Shih Tzu vs Maltese (Calgary 2026)

The Side-by-Side Comparison

Size and Appearance

The size gap is the most visible difference. A typical Shih Tzu is roughly twice the weight of a typical Maltese: 9 to 16 lbs vs 4 to 7 lbs. At adult height, a Shih Tzu stands 9 to 11 inches at the shoulder; a Maltese stands 7 to 9 inches. In real terms, a Shih Tzu fits comfortably on a lap but still has presence; a Maltese is light enough to carry in a sling all afternoon.

Coat is the second visible difference. The Shih Tzu has a dense double coat that comes in a wide colour range: gold, black, brindle, liver, white, parti-colour, and many combinations. The Maltese has a single-layer silky coat in pure white only (the AKC Maltese standard does not allow any other colour). The Shih Tzu coat is harder-textured and more prone to matting; the Maltese coat is finer but more prone to visible tear staining.

Face shape is the most important structural difference. The Shih Tzu is brachycephalic (flat-faced), and that single anatomical fact drives most of the breed-specific health risks. The Maltese has a normal canine muzzle and avoids the airway, eye proptosis, and severe heat intolerance issues that affect every flat-faced breed.

Temperament and Energy

Both breeds were created for one purpose: human companionship. The Shih Tzu was developed in the Chinese imperial court (the American Shih Tzu Club traces the line back to Tibet and Tang-dynasty palace dogs). The Maltese is an ancient Mediterranean lap dog, depicted on Greek pottery and recognised by Roman writers. Neither breed has a working role; both expect to be with people most of the day.

Day-to-day energy differs by a small but noticeable margin. The Shih Tzu is the calmer of the two: content with two short walks, a few play bursts, and long stretches of couch time. The Maltese is more alert and reactive, more likely to bark at noises in the hallway, and slightly more demanding of activity (a 25 to 40 minute daily total works well). Neither needs intense exercise, and both can over-exercise easily, especially the Shih Tzu in summer heat.

Separation tolerance is similar: both are prone to mild separation anxiety, especially Maltese, which can become clingy with their primary person. Crate training and gradual alone-time builds matter for both breeds. Calgary winter actually helps here, because frequent neighbourhood walks (in protective gear) keep both breeds mentally engaged.

Health Comparison

Both breeds carry real but different health risks. Here is the honest picture for Calgary adopters.

Shih Tzu health profile

• Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). Moderate prevalence. Severe cases need surgical correction ($3,500 to $7,500 in Calgary). See the AVMA brachycephalic dog statement for the airway anatomy detail.
• Eye proptosis and corneal ulcers. The shallow eye socket means even minor head trauma can pop an eye out of place. ER-grade emergency. Corneal ulcers from dry eye or hair contact are common.
• Dental crowding. The short jaw forces teeth out of alignment. Daily brushing plus annual dental scaling under anaesthesia ($800 to $1,500) is standard.
• IVDD (intervertebral disc disease). Lower than dachshund or Frenchie rates, but still elevated due to the shortened spine. Avoid jumps from furniture.
• Renal dysplasia and hypothyroidism. Less common but real. Both manageable with bloodwork and medication.
• Heat intolerance. Severe. Calgary summer afternoons above 22°C are a real risk. Walk early morning or after sunset in July and August.

Maltese health profile

• Luxating patella. Around 25 to 30% of Maltese show some grade of slipping kneecap. Grades 1 to 2 are managed conservatively; grade 3 to 4 may need surgery ($2,500 to $4,500 per knee).
• Severe dental disease. Tiny jaws crowd teeth even more aggressively than Shih Tzus. Daily brushing is non-optional. Annual dental cleaning starts at age 2, not age 5.
• Liver shunt (portosystemic shunt). Maltese are a top-3 affected breed. Surgical correction runs $5,000 to $10,000 in Calgary. Bile acid testing at first vet visit is reasonable.
• White shaker syndrome. A treatable neurological condition causing whole-body tremors. Lifelong steroid management.
• Tear staining. Cosmetic, not medical, but the rusty discolouration around the eyes is highly visible on the white coat. Daily wipes manage it.
• Hypoglycaemia in puppies and tiny adults. Maltese under 5 lbs can crash blood sugar after missed meals or stress. Always keep a small jar of nutritional paste on hand.

Grooming Reality

Both breeds are high-maintenance. There is no low-effort grooming option for either. Calgary owners who underestimate this often end up with matted, uncomfortable dogs who need a full shave-down at the groomer.

Daily care for both breeds: 5 to 10 minutes of brushing with a pin brush and metal comb. Face wipe-down to manage tear staining (Maltese especially) or skin fold cleaning (Shih Tzu). Daily tooth brushing for both, ideally with an enzymatic dog toothpaste.

Professional grooming: Calgary groomers charge $60 to $95 for a small dog full groom (bath, blow dry, haircut, nails, ear cleaning, sanitary trim). Most owners book every 4 to 6 weeks. Both breeds are usually kept in a short puppy cut, teddy bear cut, or kennel cut to make daily care manageable.

The Maltese coat mats less aggressively than the Shih Tzu coat at the same length, so if you are going to skip daily brushing some days, the Maltese is the more forgiving choice. Full Shih Tzu grooming depth lives in our Shih Tzu grooming guide; full Maltese grooming depth lives in our Maltese grooming guide.

