Which is Better between the Mal Shi and the Pug? A Very Detailed Review.

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Mal Shi Versus Pug: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Mal Shi and the Pug? 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 Pug 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 Pug.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Mal Shi and the Pug 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 Pug. 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 Pug.

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 Pug.

Mal Shi versus Pug: Overview

A very important difference between the Mal Shi and the Pug is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Mal Shi is a tiny-sized dog while the Pug is a small-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 Pug belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Mal Shi versus Pug: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Mal Shi to the Pug 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 Pug

Factor Mal Shi Pug
Does NOT Shed 5/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 1/5
Intelligence 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
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 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 3/5
Weight 6 to 12 pounds 14 to 18 pounds
Height From 10 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1730 $1620
Price Range $1300 – $2000 $1200 – $1875
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Pug Dog Club of America recommends ANNUAL screening.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Pug Dog Encephalitis
  • Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD)
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • 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 Pug. 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 Pug is 80 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Pug is not better or worse than the Mal Shi. So, you can get the Pug or 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 Pug 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 Pug

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

  • Mal Shis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Pugs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Mal Shis require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Pugs are very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Mal Shi and the Pug

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

  • Both the Mal Shi and the Pug do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the Pug 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 Pug cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the Pug cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the Pug have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the Pug are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the Pug are very easy to train.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the Pug adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the Pug are good for new dog owners.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Mal Shi versus Pug

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

    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, Pugs weigh 14 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Pugs are 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Mal Shi versus Pug

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

    The lifespan of Pugs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pugs is 13.5 years.

    Pugs live longer than Mal Shis.

    Price of Mal Shi versus Price of Pug

    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 Pug puppy is $1620. The price of the Pug typically ranges from $1200 – $1875. However, the price of the Pug can be as low as $300 and as high as $6525. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 654 Pug puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Mal Shi is more expensive than the Pug.

    Mal Shi Pug
    Average Price $1730 $1620
    Price Range $1300 to $2000 $1200 to $1875

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Mal Shi and Pug. For different price points, the charts show how many Mal Shi puppies or how many Pug 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 Pugs

    A breakdown of the prices of Pugs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Mal Shi puppy or the Pug 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 Pug

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

    Pugs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Mal Shis shed more than Pugs?

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

    Pugs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Mal Shi or the Pug

    Mal Shis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Pugs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Mal Shi or the Pug?

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

    Pugs are very easy to groom.

    Does the Mal Shi Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pug?

    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.

    Pugs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Mal Shis Bark and Howl? What about Pugs?

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

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

    Can Mal Shis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pugs Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Pugs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Mal Shi vs. Pug

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

    Pugs 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 Pugs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Pugs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Mal Shis get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Pugs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Mal Shis good family dogs? What about Pugs?

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

    Pugs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Mal Shis and Pugs?

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

    Pugs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Mal Shi Easier to Train than the Pug?

    Mal Shis are very easy to train.

    Pugs are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Mal Shi Better for Apartment Owners than the Pug?

    Mal Shis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Pugs adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Mal Shis are very good for new dog owners.

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

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pug 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 Pug:

  • Boxer (74 percent match with Pug). Here is our comparison of the Mal Shi vs Boxer.
  • English Toy Spaniel (73 percent match with Pug). Here is our comparison of the Mal Shi vs English Toy Spaniel.
  • French Bulldog (83 percent match with Pug). Here is our comparison of the Mal Shi vs French Bulldog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Mal Shi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Mal Shi versus Basenji     Mal Shi versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Mal Shi versus Finnish Lapphund     Mal Shi versus Afghan Hound     Mal Shi versus Pug     Mal Shi versus Sloughi     Mal Shi versus Gordon Setter     Mal Shi versus Chinese Crested     Mal Shi versus Kishu Ken     Mal Shi versus Bloodhound     Mal Shi versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Mal Shi versus Bearded Collie     Mal Shi versus Akbash     Mal Shi versus Harrier     Mal Shi versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Mal Shi versus Brussels Griffon     Mal Shi versus English Springer Spaniel     Mal Shi versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Mal Shi versus Goldador     Mal Shi versus Akita     Mal Shi versus Chinook     Mal Shi versus Great Pyrenees     Mal Shi versus Giant Schnauzer     Mal Shi versus Curly-Coated Retriever     

    Pug Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pug versus King Shepherd     Pug versus Japanese Spitz     Pug versus Cockapoo     Pug versus Border Terrier     Pug versus Welsh Terrier     Pug versus Sloughi     Pug versus Pomsky     Pug versus Afghan Hound     Pug versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Pug versus Plott     Pug versus Plott     Pug versus Bordoodle     Pug versus Schipperke     Pug versus Saint Berdoodle     Pug versus Bolognese     Pug versus Spanish Mastiff     Pug versus Coton de Tulear     Pug versus Pharaoh Hound     Pug versus Bullmastiff     Pug versus Pomsky     Pug versus Lhasa Apso     Pug versus Beaglier     Pug versus Newfoundland     Pug versus Giant Schnauzer     Pug versus Kerry Blue Terrier     

    Conclusion: Mal Shi versus Pug. 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 Pug better suits you and your family.