Japanese Spitz vs Maltese Shih Tzu
Compare Japanese Spitz to Maltese Shih Tzus. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between these two breeds.
Japanese Spitz
Maltese Shih Tzu
Breed Type
Purebred
Hybrid
Allergy Friendly
No
Yes
Lifespan
10-16 Years
12-14 Years
Height
12-15 Inches
9-15 Inches
Weight
10-20 Pounds
6-14 Pounds
Intelligence
Japanese Spitz
Maltese Shih Tzu
Origin Country
Japan
Unspecified
Origin Year
1950 AD
1980 AD
Japanese Spitz
Maltese Shih Tzu
Overall Friendliness
Family Friendly
Child Friendly
Pet Friendly
Stranger Friendly
Japanese Spitz
Maltese Shih Tzu
Japanese Spitz
Maltese Shih Tzu
Apartment
Yes
Yes
Indoor
Yes
Yes
Small Yard
Yes
No
Medium Yard
Yes
No
Large Yard
No
No
Temperature Tolerance
20-85 °F
55-80 °F
Barks/Howls
Japanese Spitz
Maltese Shih Tzu
Energy Level
High
Medium to High
Exercise Required
Medium
Low
Top Running Speed
18 MPH
12 MPH
Strength
Low
Low
Japanese Spitz
Maltese Shih Tzu
Coat Maintenance
Medium
Medium to High
Shedding
Medium to High
None
Dander
Low
None
Drool
Low
None
Japanese Spitz
Maltese Shih Tzu
Dominant / Alpha
No
No
Family / Pack
Yes
Yes
Independent
No
No
Japanese Spitz
Maltese Shih Tzu
Distracted Easy
No
No
Focused & Patient
No
No
Japanese Spitz
Maltese Shih Tzu
Aggression
Burrow / Digging
Chasing
Follow Commands
Fighting
Guarding
Herding
Hunting
Protection
Remove Vermin
Sled Pulling
Watch / Guardian
Japanese Spitz
Maltese Shih Tzu
Average Lifespan
10-16 Years
12-14 Years
Japanese Spitz
Maltese Shih Tzu
Japanese Spitz
Maltese Shih Tzu
Coat Type
Fur or Hair
Hair
Coat Layering
Double
Double
Single
Coat Texture
Silky
Straight
Wavy
Silky
Straight
Coat Length
Long
Long
Japanese Spitz
Maltese Shih Tzu
