Interested in 3 breeds of toy dogs, help me out?

Question

Hi,
I have been wanting a puppy ever since I have known. I always played with my friend's dogs. I have been researching for a long time and am interested in 3 breeds---maltese and shih tzu and yorkie. I only want to get one pure bred puppy. Please help me out dog owners who own these breeds letting me know anything which could help me out here. I love all the 3 breeds equally and don't know which one to get. Anyone had been lucky enough to have these 3 breeds in their life?
thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Maltese:
Maltese can be very energetic and are known for their occasional wild outbursts of physical activity, running around in circles chasing their tail, and bolting at top speed with amazing agility; given this, they still do well for apartment dwellers. They are relatively easy to train and enjoy a playful game of fetch. These intelligent dogs learn quickly, and pick up new tricks and behaviours easily. Since they were bred specifically for companionship, they do not do well being left alone for long hours.

The breed has a reputation for being good-natured, but may be intolerant of small children or other dogs. They can be protective of their owner and will bark or may bite if animals or people infringe on their territory or are perceived as a threat.

For all their diminutive size, Maltese seem to be without fear. In fact, many Maltese seem relatively indifferent to creatures/objects larger than themselves (unless of course it is the owner). They are among the gentlest mannered of all little dogs, yet they are lively and playful as well as vigorous. Because of their size, Maltese dogs are not a good choice for families with small children because they can be easily injured.

The Maltese is generally a healthy breed with few inherent problems. Some problems seen are luxating patella, portosystemic liver shunt, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). The average life span is 12-15 years.

Yorkshire Terrier:
The Yorkshire Terrier, though a toy breed, still retains much of its terrier ancestry in terms of personality. Though personalities differ from dog to dog, they are generally intelligent, independent and gutsy. Yorkies, especially males, are very territorial and are known for their disregard for the limitations of their own size. They will often attack much larger dogs despite their extreme size disadvantage. Because of their pugnaciousness and tendency to pounce and "hunt" they can nip and are not suitable for homes with very young children. Their small size also puts them at risk of being injured inadvertently by children. Small children should be carefully watched around Yorkies. Generally speaking, yorkies should not be homed with families with small children.

Yorkies typically get along well with other dogs and love to play together with them. However, they are terriers, and even an old, sedentary lap dog may eagerly hunt rodents. Because they are so small, they are easily injured; They usually get along well with children, but may be endangered if kept in the house with an undiscerning or abusive person, especially a child. Also, despite their small size, if attacked or continually provoked, like all dogs, they pack a surprisingly powerful bite.

Yorkshire Terriers tend to be more difficult to train than some of their canine cousins; however, this difficulty is considered to be a result of the breed’s characteristic prey drive rather than any major deficiency of intelligence as they were bred to work without human intervention.

Yorkies tend to develop cataracts in their old age, but their small size limits the effects of conditions such as arthritis. There is also the possibility of tracheal collapse, the cause of which is thought by many to be partially genetic, and partially caused by environment, specifically, the strain an energetic Yorkie puts on its neck when straining against its collar. Most veterinarians recommend the use of a harness instead of a collar to help prevent the chronic coughing caused by partial trachea collapse.

As with many purebred dogs, the Yorkshire Terrier is prone to certain genetic disorders. Most common is the liver shunt (portosystemic shunt). In this condition some of the dog's blood bypasses the liver and as such does not get cleansed of those toxins that the liver is responsible for removing. A Yorkie with this condition might exhibit some or all of the following symptoms: small stature, poor muscle development, behavioural abnormalities, unresponsiveness, seizures, and so on; however, if treated by a veterinarian, the condition is most often reversible in time.

Hypoglycemia sometimes occurs in puppies and to a lesser degree in mature Yorkies. The puppy will seem limp and lifeless, its gums and tongue usually greyish blue in color. Often the eyes are unfocused and barely open. They may appear to be slightly sunken-in. Temperature will be sub-normal and the puppy will be shivering and trembling in the early stages. As the condition worsens, the puppy either goes into a coma or convulsions. Hypoglycemia is a metabolic disorder and death will result, unless properly diagnosed and cared for immediately, if the case is severe. The level of the blood sugar must be raised at once and the stress condition treated. A solution of 1/2 honey or any other natural sweetener and water given to the dog with an eyedropper or a turkey baster injector without the needle. This will help to raise its blood sugar, but a vet should be consulted regardless. Many times the cause of this is stress either by over handling, not eating enough in an 8-10 hour period, being left in a cold environment, or sleeping in a draft.

