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Is the Toy Poodle Better than the Maltese as a Pet? Answer…

Toy Poodle versus Maltese

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Toy Poodle Versus Maltese: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Toy Poodle and the Maltese? 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 Toy Poodle and the Maltese 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 Toy Poodle and the Maltese.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Toy Poodle and the Maltese 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 Toy Poodle and for the Maltese. 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 Toy Poodle and the Maltese.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Toy Poodle or the Maltese.

Note that there are 3 types of Poodles:

  • The Standard Poodle
  • The Miniature Poodle
  • The Toy Poodle
  • However, these 3 poodle `types` are basically the same. The only difference between them is size. Standard Poodles are big, toy poodles are small, and miniature poodles are medium-sized.

    Read more about the subtle differences between the standard poodle vs. miniature poodle here and the toy poodle versus miniature poodle here.

    In addition, we have articles on the detailed comparisons of the poodle to every other dog breed. Check out our articles on poodle versus other dog breeds here.

    Toy Poodle versus Maltese

    Toy Poodle versus Maltese: Overview

    A very important difference between the Toy Poodle and the Maltese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Toy Poodle is a small-sized dog while the Maltese is a tiny-sized dog.

    Furthermore, both the Toy Poodle and the Maltese are Companion Dogs. This means both the Toy Poodle and the Maltese were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

    Toy Poodle versus Maltese: Comparison Table

    The table below compares the Toy Poodle to the Maltese 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 Toy Poodle and the Maltese

    Factor Toy Poodle Maltese
    Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 1/5
    Does NOT Shed 5/5 4/5
    Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
    Easy To Groom 1/5 2/5
    Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
    General Health 2/5 3/5
    Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
    Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
    Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 1/5
    Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 5/5
    Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 3/5
    Easygoing 2/5 2/5
    Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
    Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
    Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 2/5
    Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
    Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
    NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
    Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
    Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
    Good For Novice Owners 5/5 5/5
    Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
    Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
    Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
    Intelligence 5/5 4/5
    Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
    Weight 6 to 10 pounds Up to 7 pounds
    Height From 6 to over 10 inches tall at the shoulder 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
    Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
    Average Price $2840 $2580
    Price Range $1900 – $3500 $1800 – $3000
    Temperament Score 78.9 percent 82.4 percent
    Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 2 59

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Toy Poodle 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 Maltese. 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 Toy Poodle is 88 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Maltese is 82 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Toy Poodle is a better pet than the Maltese. So, you should get a Toy Poodle!

    Toy Poodle versus Maltese

    The Similarities Between the Toy Poodle and the Maltese

    The Toy Poodle and the Maltese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Toy Poodle and the Maltese are most similar:

  • Both the Toy Poodle and the Maltese do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Toy Poodle and the Maltese do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Toy Poodle and the Maltese do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Toy Poodle and the Maltese require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Toy Poodle and the Maltese have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Toy Poodle and the Maltese are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Toy Poodle and the Maltese can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Toy Poodle and the Maltese get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Toy Poodle and the Maltese gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Toy Poodle and the Maltese are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Toy Poodle and the Maltese have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Toy Poodle and the Maltese adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Toy Poodle and the Maltese are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Toy Poodle and the Maltese are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Toy Poodle and the Maltese are very easy to train.
  • Both the Toy Poodle and the Maltese are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Toy Poodle and the Maltese are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Toy Poodle versus Maltese

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Toy Poodle and the Maltese.

    Poodles come in three main size categories. These three size categories are referred to as the three varieties of the poodle. Poodles of different varieties are basically the same except for their size differences. The poodle varieties based on size categorization are:

  • Standard Poodles: Standard Poodles are the biggest of the poodle varieties. Adult Standard Poodles are 24 inches to 27 inches tall and weigh between 38 pounds and 70 pounds. To learn more about Standard Poodle Growth, Weight, and Height, check out our article on Standard Poodle growth, weight and height.
  • Miniature Poodles: Miniature Poodles are mid-sized poodles. An adult miniature poodle grows to weigh between 10 and 20 pounds (4.5 kg to 9 kg) and stands between 10 to 15 inches tall (25.4 cm to 38.1 cm). To learn more about Miniature Poodle Growth, Weight and Height, check out our article on Miniature Poodle growth, weight and height.
  • Toy Poodles: The Toy Poodle is the smallest official member of the poodle club. Although there is a smaller poodle variety that is smaller than the toy poodle. This tiny poodle variety is called the micro/teacup poodle. However, this micro/teacup poodle size category is not recognized by the official poodle association, The Poodle Club of America. Adult toy poodles are no more than ten inches tall withers. In weight, a toy poodle will grow to be about 4.8 to 11.6 pounds in weight. To learn more about Toy Poodle Growth, Weight and Height, check out our article on Toy Poodle growth, weight and height.
  • There is another variety of poodle that is not recognized in the USA but is recognized in Europe. This poodle size variety is called the Moyen Poodle. In size, the Moyen Poodle is smaller than the Standard poodle but bigger than the miniature poodle.

    See below the figure that compares the different poodle sizes:

    Poodle Sizes

    On the other hand, Malteses weigh Up to 7 pounds when fully grown. Malteses are 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Temperament of the Maltese Versus the Toy Poodle

    The Maltese has a better temperament than the Toy Poodle.

