Differences and Similarities between the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi.

Last Updated: Mar 22, 2022

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Chihuahua Versus Mal Shi: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Chihuahua and for the Mal Shi. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Chihuahua or the Mal Shi.

Read on.

Chihuahua versus Mal Shi: Overview

Both the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi are similar in size. The Chihuahua and the Mal Shi are both tiny-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Chihuahua belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

On the other hand, the Mal Shi belongs to the Hybrid Dogs group. Hybrid Dogs are the offspring of 2 or more known, but different, dog breeds.

Chihuahua versus Mal Shi: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chihuahua to the Mal Shi based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi

FactorChihuahuaMal Shi
Tolerates Being Alone1/53/5
Tolerates Cold Weather1/52/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Minimal Exercise Needs5/53/5
Life Span10 to 18 years12 to 14 years
Tolerates Hot Weather2/52/5
Dog Friendly2/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/53/5
Does NOT Shed4/55/5
General Health2/52/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/55/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
Does NOT chew on things3/52/5
Low Prey Drive3/51/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/52/5
NOT Rambunctious3/53/5
Weight3 to 6 pounds6 to 12 pounds
Good For Novice Owners4/55/5
Easy To Train4/54/5
Intelligence4/53/5
Potential For Playfulness4/53/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/55/5
Easygoing1/53/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Kid-Friendly5/53/5
Easy To Groom5/52/5
Height6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulderFrom 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan14.0 years13.0 years
Average Price$1820$1730
Price Range$850 – $2500$1300 – $2000
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chihuahua in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Mal Shi. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Chihuahua is 84 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Mal Shi is 80 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Chihuahua is a better pet than the Mal Shi. So, you should get a Chihuahua!

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi

    Below is a list of where the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi are most different:

  • Chihuahuas are very easy to groom. However, Mal Shis require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi

    The Chihuahua and the Mal Shi are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi are most similar:

  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi are very easy to train.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi are very playful.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chihuahua versus Mal Shi

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi.

    Chihuahuas weigh 3 to 6 pounds when fully grown. Chihuahuas are 6 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Mal Shis weigh 6 to 12 pounds when fully grown. Mal Shis are From 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Chihuahua versus Mal Shi

    The lifespan of Chihuahuas is between 10 to 18 years. The average lifespan of Chihuahuas is 14.0 years.

    The lifespan of Mal Shis is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Mal Shis is 13.0 years.

    Chihuahuas live longer than Mal Shis.

    Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua lifespan and how long Chihuahua live.

    Price of Chihuahua versus Price of Mal Shi

    The average price of the Chihuahua puppy is $1820. The price of the Chihuahua typically ranges from $850 – $2500. However, the price of a Chihuahua can be as low as $100 and as high as $15500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1980 Chihuahua puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Mal Shi puppy is $1730. The price of the Mal Shi typically ranges from $1300 – $2000. However, the price of the Mal Shi can be as low as $700 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 216 Mal Shi puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Chihuahua is more expensive than the Mal Shi.

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    Chihuahua Mal Shi
    Average Price $1820 $1730
    Price Range $850 to $2500 $1300 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Chihuahua and Mal Shi. For different price points, the charts show how many Chihuahua puppies or how many Mal Shi puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Chihuahuas. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Chihuahuas. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Mal Shis

    A breakdown of the prices of Mal Shis

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Chihuahua puppy or the Mal Shi puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Go to this article to learn more about Chihuahua cost and price.

    Check out our list of best Chihuahua breeders here

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chihuahua versus Mal Shi

    Chihuahuas do not like to be left alone.

    Mal Shis can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Chihuahuas shed more than Mal Shis?

    Chihuahuas do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Check out our articles to learn more on how to minimize shedding in Chihuahuas, and on how to groom a Chihuahua

    Mal Shis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chihuahua or the Mal Shi?

    Chihuahuas are very easy to groom.

    To learn more about how to properly groom a Chihuahua, check out our article on how to groom a Chihuahua.

    Learn more on how to take care of a Chihuahua here.

    Mal Shis require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chihuahua or the Mal Shi?

    Chihuahuas do not get along well with other dogs.

    Mal Shis get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Chihuahuas good family dogs? What about Mal Shis?

    Chihuahuas are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Chihuahua make a good addition to a family. They love kids and kids love them.

    Learn about Chihuahua temperament here.

    Mal Shis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Chihuahua Easier to Train than the Mal Shi?

    Chihuahuas are very easy to train.

    Mal Shis are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Chihuahua or the Mal Shi

    Chihuahuas do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Mal Shis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Chihuahuas and Mal Shis?

    Chihuahuas get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Mal Shis get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Does the Chihuahua Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Mal Shi?

    Chihuahuas have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Mal Shis have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Chihuahuas Bark and Howl? What about Mal Shis?

    Chihuahuas bark and howl, but not very much.

    Mal Shis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mal Shis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chihuahuas cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Mal Shis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chihuahua vs. Mal Shi

    Chihuahuas do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Mal Shis do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Chihuahuas Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mal Shis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chihuahuas cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Mal Shis cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Is the Chihuahua Better for Apartment Owners than the Mal Shi?

    Chihuahuas adapt very well to apartment living.

    Mal Shis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chihuahua or the Mal Shi?

    Chihuahuas are very good for new dog owners.

    Mal Shis are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Chihuahua versus Mal Shi. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Chihuahua and the Mal Shi better suits you and your family.