Temperament Differences Between Maltese And Shih Tzu

[Shakti]

Hi - both these breeds of dogs are extremely gorgeous and both require a fair amount of daily work to keep their coats looking luxuriant. Can anyone tell me some of the more temperament- based differences between the two breeds ie affection, sociability with other animals and with people, trainability etc?

[Crazy Daisy]

I own a Shih Tzu so can help you out with your questions but have only had contact as a groomer with Maltese.

The maltese I groomed were more timid than my Shih Tzu in regards to strangers and other dogs but were great with their families.

Now, the Shih Tzu. They are great little dogs with loads of personality. I have three children, 3, 5 and 7 and Daisy loves them although she is definitely my dog. She follows me everywhere at home and wants to be in the same room although she is quite happy to sit on her mat and doesn't feel the need to be right next to me. I have two Golden Retrievers and she loves to rough house play with them and keeps up very well in their games of zoomies around the backyard. Daisy is ball obsessed! She constantly carries her ball around with her and if it squeaks it is even better!

I have always found her very easy to train around the home and she is really easy to live with but outside is a different story. Any chance she gets to run she takes and will happily come back when she has finished exploring. At dog training she was more interested in what other dogs were doing than me. She is great at a dog park and will happily socialise with dogs of all sizes.

She is protective of our house and will bark when people come over but once inside and she's had a sniff she is happy to greet them and have a pat. I have no concerns with her and my childrens friends as she is very tolerant of all children.

I keep Daisy in a short clip and it is very easy to maintain her coat with just a brush of her ears and tail once a week and a bath every second week. You will need to trim them every 6-8 weeks in summer and I leave her for about three months over winter. You can keep them long but it is quite a job of daily combing and weekly conditioning. I originally showed Daisy but her coat was too hard to maintain without restricting all the things she loved to do like go to the beach and go bush walking. She loves water and happily swims in the pool and loves the sprinkler, so the long coats drying time was too much as well. Much nicer to see her be a dog and do all the things she loves.

The reason I got Daisy was in my 14 years of dog grooming I haven't met a Shih Tzu I didn't like. They are great little dogs and I will always have one in my life :D

[loveretrievers]

I have had two shih tzus, they are very affectionate. Love to play, very hardy little dogs. Both very cat like would sleep heaps and never had a problem with destroying the house. Though my Lucy had a thing for barbie dolls and was awesome at digging out of the yard. Lucy was also very hard to house train too, I think shecwas very jealous of the kids she would pee in their rooms. She had emotions like a person lol. Good and bad. She was very much my diog just put up with everyone else.

I know nothing about Maltese lol

Edited because of stupid iPad auto correct grrrrrr

Edited August 27, 2011 by loveretrievers

[MalteseLuna]

I have a Maltese (and my parents have a Maltese/Shih Tzu cross).

Both are lovely breeds but they are quite different in terms of coat, size/stature and temperament.

Maltese have a single white silky coat. Shih Tzu's have a double coat (as I've read) that is abit less silky compared to a Maltese - they also come in many colours.

Shih Tzus are a sturdier dog - more robust (think bigger boned) and are more substantial. They also have a flatter face. They are more like around 5-7 kgs.

Maltese are a lighter/smaller dog, more "fragile". They have a more defined muzzle. They are around 2-4 kgs (mine is 2.5 kg).

I've often heard Shih Tzus described as placid "chilled out" fellows, they are happy to be around you but don't need to be on your lap (and often prefer not to be). Not big barkers -unless they think there is something "strange" going on.

Maltese are calm, playful, loving lap dogs. They (mine particularly) like to be with you and on you if possible ;) My Maltese loves cat toys (balls with bells especially) and can happily entertain herself with toys for hours - she throws them for herself, pounces on them etc. She does love to play with humans as well of course but if we are more in a quiet mood she will just snuggle on the sofa. She is currently sitting on my lap while I sit at my computer typing :D Maltese can be abit more "barky" but mine never barks unless the neighbors are doing something weird (like yelling at each other etc) - we just discourage her from barking and she knows not to (after some positive training etc as a puppy). She is not timid around people - she LOVES guests and thinks that all visitors are coming to see her. She also loves other dogs but can be timid after being chased and threatened by other dogs on quite a few occasions. I generally think of Maltese as more of a lap dog with perhaps a "softer" personality. They are intelligent and very trainable. Mine loves kids BUT given their small size I wouldn't recommend Maltese as a breed to keep with small children (they are simply too small and fragile imo). She does love to sit in their laps and soak up all the attention though they can't believe she has a pony tail (top knot) and my little cousin is just in love with her - she even tried to do her hair like my dogs (was very cute).

I really think the most important thing about raising a small dog is socialization and training - the same as any dog but small dogs are more likely to be coddled and babied which can create issues (i.e. attack of the swf).

I personally love both breeds but I will never be without a Maltese - love them!

