A real, honest comparison — built for UAE families. Both are wonderful breeds; the right one for you depends on your apartment, your routine, your kids. We surface every strength so you can match a winning dog to a winning home.
Maltese
ShihSee them in motion
Hover or scroll past — both reels start playing automatically.
From AED 6,500A pure-white silk coat over a gentle, ancient breed. The Maltese is hypoallergenic, calm, and almost regal.
See Maltese puppiesFrom AED 6,500Bred for centuries to be a lapdog and nothing else, the Shih Tzu has perfected the art of being a wonderful companion.
See Shih Tzu puppiesSpec-by-spec
Every spec UAE families care about, side-by-side.
Starting price
Vaccinated, microchipped, free UAE delivery included
Size
Adult body size category
Adult weight
Typical adult weight range
Lifespan
Average healthy lifespan
UAE heat tolerance
How they handle 42° summers
Apartment fit
High-rise Dubai living
With kids
Family with young children
Energy level
Daily exercise needs
Grooming needs
Coat care commitment
Coat type
Hypoallergenic = mild-allergy friendly
Match by lifestyle
Scan the situation that sounds most like yours — we've picked the breed whose strengths line up.
Best if…
You live in a Dubai apartment
Apartment-friendly breeds adapt to vertical living, quieter routines, and shorter on-leash walks.
Best if…
You have young children
Top pick
Gentle, tolerant temperaments make for safer, calmer family days.
Best if…
Someone has mild allergies
Hypoallergenic coats shed less dander — usually well-tolerated by mild allergy sufferers.
Best if…
You want a calm indoor companion
Lower-energy breeds settle happily on the sofa, perfect for quieter homes.
Best if…
You're an active outdoor family
Higher-energy breeds thrive on long beach walks, runs, and play sessions.
Best if…
You want UAE summer comfort
Top pick
Heat-tolerant breeds need fewer mid-day adjustments during the long Dubai summer.
What each breed brings
There's no losing pick here. Pick the breed whose strengths line up with your home.
Why families love MalteseFrom AED 6,500
A pure-white silk coat over a gentle, ancient breed. The Maltese is hypoallergenic, calm, and almost regal.
Maltese is the pick when you want…
Why families love Shih TzuFrom AED 6,500
Bred for centuries to be a lapdog and nothing else, the Shih Tzu has perfected the art of being a wonderful companion.
Shih Tzu is the pick when you want…
Common questions
Apartment-perfect for Maltese; Apartment-perfect for Shih Tzu. For most UAE apartments, Maltese is the easier fit.
Maltese: Thrives outdoors year-round. Shih Tzu: Loves cool indoor spaces. We help every family match the breed to a home where the dog will thrive in 42° heat.
Maltese starts at AED 6,500 and Shih Tzu starts at AED 6,500 — both include free UAE delivery, vaccinations, microchip and lifetime WhatsApp support. Payment plans available via Tabby, Tamara, Cashew and Stripe.
Maltese: Great with kids. Shih Tzu: Excellent with kids. Both can be wonderful with children when raised right — early socialisation and the right routine matter more than the breed label.
Maltese: Yes, low-shed and hypoallergenic. Shih Tzu: Yes, low-shed and hypoallergenic. If anyone in the family has a mild allergy, we always recommend a meet-and-greet before committing.
Maltese: 12–15 years on average. Shih Tzu: 10–16 years. Diet, vet care and exercise extend both — our team shares a UAE-tuned care guide with every placement.
Free trainer chat
A 10-minute WhatsApp with our trainer is free and included with every enquiry. We'll match you to the litter that fits your home best.
Keep exploring
Still deciding? These adjacent comparisons surface breeds with overlapping strengths.