Shih Tzu:
No comment

Answer 2

Shih-tzus are the best little dogs! I have four, 3 girls and one boy.

They have the cutest personalities. I love the head tilt. You can talk to them and they tilt their head from side to side like they are trying to figure you out - it is adorable!

I did consider a Yorkie before getting my first Shih-tzu, but I read that Yorkies can be stubborn and hyper. I wanted a smart dog that I could easily house break and I did NOT want a hyper dog.

I do not know a lot about the Maltese. One thing about white dogs is I cannot stand that brownish ugly 'tear stain' around their eyes.

Another good thing about Shih-tzus is that the don't shed. I don't have dog hair all over the house.

I would go visit the American Kennel Club online and read about all three breeds before you decide.

Answer 3

They are all three sweet as candy.
The Yorkie has the most health problems.
The Maltie is a grooming nightmare.
The Shih Tzu can be a very bossy dog.
I liked my Maltie the best, she was so sweet.
I guess it depends on what you want
personality wise and your own personality.
You would be the best judge....You can
look them up on line. Read about each
breeds pros and cons. But you really have
to get to know the individual puppy.....to
be sure of what you want and what you have.
I wish you luck. They all make great pets.
I never had any of the negitive things happen
that are associated with small breeds. Not
even the barking. They are such smart little
dogs, they learn so fast. They will just love
you to pieces. My little Maltie's name was
Kisses Galore. She'd kiss the postman if we let her.

Answer 4

I like all three breeds, but my favorite is the Shih Tzu. I grew up with one as a child and she was a great little dog. The Maltese are nice little dogs too, and so are the Yorkies, but they are not as calm as the Shih Tzu. Also, in my experience the Maltese and Yorkie can be a little snappy than the Shih Tzu.

Answer 5

I'm partial to the yorkie - because I have one. She's about 8 lbs and very feisty and a bit of a snob. She doesn't bark that much and she actually is pretty funny. She thinks the world revolves around her which makes me laugh because she's a freakin dog. Anyhow, we love her. My neighbor has a Maltese that is adorable but barks at everything. My neighbor shouldn't have a dog though so I don't know how much that helps. I heard that shih tzu's bite but I don't know that for a fact. Good luck on your search.

Answer 6

before u make your final decision, do some research into any and all possible health problems that the breeds have.. when u go purchase the newest member of your family, ask to see the parents, they'll give u an idea of how your puppy will behave and look, when they mature. u can look at a kennel club- akc, ckc for example and look up information on the breeds. try going to dogfancy.com, they also have information on breeds and health care. you might want to consider a dog training class bc the first 16 weeks of a puppy's life are crucial to curbing bad behaviors and encouraging good behaviors.
i'd personally go with a maltese, but that's just me..

GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 7

That's a toughie. I love all three, too, and would have as hard a time deciding as you are having. I recently acquired an unexpected baby, a King Charles Spaniel. As many small dogs as I have had, I've never seen a little dog more loving and willing to please as him. I've had a regular Spaniel before, but he was so hyper, he just wasn't suitable. But this little guy is beyond my wildest dreams. I highly recommend them. But back to your original question. All three are high-maintenance, but I think the Yorkie would be the least. This may seem trivial at this point, but once you own him, it won't. You have to groom them very regularly, and it's a pain in the butt, and quite
expensive if you use a groomer. Dogs Rule! Good Luck!

Answer 8

we hav a yorkie & hes a great dog. hes energetic & playful, but not so much that its annoying. he gets along with everyone he meets. hes easy 2 take care of & fun 2 own. iv never owned a maltese or a shih tzu. heres a good site 2 learn about different breeds

Answer 9

Adopt from a shelter those dogs need a home more than any of the dogs you named plus mixed breeds have a Lot less medical problems than pure bred

Wolfie

Answer 10

Out of those 3 i would say the Yorkie.........i have a Manchester Terrier and its the coolest little dog i ever owned

Answer 11

You may have luck finding one of those breeds at a shelter. You could get it for a lot cheaper and save a life in the process.