Maltese Shih Tzu in Australia — the honest 2026 guide

Also known as: Malshi

By Dogthings Editorial · Updated 2026-05-06

Size

Toy

Energy

Low

Lifespan

12–15 years

Height

20–28 cm

Weight

3–6 kg

Coat

Long, low-shed

Price AU

$1,500 – $3,500

Food/month

$35 – $60

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Affectionate designer lap dog that genuinely suits apartment living. Coat maintenance is real — keep them in a shorter 'puppy cut' unless you enjoy daily brushing.

Maltese Shih Tzu temperament

Sweet, velcro, happy to be carried. Can be yappy without socialisation.

History in Australia

Popularised in Australia through the 2000s as a low-shedding alternative to poodles. No formal pedigree but consistent temperament.

Who the Maltese Shih Tzu suits

Good for:

Apartments
Seniors
Low-exercise households

Watch out for:

Dental disease
Tear staining
Barky if under-socialised

Training a Maltese Shih Tzu

Toilet training is the usual challenge — indoor pee pads + strict outdoor schedule works best. Tooth brushing from 10 weeks.

Owning a Maltese Shih Tzu in Australia — the essentials

Beyond the breed-specific notes above, every Australian dog owner needs to know:

Microchipping: Mandatory in every state and territory before sale or transfer. Around $60–80 at most vets, often included with the puppy's first vaccination.
Council registration: Required by 3 months of age in every state. Annual fee $30–250 depending on council, breed, and desexing status (desexed dogs are typically discounted 50%+).
Desexing: Required by 6 months in the ACT and parts of VIC; strongly encouraged everywhere else. Most council registration discounts hinge on desexing status.
Restricted breeds: Some breeds (American Pit Bull, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, Perro de Presa Canario) are restricted or banned in most AU states. Check your state's restricted breeds list before buying anything that looks similar.
Strata & rentals: Strata schemes can no longer impose blanket no-pet bans (post-2020 NSW law, similar reforms VIC/QLD), but they can impose "reasonable" conditions on size, breed, or behaviour. Read by-laws before signing.
Vet costs: Budget $400–900/year for routine care (annual checkup, vaccinations, parasite prevention, dental check) plus an emergency fund of at least $3,000 — a snake bite, GDV, or cruciate repair can hit $4,000–10,000.