    This is because the temperament score for the Maltese is 82.4 percent while the temperament score for the Toy Poodle is 78.9 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 78.9 percent, the Toy Poodle has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 82.4 percent, the Maltese has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Toy Poodle and the Maltese by measuring the temperaments of 57 Toy Poodles and 17 Malteses.

    Price of Toy Poodle versus Price of Maltese

    The average price of the Toy Poodle puppy is $2840. The price of the Toy Poodle typically ranges from $1900 – $3500. However, the price of a Toy Poodle can be as low as $450 and as high as $40000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 874 Toy Poodle puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    To know about standard poodle prices and standard poodle buying advice, check out our article on standard poodle cost.

    To know about miniature poodle prices, check out this article on miniature poodle price.

    To learn more about toy poodle price and for toy poodle buying advice, check out this article on toy poodle price.

    The average price of the Maltese puppy is $2580. The price of the Maltese typically ranges from $1800 – $3000. However, the price of a Maltese can be as low as $500 and as high as $7995. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 413 Maltese puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Toy Poodle is more expensive than the Maltese.

    Toy Poodle Maltese
    Average Price $2300 $2580
    Price Range $1500 to $2800 $1800 to $3000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Toy Poodle and Maltese. For different price points, the charts show how many Toy Poodle puppies or how many Maltese puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Malteses

    A breakdown of the prices of Malteses

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Toy Poodle puppy or the Maltese 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Toy Poodle versus Maltese

    The Intelligence of the Toy Poodle versus the Intelligence of the Maltese

    Toy Poodle Maltese
    Intelligence Rank 2 out of 130 dog breeds 59 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions!

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Toy Poodle has an obedience intelligence rank of 2 out of 130 dog breeds. The Toy Poodle belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Toy Poodles tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.

    The Maltese has an obedience intelligence rank of 59 out of 130 dog breeds. The Maltese belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Malteses tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.

    The Toy Poodle is more intelligent than the Maltese.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Toy Poodle versus Maltese

    Toy Poodles do not like to be left alone.

    Poodles, by nature, are companion dogs. They like and thrive on human companionship more than most dog breeds. Poodles do not like to be left alone. Leaving a poodle alone for more than 4 hours day after day will cause separation anxiety and isolation distress in a poodle. If you plan to get a poodle, make sure you can be around your poodle most of the time, or arrange for a dog walker.

    See our article on how long you can leave a poodle alone.

    Malteses do not like to be left alone.

    Do Toy Poodles shed more than Malteses?

    Toy Poodles do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Although all dogs shed, and poodles are no different in this regard. But poodles shed less than many other breeds of dogs. However, if you own a poodle, you will not have the problem of having balls of dog hair on your couch and over your house. This is because the curly coat of the poodle traps the hair and other things that the poodle sheds. Therefore, people that are allergic to dogs tend to tolerate poodles better.

    Check out our articles to learn more on why poodles do not shed, and on standard poodle shedding, and on shedding in toy poodles

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Toy Poodle or the Maltese?

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

    To learn more about how to properly groom a poodle, check out our article on how to groom a poodle.

    Learn more on how to take care of a poodle here.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Toy Poodle or the Maltese?

    Toy Poodles get along very well with other dogs.

    Poodles get along very well with other dogs. Poodles are very friendly. However, it is up to the other dog to reciprocate the friendliness. Some dog breeds are just unfriendly and aggressive.

    Read this article to learn about the dog breeds that get along well with poodle and the dog breeds that do not along with poodles.

    Malteses get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Toy Poodles good family dogs? What about Malteses?

    Toy Poodles are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Poodles make a good addition to a family. They love kids and kids love them.

    Learn about standard poodles as family dogs here, and about how family-friendly are toy poodles here..

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

    Is the Toy Poodle Easier to Train than the Maltese?

    Toy Poodles are very easy to train.

    Poodles are easy to train because they are intelligent and eager to please their owners. However, it is important that you begin training a poodle to make the most out of their natural intelligence. Moreover, training your Poodle should be based on positive reinforcement and repetition. Be sure to give your Poodle praise when he obeys a command and ignores your poodle`s bad behavior.

    To learn more, check out our article on how to train a poodle.

    Malteses are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Toy Poodle or the Maltese

    Toy Poodles do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Malteses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Toy Poodles and Malteses?

    Toy Poodles get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Does the Toy Poodle Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?

    Toy Poodles 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.

    Malteses 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 Toy Poodles Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?

    Toy Poodles are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Can Toy Poodles Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Toy Poodles can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Malteses cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Toy Poodle vs. Maltese

    Toy Poodles have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Malteses do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Toy Poodles Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Toy Poodles can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Is the Toy Poodle Better for Apartment Owners than the Maltese?

    Toy Poodles adapt very well to apartment living.

    Malteses adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Toy Poodle or the Maltese?

    Toy Poodles are very good for new dog owners.

    Malteses are very good for new dog owners.

    Poodle Versus Other Dog Breeds

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

    poodle versus English Springer Spaniel     poodle versus Black Russian Terrier     poodle versus French Bulldog     poodle versus French Spaniel     poodle versus Norwich Terrier     poodle versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     poodle versus Goldendoodle     poodle versus Dalmatian     poodle versus Cockapoo     poodle versus Miniature Poodle     

    Conclusion: Toy Poodle versus Maltese. 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 Toy Poodle and the Maltese better suits you and your family.