It is 10:30 on a rainy Sunday. You are on the couch with a warm bundle of white fur against your thigh. The mail truck rumbles past. One dog barely moves. The other lifts its head, gives two sharp barks, then curls back into your arm.
Both scenes sound lovely. Yet one might drive you crazy.
In the Maltese vs Shih Tzu debate, both are affectionate, apartment-friendly, low-shedding toy breeds. The Maltese is usually smaller, livelier, and more vocal. The Shih Tzu is generally calmer, sturdier, and happier to lounge.
Both breeds are loved for good reason. Neither is a wrong choice. Still feeling stuck? This guide compares temperament, health, grooming, household fit, and sourcing so you can stop scrolling through conflicting opinions.
The honest verdict is: Choose the Shih Tzu if you want a calmer, sturdier lapdog that tends to bark less. Choose the Maltese if you want a tiny, lively companion and can accept more alert barking. Choose neither if daily coat care and recurring grooming do not fit your life.
Breed tendencies help narrow the choice. They do not predict every dog. Age, training, socialization, and past experiences also shape behavior.
Maltese vs Shih Tzu at a Glance
The biggest differences are size, energy, coat structure, and facial shape.
| Trait | Maltese | Shih Tzu |
|---|---|---|
| AKC group | Toy Group | Toy Group |
| Height | 7 to 9 inches at the shoulder | About 9 to 10.5 inches at the shoulder |
| Weight | Under 7 pounds | 9 to 16 pounds |
| Life expectancy | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 16 years |
| Coat | Long, silky, and single-layered | Long, dense, and double-layered |
| Shedding | Low, but not allergen-free | Low, but not allergen-free |
| Face shape | Fine-boned with a longer muzzle | Flat face with a short muzzle |
| Energy and barking | Livelier, more alert, more vocal | Calmer, often quieter, happy to lounge |
| Personality | Playful, alert, gentle, and devoted | Affectionate, outgoing, and often relaxed at home |
| Best fit | Adults and families with respectful older children | Adults, seniors, and supervised families |
Both need consistent house training. Small dogs have small bladders, and accidents can become habits if routines are loose.
Puppy prices and grooming fees vary widely by breeder, city, coat length, and service. Ask for written local quotes instead of trusting a national average.
Temperament Showdown: Shih Tzu vs Maltese Personality, Barking, and Lap-Dog Behavior
If you want a dog that often naps on your lap and tends to bark less, the Shih Tzu has the edge.
A Maltese often acts like a tiny watchdog. It may announce footsteps, doors, neighbors, or a suspicious leaf outside. Training can reduce this, but alertness is part of the package.
The Shih Tzu was developed as a palace companion. Many are content to watch the room, greet visitors, and return to a soft cushion. They can still bark, especially when bored or startled.
What about cuddling? Both are genuine lap dogs, but they may show affection differently.
- A Maltese may follow you from room to room and demand active attention.
- A Shih Tzu may settle beside you and stay there without constant activity.
- Either breed can become noisy or anxious without training and daily engagement.
Neither is built for regular, lonely days. Leaving an adult dog for seven hours may sometimes be unavoidable. Making it the daily routine is different.
A midday walker, trusted visitor, or day-care plan can provide a bathroom break and social contact. Puppies need more frequent care and should not follow an adult schedule.
Individual personality can overturn every breed stereotype. An adult rescue offers one major advantage: its barking, confidence, and cuddle style are already easier to assess.
Health and Lifespan: Which Breed Has Fewer Genetic Problems?
Neither breed is risk-free, but each carries a different set of health concerns.
Maltese dogs commonly live 12 to 15 years. Their small size does not protect them from knee, liver, eye, and dental problems.
- Luxating patella: The kneecap slips out of its normal groove.
- Liver shunt: Blood flows around the liver instead of through it properly.
- Progressive retinal atrophy: An inherited eye disorder that can reduce vision.
