The short version: the Shih Tzu is the sturdier, more easygoing one, and the Maltese is the smaller, lighter, more delicate one. A Shih Tzu is a solid little dog with a wide chest and a laid-back, everyone-is-my-friend attitude — a good pick for a busy household or a family with school-age kids. A Maltese is a true toy dog, often under seven pounds, elegant and devoted and best suited to a calmer home where people will watch their feet. Both are purebred, both are affectionate, and both need real grooming. The build and the energy are where they genuinely diverge.
At a glance
| Shih Tzu | Maltese | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult weight | 9-16 lb | Under 7 lb per the breed standard, with 4-6 lb preferred; pet Maltese are often a little heavier |
| Adult height | 9-10.5 in at the withers ideally (8-11 in acceptable) | About 7-9 in at the shoulder |
| Coat and shedding | Dense double coat, long and flowing, slight wave acceptable; sheds minimally | Single coat, no undercoat — long, flat, and silky, pure white; sheds very minimally |
| Grooming needs | Brushing several times a week at minimum, ideally daily; professional grooming every few weeks; many owners keep a puppy cut | Daily brushing or combing to prevent mats; regular bathing; daily face care for tear staining |
| Energy level | Moderate — content with about a 30-minute walk plus indoor play | Moderate — neighborhood walks and indoor play; does not need vigorous exercise |
| Good with kids | Yes — the sturdier build handles family life well; still supervise young children | Yes with older, gentle children; quite fragile around toddlers |
| Good for apartments | Very well suited | Very well suited |
| Trainability | Willing people-pleaser; responds to high-value treats | Bright and responsive; keep sessions short and game-like |
| Common health considerations | Brachycephalic (short-muzzled) breathing concerns, eye problems, luxating patella, dental disease, ear infections | Luxating patella, dental disease, liver shunt, patent ductus arteriosus |
Two purebreds, not mixes
Worth stating plainly, because people ask: neither of these is a designer cross. The Shih Tzu and the Maltese are both established purebreds with written standards behind them, and that is part of their appeal — you have a much better idea of what your puppy will grow into than you do with a mix.
The Shih Tzu standard describes a sturdy toy dog carried with what it calls a distinctively arrogant bearing, head up and tail curved over the back. The Maltese standard describes a dog that is fearless despite its size and among the gentlest-mannered of the little breeds. Those two descriptions tell you most of what you need to know.
Temperament
Shih Tzus are bred to be companions and nothing else, and it shows. The standard asks for a dog that is outgoing, happy, affectionate, friendly, and trusting toward everyone — not just family. They tend to greet guests rather than retreat from them, and they are generally unbothered by household chaos.
The Maltese is affectionate in a more focused way. It attaches intensely to its people, is lively and playful, and is often described as brave well past its size. That fearlessness can tip into being a bit reactive toward larger dogs at the park, which is a thing to manage, not a flaw.
If your household is loud, has kids coming and going, and a dog needs to roll with it, the Shih Tzu is generally the more forgiving personality.
Grooming
Neither is a wash-and-go dog, and we would rather you know that now.
The Shih Tzu carries a double coat — dense, long, and flowing — which means more coat volume and a real tendency to mat once it grows out. Most families keep a Shih Tzu in a short puppy cut, which is the honest, practical choice. The short muzzle also means the face needs regular wiping, and the topknot exists partly to keep hair out of the eyes.
The Maltese has a single coat with no undercoat. It mats differently — less bulk, but the fine silky hair tangles quickly, and a missed few days shows. White coats also show tear staining under the eyes, so daily face care matters. We offer grooming here at the showroom, and we will show you how to brush correctly before you leave with your puppy.
Both shed very little, which many families prefer. No dog is allergen-free, though — dander and saliva trigger reactions too.
Living space
Both are excellent apartment and townhome dogs, and neither needs a yard.
One Georgia-specific point: the Shih Tzu is brachycephalic, meaning short-muzzled, and short-muzzled dogs handle heat and humidity less efficiently than long-nosed dogs. In a Metro Atlanta July, that means walking early or late, keeping sessions short, and not leaving a Shih Tzu outside to lounge. The Maltese does not share that particular constraint, though at five or six pounds it is not built for extremes either. Talk to your veterinarian about what is appropriate for your individual dog.
Families
The weight difference is the real story for families. A 12-pound Shih Tzu can absorb an accidental bump from a seven-year-old. A five-pound Maltese cannot, and injuries from falls and rough handling are a genuine risk in toy breeds. If you have children under about six, we will usually steer you toward the Shih Tzu, and we would rather say that than sell you the wrong dog.
Our puppies spend time in our family home nursery before moving to the showroom floor, where they are socialized with children, adults, and other pets. Every one gets a complete health check from our on-staff veterinarian and is up to date on shots.
Choose the Shih Tzu if
- You have kids, or a busy household, and want a sturdier small dog
- You would like a dog that is friendly with strangers by default
- You are comfortable managing a short-muzzled breed through Georgia summers
- You are happy keeping the coat in a practical short cut
Choose the Maltese if
- You want a true toy dog — small, light, and elegant
- Your home is calm, with older children or none
- You want a devoted, one-family dog that sticks close
- You will enjoy the daily brushing and face care a white silky coat requires
Come meet both in Lawrenceville
Pick one up. That is usually the moment the decision makes itself — the difference between a nine-pound dog and a five-pound dog is much more obvious in your arms than on a page.
We are open Monday through Saturday, 12-7pm, and Sunday, 2-6pm. If the breed you want is not on the floor that day, ask about the waitlist, and ask us about financing and grooming while you are here. Call (678) 253-4081 if you would like to check what is available before you make the drive.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better with young children, a Shih Tzu or a Maltese?
Usually the Shih Tzu, simply because of build. At 9 to 16 pounds it is more robust than a Maltese under 7 pounds. Both need supervision with small kids, but the Maltese is genuinely fragile and does better in homes with older children.
Which one sheds less?
Both shed very little. Neither is hypoallergenic — no dog is — and both need consistent grooming regardless. Choose on temperament and size, not shedding.
Is a Shih Tzu hard to house-train?
Shih Tzus have a reputation for being slower to house-train than some breeds, though they are willing learners overall. Small dogs of both breeds need frequent outings and a predictable routine. Consistency matters more than the breed name.
Does the Shih Tzu’s flat face cause problems?
Short-muzzled breeds are more sensitive to heat and exertion, which is worth planning for in Georgia. Individual dogs differ a great deal. Your veterinarian is the right person to assess your specific puppy and advise on exercise in hot weather.
Can I keep either coat long, like in photos?
You can, but understand what it takes. A full Shih Tzu double coat needs daily attention, and a full Maltese coat needs daily combing plus frequent bathing. Most families end up in a shorter cut, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Meet a Shih Tzu and a Maltese the same afternoon
Every puppy here is health-checked by our on-staff veterinarian, raised in our family home nursery, and waiting to say hello.
1848 Old Norcross Rd, Lawrenceville, GA 30044
Mon–Sat 12:00–7:00 PM • Sun 2:00–6:00 PM
