Greetings to my fellow pet parents! My name is Shelby and I have a loveable Springer Spaniel Beagle mix named Sage.
When I decided to adopt a dog of my very own, I knew I wanted to rescue a dog that needed my help! Sage was dropped into my lap and I immediately fell in love. I knew that I needed to be her forever family.
I have had many dogs and a variety of breeds. These breeds include Beagles, Labradors, German Shorthairs, Malteses, and a few other mixes.
One thing I have learned over the years is the breed of your dog can make a big difference so you want to make sure you get the breed that is right for you!
Picking the Right Breed for You!
There are a few things to consider when picking your dog breed.
These things include size, energy level, temperament, hair type, and ideal environment.
In this article we are going to delve into how to pick the right breed for you while comparing Pomeranians with Malteses.
Pomeranian
Pomeranians descended from a larger version that served as sheepherders. Since then the breed has been shrunken down with emphasis placed on the dog’s coat and its puffy quality.
Today, the Pomeranian breed is mostly used as show dogs and family pets.
The Pomeranian is the smallest dog in the Spitz family and has a bold and excited personality. These dogs make great companions.
Pomeranians do have a reputation for barking and some might categorize them as “yippy”.
Maltese
Malteses are known as one of the oldest “toy” breeds. They were very popular due to their size and demeanor. Like the Pomeranian, Malteses are used today as family pets and performers in dog shows.
The Maltese is lovable and playful. This breed is an ideal companion dog and just wants to be loved and pampered by their owner. The Maltese is very well known by its long and straight white coat.
Similar to the Pomeranian, the Maltese can be quite vocal and could also be seen as being “yippy”.
Pomeranian vs Maltese Size: Which One is Bigger?
The Pomeranian is a small, or toy, sized dog and when fully grown are about 7-12 inches tall and about 3-8 pounds.
The Maltese is very similar in size. Male Malteses average between 8-10inches (6-9lbs) and females can average between 8-9inches (6-9lbs).
Due to these being very similar, you will not have to factor their size in when attempting to choose between them.
Pomeranian vs Maltese Temperament: How do they Behave?
The Pomeranian is highly energetic and playful. This dog is always in the mood for a game or a stimulating adventure.
This breed can be shy around strangers. They can also be wary of other dogs and they tend to bark at them.
The Maltese is feisty and not afraid of a challenge. They are known to challenge bigger dogs and will bark at strangers and other dogs.
If over coddled or allowed to be the pack leader these dogs can become anxious and stressed. This can cause excessive barking as well as snippy behavior.
If a chain of command is not established these dogs might not be suited for families with younger children.
The temperament of a dog is one of the most important things to look at when choosing a dog breed. You want to make sure the dog you pick will fit into your family and your lifestyle.
If you do not have enough time for the proper training, between a Pomeranian and a Maltese you might want to consider a Pomeranian.
These dogs will live over a decade and if you do not have small children and get a Maltese, those circumstances might change. You will need to make sure your dog is properly trained and socialized no matter your current circumstance.
Pomeranian vs Maltese Life Span/Health: What’s their Life Expectancy?
The Pomeranian’s life can span between 12-16 years.
They are susceptible to patellar luxation which can be a major issue. They also have smaller health risks that include hypoglycemia, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), shoulder luxation, and entropion.
Pomeranians have also been known to suffer from tracheal collapse.
The Maltese’s lifespan is slightly shorter at 12-14 years.
The Maltese breed can suffer from deafness, dental problems and shaker syndrome. They can also have smaller health issues including hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, patellar luxation, entropion, and distichiasis.
All dogs should be taken to the vet regularly to ensure they are in good health.
Pomeranian vs Maltese Appearance: What do they Look Like?
The Pomeranian is a toy sized dog that is small and has square-like proportions. The Pomeranian has an alert expression, curled tail, and small ears.
Their coat is thick and puffy and can be red, orange, cream, or black and sable. Their coat has a thick and soft undercoat with a long outer coat. This is what gives the Pomeranian their puffy look.
The Maltese is also a toy sized dog with a square figure. This breed has a gentle expression, dropped ears, and long tail.
Their coat is long and straight. Often growing until it touches the ground. Normally they have a pure white coat but they have been known to have a light tan or lemon color on their ears.
Pomeranian vs Maltese Grooming: How much do they Require?
The Pomeranian requires brushing at least twice a week during non-shedding periods and more often during its shedding period.
Other than brushing a Pomeranian has very light grooming needs unless you chose to get their hair trimmed, however this is not necessary.