- Dental disease: Crowded teeth can trap plaque and inflame the gums.
Shih Tzus commonly live 10 to 16 years. Their short faces create a separate concern.
Brachycephalic means short-headed or flat-faced. Brachycephalic airway syndrome can restrict airflow through narrow nostrils, excess throat tissue, or other airway changes.
- Noisy or strained breathing
- Poor tolerance for heat
- Heavy panting after light activity
- Eye injuries or irritation due to prominent eyes
- Dental crowding inside a short jaw
Not every Shih Tzu has serious breathing trouble. Still, open nostrils, quiet breathing, and easy movement matter when assessing a dog.
Breeding quality matters more than chasing a supposedly healthier label. A poorly bred puppy of either type can bring large vet bills and real heartbreak.
If choosing a Maltese, review the parents’ knee and eye results. If choosing a Shih Tzu, examine breathing, nostril shape, eyes, and movement. Keep either dog lean to reduce stress on joints and breathing.
Maltese vs Shih Tzu Grooming: Two High-Maintenance Coats, One Big Difference
Expect to think about coat care every day, even if you choose a short puppy cut.
The Maltese has a silky single coat. Its white hair makes reddish-brown tear marks easy to see. The Shih Tzu has a dense double coat that can hide tight mats near the skin.
Long coats need careful daily brushing. Shorter clips are easier, but they still need regular home care and professional trimming.
- Brush and gently detangle the coat.
- Check the armpits, ears, legs, and collar area for mats.
- Wipe around the eyes with a clean, damp cloth.
- Keep facial hair away from the eyes.
- Check ears, nails, skin, and teeth.
- Book professional grooming based on coat length and growth.
For Shih Tzus in puppy clips, professional maintenance is often needed every four to six weeks. Local groomers can tell you what your chosen style requires.
Never pull at a tight mat or use scissors beside thin skin. A groomer can remove difficult tangles more safely.
Tear stains are not merely a beauty issue. If staining suddenly worsens, or the eye looks red, painful, or wet, call your vet. Skip unverified whitening products around delicate eyes.
Dental care also belongs in the grooming routine. Brush with dog-safe toothpaste and ask your vet to check the gums. Small mouths can crowd teeth, making plaque control harder.
The true workflow is simple but constant: brushing, professional grooming, ear checks, dental care, tear care, then veterinary help when irritation appears.
Which Breed Fits Your Home? Kids, Seniors, Apartments, and First-Time Owners
The Shih Tzu fits more households because it is sturdier, but the right match depends on your daily routine.
For seniors
A Shih Tzu may offer the calmer rhythm many seniors want. Its heavier body can feel more secure during handling, though it is harder to lift than a Maltese.
Hand or shoulder arthritis can make daily brushing difficult. An adult rescue with a short coat may be a more practical companion.
For allergy sufferers
Neither breed is truly hypoallergenic. Low shedding may reduce loose hair, but allergens also exist in dander and saliva.
Spend time indoors with an adult dog before committing. Allergy symptoms can vary between individual dogs, so a breed label cannot promise safety.
For families with children
The Shih Tzu is generally sturdier around gentle school-age children. A Maltese can be injured by a fall, squeeze, or careless step.
Neither breed is ideal for rough toddler play. Supervise every interaction and teach children to let sleeping or eating dogs rest.
For first-time owners
Both can work for a prepared first-time owner. Neither is effortless.
- House training needs patience and a firm schedule.
- Coat care cannot wait until mats appear.
- Short daily training works better than long, tense sessions.
- Socialization helps prevent fear and alarm barking.
For apartment dwellers
Both breeds can thrive without a yard. The Maltese may require more barking management, while the Shih Tzu needs extra care in hot hallways, cars, and outdoor spaces.
For people away seven hours or more
Neither is the strongest match for a long, empty workday. Consider a dog walker, shared care, or an independent adult dog with a known history.
