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

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Mal Shi Versus Spanish Mastiff: Introduction

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

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

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 Spanish Mastiff.

Mal Shi versus Spanish Mastiff: Overview

A very important difference between the Mal Shi and the Spanish Mastiff is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Mal Shi is a tiny-sized dog while the Spanish Mastiff is a giant-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 Spanish Mastiff 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 Spanish Mastiff: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Mal Shi to the Spanish Mastiff 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 Spanish Mastiff

Factor Mal Shi Spanish Mastiff
Does NOT Shed 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 10 to 12 years
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 3/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
Weight 6 to 12 pounds 140 to 220 pounds
Height From 10 inches tall at the shoulder 26 to 35 inches
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1730 $1050
Price Range $1300 – $2000 $1000 – $1050
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data No Data

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 Spanish Mastiff. 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 Spanish Mastiff is 83 out of 125.

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

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 Spanish Mastiff 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 Spanish Mastiff

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

  • Mal Shis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Spanish Mastiffs are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Mal Shis adapt well to apartment living. However, Spanish Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Mal Shis are good for new dog owners. However, Spanish Mastiffs 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, Spanish Mastiffs have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Mal Shi and the Spanish Mastiff

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

  • Both the Mal Shi and the Spanish Mastiff do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the Spanish Mastiff 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 Spanish Mastiff cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the Spanish Mastiff require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the Spanish Mastiff do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the Spanish Mastiff are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Mal Shi versus Spanish Mastiff

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

    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, Spanish Mastiffs weigh 140 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Spanish Mastiffs are 26 to 35 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Mal Shi versus Spanish Mastiff

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

    The lifespan of Spanish Mastiffs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Spanish Mastiffs is 11.0 years.

    Mal Shis live longer than Spanish Mastiffs.

    Price of Mal Shi versus Price of Spanish Mastiff

    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 Spanish Mastiff puppy is $1050. The price of the Spanish Mastiff typically ranges from $1000 – $1050. However, the price of the Spanish Mastiff can be as low as $1000 and as high as $1200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 4 Spanish Mastiff puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Mal Shi is more expensive than the Spanish Mastiff.

    Mal Shi Spanish Mastiff
    Average Price $1730 $1050
    Price Range $1300 to $2000 $1000 to $1050

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Spanish Mastiffs

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

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

    Spanish Mastiffs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Mal Shis shed more than Spanish Mastiffs?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Mal Shi or the Spanish Mastiff

    Mal Shis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Spanish Mastiffs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Mal Shi or the Spanish Mastiff?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Mal Shi Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spanish Mastiff?

    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.

    Spanish Mastiffs 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 Spanish Mastiffs?

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

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

    Can Mal Shis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spanish Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Mal Shi vs. Spanish Mastiff

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

    Spanish Mastiffs 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 Spanish Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Mal Shis get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Spanish Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Mal Shis good family dogs? What about Spanish Mastiffs?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Mal Shis and Spanish Mastiffs?

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

    Spanish Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Mal Shi Easier to Train than the Spanish Mastiff?

    Mal Shis are very easy to train.

    Spanish Mastiffs are not easy to train.

    Is the Mal Shi Better for Apartment Owners than the Spanish Mastiff?

    Mal Shis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Spanish Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Mal Shis are very good for new dog owners.

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

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

  • Akbash (78 percent match with Spanish Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Mal Shi vs Akbash.
  • Hovawart (81 percent match with Spanish Mastiff). 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 Spanish Mastiff compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Mal Shi and of the Spanish Mastiff to other breeds:

    Mal Shi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Mal Shi versus Portuguese Water Dog     Mal Shi versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Mal Shi versus Stabyhoun     Mal Shi versus Peek A Poo     Mal Shi versus Whippet     Mal Shi versus Kai Ken     Mal Shi versus Briard     Mal Shi versus Fila Brasileiro     Mal Shi versus Berger Picard     Mal Shi versus Jack Russell Terrier     Mal Shi versus Catahoula Bulldog     Mal Shi versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Mal Shi versus Afador     Mal Shi versus Basenji     Mal Shi versus Yorkshire Terrier     Mal Shi versus American Water Spaniel     Mal Shi versus Kooikerhondje     Mal Shi versus Standard Poodle     Mal Shi versus Aussiedoodle     Mal Shi versus Kai Ken     Mal Shi versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Mal Shi versus German Pinscher     Mal Shi versus Spinone Italiano     Mal Shi versus Hovawart     Mal Shi versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     

    Spanish Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Spanish Mastiff versus King Shepherd     Spanish Mastiff versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Spanish Mastiff versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Spanish Mastiff versus Pomeranian     Spanish Mastiff versus Finnish Spitz     Spanish Mastiff versus Dutch Shepherd     Spanish Mastiff versus Chi-Poo     Spanish Mastiff versus Siberian Husky     Spanish Mastiff versus Alaskan Malamute     Spanish Mastiff versus Mal Shi     Spanish Mastiff versus Korean Jindo Dog     Spanish Mastiff versus Norwich Terrier     Spanish Mastiff versus American Foxhound     Spanish Mastiff versus Irish Wolfhound     Spanish Mastiff versus Yorkipoo     Spanish Mastiff versus Jack Russell Terrier     Spanish Mastiff versus Clumber Spaniel     Spanish Mastiff versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Spanish Mastiff versus Stabyhoun     Spanish Mastiff versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Spanish Mastiff versus Pomchi     Spanish Mastiff versus Portuguese Pointer     Spanish Mastiff versus American Water Spaniel     Spanish Mastiff versus Sussex Spaniel     Spanish Mastiff versus Flat-Coated Retriever     

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