Published Friday, August 20, 2021 by PremierPups
Small, fluffy, adorable, and loving, are just a few words we can use to describe the Mal-Shi and Shichon designer breeds. These toy dogs are smart, easy to train, adaptable, and very fond of cuddles. They are amazing emotional support dogs, excellent companion pets for allergy sufferers, and wonderful family dogs.
A puppy’s love is a pure thing and, here at Premier Pups, we aim to give our loving puppies the forever homes they deserve. Our specialized team of Puppy Agents is here to help you with the choosing process to make sure your new pup fits right in with your family.
Table of Contents
Malshi vs Shichon Overview
Malshi Overview
The Mal-Shi also referred to as Shih Tzu Maltese mix, Mal-Tzu, and Malti-Zu, is a designer hybrid breed, a mix between a Shih Tzu and a Maltese. The Mal-Shi originated in the United States during the 1990s. Toy Mal-Shi dogs were originally bred to be hypoallergenic companion pets that could be owned by allergy sufferers.
Ever since their debutant days, these perfect little lapdogs have impressed with their loving nature and cheerful personality. The Mal-Shi (Teddy Bear dogs) are among the most popular toy designer hybrids in the United States, Europe, Australia, and Asia.
Shichon Overview
The Shichon also referred to as Zuchon and Shih Tzu Frise Mix, is a designer-mixed breed, a hybrid of a Shih Tzu and a Bichon Frise. The Schichon dogs have been around for roughly 25 years and in that time their popularity has been on a steady rise worldwide.
Loved for their cuddly looks, sweet personality, and hypoallergenic properties, the Shichons are not likely to ever stop conquering hearts. These beautiful pups are happy, friendly, playful, and great with children. They adapt easily to any type of lifestyle, are great for allergy-sufferers, and are effortless to train.
Malshi vs Shichon Overview Comparison
The Mal-Shi and Shichon are two very similar breeds with many things in common. Both breeds originated in the United States some 20 to 30 years ago and were designed by professional breeders to be hypoallergenic lapdogs. Both the Mal-Shi and the Shichon share a Shih Tzu parent breed as well as a Bichon parent breed. The Maltese and Frise are members of the Bichon family and they are both known to be sweet, easy-going, playful, and friendly dogs.
The Mal-Shi and the Shichon are also both referred to as designer Teddy Bear dogs and are recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club.
Malshi vs Shichon Overview Key Points
Comparison Table
| Breed | Malshi | Shichon |
| Parent breeds | Maltese, Shih Tzu | Shih Tzu, Bichon Frise |
| Place of origin | US | US |
| Date of origin | 1990 | 2000 |
| Purpose | Companionship, hypoallergenic pet | Companionship, hypoallergenic pet |
| Breed type | Designer breed, hybrid | Designer breed, hybrid |
| Other names | Teddy bear | Teddy Bear, Zuchon |
| Lifespan | 12-14 years | 12-14 years |
Malshi vs Shichon Temperament
Malshi Temperament
The Mal-Shi is a sweet, happy-go-lucky toy dog with a fantastic personality. This fluffy dog is naturally obedient, well-mannered, friendly, playful, and a wonderful companion pet for children. With a kind nature, a joyful disposition, and lots of canine love to give, the Mal-Shi also makes the ideal pet for seniors, singles and couples, families with children, novice owners, and multi-pet households.
The Mal-Shi crave human interaction, love, and cuddles. The center of attention is their favorite place because that is where they can display their talents and receive all of their favorite praises and treat rewards.
Known for their easygoing and adaptable nature, the Mal-Shi pups fit in wonderfully in both relaxed and active lifestyles. Either living a laid-back or adventurous lifestyle, the Mal-Shi hobbies remain the same. These pups love to cuddle, chase toys, play games of fetch, and explore the world with their owners by their side.
When it comes to training, the Mal-Shi pups are all ears. They are fast-learning students with great learning skills and people-pleasing personalities. At times sensitive, these cute pups respond best to delicious treat rewards and lots of praise rather than harsh tones or punishments.
Shichon Temperament
Cuddly, adorable, and at the ready for some fun, the Shichon is a charmer. Bred to call laps their home and melt hearts on sight, these dogs love to be held, kissed, spoiled, and cuddled. They also enjoy games of fetch, tag, hide-and-seek, and treat puzzles, as long as their humans are involved.
Just like the Mal-Shi, the Shichon is one of the best possible pets for novice owners, singles and couples, seniors, and families with kids. These lovely dogs are patient, gentle, sweet, and entertaining. They lack aggression and are very fond of always being at their owner’s side doing whatever their owners are doing. They get along great with other household pets and they are known to be especially great with family children.
Training Shichons is an effortless task as they are eager learners who pick up quite fast on their lessons. They also love to show off what they learn and are always searching for more tricks to impress with. Shichons respond best to a gentle approach to training. They love getting praised for being obedient and they are driven by their eagerness to please.
Malshi vs Shichon Temperament Comparison
When it comes to comparing their personalities, you will find that both the Mal-Shi and the Shichon are remarkable dogs who share quite a lot of qualities. These two breeds attach to their humans like glue, and because they are such affectionate dogs, they adapt easily to any kind of lifestyle. They are equally fond of children, sociable with other canines and pets, and they both crave attention and love from their humans.
As tiny and cute dogs, both the Mal-Shi and Shichon are bound to get spoiled by their human mamas and papas. This means that both breeds are prone to develop small-dog syndrome which generally means that they will be the kings and queens of the house. When overly-spoiled, both the Mal-Shi and the Shichon can become stubborn during training and won’t respond as well as they are naturally inclined to.
Another similarity between the Mal-Shi and the Shichon is their generous love. These two breeds are quick to form strong and long-lasting bonds with their human family. They both share a strong desire to be involved in every gathering and family activity, and neither can stand being apart from their owners.
