If you’re wondering the differences between a Maltese vs. Poodle, then this guide will have everything you need to know. Have you found yourself researching the correct breed to bring into your family regarding a puppy?
As a possible new pet owner or simply someone interested in different breeds of dogs, you have probably wondered about the unique traits, characteristics, personalities, and maybe even the history that come along with a particular breed of dog.
Researching the best dog to bring into your family can be quite a daunting task. Luckily, we are here to compare two exceptionally popular breeds in the nation. In this article, we will explore Maltese vs. Poodle. So let’s get started on this doggy adventure.
Before scrolling further down this guide “Maltese vs. Poodle,” you can check out these other dog breed comparison guides: Cockapoo vs. Cavapoo and Cockapoo vs. Poodle.
Poodle
First, let’s start with the history of the Poodle and how we came to know and love this popular puppy. The Poodle is the national dog of France, and the French sure do love their Poodles. Still, this breed is also increasingly popular in the United States, especially with the introduction of minis, toys, and hybrid breeding.
Despite the Poodle’s being the national dog of France, the breed originated as a duck hunter in Germany. The word “pudelin” refers to splashing in the water, which evolved into “Poodle” over time. This explains why they are excellent water retrievers.
Related: Best Poodle Mixes.
Size
As we mentioned earlier, Poodles have become more popular with the introduction of various sizes. Poodles come in three sizes: Standards should be more than 15 inches tall at the shoulder; Miniatures are 15 inches or under; Toys stand no more than 10 inches.
A Standard Poodle is generally the best athlete of the varieties due to its size, averaging 50 to 70 pounds. However, regardless of a Poodle’s size, they will be energetic, playful, loyal, and intelligent. Additionally, all varieties of Poodles will have a curly, low-allergen coat that comes in a variety of colors such as white, black, and apricot.
Related: When is a Toy Poodle Full Grown?
Grooming
Speaking of their coat, let’s talk about the grooming needs of a Poodle. When you think of a Poodle, you may envision its elegant and well-kept coat.
Surprisingly, the elaborate coat styling that this breed is known for once had a practical purpose: trimmed areas lightened the weight of the puppy’s coat. They prevented snagging on underwater debris, while the long hair around the joints and vital organs protected the dog from the cold water.
Grooming is an enormous responsibility for the potential owner of a poodle. Most Poodle owners take their dogs to the groomers every three to six weeks, daily brushing between those visits.
If you do not brush and comb a full-coated Poodle entirely to the skin, the hair will mat near the roots and will have to be shaved off to start all over with new growth. Owners tend to prevent this by keeping their coats short to prevent tangling and matting.
If you want to cut down on grooming costs, you can learn how to give your Poodle their trims, but this task must be done with a lot of care and precision, so it’s best to leave it to the professionals. On the other hand, if dedicating time or energy to grooming your dog is not something you’re interested in, it may be time to reconsider a Poodle.
Temperament
Poodles are known to be great dogs for a few reasons. Here are just some of their best traits:
- Trainability
- Great with Family and Kids
- Make excellent guard dogs
- Affectionate
- Playful
Speaking of trainability, it is essential to note that if you consider bringing a Poodle into your family, you heavily consider training them or opting for professional training classes and the time to dedicate to their dynamic nature.
As we mentioned before, Poodles are highly intelligent and eager to please their owners. Therefore, poodles are regarded as one of the most intelligent breeds in the world.
In training, you will see that they are agile elegant, and they enjoy and excel in essentially all of the canine sports, including agility, obedience, and tracking.
Due to their duck hunting ancestors from Germany, they also make excellent retrievers. As mentioned previously, Poodles love to stay active, whether it is retrieving sticks or toys, going on long walks, or even swimming.
If hanging out on the couch or being away for long portions of the day is part of your schedule, a Poodle may not be the right breed for you.
As with most active breeds, bored Poodles can get destructive if they aren’t physically and mentally stimulated. If you love to walk, run, hike, and stay active, a Poodle will fit perfectly in your family.
Health
In our exploration of the Poodle, it is also a good idea for us to cover this breed’s health trends and concerns so that you, as a potential owner, can be aware of these conditions. Fortunately, Poodles are known to be a healthy breed with very few health complications.
Most of them live happy and healthy lives, with a life expectancy of 10-18 years – which is relatively high in terms of a canine, giving you plenty of time to enjoy with your new companion. However, as with all breeds, some health issues can occur, including hip dysplasia and several eye disorders.
