Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Maltese Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
- Maltese versus Shih Tzu: Overview
- Maltese versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Maltese and the Shih Tzu
- The Similarities Between the Maltese and the Shih Tzu
- Size (Weight and Height) of Maltese versus Shih Tzu
- Lifespan of Maltese versus Shih Tzu
- Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Maltese
- Price of Maltese versus Price of Shih Tzu
- Adopting the Maltese versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
- The Intelligence of the Maltese versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
- The Popularity of Maltese versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
- Tolerates Being Alone: Maltese versus Shih Tzu
- Do Malteses shed more than Shih Tzus?
- Which one drools more, the Maltese or the Shih Tzu
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Maltese or the Shih Tzu?
- Does the Maltese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
- Do Malteses Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
- Can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Maltese vs. Shih Tzu
- Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Maltese or the Shih Tzu?
- Are Malteses good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
- How Kid-friendly are Malteses and Shih Tzus?
- Is the Maltese Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maltese
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Maltese versus Shih Tzu. Which One is a Better Pet?
Maltese Versus Shih Tzu: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Maltese and the Shih Tzu? 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 Maltese and the Shih Tzu 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 Maltese and the Shih Tzu.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Maltese and the Shih Tzu 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 Maltese and for the Shih Tzu. 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 Maltese and the Shih Tzu.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Maltese or the Shih Tzu.
Maltese versus Shih Tzu: Overview
Both the Maltese and the Shih Tzu are similar in size. The Maltese and the Shih Tzu are both tiny-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Maltese and the Shih Tzu are Companion Dogs. This means both the Maltese and the Shih Tzu 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.
Maltese versus Shih Tzu: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Maltese to the Shih Tzu 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 Maltese and the Shih Tzu
| Factor | Maltese | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder | 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Weight | Up to 7 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $2580 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $1800 – $3000 | $1200 – $2300 |
| Temperament Score | 82.4 percent | 77.6 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 33 | 18 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 59 | 70 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Maltese 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 Shih Tzu. 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 Maltese is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shih Tzu is 86 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shih Tzu is a better pet than the Maltese. So, you should get the Shih Tzu!
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 Maltese and the Shih Tzu so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Maltese and the Shih Tzu
Below is a list of where the Maltese and the Shih Tzu are most different:
The Similarities Between the Maltese and the Shih Tzu
The Maltese and the Shih Tzu are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Maltese and the Shih Tzu are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Maltese versus Shih Tzu
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Maltese and the Shih Tzu.
Malteses weigh Up to 7 pounds when fully grown. Malteses are 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Shih Tzus weigh 9 to 16 pounds when fully grown. Shih Tzus are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Maltese versus Shih Tzu
The lifespan of Malteses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Malteses is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Shih Tzus is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Shih Tzus is 13.0 years.
Malteses live longer than Shih Tzus.
Temperament of the Shih Tzu Versus the Maltese
The Maltese has a better temperament than the Shih Tzu.
This is because the temperament score for the Maltese is 82.4 percent while the temperament score for the Shih Tzu is 77.6 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).
The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.
Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.
The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.
With its temperament score of 82.4 percent, the Maltese has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
With its temperament score of 77.6 percent, the Shih Tzu has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Maltese and the Shih Tzu by measuring the temperaments of 17 Malteses and 49 Shih Tzus.
Price of Maltese versus Price of Shih Tzu
The average price of the Maltese puppy is $2580. The price of the Maltese typically ranges from $1800 – $3000. However, the price of a Maltese can be as low as $500 and as high as $7995. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 413 Maltese puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Shih Tzu puppy is $1820. The price of the Shih Tzu typically ranges from $1200 – $2300. However, the price of the Shih Tzu can be as low as $200 and as high as $5850. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 806 Shih Tzu puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Maltese is more expensive than the Shih Tzu.
| Maltese | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2580 | $1820 |
| Price Range | $1800 to $3000 | $1200 to $2300 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Maltese and Shih Tzu. For different price points, the charts show how many Maltese puppies or how many Shih Tzu puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Malteses. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Shih Tzus
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Maltese puppy or the Shih Tzu 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.
Adopting the Maltese versus Adopting the Shih Tzu
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Malteses and many Shih Tzus are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Maltese named Stewart (Bonded Pair With Gucci) that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Malteses like Stewart (Bonded Pair With Gucci) on pefinder.com.