Calgary Exercise and Climate

Both breeds need modest daily exercise. The Shih Tzu does well with two 15-minute walks plus indoor play. The Maltese benefits from slightly more (two 20-minute walks plus play) because its higher energy and lighter frame handle short distances easily.

Calgary summer (May to September): The Shih Tzu is the higher-risk breed. Walk early morning before 8 AM or after 8 PM. Pavement temperatures above 28°C burn brachycephalic dogs from below while overheating them from above. The Maltese tolerates summer heat better but should still avoid midday walks on hot days.

Calgary winter (November to March): The Maltese is the higher-risk breed. At 5 lbs with a single-layer coat, a Maltese loses body heat fast at −15°C and below. A fleece jumper plus a winter jacket plus paw boots are not optional below −10°C. The Shih Tzu is more cold-tolerant thanks to the double coat but still needs a jacket below −15°C.

Both breeds adapt well to Calgary apartment routines and short neighbourhood walks. Off-leash parks are usable for both, although small-dog-specific zones are safer than the mixed-size areas at Nose Hill or Sue Higgins. Off-leash options for small breeds are mapped in our Calgary off-leash park guide.

Calgary Inventory Reality

Both pure Shih Tzus and pure Maltese are rare in Calgary rescues. Mixes turn up much more often. Shih Tzu crosses you will see regularly: Shih-Poo (Shih Tzu + Poodle), Bichon Shih or Shichon (Shih Tzu + Bichon Frise), Shorkie (Shih Tzu + Yorkie), Malshi (Shih Tzu + Maltese), and Cava-Tzu (Shih Tzu + Cavalier King Charles Spaniel). Maltese crosses you will see regularly: Maltipoo (Maltese + Poodle), Malshi, Morkie (Maltese + Yorkie), and Maltipom (Maltese + Pomeranian).

Best Calgary rescues to check for either breed (and their mixes): Calgary Humane Society, AARCS, Pawsitive Match Rescue Foundation, BARCS, and Cochrane Humane. Calgary Humane operates first-come-first-served; AARCS and Pawsitive Match use application-and-match models.

Small lap dogs move through Calgary rescues fast, often within 24 to 72 hours of listing. Apply the same day you see a match. Adoption fees are $200 to $500 for both breeds and include spay/neuter, age-appropriate vaccinations, microchip, and a basic vet workup. Per-breed adoption depth lives in our Shih Tzu adoption guide and Maltese adoption guide.

How To Pick: 5 Questions

Adoption Cost Comparison

Breeder pricing is similar for both breeds: $1,500 to $3,500 in Calgary for a non-show-line pet-quality puppy, with CKC-registered show-line examples and rare-colour Shih Tzu litters pushing past $4,000.

Adoption removes the cost gap. Calgary rescue fees are $200 to $500 for either breed and include spay/neuter (a $400 to $700 procedure on its own), core vaccinations, microchip, deworming, and a basic vet workup. For an adult dog the cost savings vs a breeder puppy are $1,300 to $3,000 upfront, before counting the avoided puppy-stage vet workups.

Annual care after adoption is similar for both breeds: $1,200 to $2,500 per year covering food, grooming every 4 to 6 weeks, annual vet, flea/tick/heartworm prevention, and dental scaling every 12 to 24 months. Pet insurance ($40 to $80 per month) is strongly recommended for both because the cost-driving surgeries (BOAS for Shih Tzu, patella or liver shunt for Maltese) can run $3,000 to $10,000.

Lifetime cost over 12 to 15 years runs $15,000 to $35,000 for either breed. Adopting saves $1,000 to $3,000 in upfront cost and removes the puppy-mill funding concern entirely. For most Calgary households, adoption is the financially sane choice. Cost depth on the Shih Tzu side lives in our Shih Tzu health issues guide; on the Maltese side in our Maltese health issues guide.

What Both Breeds Share (Non-Negotiable)

• Daily home grooming. Both breeds need 5 to 10 minutes of brushing per day plus face care. Skip this and you will pay for a full shave-down at the groomer within a month.
• Daily tooth brushing. Small jaws crowd teeth. Both breeds develop periodontal disease earlier than larger breeds. Daily brushing plus annual dental scaling under anaesthesia ($800 to $1,500) is standard.
• Harness, not collar. Both have small tracheas vulnerable to collar pressure. Use a step-in or Y-harness only. The Shih Tzu has additional airway compromise from the flat face, so this is doubly important.
• Pet insurance before symptoms appear. Both breeds are likely to need at least one $3K to $10K surgery during their lifetime. Insurance bought after a diagnosis excludes the diagnosed condition.
• Calgary winter clothing. Both are small enough to lose body heat fast. Below −10°C, both need a jacket; below −15°C, both need paw boots too.
• Calgary summer heat planning. Both struggle with heat, the Shih Tzu severely. Walk early morning or evening from mid-June through August.
• No off-furniture jumps. Both breeds risk fractures from a couch jump. Ramps or steps for older dogs.
• Calgary licence and leash. Both need a City of Calgary dog licence from 3 months and on-leash behaviour in all public spaces except designated off-leash zones (Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw).

Breed standards used here come from the AKC Shih Tzu standard, the AKC Maltese standard, the American Shih Tzu Club, the American Maltese Association, the AVMA brachycephalic dog statement, and the Canadian Kennel Club.

Frequently Asked Questions

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