It is essential to schedule a visit with a veterinarian upon bringing home a new puppy so that they can give further details on these conditions and what symptoms to look out for as your dog grows up.
Maltese
The Maltese come from Malta, which lies 60 miles south of Sicily, in the Mediterranean Sea. Greeks loved this breed, calling it “perfectly proportioned.”
As time continued, aristocrats of the Roman Empire used this dog as a status symbol. With the fall of the Roman Empire, Chinese breeders kept this breed alive. With its immense charm and eye-catching looks, it comes as no surprise that the Maltese have been a popular breed for many years.
Fun fact: throughout their long history, the Maltese have been given many names, such as the “Melitae Dog,” “Ye Ancient Dogge of Malta,” the “Roman Ladies Dog,” “The Comforter,” the “Spaniel Gentle,” the “Maltese Lion Dog,” and the “Maltese Terrier.” Talk about nickname overload.
Size
If you consider yourself a “small dog person,” look no further. The average Maltese is relatively small compared to the Standard Poodle, making this breed great for apartment or small homeowners.
Standing at just 7 to 9 inches tall and weighing no more than 7 pounds – so you could compare their size to that of a Toy Poodle. This makes sense as the Maltese fall into dogs’ “toy” category.
This lovable little puppy can fit in any purse or backpack, which they love to do. The coat of Maltese is famous, elegant, and hard to miss.
Their silky white coat draped the floor as if they were wearing a show-stopping gown at a ball. Typically, you can find Maltese in three colors: White, White Lemon, and White and Tan.
Grooming
Like our Poodle friends, the coat of a Maltese requires some care. Owners of both breeds will have to invest time and money into keeping their puppies looking and feeling their best.
Specifically, Maltese requires daily gentle brushing and combing to the skin to prevent mats and tangles. Maltese should also have regular baths and coat conditioning to keep their hair looking its best.
Additionally, this breed is prone to tear staining, which you may recognize as a brown substance that builds up under the breed’s eye area. It is essential to keep this area clean, as excessive build-up could lead to a trip to the veterinarian.
As with any breed, it is also essential to keep their ears and teeth clean, as neglect to both areas could lead to infections, cavities, teeth removal, etc. This may sound like a lot of responsibility, but having a cute and cuddly companion is very worth it.
Temperament
As you might have guessed, the Maltese breed is popular for many reasons, with their personality being one of the biggest ones. You might think that their personalities would be high maintenance and prissy due to their high society history, but you would be mistaken.
The Maltese dog breed is a laid-back, loving, and adaptable breed that can charm almost anyone with its large gleaming eyes. They love to be with their people and make them smile. Even novice pet parents will find these puppies excellent furry family members. Just like Poodles, Maltese have the following great traits:
- Easily Trainable
- Great with Family and Kids
- Make excellent guard dogs
- Affectionate
- Playful
Health
One of the most important categories that we cover when learning about a new breed is the standard for health. Of course, when we get a dog, we hope that they are as healthy as possible and generally don’t picture our loveable little pooch having health conditions down the line.
But, just as some humans are pre dispositioned to health conditions, breeds of dogs can be as well. When it comes to the Maltese specifically, we are happy to report that this is a generally healthy breed that usually lives well into the double digits, just as the Poodle does. The average life expectancy for a Maltese is 12 to 15 years.
As your puppy ages, some conditions that your vet will look out for are luxating patella and heart anomalies such as patent ductus arteriosus. Additionally, it is recommended that Maltese puppies be bile-acid tested to rule out congenital liver issues such as liver shunt and microvascular dysplasia.
Conclusion For “Maltese vs. Poodle”
As you have learned from this article, there are some apparent differences in comparing Poodles and Maltese. However, whether it’s their size, coat, or personality, each breed has unique qualities that make them lovable and a perfect addition to the right family for them. Regardless of which breed you decide is right for you, it is essential to note that owning a dog is a significant responsibility.
This animal relies on you for food, shelter, attention, and love, so it is crucial to understand your duties to create a wonderful life for them. If necessary care is taken, we’re optimistic that each of these dogs will return the favor by creating a wonderful life and companionship with you.
If you find this article, “Maltese vs. Poodle,” helpful, you can check out these other dog breed comparison guides:
To learn more about the differences between the two breeds, you can watch “Poodle vs. Maltese – Breed Comparison” down below:
Andy is a full-time animal rescuer and owner of a toy doodle. When he’s not saving dogs, Andy is one of our core writers and editors. He has been writing about dogs for over a decade. Andy joined our team because he believes that words are powerful tools that can change a dog’s life for the better.
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