Also, like Malteses, Shih Tzus are also available for adoption. For example, A1135351 is a Male Shih Tzu that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shih Tzus like A1135351 that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
A1056208 is the name of another Maltese (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Murphy is an adorable Male Shih Tzu on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Malteses and Shih Tzus that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Maltese versus the Intelligence of the Shih Tzu
| Maltese | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 59 out of 130 dog breeds | 70 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Maltese has an obedience intelligence rank of 59 out of 130 dog breeds. The Maltese belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Malteses tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.
The Shih Tzu has an obedience intelligence rank of 70 out of 130 dog breeds. The Shih Tzu belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Shih Tzus tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
The Maltese is more intelligent than the Shih Tzu.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Maltese versus Popularity of Shih Tzu
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Maltese and the Shih Tzu over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shih Tzu is more popular with dog owners than the Maltese. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Shih Tzu is 18 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Maltese is 33 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Maltese
Popularity of Shih Tzu
| Year | Maltese Popularity Rank | Shih Tzu Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 27 | 15 |
| 2014 | 29 | 17 |
| 2015 | 31 | 19 |
| 2016 | 33 | 20 |
| 2017 | 33 | 20 |
| 2018 | 37 | 20 |
| 2019 | 36 | 20 |
| 2020 | 38 | 20 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Maltese versus Shih Tzu
Malteses do not like to be left alone.
Shih Tzus can be left alone only for a short time.
Do Malteses shed more than Shih Tzus?
Malteses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Shih Tzus shed moderately.
Which one drools more, the Maltese or the Shih Tzu
Malteses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Shih Tzus do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Maltese or the Shih Tzu?
Malteses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Shih Tzus require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Maltese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shih Tzu?
Malteses 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.
Shih Tzus 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 Malteses Bark and Howl? What about Shih Tzus?
Malteses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Shih Tzus are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shih Tzus Tolerate Cold Weather?
Malteses cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Shih Tzus can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Maltese vs. Shih Tzu
Malteses do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Shih Tzus do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shih Tzus Tolerate Hot Weather?
Malteses can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Shih Tzus cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Maltese or the Shih Tzu?
Malteses get along very well with other dogs.
Shih Tzus get along very well with other dogs.
Are Malteses good family dogs? What about Shih Tzus?
Malteses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Shih Tzus are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Malteses and Shih Tzus?
Malteses get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Shih Tzus get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Maltese Easier to Train than the Shih Tzu?
Malteses are very easy to train.
Shih Tzus are fairly easy to train.
Is the Maltese Better for Apartment Owners than the Shih Tzu?
Malteses adapt very well to apartment living.
Shih Tzus adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Maltese or the Shih Tzu?
Malteses are very good for new dog owners.
Shih Tzus are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maltese
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Maltese 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 Maltese:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shih Tzu
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Maltese and how the Shih Tzu compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Maltese and of the Shih Tzu to other breeds:
Maltese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Maltese versus Akbash Maltese versus Bluetick Coonhound Maltese versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Maltese versus Pomapoo Maltese versus Chihuahua Maltese versus Japanese Spitz Maltese versus Mastiff Maltese versus Mountain Cur Maltese versus Irish Wolfhound Maltese versus Kerry Blue Terrier Maltese versus Cockapoo Maltese versus Border Collie Maltese versus Belgian Sheepdog Maltese versus Mountain Cur Maltese versus American Hairless Terrier Maltese versus Irish Setter Maltese versus Pug Maltese versus Golden Cocker Retriever Maltese versus Pyredoodle Maltese versus Shiranian Maltese versus Boykin Spaniel Maltese versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Maltese versus Vizsla Maltese versus Gordon Setter Maltese versus Catahoula Leopard Dog
Shih Tzu Versus Other Dog Breeds
Shih Tzu versus Yorkipoo Shih Tzu versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Shih Tzu versus Dogue de Bordeaux Shih Tzu versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Shih Tzu versus German Longhaired Pointer Shih Tzu versus Patterdale Terrier Shih Tzu versus Spanish Mastiff Shih Tzu versus Miniature Pinscher Shih Tzu versus Flat-Coated Retriever Shih Tzu versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Shih Tzu versus Cavachon Shih Tzu versus Goldendoodle Shih Tzu versus Swedish Vallhund Shih Tzu versus Cane Corso Shih Tzu versus Carolina Dog Shih Tzu versus English Setter Shih Tzu versus Sealyham Terrier Shih Tzu versus Harrier Shih Tzu versus Havanese Shih Tzu versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Shih Tzu versus Afador Shih Tzu versus Affenhuahua Shih Tzu versus Hovawart Shih Tzu versus Shetland Sheepdog Shih Tzu versus Bracco Italiano
Conclusion: Maltese versus Shih Tzu. 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 Maltese and the Shih Tzu better suits you and your family.