Maltese vs Shichon vs Shih Tzu – Which one is a better dog breed for you?
"Find similarities and differences between Maltese vs Shichon vs Shih Tzu"
Compare Maltese and Shichon. Which is better: Maltese or Shichon or Shih Tzu?
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Name | Maltese | Shichon | Shih Tzu |
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Origins | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Group | Companion Dogs | Companion Dogs | Companion Dogs |
Popularity Rank | 33 | 307 | 20 |
Reviews | 2 | 0 | 11 |
Rate |
Other Names | Maltese Dog, Maltese lion dog | Zuchon, Teddy Bear | Chinese Lion Dog, Chrysanthemum Dog |
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Breed Type | Purebred | Cross Breed | Purebred |
AKC Group | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888 as a Toy breed. | Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1969 as a Toy breed. |
FCI Group | Recognized by FCI in the Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the Bichons and related breeds section. | Not recognized by FCI. | Recognized by FCI in the Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the Tibetan breeds section. |
Breed Recognition | American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club | American Canine Hybrid Club Designer Breed Registry Designer Dogs Kennel Club International Designer Canine Registry | American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Canadian Canine Registry |
Price | $600-$800 | 800-1200 | $800-$1200 |
General Appearance - Maltese vs Shichon vs Shih Tzu
Size | Small | Small | Small |
---|---|---|---|
Weight | 6.5-9 pounds (3-4 kg) | 10-15 pounds (5-7 kg) | 9–16 pounds (4-7 kg) |
Avg. Weight | 6.7 pounds (3.5 kg) | 12.5 pounds (6 kg) | 9–16 pounds (5.5 kg) |
Height | Male: 8-10 inches (21-25 cm), Female: 8-9 inches (20-23 cm) | 19-21 inches (49-53 cm) | 8-11 inches (20-28 cm) |
Avg. Height | Male: 9 inches (23 cm), Female: 8.5 inches (21.5 cm) | 20 inches (51 cm) | 9.5 inches (24 cm) |
Hair & Care - Maltese vs Shichon vs Shih Tzu
Coat | Feathered | Fluffy Dense Curly Silky | Dense |
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Colors | White | Apricot Cream Red White Black Gray Silver | Brindle Liver Silver Blue Gold Red Black |
Grooming | Average: The Maltese requires average grooming effort. | Effortless: The Shichon requires minimal grooming. | Professional: This breed needs a lot of work to keep in good condition. |
Shedding Level | Malteses shed none to minimal. | Shichons shed none to minimal. | Shih Tzus shed none to minimal. |
Characteristics - Maltese vs Shichon vs Shih Tzu
Temperament | Active Easygoing Intelligent Responsive Docile Gentle Playful Sweet Tempered | Affectionate Gentle Lively Playful Friendly Intelligent Loving Social | Active Friendly Happy Lively Playful Courageous Gentle Intelligent Outgoing |
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Intelligent Rank | Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one. | Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one. | Low: The Shih Tzu if one of the dog breeds that have the lowest degree of obedience intelligence. |
Trainability | Malteses are quite easy to train. | Shichons are quite easy to train. | Shih Tzus are quite easy to train. |
Playfulness | Malteses, like any other dog breed, like playing. | The Shichon is a playful breed. | Shih Tzus are not the most playful dog breed. |
Sensitivity Level | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. | Shih Tzus have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. |
Affection Level | Malteses are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Shichons are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Shih Tzus are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
Social Needs | Malteses need a lot of social interaction. | Shichons need a lot of social interaction. | Shih Tzus need a lot of social interaction. |
Barking | High: The Maltese is a very vocal breed. | Average: The Shichon barks occasionally. | High: The Shih Tzu is a very vocal breed. |
Watchdog Ability | Malteses are average watchdogs. | Shichons are average watchdogs. | Shih Tzus are average watchdogs. |
Territorial | Malteses strongly protect their territory. | Shichons are extremely protective guard dogs. | Shih Tzus strongly protect their territory. |
Biting Potential |
Low The Maltese has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Shichon has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Shih Tzu has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Mouthiness | Malteses have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Shichons have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Shih Tzus have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. |
Impulse to Wander or Roam | Malteses are not the biggest explorers. | Shichons have average wanderlust potential. | Shih Tzus tend to escape less than other breeds. |
Prey Drive | Malteses have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | Shichons have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. | Shih Tzus have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. |
