Why you Should Get the Doberman Pinscher Instead of the Mal Shi.

Last Updated: Jun 18, 2022

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Doberman Pinscher Versus Mal Shi: Introduction

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

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

Doberman Pinscher versus Mal Shi

Doberman Pinscher versus Mal Shi: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Doberman Pinscher belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Doberman Pinscher versus Mal Shi: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Mal Shi

FactorDoberman PinscherMal Shi
Tolerates Cold Weather1/52/5
Dog Friendly1/53/5
General Health1/52/5
Low Prey Drive5/51/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl5/52/5
Life Span10 to 13 years12 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/53/5
Does NOT chew on things4/52/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/55/5
Height24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulderFrom 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living3/55/5
Good For Novice Owners3/55/5
Kid-Friendly3/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
NOT Rambunctious3/53/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/54/5
Minimal Exercise Needs3/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/52/5
Does NOT Shed2/55/5
Does NOT Drool2/55/5
Easygoing1/53/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Easy To Groom5/52/5
Easy To Train5/54/5
Intelligence5/53/5
Potential For Playfulness5/53/5
Weight60 to 80 pounds6 to 12 pounds
Average Lifespan11.5 years13.0 years
Average Price$1910$1730
Price Range$1100 – $2500$1300 – $2000
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Working Aptitude
  • 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 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Mal Shi is 80 out of 125.

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Mal Shi

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

  • Doberman Pinschers have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Mal Shis have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Doberman Pinschers are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Mal Shis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Doberman Pinschers 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.
  • Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool. However, Mal Shis do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Doberman Pinschers are very easy to groom. However, Mal Shis require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Mal Shi

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

  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Mal Shi cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Mal Shi have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Mal Shi do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Mal Shi are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Mal Shi are very easy to train.
  • Size Comparison of the Doberman Pinscher versus Mal Shi

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

    The Doberman Pinscher weighs 60 to 80 pounds when fully grown. The Doberman Pinscher is 24 to 28 inches tall 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 Doberman Pinscher versus Size of Mal Shi

    Lifespan of Doberman Pinscher versus Mal Shi

    The lifespan of the Doberman Pinscher is between 10 to 13 years. The average lifespan of the Doberman Pinscher is 11.5 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 Doberman Pinscher.

    Price of Doberman Pinscher versus Price of Mal Shi

    The average price of the Doberman Pinscher puppy is $1910. The price of the Doberman Pinscher typically ranges from $1100 – $2500. However, the price of a Doberman Pinscher can be as low as $300 and as high as $7500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 476 Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher is more expensive than the Mal Shi.

    Doberman Pinscher Mal Shi
    Average Price $1910 $1730
    Price Range $1100 to $2500 $1300 to $2000

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Doberman Pinschers. 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 Doberman Pinscher 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Doberman Pinscher versus Mal Shi

    Doberman Pinschers do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than Mal Shis?

    Doberman Pinschers 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 Doberman Pinscher or the Mal Shi?

    Doberman Pinschers are 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 Doberman Pinscher or the Mal Shi?

    Doberman Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Mal Shis get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about Mal Shis?

    Doberman Pinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the Mal Shi?

    Doberman Pinschers are very easy to train.

    Mal Shis are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the Mal Shi

    Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool.

    Mal Shis do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and Mal Shis?

    Doberman Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Does the Doberman Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Mal Shi?

    Doberman Pinschers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to 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 Doberman Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Mal Shis?

    Doberman Pinschers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mal Shis Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Doberman Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. Mal Shi

    Doberman Pinschers 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 Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mal Shis Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Doberman Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Is the Doberman Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Mal Shi?

    Doberman Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Mal Shis adapt very well to apartment living.

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

    Doberman Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.

    Mal Shis are very good for new dog owners.

    Doberman Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds

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

    Doberman Pinscher versus Chinese Crested     Doberman Pinscher versus Morkie     Doberman Pinscher versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Doberman Pinscher versus Shihpoo     Doberman Pinscher versus Pomchi     Doberman Pinscher versus Pointer     Doberman Pinscher versus Saint Bernard     Doberman Pinscher versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Doberman Pinscher versus Canaan Dog     Doberman Pinscher versus Cocker Spaniel     Doberman Pinscher versus Briard     Doberman Pinscher versus Beaglier     Doberman Pinscher versus Lakeland Terrier     Doberman Pinscher versus Australian Terrier     Doberman Pinscher versus Yorkshire Terrier     Doberman Pinscher versus Swedish Vallhund     Doberman Pinscher versus Black Mouth Cur     Doberman Pinscher versus Labradoodle     

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