Shih Tzu vs Maltese: Two Ancient Lapdogs Compared
Both of these dogs were bred for the same job on opposite ends of the world: sit with important people and make their lives better. The Shih Tzu warmed Chinese emperors; the Maltese charmed Mediterranean nobility for two thousand years. Both still consider your lap their office. The choice between them comes down to sturdiness, face shape, and how much dog you want inside the hair.
| Shih Tzu | Maltese | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 9–16 lb | 4–7 lb |
| Lifespan | 10–18 years | 12–15 years |
| Face | Flat (brachycephalic) | Normal muzzle |
| Energy Level | Low | Moderate |
| Shedding | Very Low | Very Low |
| Trainability | Good | Good |
| Good with Kids | Excellent | Moderate (older kids) |
Sturdiness Decides the Household
The Shih Tzu is the tank of the toy world: nine to sixteen pounds with solid bone under all that hair, sturdy enough for family life with children and confident enough not to be rattled by household chaos. The Maltese is half that weight and none of that armor; it thrives with adults and careful older kids, and it breaks with toddlers. If your home contains anyone under ten, this comparison mostly answers itself in the Shih Tzu’s favor, which is why it earns the family slot on our small breeds list.
The Face Question
The Shih Tzu’s flat face comes with the standard brachycephalic bill: snoring, heat intolerance, and in some dogs eye and airway problems worth screening for. It is milder than the French Bulldog’s situation, but summer walks move to mornings and air conditioning stops being optional. The Maltese breathes like an ordinary dog, and its health complaints run smaller: knees (luxating patellas) and teeth, the second being a genuine issue in a four-pound mouth. Daily tooth brushing for a Maltese is not overkill; it is dentistry-bill insurance. Both breeds commonly pass fourteen, with the Shih Tzu holding the anecdotal longevity records.
Hair, Both Ways
Both grow hair rather than shedding fur, both make allergy shortlists, and both look magnificent in full coat exactly as long as someone brushes daily. In practice, most owners of both breeds settle on the puppy cut and a grooming appointment every six to eight weeks, at which point coat care becomes nearly identical. The Maltese adds tear-stain wiping to the routine; the Shih Tzu adds face-fold cleaning and topknots if the hair stays long.
Which One Belongs in Your House?
Choose the Shih Tzu for a family home, a sturdier build, and the lowest exercise requirement in this comparison; accept the flat-face summers. Choose the Maltese for a calm adult household that wants featherweight devotion and normal breathing; accept the fragility. If you want this general package with easier training, the Bichon Frise (see our Bichon vs Maltese comparison) rounds out the trio. Both breeds land in rescue when grooming bills surprise their first owners, and both transplant beautifully into second homes.
