Maltese vs Yorkie – Which One is Best?

A new pet is a welcome addition to any family, but it can be overwhelming with so many breeds to choose from. Today, we discuss Maltese and Yorkies to determine which one is the best option for small families.

Before deciding on a breed, it’s important to consider your lifestyle, living arrangements, and other pets you may have.

You may also like our recent blog posts on how to protect window sills from dogs and a review of dog seat covers for leather seats available on a separate page.

Maltese Vs Yorkie Breed History

Maltese History

The Maltese is one of the oldest breeds in existence. The breed can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, a popular canine companion. In fact, a Maltese-like dog features on a pottery shard from 325 B.C., which experts believe could be the oldest depiction of a dog ever found.

Maltese dogs were prized for their loyalty and sweet natures but also prized as lapdogs! The breed made its way to Italy by the 5th century A.D. It was mummified with its owners in Roman tombs and was thought of so highly that they were often included in wills. Over time, wars and disease thinned the number of Maltese dogs, but they never completely disappeared.

In the 19th century, British nobles popularized the breed by keeping them as pets. A pair was given to American President James Buchanan, which started a trend into the 20th century. The first documented Maltese dog in America was a female named Velvet, who was born in 1888.

Yorkshire Terrier History

The Yorkie’s history can be traced to the city of Yorkshire, England. At the time, the area was known for producing skilled workers with a strong work ethic. The most popular family business was wool spinning mills, which required dogs to work with children as young as four.

Yorkies were bred to be fast and hard workers and could travel for long periods of time without food or water. They also needed to be small enough to fit in a child’s lap while they worked, which the Yorkie earned its name.

The dogs weren’t bred exclusively for work; their appearance was also considered. Their hair was combed out to create a straight back and long, flowing mane. Male Yorkies were often shown with a bow tie to accentuate their necks, which is where they got the moniker “Yorkie the Showman.”

Today, Yorkshire Terriers are still known for being hard workers who are easy to travel with. They’ve also become popular pets and can be found in homes around the world!

Maltese Appearance

The Maltese are small dogs with an average height of 7-10 inches. The breed features long white hair that hangs over their eyes, giving them the appearance of being pensive or sad.

This look has caused them to gain nicknames such as the “ancient dog of Malta” and the Sorrowful Cavalier.

Maltese Appearance

Yorkies are also small dogs, with an average height of around 7-9 inches. They have a compact body covered in long hair, which can be straight or wavy. The coat is typically tan and black in color, but many Yorkies are gold or silver.

Their coats can also be red or blue, but this color is typically seen on dogs with fine hair rather than long coats.

Maltese Temperament

People who have owned Maltese dogs often say that once you have Maltese, you’ll never own another breed again the contrary, these Maltese are a devoted and loving dog who wants nothing more than to please its owner!

They tend to be aloof towards strangers, but once they get to know you, they’ll be your best friend for life.

Maltese are great dogs for anyone who wants an affectionate lap dog that isn’t very demanding. They’re happy to relax around the house or go on outings with their family, which breed is best for small families.

Yorkie Temperament

Yorkies are also very loving and affectionate, but they can be a little more demanding than Maltese. They love attention and cuddling with their human but will also expect to receive lots of praise for doing things like walking or sitting still.

This is especially true when you’re training your Yorkie; if you don’t give them a treat, you can’t expect them to do what you’ve asked.

Barking and

Maltese are very quiet dogs that rarely bark. They will bark occasionally, but it isn’t loud or obnoxious. Yorkies can be more vocal than Maltese, but they’re still considered a very quiet breed overall.

Chewing

Both breeds are likely to chew on household items if they’re bored or their teeth are bothering them.

Yorkies don’t tend to chew on things they shouldn’t (although it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on them in case they get carried away), but Maltese may need more attention and supervision.

Grooming Maltese and Yorkshire Terriers

Both breeds shed year-round, which means you’ll have to brush their coats several times a week to keep them healthy.

Some Yorkies also have longer coats that require trimming every so often. However, Maltese only need their hair trimmed or shaved in the summertime to keep them cool and comfortable.

Yorkies are naturally hypoallergenic, which means they won’t cause any allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to dogs. However, Maltese can cause an allergic reaction in some people, so you’ll need to keep that in mind if you’re looking for a pet that everyone in your home can enjoy.

Training

Yorkies are smart and eager to please, which means training them is easy. Maltese also love learning new things, but they can be a little bit stubborn sometimes.

Therefore, when training your Yorkie, you’ll need to use positive reinforcement techniques instead of correcting their behavior with harsh words or punishing them for not obeying right away.

Exercise Needs

Maltese are medium-sized dogs that only need to be walked every other day. However, Yorkies stay active both inside and outdoors, so they’ll require more daily exercise than Maltese will.

They like to play fetch and go jogging or cycling with you, which can come in handy if you want an indoor dog that’s also healthy and fit.

Health and Dental Issues

Both breeds are generally healthy, although Maltese are prone to having dental issues.

Yorkies can also get dental problems, but they’re more prone to eye and skin conditions. In addition, Maltese are extremely sensitive to the cold, so it’s best to keep them indoors during wintertime and always carry them outside if you don’t want them wandering around on their own.

Grooming of Maltese and Yorkies

Yorkies need to have their hair brushed or combed at least once a day, especially if they’ve been outside wandering around.

Maltese are very easy to groom because their coats don’t tangle often, and they’re not prone to having matting issues like Yorkie’s are.

Grooming

If you’re thinking about getting a Maltese, there are several things you should know to keep them healthy and groomed.

Maltese require regular grooming to keep their skin moisturized, prevent matting in their coats and make sure they stay clean. Their hair does not shed, but it grows very long, so you’ll need to brush it every day or take your Maltese to a professional groomer.

Yorkies can be difficult pets for inexperienced owners because they require almost as much daily grooming as cats do.

They also need their coats brushed at least once a day and trimmed every six weeks or so if you don’t want them getting tangled and matted.

You can also take your Yorkie to a professional groomer every six months, but make sure you find one with experience with this specific breed. Otherwise, you run the risk of hurting or even scaring your pet.

Costs

Maltese are more expensive than Yorkies to buy, but they also cost less in medical bills.

Yorkies need to be dewormed at least once a year and bathed once or twice per month if you want them to stay clean throughout the year. Maltese only need their nails trimmed every so often and their hair cut during summertime.

Maltese vs Yorkies – Which One is Better?

In the end, you should know that both breeds have lots of good qualities and some less desirable characteristics as well.

You’ll have to decide for yourself which one you like more and make sure you do plenty of research on these breeds before you bring one home.

Life Expectancy

Maltese live between twelve and fifteen years, while Yorkies can live up to seventeen or eighteen years.

That’s why many people end up choosing Maltese over Yorkies because they’re around for longer.

Is a Maltese or Yorkie Best for You?

If you want a sweet and affectionate dog that’s easy to train and won’t bark much, Maltese is perfect for you!

They only need daily walks, but they love spending time with their owners too. However, people who live in small homes should think twice before getting a Maltese because they often bark.

Yorkies are outgoing, playful, and always ready to go on an adventure with you!

But they require much more grooming than Maltese do, which can be difficult if you’re not used to taking care of them.