal Shis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Maremma Sheepdogs drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Mal Shi or the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Mal Shis require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Maremma Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Mal Shi Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Mal Shis have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Maremma Sheepdogs have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Mal Shis Bark and Howl? What about Maremma Sheepdogs?

    Mal Shis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Maremma Sheepdogs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Mal Shis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Maremma Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Mal Shis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Maremma Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Mal Shi vs. Maremma Sheepdog

    Mal Shis do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Maremma Sheepdogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Mal Shis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Maremma Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Mal Shis cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Maremma Sheepdogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Mal Shi or the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Mal Shis get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Maremma Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Mal Shis good family dogs? What about Maremma Sheepdogs?

    Mal Shis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Maremma Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Mal Shis and Maremma Sheepdogs?

    Mal Shis get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Maremma Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Mal Shi Easier to Train than the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Mal Shis are very easy to train.

    Maremma Sheepdogs are not easy to train.

    Is the Mal Shi Better for Apartment Owners than the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Mal Shis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Maremma Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Mal Shi or the Maremma Sheepdog?

    Mal Shis are very good for new dog owners.

    Maremma Sheepdogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Mal Shi

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Mal Shi that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Mal Shi:

  • Maltese (79 percent match with Mal Shi). Here is our comparison of the Maremma Sheepdog vs Maltese.
  • Peek A Poo (80 percent match with Mal Shi). Here is our comparison of the Maremma Sheepdog vs Peek A Poo.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maremma Sheepdog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Maremma Sheepdog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Maremma Sheepdog:

  • Central Asian Shepherd Dog (75 percent match with Maremma Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Mal Shi vs Central Asian Shepherd Dog.
  • Hovawart (72 percent match with Maremma Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Mal Shi vs Hovawart.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Mal Shi and how the Maremma Sheepdog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Mal Shi and of the Maremma Sheepdog to other breeds:

    Mal Shi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Mal Shi versus Shetland Sheepdog     Mal Shi versus Cockapoo     Mal Shi versus Lhasapoo     Mal Shi versus Shiba Inu     Mal Shi versus Frenchton     Mal Shi versus American Hairless Terrier     Mal Shi versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Mal Shi versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Mal Shi versus Boerboel     Mal Shi versus Manchester Terrier     Mal Shi versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Mal Shi versus Bolognese     Mal Shi versus American Bulldog     Mal Shi versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Mal Shi versus Pyredoodle     Mal Shi versus Briard     Mal Shi versus American Eskimo Dog     Mal Shi versus Belgian Malinois     Mal Shi versus Brittany     Mal Shi versus Bearded Collie     Mal Shi versus Akita     Mal Shi versus Briard     Mal Shi versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Mal Shi versus Cocker Spaniel     Mal Shi versus Chinese Crested     

    Maremma Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Maremma Sheepdog versus Pomeranian     Maremma Sheepdog versus Mudi     Maremma Sheepdog versus Australian Cattle Dog     Maremma Sheepdog versus Maltipoo     Maremma Sheepdog versus Bedlington Terrier     Maremma Sheepdog versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Maremma Sheepdog versus Airedale Terrier     Maremma Sheepdog versus Chihuahua     Maremma Sheepdog versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Maremma Sheepdog versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Maremma Sheepdog versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Maremma Sheepdog versus Komondor     Maremma Sheepdog versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Maremma Sheepdog versus Rottweiler     Maremma Sheepdog versus Biewer Terrier     Maremma Sheepdog versus Greyhound     Maremma Sheepdog versus Spanish Mastiff     Maremma Sheepdog versus Bulldog     Maremma Sheepdog versus Cockapoo     Maremma Sheepdog versus Norwich Terrier     Maremma Sheepdog versus Norwegian Lundehund     Maremma Sheepdog versus Brittany     Maremma Sheepdog versus Sussex Spaniel     Maremma Sheepdog versus American Eskimo Dog     Maremma Sheepdog versus Bordoodle     

    Conclusion: Mal Shi versus Maremma Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Mal Shi and the Maremma Sheepdog better suits you and your family.