As for their differences, in some rare cases, the Mal-Shi can be more cuddle-oriented whereas the Shichon can be more of an adventure seeker.
Malshi vs Shichon Temperament Key Points
Comparison Table
| Breed | Malshi | Shichon |
| Good with kids | Yes, better for older kids | Yes |
| Training | Easy, can be stubborn | Easy, can be stubborn |
| Friendly | Yes | Yes |
| Separation anxiety | Can be prone to separation anxiety | Can be prone to separation anxiety |
| Energy levels | Laid-back | Moderately energetic/laid-back |
| Good for | Families, couples, seniors | Families with children, couples, retirees |
| Barking | Generally quiet | Generally quiet |
Malshi vs Shichon Appearance
Malshi Appearance
Our Mal-Shi puppies are cuddly, fluffy, and happy-looking toy dogs. They are small in stature with a height of up to 11 inches and an average weight of 6 to 12 pounds. The Mal-Shi appears confident, cuddly-looking, joyful, and sporty. The Mal-Shi dogs have gorgeous dark eyes, a dark button nose, floppy ears, and a cute fluffy tail worn curled over their back.
The Mal-Shi coat is medium to long, curly to wavy or sometimes straight, and low-shedding. The Mal-Shi can sport a solid-colored, particolored, or tri-colored coat with various patterns and markings. Some Mal-Shi coat colors include white, black, gray, cream, and yellow.
Shichon Appearance
The Shichon puppies are sweet-looking, puffy, and cute little dogs. They resemble toy Teddy Bears and they appear to be smiling all of the time. These beautiful dogs stand at 9 to 12 inches tall and weigh between 6 to 14 pounds. The Shichon has a gorgeous round face, sparkly black eyes, a black button nose, cute hanging ears, and a curled puffy tail.
The Shichon sports a low-shedding hypoallergenic coat that can be straight to wavy or curly, and is generally long and dense. The Shichon coat can come in various colors and color combinations that include black, white, silver, shades of brown, and cream.
Malshi vs Shichon Appearance Comparison
As with all designer-mixed breeds or hybrid dogs, the Mal-Shi and Shichon can take after either parent breed. They can take after their Shih Tzu parent breed, or each can take after their secondary parent breed and resemble either a Maltese or a Bichon Frise. Generally, both Teddy Bear dogs will look quite similar, with almost identical features, resembling toy teddy bears. One difference that can be noted between the two is that in some cases, the Shichon can be a tad taller than the Mal-Shi.
Both the Mal-Shi and Shichon sport similar coats in length and color. Another possible difference can be seen in their coat texture with the Mal-Shi generally having a silky wavy coat and the Shichon sporting a curlier and denser coat. Their coats are low-to-non-shedding which makes both the Mal-Shi and the Shichon hypoallergenic dogs that are a great fit for owners suffering from pet-related allergies.
Both the Shichon and the Mal-Shi retain their puppy-like appearance well into their teen years, enchanting their owners with ever-lasting puppy youth.
Malshi vs Shichon Appearance Key Points
Comparison Table
| Breed | Malshi | Shichon |
| Adult weight | 6-14 pounds | 6-14 pounds |
| Adult height | 9-12 inches | 9-12 inches |
| Coat type | Straight, wavy, curly | Straight, wavy, curly |
| Colors | White, brown, gray, yellow | White, yellow, cream, gray, brown, black |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes | Yes |
| Shedding | Minimal | Minimal |
Elena R.
About The Author
Elena is a leading expert in the field of dog behavior, care, and training, with over a decade of experience in writing about dogs. As a published writer and lifelong dog enthusiast, Elena currently shares her home with three beloved canine companions. She is dedicated to staying up to date on the latest advancements in dog care and training, ensuring that her articles provide readers with accurate and valuable insights. With her extensive knowledge and passion for all things canine, Elena's contributions to the Premier Pups community offer both expertise and authority on a wide range of dog-related topics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more energetic, Malshi or Shichon? Both Malshis and Shichons are energetic breeds with playful dispositions. The Malshi might display a slightly more independent streak from the Maltese side, while the Shichon inherits the Bichon Frise's lively zest.
Malshi or Shichon, which barks more? Both breeds can be quite vocal. Malshis, inheriting the alert nature of both parents, might bark to notify of strangers. Shichons, with their Shih Tzu lineage, can be vocal when seeking attention or if something is amiss. Proper training and socialization can help manage excessive barking.
Do Malshis have more separation anxiety than Shichons? Both breeds can experience separation anxiety due to their strong attachment to their families. Shichons, given the companion-oriented nature of the Bichon Frise, might display a slightly higher propensity for separation anxiety.
Should I get a Malshi or a Shichon? The decision comes down to personal preference. If you're attracted to the characteristics of Maltese and Shih Tzu, the Malshi is a great pick. If the Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise combination appeals more, then the Shichon is the way to go.
Which is better, a Malshi or a Shichon? "Better" is subjective. Both breeds are affectionate, loyal, and great companions. It depends on the specific traits and temperament you're looking for in a dog.
What is the lifespan of a Malshi vs. Shichon? Both breeds generally have a lifespan of around 12-15 years, provided they receive proper care, nutrition, and regular veterinary check-ups.
Are Malshis easier to train than Shichons? The Malshi can have a slightly better chance of learning faster compared to the Shichon. Both breeds are intelligent and can be trained effectively with positive reinforcement methods. Early socialization and training are key for both.
Do Malshis shed more than Shichons? Both the Malshi and Shichon are low-shedding breeds, often making them suitable for those with allergies.
Which is calmer, a Malshi or a Shichon? Both breeds have their calm moments, especially after play sessions. Overall, their energy levels and calmness might be relatively comparable.