Maltese vs Shih Tzu
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Maltese
Somewhere around the Mediterranean, likely the island of Malta, this breed has existed since antiquity, mentioned in Greek and Roman writing as a favored companion of the aristocracy. The long, straight, silky single coat with no undercoat was long treated as a mark of luxury and today needs daily brushing to stay mat-free. The body is featherlight, up to 4 kilograms, bred purely to stay close to a person rather than to work. Despite the small size, it's alert and quick to sound off at strangers. The area around the eyes tends to stain from tearing and needs regular cleaning. It attaches closely to its family and often struggles with being left alone. Life expectancy runs 12 to 15 years.
Shih Tzu
The name Shih Tzu means little lion in Chinese, and the breed was kept for centuries in the Chinese imperial court as a palace companion, likely descended from Tibetan dogs given as gifts to Chinese emperors. The long, dense, flowing double coat in its full show form needs either constant brushing or a shorter trim to avoid matting, since it is rarely left to grow untended. The short muzzle gives the breed its trademark chrysanthemum face, where the coat radiates outward from the nose in every direction. Despite its decorative role, the breed reaches up to 8 kilograms on a compact, sturdy frame rather than a fragile one. In temperament it is friendly and easygoing, better suited to life as a companion than as an active outdoor dog. Life expectancy runs 13 to 16 years.
At a glance
| Maltese | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Height (male) | 21.0–25.0 cm | not specified |
| Weight (male) | 3.0–4.0 kg | 4.5–8.1 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15 yrs | 13–16 yrs |
| Coat | long, straight, silky, single coat | long, dense, flowing double coat |
Temperament & Family Life
| Maltese | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Family friendly | ||
| Good with children | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly with strangers | ||
| Intelligence | ||
| Trainability |
Exercise, Energy & Space
| Maltese | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy level | ||
| Exercise need | ||
| Apartment friendly | ||
| Prey drive | ||
| Hunting instinct |
Guarding & Alertness
| Maltese | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Guarding instinct | ||
| Watchfulness | ||
| Barking level |
Grooming & Care
| Maltese | Shih Tzu | |
|---|---|---|
| Shedding | ||
| Drooling | ||
| Grooming need |
Temperament and care scores (1-5) are a general guide based on the breed standard — every individual dog is different.