Maltese vs Yorkshire Terrier
Size Category
Small
Ideal For
Various Households
Maintenance Level
Moderate
Size Category
Small
Ideal For
Families, First-time Owners
Maintenance Level
High
Decision Helper
Quick Decision Guide
Maltese might be better if you:
- Want a smaller dog that's easy to carry
Yorkshire Terrier might be better if you:
- Want a dog great with children
- Want an easily trainable dog
- Lead an active lifestyle
- Often have visitors or socialize frequently
- Want a smaller dog that's easy to carry
Find Your Match
Quick Match Quiz
Question 1 of 7
What best describes your lifestyle?
Breed Overview
Maltese
The Maltese is a small toy breed known for its long, flowing white coat and lively personality. They typically weigh between 4 to 7 pounds and stand about 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder. Maltese dogs are characterized by their playful and affectionate nature, making them excellent companions. They are highly social, often forming strong bonds with their owners and family members. Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them relatively easy to train, although they can sometimes exhibit a stubborn streak. Maltese are also known for their alertness, often acting as watchdogs despite their small size. They require regular grooming to maintain their beautiful coat and benefit from daily exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy.
Yorkshire Terrier
The Yorkshire Terrier, commonly known as the Yorkie, is a small dog breed known for its beautiful, silky coat and lively personality. Typically weighing between 4 to 7 pounds and standing about 7 to 8 inches tall at the shoulder, Yorkies are well-proportioned with a long, flowing coat that is often tan and blue. They are known for their energetic, affectionate, and intelligent nature, making them excellent companions. Despite their small size, they have a strong personality and can be quite brave, often displaying a feisty attitude. They are also known to be quite loyal to their families and can be protective of their home and loved ones. Yorkies thrive on interaction and playtime and require regular grooming to maintain their luxurious coat.
Key Statistics
Life Expectancy
Height (Male)
Weight (Male)
Breed Characteristics
Good with Children
Good with children
Excellent with children
Good with Other Dogs
Generally friendly with other dogs
Generally friendly with other dogs
Shedding
Light shedding level
Light shedding level
Grooming Needs
High grooming needs
High grooming needs
Trainability
Moderately trainable
Highly trainable
Energy Level
Moderately energetic breed
Very energetic breed
Barking Tendency
Moderate barking tendency
Frequent barking tendency
Care Requirements
Care Requirements
Maltese
Exercise Needs
Regular exercise needed
Grooming
Brush coat daily to prevent matting and tangles.
Feeding
Provide a balanced diet appropriate for their size and age.
Health Care
Check and clean ears weekly to prevent infections.
Yorkshire Terrier
Exercise Needs
Regular exercise needed
Grooming
Brush the coat daily to prevent tangles and matting.
Feeding
Feed a high-quality dog food appropriate for their size and age.
Health Care
Regular vet check-ups recommended
Exercise Needs
Regular exercise needed
Exercise Needs
Regular exercise needed
Grooming
Brush coat daily to prevent matting and tangles.
Grooming
Brush the coat daily to prevent tangles and matting.
Feeding
Provide a balanced diet appropriate for their size and age.
Feeding
Feed a high-quality dog food appropriate for their size and age.
Health Care
Check and clean ears weekly to prevent infections.
Health Care
Regular vet check-ups recommended
Additional Care Notes
Maltese
- •Provide a balanced diet appropriate for their size and age.
Yorkshire Terrier
- •Feed a high-quality dog food appropriate for their size and age.
Training & Exercise
Training & Exercise Guide
Maltese
Maltese dogs are intelligent and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train. Basic training should include housebreaking, basic commands (sit, stay, come), and leash training. Start with short, positive training sessions and use rewards such as treats and praise to encourage good behavior. Consistency and patience are key, as Maltese puppies can be easily distracted.
Training Challenges
- •Stubbornness during training
- •Separation anxiety
- •Barking excessively
- •Housebreaking difficulties
- •Fear of loud noises
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers are intelligent and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train. Start with basic commands like sit, stay, come, and down. Use positive reinforcement techniques such as treats and praise. Consistency is key; short, frequent training sessions work best. Socialization is also important, exposing them to different environments, people, and other animals.
Training Challenges
- •Stubbornness during training sessions
- •Sensitivity to harsh corrections, requiring gentle methods
- •Tendency to bark excessively if not properly trained
- •Struggles with housebreaking due to their small bladder size
Maltese
Maltese dogs are intelligent and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train. Basic training should include housebreaking, basic commands (sit, stay, come), and leash training. Start with short, positive training sessions and use rewards such as treats and praise to encourage good behavior. Consistency and patience are key, as Maltese puppies can be easily distracted.
Training Challenges
- •Stubbornness during training
- •Separation anxiety
- •Barking excessively
- •Housebreaking difficulties
- •Fear of loud noises
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers are intelligent and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train. Start with basic commands like sit, stay, come, and down. Use positive reinforcement techniques such as treats and praise. Consistency is key; short, frequent training sessions work best. Socialization is also important, exposing them to different environments, people, and other animals.
Training Challenges
- •Stubbornness during training sessions
- •Sensitivity to harsh corrections, requiring gentle methods
- •Tendency to bark excessively if not properly trained
- •Struggles with housebreaking due to their small bladder size
Training Resources
Maltese Training Guide
Yorkshire Terrier Training Guide
Find Breeders
Find Maltese Breeders
Find Yorkshire Terrier Breeders
Local Search Tips
When looking for a reputable breeder in your area, consider these approaches:
- 1.
Contact local veterinarians for breeder recommendations - They often know reputable breeders who prioritize health testing and proper care.
- 2.
Join breed-specific clubs in your area - These communities can provide valuable connections and insights about responsible breeders.
- 3.
Attend local dog shows to meet breeders - This gives you the opportunity to see their dogs and discuss breeding practices in person.