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?

General Appearance Hair & Care Characteristics Good With Health Factors Reproducibility Show differences only

Name	Maltese	Shichon	Shih Tzu
Origins	Italy	United States	China
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
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
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
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy

Popular Dog Compares

Despite the best intentions, there may be errors. If you find one, please let us know and we will fix it as soon as possible. Contact us here.

Rate This Comparsion - Maltese vs Shichon vs Shih Tzu

Reviews