Breed Comparison: Collie Versus Mal Shi

Last Updated: May 01, 2022

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Collie Versus Mal Shi: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie and the Mal Shi.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie or the Mal Shi.

Note that the Collie breed comes in two varieties based on coat texture. There is the smooth collie and the rough collie. Read our article on rough collie versus smooth collie.

Furthermore, the border collie dog breed is very different from the collie dog breed. Learn about the differences between these two dog breeds in our border collie versus collie article.

See this article that compares the Border Collie to the Mal Shi.

Finally, just like the collie, the border collie also comes in two varieties. There is the rough border collie and the smooth border collie. To learn about the differences and similarities between them, check out our article on rough-coat border collie versus smooth-coat border collie.

Collie versus Mal Shi: Overview

A very important difference between the Collie and the Mal Shi is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Collie is a medium-sized dog while the Mal Shi is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Collie belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

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.

Collie versus Mal Shi: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Collie 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 Collie and the Mal Shi

FactorCollieMal Shi
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander5/55/5
Life Span10 to 14 years12 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/53/5
Easy To Groom2/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/54/5
Height22 to 26 inches all at the shoulderFrom 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living3/55/5
Tolerates Hot Weather3/52/5
General Health3/52/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
Does NOT chew on things3/52/5
NOT Rambunctious3/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs3/53/5
Good For Novice Owners4/55/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/52/5
Dog Friendly4/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers4/53/5
Easy To Train4/54/5
Intelligence4/53/5
Low Prey Drive2/51/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/52/5
Potential For Playfulness4/53/5
Easygoing1/53/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Kid-Friendly5/53/5
Does NOT Shed1/55/5
Weight50 to 70 pounds6 to 12 pounds
Average Lifespan12.0 years13.0 years
Average Price$1480$1730
Price Range$1000 – $1800$1300 – $2000
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • No Data
    *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Collie 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 Collie is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Mal Shi is 80 out of 125.

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Mal Shi

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

  • Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Mal Shis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Collie and the Mal Shi

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

  • Both the Collie and the Mal Shi do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Collie 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 Collie and the Mal Shi do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Collie and the Mal Shi require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Collie and the Mal Shi do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • Both the Collie and the Mal Shi are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Collie and the Mal Shi get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Collie and the Mal Shi are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Collie and the Mal Shi are very easy to train.
  • Both the Collie and the Mal Shi are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Collie and the Mal Shi have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Collie and the Mal Shi are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Collie and the Mal Shi are very playful.
  • Both the Collie and the Mal Shi are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size Comparison of the Collie versus Mal Shi

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

    The Collie weighs 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Collie is 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the Mal Shi weighs 6 to 12 pounds when fully grown. The Mal Shi is From 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Collie versus Size of Mal Shi

    Lifespan of Collie versus Mal Shi

    The lifespan of the Collie is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Collie is 12.0 years.

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

    The Mal Shi live longer than the Collie.

    Price of Collie versus Price of Mal Shi

    The average price of the Collie puppy is $1480. The price of the Collie typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of a Collie can be as low as $300 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 356 Collie 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 Mal Shi is more expensive than the Collie.

    Collie Mal Shi
    Average Price $1480 $1730
    Price Range $1000 to $1800 $1300 to $2000

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Collies. 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 Collie 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.

    Check out our list of best Collie breeders here

    Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Mal Shi

    Collies do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Collies shed more than Mal Shis?

    Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

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

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

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

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

    Collies get along very well with other dogs.

    Mal Shis get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Collies good family dogs? What about Mal Shis?

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

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

    Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Mal Shi?

    Collies are very easy to train.

    Mal Shis are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Collie or the Mal Shi

    Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Mal Shis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Collies and Mal Shis?

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

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

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

    Collies 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.

    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 Collies Bark and Howl? What about Mal Shis?

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

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

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

    Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Mal Shi

    Collies 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 Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mal Shis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

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

    Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Mal Shis adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Collies are very good for new dog owners.

    Mal Shis are very good for new dog owners.

    Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Collie compares to other breeds aside from the Mal Shi. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Collie to other breeds:

    Collie versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Collie versus Bluetick Coonhound     Collie versus German Longhaired Pointer     Collie versus Greyhound     Collie versus Fila Brasileiro     Collie versus Shetland Sheepdog     Collie versus Labrador Retriever     Collie versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Collie versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Collie versus Bolognese     Collie versus Shihpoo     Collie versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Collie versus Finnish Spitz     Collie versus Pekingese     Collie versus Bichon Frise     Collie versus French Bulldog     Collie versus Great Pyrenees     Collie versus Cesky Terrier     Collie versus Havanese     

    Conclusion: Collie 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 Collie and the Mal Shi better suits you and your family.