Mal Shi versus West Highland White Terrier. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Mal Shi Versus West Highland White Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Mal Shi and the West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier. 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 West Highland White Terrier.

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 West Highland White Terrier.

Mal Shi versus West Highland White Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Mal Shi and the West Highland White Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Mal Shi is a tiny-sized dog while the West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Mal Shi versus West Highland White Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Mal Shi to the West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier

Factor Mal Shi West Highland White Terrier
Does NOT Shed 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 12 to 16 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 3/5
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 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Weight 6 to 12 pounds 13 to 22 pounds
Height From 10 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 14.0 years
Average Price $1730 $2220
Price Range $1300 – $2000 $1600 – $2700
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Eye Examination- Recommend annual exams until at least age 8yrs (96mo)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • 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 West Highland White Terrier. 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 West Highland White Terrier is 80 out of 125.

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

    Below is a list of where the Mal Shi and the West Highland White Terrier are most different:

  • Mal Shis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, West Highland White Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Mal Shi and the West Highland White Terrier

    The Mal Shi and the West Highland White Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Mal Shi and the West Highland White Terrier are most similar:

  • Both the Mal Shi and the West Highland White Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the West Highland White Terrier cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the West Highland White Terrier require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the West Highland White Terrier have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the West Highland White Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the West Highland White Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the West Highland White Terrier are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the West Highland White Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the West Highland White Terrier are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Mal Shi and the West Highland White Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Mal Shi versus West Highland White Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Mal Shi and the West Highland White Terrier.

    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, West Highland White Terriers weigh 13 to 22 pounds when fully grown. West Highland White Terriers are 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Mal Shi versus West Highland White Terrier

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

    The lifespan of West Highland White Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of West Highland White Terriers is 14.0 years.

    West Highland White Terriers live longer than Mal Shis.

    Price of Mal Shi versus Price of West Highland White Terrier

    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 West Highland White Terrier puppy is $2220. The price of the West Highland White Terrier typically ranges from $1600 – $2700. However, the price of the West Highland White Terrier can be as low as $600 and as high as $3999. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 103 West Highland White Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The West Highland White Terrier is more expensive than the Mal Shi.

    Mal Shi West Highland White Terrier
    Average Price $1730 $2220
    Price Range $1300 to $2000 $1600 to $2700

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Mal Shi and West Highland White Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Mal Shi puppies or how many West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of West Highland White Terriers

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

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

    West Highland White Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Mal Shis shed more than West Highland White Terriers?

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

    West Highland White Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Mal Shi or the West Highland White Terrier

    Mal Shis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    West Highland White Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Mal Shi or the West Highland White Terrier?

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

    West Highland White Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Mal Shi Have a Higher Prey Drive than the West Highland White Terrier?

    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.

    West Highland White Terriers 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.

    Do Mal Shis Bark and Howl? What about West Highland White Terriers?

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

    West Highland White Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Mal Shis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    West Highland White Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Mal Shi vs. West Highland White Terrier

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

    West Highland White Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Mal Shis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    West Highland White Terriers 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 West Highland White Terrier?

    Mal Shis get along fairly well with other dogs.

    West Highland White Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Mal Shis good family dogs? What about West Highland White Terriers?

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

    West Highland White Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Mal Shis and West Highland White Terriers?

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

    West Highland White Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Mal Shi Easier to Train than the West Highland White Terrier?

    Mal Shis are very easy to train.

    West Highland White Terriers are very easy to train.

    Is the Mal Shi Better for Apartment Owners than the West Highland White Terrier?

    Mal Shis adapt very well to apartment living.

    West Highland White Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Mal Shi or the West Highland White Terrier?

    Mal Shis are very good for new dog owners.

    West Highland White Terriers 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 West Highland White Terrier vs Maltese.
  • Peek A Poo (80 percent match with Mal Shi). Here is our comparison of the West Highland White Terrier vs Peek A Poo.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the West Highland White Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier:

  • Bearded Collie (82 percent match with West Highland White Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Mal Shi vs Bearded Collie.
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (84 percent match with West Highland White Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Mal Shi vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Mal Shi Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Mal Shi versus Leonberger     Mal Shi versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Mal Shi versus Alaskan Malamute     Mal Shi versus Bullmastiff     Mal Shi versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Mal Shi versus Bordoodle     Mal Shi versus Goldendoodle     Mal Shi versus Lancashire Heeler     Mal Shi versus Cairn Terrier     Mal Shi versus Irish Water Spaniel     Mal Shi versus Yorkipoo     Mal Shi versus Finnish Lapphund     Mal Shi versus Toy Poodle     Mal Shi versus Leonberger     Mal Shi versus Brussels Griffon     Mal Shi versus Sealyham Terrier     Mal Shi versus Carolina Dog     Mal Shi versus Hovawart     Mal Shi versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Mal Shi versus Irish Water Spaniel     Mal Shi versus Clumber Spaniel     Mal Shi versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Mal Shi versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Mal Shi versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Mal Shi versus Cesky Terrier     

    West Highland White Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    West Highland White Terrier versus Curly-Coated Retriever     West Highland White Terrier versus Cockapoo     West Highland White Terrier versus English Toy Spaniel     West Highland White Terrier versus Alaskan Malamute     West Highland White Terrier versus English Cocker Spaniel     West Highland White Terrier versus Sheepadoodle     West Highland White Terrier versus Toy Poodle     West Highland White Terrier versus Airedale Terrier     West Highland White Terrier versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     West Highland White Terrier versus Bordoodle     West Highland White Terrier versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     West Highland White Terrier versus Bluetick Coonhound     West Highland White Terrier versus Labradoodle     West Highland White Terrier versus Australian Kelpie     West Highland White Terrier versus Weimaraner     West Highland White Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff     West Highland White Terrier versus Bearded Collie     West Highland White Terrier versus Frenchton     West Highland White Terrier versus Japanese Spitz     West Highland White Terrier versus Newfoundland     West Highland White Terrier versus Papipoo     West Highland White Terrier versus Chinook     West Highland White Terrier versus Yorkipoo     West Highland White Terrier versus Australian Kelpie     

    Conclusion: Mal Shi versus West Highland White Terrier. 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 West Highland White Terrier better suits you and your family.