Maltipoo vs Shih Tzu: Breeds Differences & Overview (With Pictures)

The Maltipoo—a cross between a Maltese and a Poodle—and the Shih Tzu are both popular breeds thanks to their family friendliness and great personalities. They also both belong to the “toy” size group, making them both attractive to those who live in apartments or small homes or those who simply want a little, good-natured dog that’s relatively easy to manage.

This can make choosing between the two quite tricky, so this guide is all about the similarities and differences between Maltipoos and Shih Tzus in terms of appearance, character, general care, and what they’re like to live with.

Visual Differences

At a Glance

Maltipoo Overview

The Maltipoo is a modern hybrid breed that first surfaced in the 1990s, though the breeds the Maltipoo is derived from—the Maltese and the Poodle—go back much further.

The Poodle dates back more than 400 years and was first bred in Germany as a water retriever. The Maltese most likely dates back to the time of the Phoenicians, who are thought to have introduced this breed to Malta. The Poodle and the Maltese passed many of their best traits to the Maltipoo, including intelligence and companionability.

Appearance

The Maltipoo is a toy-sized dog that typically stands between 8 and 14 inches tall. Since the Poodle is curly and the Maltese is straight-haired or wavy-haired, the Maltipoo has a coat that comes in various textures, including wavy, curly, and scruffy.

Maltipoo colors include white, black, red, cream, brown, blue, apricot, grey, and silver. The eyes are large and round, giving Maltipoos an inquisitive expression often set off with a big “smile”.

Personality

Every Maltipoo will differ personality-wise—some are more reserved whereas others are really outgoing—but they’re typically energetic, playful, friendly, and sensitive. They’re often the kind of dogs that enjoy cuddling up on the couch with you but won’t hesitate to play if given the opportunity.

Their sensitivity can make them prone to issues like separation anxiety, so be sure to create positive associations with “alone time” when your Maltipoo is old enough to spend some time home alone. Maltipoos are also known for having a tendency to bark quite a bit—just something to be aware of.

It’s also important to remember that, though they’re often very playful, Maltipoos are still tiny dogs so they’re not the most suited to rough play. For this reason, it’s a good idea to supervise small children and other pets around your Maltipoo.

Training

Maltipoos are very smart and often enjoy the process of obedience training simply because they get to spend more time with you! If you’re a first-time owner looking for a dog that won’t be too difficult to train, the Maltipoo could be for you. This doesn’t mean training doesn’t take a lot of effort and commitment, though. If you’re having difficulties, reach out to a professional trainer or consider obedience classes.

Health & Care

Maltipoos don’t shed much, but they still require daily brushing to keep their coats knot and tangle-free. They’ll also need to get their nails trimmed regularly as overgrown nails can be very painful. Tooth brushing several times weekly is also recommended to help maintain oral health.

In terms of health conditions, Maltipoos are generally healthy dogs. That said, the ASPCA lists the top Maltipoo health conditions based on its claim data as:

Suitable For:

Maltipoos are best suited to loving families with older children. This is because, though Maltipoos often love to play and make great companions for kids, they are very little and can be easily injured by overenthusiastic younger children who don’t know that they’re being too rough.

If you have other dogs in your household, make sure they’re able to play gently with the Maltipoo, too. Roughhousing is common in dogs, but the tiny Maltipoo may not be strong enough to withstand much of it.

Shih Tzu Overview

According to records that mention a short, square-shaped dog, the Shih Tzu breed is at least 1,000 years old. They originated in Tibet and were likely exported to China as royal gifts. There, they became popular companion dogs and received the ultimate royal treatment. It is thought that Shih Tzus as we know them today are crosses between the Pekingese and the Lhaso Apso.

Appearance

The Shih Tzu is a short, sturdy-bodied canine with a curled tail and long, mane-like coat that comes in various colors, including black, brindle, blue, liver, gold, and red among several others. The Shih Tzu’s head is held high and is round with big, wide-set eyes and a short muzzle. They’re known for having a proud stance that, according to the AKC breed standard, gives them an air of arrogance.

Personality

Shih Tzus were bred as companion and lap dogs, so they tend to be quite low-energy dogs. Don’t be surprised if your Shih Tzu prefers snuggling on the couch with you over running or exploring in the park.

They do require daily exercise, but not as much as some other breeds. Two or three short walks of around 15 minutes each per day should do the trick for a Shih Tzu. Beware—these dogs are not cut out to handle hot temperatures because of their short muzzles.

In spite of their somewhat snooty-looking stance, Shih Tzus are typically friendly, happy-go-lucky dogs that make friends easily, whether with other pets or people.

Training

Though Shih Tzus are intelligent, people-oriented dogs, they are known for being somewhat challenging in the house-training department. This isn’t because they’re not smart—they’re just reputed to be good at worming their way out of things they don’t want to do by turning on the charm. They can also be pretty stubborn when they want to be.

For this reason, you’ll need to be very consistent and use lots of positive reinforcement (i.e. treats, praise, etc.) to encourage your Shih Tzu to learn what you want them to. It’s a good idea to enroll your Shih Tzu in obedience classes so you get a support system around you while you’re training and socializing them.

Health & Care

Your Shih Tzu will need to be brushed daily to keep their long coats free of mats, tangles, and knots. Luckily, though, they don’t shed much throughout the year. A monthly bath is recommended to keep your Shih Tzus coat in tip-top condition. Like other breeds, they also need to have their nails trimmed and their teeth brushed regularly.

Like Maltipoos, Shih Tzus are a generally healthy breed with a long estimated lifespan, but there are some conditions and sensitivities to watch out for. These include:

Suitable For:

The Shih Tzu is best suited to those looking for a low-energy, charming, and sociable little dog. They tend to get along well with children as long as the children in the household know how to gently and respectfully interact with them.

Shih Tzus are also very affectionate dogs that love being around their human family members, so make sure you have the patience to commit to a dog that is likely to want a lot of attention from you.

Which Breed Is Right for You?

If you’re looking for a low-energy dog that will be a loyal and loving companion, the Shih Tzu might be for you. On the other hand, if you’d prefer a more playful dog with higher energy levels, the Maltipoo could be the dog you’re looking for.

Just bear in mind that we can only make generalizations about dog breeds. Every dog is an individual and there are never any guarantees when it comes to personality. Our advice to you is to meet the dog and get to know them as much as you can before you make your decision rather than deciding based on breed alone.

See also:

• Maltipoo vs Shih Poo: How Do They Compare?
• Maltipoo vs Chihuahua: How Do They Compare?

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Featured Image Credit: (L) marketlan, Shutterstock | (R) Dienni Portinanni, Unsplash