[minyvlz]

I have a Maltese x (mostly Maltese) and he is 4kgs. He loves strangers and would go home with them, especially if you are under 10 or female

He is very smart but not very trainable due to his lack of food drive. His nose will never follow the target no matter how tempting the food is or however hungry he is. According to my trainer it is a common issue with small dogs, not sure how true that is. I know of a Pomeranian who will eat until his stomach bursts.

Very sweet, affectionate, loves people and large dogs. Likes Doesn't really like small dogs who bug him to no end but will say hi no matter what. He loves to sit at OH's feet and at our beds and only comes up onto the bed if I tell him to. He is content with being alone.

He is kept in a puppy cut all year long. Not barky at all.

For me I preferred the looks of the Maltese, the smaller size, their 'smiliness' and silkier coat as compared to the Shih Tzus. Not familiar with ST temperaments although have seen quite a few out and about at parks and on walks.

[tdierikx]

Of the ones I've met in rescue, I've found that the Shih Tzus can be a little more laid back and less flighty... but we aren't exactly talking the best bred "lines" of either breed found in rescue... *grin*

That said - the ones I've met in rescue have all been delightful little dogs... both Maltese AND Shih Tzu. The craziest/nastiest of both both breeds I've met have had doting owners... err!

If I wasn't averse to brushing and grooming, I'd happily share my life with either breed.

T.

[persephone]

not very trainable due to his lack of food drive

I have trained many dogs .. and none with food or toys . Find something he does like! perhaps a squeaky toy? a game? a cuddle ? vocal/physical praise works very well IF the dog isn't cuddled and patted for doing nothing except being there ;)

Very sweet, affectionate, loves people

that, and being smart - you should have a very willing student if you try Nothing In Life Is Free ,or

NILIF . CLICK HERE for info on what that is . There is also info HERE

Oh - the few shih's I've known have been just delightful and so laid back Malts I've known have been much more active and willing to try anything . I knew one who used to enjoy pretending he was a sheep dog!

Edited August 27, 2011 by persephone

[minyvlz]

not very trainable due to his lack of food drive

I have trained many dogs .. and none with food or toys . Find something he does like! perhaps a squeaky toy? a game? a cuddle ? vocal/physical praise works very well IF the dog isn't cuddled and patted for doing nothing except being there ;)

Very sweet, affectionate, loves people

that, and being smart - you should have a very willing student if you try Nothing In Life Is Free ,or

NILIF . CLICK HERE for info on what that is . There is also info HERE

Oh - the few shih's I've known have been just delightful and so laid back Malts I've known have been much more active and willing to try anything . I knew one who used to enjoy pretending he was a sheep dog!

Ah, to be clear I was talking about tricks. I had the hardest time teaching him 'crawl' as his nose (and body) would not follow the treat! Obedience is carried out without food or toys or anything. He is picture perfect at obedience.

Yep I've always done NILIF. Thanks for the 2nd link, haven't seen that one. My boy is very into praise though! Loves attention from humans

[persephone]

Ah Ok. I don't know much about trick training ... hope you find some middle ground

[minyvlz]

Thanks I found the way to get him to move forward is using targeting. Just have to modify each trick to suit one's dogs!

[Guest RANDCMOORE31]

The maltese is slighter of frame (more dainty) and has a silkier coat. I have found them to like to keep clean - they don't really like getting their feet wet and are quite dainty and clean about eating also. Lots of maltese seem to hate having their front feet touched. I think the maltese is the ultimate lap dog - and they are very people oriented - love everyone and very friendly. They can be finicky eaters - and are not great chewers - so ongoing dentals may feature. Quite sturdy - given their size - ours used to hike 10-15 km's with us over the course of a day and would keep going. Love to lie in the sun and roll on a good green lawn. Also like to roll in smelly things like duck poo - not a good look on a newly washed and groomed white maltese. Coat less likely to mat than the shih tzu. Beautiful nature - but can be wilful - with selective hearing.

My shih tzu (girl) was more reserved - and really needed to be introduced to people properly - otherwise she'd chase strangers round the house barking at them. Once introduced, she was fine. Very food motivated - in our case - obsessed - so maintaining weight can be an issue. Great chewer - so didn't need a dental until the age of 11. Not so much a lap dog - as they get quite hot, quickly - but still like to be close to you. Coat coarser in texture than the maltese - and because of the double coat a little more inclined to mat. More interested in toys. Very routine oriented - likes to do things the same way all the time - like crossing the street at the same place - or maintaining a routine at home. Not so interested in being outside - but not so inclined to roll in stinky things, either. Easy to train, very affectionate with their owners and very loyal. My shih tzu has numerous allergies (she will develop an intolerance to things over time - and then can't be fed that again). I have noted many shih tzu x's have brown front feet - from licking at them - so I'm thinking that skin allergies are probably common in the breed. Because of the heavier frame and shorter legs - seem to suffer more from arthritis and joint problems in old age.

I'm biased - but I love both breeds.