The Maltese is a higher maintenance dog when it comes to grooming. Because of their hair they need to be brushed every other day to avoid matting.
They also will need haircuts often to help manage their long coat. If you do not want to groom their coats this often you will want to make sure you get their hair cut short. This will need to be done regularly.
When debating between these two breeds you will want to take a look at how much effort you are willing to exert into grooming your dog.
Getting your Maltese’s hair cut regularly is an added expense you want to make sure you are prepared for.
Like all dogs both Pomeranians and Malteses will need regular dental care. Make sure to check their teeth for plaque and brush their teeth and gums weekly.
As well as their teeth, both of these dogs need regular ear care. This can be accomplished using Q-Tips and ear drops. A dog should get ear cleanings once a week or they could get infected.
Pomeranian vs Maltese Training: Can they be Trained Easily?
Pomeranian dogs should be pretty easy to train. They have a high intelligence level and are able to pick things up with ease.
You will want to make sure you are exercising their mind and working with them frequently. This will help ease the training for both you and your pet.
Maltese dogs should be similarly easy to train. They also have high intelligence levels and an enthusiasm for learning. Similar to a Pomeranian you will want to challenge your Maltese mentally on a regular basis to prevent boredom.
Both Pomeranian and Maltese dogs, like all dogs should be socialized at an early age. This will help with their training and stranger anxiety.
If you are struggling to train your Pomeranian or Maltese we have created a great article which reviews Brain Training 4 Dogs an amazing programme that can teach your dog amazing tricks!
If you would like to see our review of this click here!
Pomeranian vs Maltese Diet: What do they Eat?
Pomeranians and Malteses eat similarly to other dog breeds. They should have something that is healthy and natural.
Make sure that their food is not high in grain or fillers.
Due to their size you could feed them regular food or a food designed for small breeds.
These often are tailored to the needs of a smaller dog’s nutritional needs and the bites are often smaller to accommodate their size.
Pomeranian vs Maltese Family Dog: Are they good with Children?
Both Pomeranians and Malteses are very family friendly. They are small and social and will be loyal to their family members and that includes children.
One thing to look out for if you have smaller children is that these dogs are small themselves and therefore are more sensitive.
They will not react well to aggressive petting, forceful interactions, attempting to sit or lay on them, or being carried around by someone who is not being careful.
This means that if you have a curious, animal loving toddler you will want to stress careful and gentle interactions so there are no aggressive incidents.
Pomeranian vs Maltese Environment: Where are they Best Suited?
The Pomeranian is a dog that will thrive indoors and will not do very well living completely outside. They are ideal for apartment living due to their size and they are able to tolerate cold weather.
Their thick coats can cause them to overheat in warmer temperatures so you will want to keep an eye on them in the heat.
They are smaller so they will not require a big space to run like a larger breed, but that doesn’t mean they won’t require exercise.
Malteses are also a dog who adapts well to apartment living and will do their best indoors. They do not need a large yard and can be exercised indoors or on walks.
Unlike the Pomeranian the Maltese does not adapt well to cold weather and instead prefers milder to warm temperatures. They too run a risk in extreme heat and will need to be looked after in these conditions.
Pomeranian vs Maltese Running Costs: Are they Expensive to Look After?
Both Pomeranians and Malteses will be an average to slightly above average cost for a dog.
They both will require regular vet check-ups like every other dog. This can be costly, and you will need to make sure you can afford this kind of care if you get any dog breed.
Because of their smaller size they will eat less food than the larger breeds and this will help save money in the long run.
The Maltese will require grooming appointments causing them to be more expensive than a dog that does not require this additional care.
A Pomeranian is more optional when it comes to professional grooming allowing the owner to cut down on this expense when not necessary.
Final Thoughts: Pomeranian vs Maltese
Both the Pomeranian and Maltese are similar dogs. They will be loving and intelligent additions to your family.
If you are looking for a dog to enter shows, either one will be perfect for you. They can also live in most types of living situations and do not require a big yard.
The Pomeranian is easier when it comes to grooming. The Maltese needs to be brushed more regularly as well as get professional grooming which can be expensive.
The Maltese does not fare well in the cold weather so if you live somewhere that is cold you will have to limit their time outdoors or they will become uncomfortable.
Neither dog should be left in extreme heat so if you live somewhere warm you will want to keep an eye on them when they are outdoors.
Some things to keep in mind with both breeds are to make sure that if you have children they are gentle to the dog.
You will also need to keep in mind both breeds are vocal and wary of strangers, so be sure to socialize them starting at a young age.
Overall, both dogs would be a loving and loyal addition to any family.