Apartment Friendly | Malteses are very apartment-friendly dogs. | Shichons are not the best choice for an apartment lifestyle, but they don't mind being inside if you walk them several times every day. | Shih Tzus are very apartment-friendly dogs. |
Adaptability | Malteses adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Shichons adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments. | Shih Tzus adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. |
Tolerates Being Left Alone | Malteses tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. | Shichons tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. | Shih Tzus tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. |
Fighting Dog |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Good With - Maltese vs Shichon vs Shih Tzu
Stranger Friendly | Malteses are very stranger friendly dogs. | Shichons are stranger friendly dogs. | Shih Tzus are average friendly towards strangers. |
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Child Friendly | Malteses are kid-friendly dogs. | Shichons are kid-friendly dogs. | Shih Tzus are not the most kid-friendly dogs. |
Cat Friendly | Malteses are very cat-friendly dogs. | Shichons are average friendly towards cats. | Shih Tzus are very cat-friendly dogs. |
Dog Friendly | Malteses are very dog-friendly dogs. | Shichons are average friendly towards other dogs. | Shih Tzus are very dog-friendly dogs. |
Office Friendly |
No Maltese is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Shichon is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Shih Tzu is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
Senior Citizens Friendly | Malteses are usually recommended for elderly people. | Shichons are usually recommended for elderly people. | Shih Tzus are not the best breed for elderly people. |
Pet Friendly | Malteses are one of the friendliest dog breeds. | Shichons are generally with other pets. | Shih Tzus are one of the friendliest dog breeds. |
Good For First Time Owners |
No Malteses are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
No Shichons are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
Yes Shih Tzus are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Service Dog |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Therapy Dog |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Boat Dog |
Not really Maltese breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Not really Shichon breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Not really Shih Tzu breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Health Factors - Maltese vs Shichon vs Shih Tzu
Health Issues | The Maltese is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | The Shichon is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | The Shih Tzu is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. |
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Health Problems | Collapsed Trachea Hypoglycemia Patellar Luxation Portosystemic Liver Shunt Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Reverse Sneezing White Dog Shaker Syndrome | Allergies | Allergies Bladder Stones Distichiasis Dry Eye Ear Infections Ectopic Cilia Hip Dysplasia Juvenile Renal Dysplasia Keratitis Patellar Luxation Portosystemic Liver Shunt Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Proptosis Retained Baby Teeth Reverse Sneezing Snuffles Umbilical Hernias |
Life Expectancy | 15-18 years | 12-15 years | 10-16 years |
Hypoallergenic | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Energy Level | Malteses have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you. | Shichons have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you. | Shih Tzus have a lower energy level than other dogs. |
Exercise Need | Malteses exercise need is very minimal. | Shichons have an average exercise need. | Shih Tzus exercise need is minimal. |
Sleeping Need | Malteses sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered as a lazy breed. | Shichons sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered as a lazy breed. | Shih Tzus like sleeping so they do sleep a lot. |
Avg. daily food consumption | Recommended daily amount: 1/4 to 1/2 cup of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 1/4 to 1 cup of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | Recommended daily amount: 1/2 to 1 cup of high-quality dry food a day. |
Weight Gain Potential | Average. | Average. | Average to High. |
Weather & Climate | Prefers warm weather | Prefers average to warm weather conditions | Tolerates warm and cold weather. |
Stinkiness |
Medium The Maltese has an average chance of bad smell. |
Low The Shichon has a low chance of bad smell. |
Low The Shih Tzu has a low chance of bad smell. |
Drooling tendency | The Maltese is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. | The Shichon is an average drooler. | The Shih Tzu is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. |
Reproducibility - Maltese vs Shichon vs Shih Tzu
Gestation Length | 60-64 days | 60-64 days | 60-64 days |
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How often can the have a litter? |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Litter Size | 3-5 puppies | 3-6 puppies | 2-5 puppies |
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