Shih Tzu vs Maltese: Waste, Diet & Cleanup Compared

Side-by-Side Stats

At a glance, the Shih Tzu averages about 1.2 oz of waste per day compared to the Maltese's 0.5 oz. Over a full year, that translates to roughly 27 lbs vs 11 lbs — a difference that compounds quickly, especially if you have more than one dog.

Which Breed Produces More Waste?

The Shih Tzu produces significantly more waste than the Maltese — roughly 2.4x as much daily. That 16-lb annual difference means Shih Tzu owners deal with considerably more yard cleanup.

Body weight is the primary driver of waste volume. The Shih Tzu averages 13 lbs compared to the Maltese's 6 lbs. Dogs generally produce waste equal to roughly 0.5–0.75% of their body weight each day, so larger breeds invariably fill the yard faster.

GI Issues & Digestive Health Comparison

Understanding each breed's digestive vulnerabilities helps you know what to watch for during yard cleanup. Changes in stool color, consistency, or frequency are often the first visible sign of a health issue.

Shih Tzu: Shih Tzus are prone to eating their own waste (coprophagia), making prompt yard cleanup essential for their health.

Maltese: The Maltese has a delicate digestive system. Their white coat shows any yard contamination immediately.

Cleanup Difficulty & Recommended Frequency

Cleanup difficulty depends on waste volume, frequency, and yard behavior. Here's how these two breeds stack up:

• Shih Tzu: Low difficulty — 2–4 poops/day, low activity level, minimal shedding
• Maltese: Low difficulty — 2–3 poops/day, moderate activity level, minimal shedding

If your Shih Tzu eats poop, professional cleanup removes the temptation.

A clean yard keeps your Maltese's white coat spotless during outdoor play.

For the Shih Tzu, we recommend bi-weekly service. For the Maltese, bi-weekly service is ideal. If you have both breeds, go with the more frequent schedule to stay ahead of accumulation.

Which Breed Needs Professional Service More?

Between the two, the Shih Tzu benefits more from professional pet waste removal. At 27 lbs of waste per year, DIY cleanup becomes a significant time commitment — especially combined with the breed's low activity level and minimal shedding.

That said, Maltese owners also benefit from professional service. Even at 11 lbs annually, keeping up with 2–3 daily deposits requires consistency that's hard to maintain.

• 27 lbs of annual waste takes roughly 1 minutes per week to clean manually