Breed comparison
Havanese vs Maltese
Havanese or Maltese? Both are small, silky-coated companion dogs that suit apartments and shadow their owners from room to room. The short answer: the Havanese is the sturdier, longer-lived and more family-friendly dog, while the Maltese is the tinier, more delicate and more vocal one. Both need regular brushing and plenty of company, and neither enjoys being left alone. Your choice mostly comes down to size, how many children are in your home and how much barking you can accept.
Photo: audrey_sel · CC BY-SA 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Sannse · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
| Havanese | Maltese | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small | Toy |
| Height | 8.5–11.5 in (22–29 cm) | 7–9 in (18–23 cm) |
| Weight | 7–14 lb (3–6 kg) | 4–7 lb (2–3 kg) |
| Life span | 14–16 years | 12–15 years |
| Group | Toy | Toy |
| Coat | Long, silky double coat | Long, silky, straight single coat |
| Lower-allergen coat | No | Yes |
| Energy level | ||
| Exercise needs | ||
| Trainability | ||
| Good with kids | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly to strangers | ||
| Apartment living | ||
| Tolerates being alone | ||
| Good for first-time owners | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Grooming needs | ||
| Barking | ||
| Drooling | ||
| General health |
Trait scale 1–5. Shedding, grooming, barking and drooling: 5 = more. Highlighted rows are where the two breeds differ.
The key differences
Size
The Havanese is the sturdier dog, at 8.5 to 11.5 in (22 to 29 cm) and 7 to 14 lb (3 to 6 kg). The Maltese stands 7 to 9 in (18 to 23 cm) and weighs 4 to 7 lb (2 to 3 kg). That extra weight makes the Havanese less fragile in a busy home. PetMD says the Maltese is small enough to be injured easily.
Energy and exercise
Both score 3 out of 5 for energy and 2 for exercise, and both score 5 out of 5 for apartment living. PetMD says a Havanese needs about 30 minutes of daily exercise, split into shorter walks or play sessions. A Maltese needs daily walks and indoor or backyard play. Neither needs vigorous exercise.
Coat and grooming
The Maltese scores 5 out of 5 for grooming and the Havanese 4. PetMD says to brush a Maltese's long coat daily, and to brush a Havanese at least four days a week, ideally daily, with a shorter puppy cut making upkeep easier. Both shed very little (1 out of 5). A Havanese has a double coat on our profile, while the Maltese has a single silky coat.
Temperament and training
Both are affectionate (5 out of 5) and trainable with positive reinforcement, though the Havanese is easier (4 versus 3). The Havanese is the better family dog on our meters, with 5 out of 5 for kids and for other dogs against 2 and 3 for the Maltese. Both bark, and PetMD says the Maltese can bark excessively when bored or lonely while the Havanese tends to bark unless trained not to. The Havanese is the more separation-prone of the two on our meters (1 versus 2 for alone time).
Health and life span
Havanese typically live 14 to 16 years and Maltese 12 to 15. PetMD lists progressive retinal atrophy, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, patellar luxation and dental disease for the Havanese. For the Maltese it lists luxating patella, a heart defect called patent ductus arteriosus, liver shunts and dental disease. Our health meter favors the Havanese (4 versus 3 out of 5).
Cost and care
Grooming and dental care are the main ongoing costs for both. The Havanese may cost a little more to feed because it is bigger, but it is also the less fragile dog around children. Both need company, so budget for a walker or daycare if you work away from home.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Havanese if you want a sturdy, cheerful and sociable small dog that gets on with children and other dogs and typically lives a little longer, and you can be around most of the day. Choose the Maltese if you want the smallest, lightest lap companion for an adult or older-child household, and you are ready for daily coat care, more barking and extra gentleness. Both are affectionate apartment dogs that need regular brushing, tooth care and company, so decide which size, coat and temperament suit your daily life.
Havanese profile Maltese profile
Frequently asked questions
Which is better with kids, a Havanese or a Maltese?
The Havanese, at 5 out of 5 on our meters against 2. PetMD says the tiny Maltese is easy to injure and needs supervision with children.
Which lives longer, a Havanese or a Maltese?
The Havanese, on our profiles, at 14 to 16 years against 12 to 15 for the Maltese.
Do Havanese or Maltese shed less?
They tie at 1 out of 5 for shedding. Both still need regular brushing to prevent mats.