"It Depends" and When to Choose a Third Option
If “low-maintenance lapdog” is your main goal, neither breed is the easy answer.
A Havanese, Bichon Frise, or Cavalier King Charles Spaniel may also enter your search. However, each brings its own grooming, behavior, and health needs. A different breed is not an automatic shortcut.
Choose neither Maltese nor Shih Tzu when:
- You want cuddles but dread brushing and groomer visits.
- You have serious dog allergies and have not tested your reaction.
- You have toddlers who grab, chase, or fall on pets.
- Your dog would regularly spend long days alone.
- Your budget cannot absorb grooming and unexpected veterinary care.
What about a Malshi, the Maltese Shih Tzu mix? A cute cross can inherit traits from either parent. It may get the Maltese’s alert voice, the Shih Tzu’s short airway, both coat-care needs, or another combination.
A Malshi is not a guaranteed health or temperament cheat code. Ask for health records from both parent breeds. Mixed ancestry does not cancel inherited risk.
An adult rescue may be the smarter third option. You can assess its size, coat, energy, breathing, and reaction to being alone before adoption.
How to Get a Healthy Maltese or Shih Tzu: Rescue vs. Breeder
Choose transparent health records and a stable temperament, not the cutest online photo.
A responsible breeder should discuss health concerns without becoming defensive. Ask to see screening results, not just a verbal claim that the parents are healthy.
- Look up relevant results through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.
- Ask about kneecap and eye screening for both breeds.
- Watch the parents or adult relatives walk and breathe.
- Meet the mother when possible and note her behavior.
- Ask how puppies are raised and socialized.
- Walk away from “no tests, no records” sales pressure.
A rescue can provide a different kind of evidence. Foster families may know whether an adult dog barks, tolerates brushing, likes children, or panics when alone.
A known adult of the “wrong” breed may fit better than an unknown puppy of the “right” breed. Meet the actual dog more than once when possible.
It depends: Match the dog to your life
Choose based on the difficult traits you can manage, not just the features you love.
- If calmness and sturdiness matter most, choose a Shih Tzu.
- If tiny size and lively devotion matter most, choose a Maltese.
- If grooming already feels like a burden, reconsider both.
- If allergies drive the decision, test your response to an adult dog first.
- If comparing two actual dogs, choose the individual with the better lifestyle fit.
Both can bring routine, comfort, laughter, and close companionship. Both can also bring barking, stubborn house training, grooming bills, and health worries.
The right breed for you is the one whose annoyances you can love.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Shih Tzu or Maltese calmer?
The Shih Tzu is generally calmer. Maltese dogs tend to be livelier and more alert. Individual temperament, age, training, and daily exercise still matter.
Do Maltese dogs bark more than Shih Tzus?
Maltese dogs often show more alert barking. A Shih Tzu may be quieter, but either breed can bark from boredom, fear, excitement, or poor training.
Which breed is better with kids?
The Shih Tzu is usually the sturdier choice. Both need gentle handling and adult supervision. Neither breed is ideal for toddlers who may grab, chase, or accidentally fall on a small dog.
Are Maltese and Shih Tzu dogs hypoallergenic?
No dog breed is completely allergen-free. Both shed little, but dander and saliva can still trigger symptoms. Spend time with an adult dog before making a commitment.
Are Maltese and Shih Tzu mixes healthier?
A Malshi is not guaranteed to be healthier. A mixed dog can inherit health concerns from either parent. Review knee, eye, breathing, and other relevant health records for both parents.
Can I leave a Maltese alone for seven hours?
Seven hours should not be the regular plan without support. Maltese dogs are social companions and may struggle with long absences. Arrange a midday bathroom break, visitor, or dog walker. Puppies need much more frequent care.
Which breed lives longer?
Their expected lifespans overlap. The Maltese is commonly listed at 12 to 15 years, while the Shih Tzu is listed at 10 to 16 years. Breeding quality, weight, dental care, and preventive veterinary care can matter more than the breed label.
