Maltese vs.Yorkie

[blondyinnh]

Hello,

This is my first post! My husband and I have been looking for a small dog. We were sold on a maltese but also really, really love the cuteness of a yorkie. Are they similar? We have been researching and I'd really just love to hear some feedback on what some think. I know this is a yorkie board but need honest opinions here We liked maltese for their white color, lap dog, gentle, best friend qualities BUT we are concerned there may be too much maintenance which goes alot with their coat, eyes, etc. Yorkies are so cute but we wonder if they will be too yippy, not as affectionate and I heard their coat can smell stronger. Help please? Thank you

[caricloud]

I have had my little yorkie Knox for only a week. However, I too also couldn't decide between a yorkie or maltese. In the end I got my sweet little boy, and couldn't be happier. We live in the country and my husband said the white coat would be too much maintence. My sister is picking up a maltese puppy on Friday so I am anxious to see how he acts and the differences between him and my Knox. Good luck I hope you find some answers.

[cheryl19]

Well a yorkie is a Terrier so I would read about that too. Also you do have to take care of a yorkie coat too unless you cut the hair. And as far as being yippy my sister has 2 Maltese and her dogs are more yippy then my 3 Yorkies.

[mistique57]

Originally Posted by caricloud

I have had my little yorkie Knox for only a week. However, I too also couldn't decide between a yorkie or maltese. In the end I got my sweet little boy, and couldn't be happier. We live in the country and my husband said the white coat would be too much maintence. My sister is picking up a maltese puppy on Friday so I am anxious to see how he acts and the differences between him and my Knox. Good luck I hope you find some answers.

Aw bless they are both lovely breed's,I think you have to work with the coat which ever one you choose unless you have them clipped at the groomer's,Post pic's when you get your new fur baby.

[jackson25]

I have a breeder friend that breeds Maltese's. Not all yorkies are yappy. As for coat, both can have a long coat that requires daily brushing and up keep. I have yet to find a yorkie that isn't somewhat affectionate. Not sure about the smelly that you are referring to. I would take a yorkie any day but then again, I am biased!

[yorkieusa]

Originally Posted by blondyinnh

Hello,

This is my first post! My husband and I have been looking for a small dog. We were sold on a maltese but also really, really love the cuteness of a yorkie. Are they similar? We have been researching and I'd really just love to hear some feedback on what some think. I know this is a yorkie board but need honest opinions here We liked maltese for their white color, lap dog, gentle, best friend qualities BUT we are concerned there may be too much maintenance which goes alot with their coat, eyes, etc. Yorkies are so cute but we wonder if they will be too yippy, not as affectionate and I heard their coat can smell stronger. Help please? Thank you

Yorkies are terriers, so they are very active and require exercise to remain healthy. Mine isn't a yapper, but many can be. It depends on the socialization you provide and training as well as the individual yorkie's personality and probably a good deal on where you live and the sort of distractions available to bark at. Yorkies are high maintenance and require regular grooming and generally once a week baths. Their coats can become oily looking if not bathed regularly. They require daily brushing and combing to keep mats out of their hair. Some coats mat more easily than other coats.
Their eyes do require being cleaned every day. They generally do not do that well by themselves, either. So, if you are an active family that will not be around that much or are unable to take the yorkie with you, then I would not recommend this breed for you. Also, it is true they can be an independent and stubborn breed. Some are much more difficult to train than others. Some are more affectionate than others. You never really know the personality of your yorkie when brought home as a puppy until later, so if you aren't dedicated to the breed itself and prepared to love the puppy no matter what the personality is like then I would not recommend a yorkie for you.

[jrsygal37]

Hi. Welcome to YT. I have four Yorkies, One Yorkie/Poodle and One Maltese/Yorkie. What I've found from my personal experience is that my Maltese/Yorkie potty trained extremely easy and does not have accidents. My Yorkies on the other hand took a long time to potty train and they still have occassional accidents. My Maltese/Yorkie is also more laid back then my Yorkies. Yorkies tend to be pretty energetic. Like a lot of said, they are terriers and require a lot of excercise. On the other hand, my Maltese/Yorkie is a bugger to keep clean and her eyes have a tendancy to stain. Also, her hair is thicker and tends to matt more easiliy then my Yorkies, although some Yorkies have cottony coats which are also hard to keep matt free. I think you would be wise to research both breeds, and to also visit reputable breeders that breed each breed. Elaine

[blondyinnh]

Hi everyone! Thank you for the responses. No matter what the breed is I will be keeping it in a puppy cut. I don't care for the long hair at all. The reason we are getting a smaller dog is so I can bring it out with me in the car, on errands and hopefully to work maybe sometimes. (I am a Nanny) We live on a lake and I do want my dog to be outside quite a bit when weather is appropriate. We live in New England. I worry that a maltese will get dirty easier. Especially when swimming with me in the lake. I am concerned about the tear staining as well. I am looking for a little buddy but one who can socialize with other dogs. I have been visiting and talking with several breeders over the phone. Each has their own opinion. I've never owned a dog only cats so I'm feeling a bit lost here.

[blondyinnh]

Also, the breeder we are visiting has a friend who has asked her to sell some maltese-yorkie mixes. Would this be a better solution for us? Is a mixed breed a bad decision? Are there pro's and con's there as well? Thank you!

[AmyChristine]

Originally Posted by blondyinnh

Also, the breeder we are visiting has a friend who has asked her to sell some maltese-yorkie mixes. Would this be a better solution for us? Is a mixed breed a bad decision? Are there pro's and con's there as well? Thank you!

If you choose a mix breed you don't always get the best of both worlds, there is no way to really predict which traits your dog will inherit.

I don't think that mixed breed dogs are better or worse than those that are purebred, but I do however feel that the people who breed for a mix breed are something to be leery of. There is no way that somone breeding a mix is doing it to better the breed, there for, they are only breeding for personal gain, or money. I feel like you should have more reason to bring life into an already overpopulated pet world than just to line your pockets. You cannot make a better, healthier yorkie by crossing it with another breed. I think that both breeds have their goods and bads, but what ever you choose please make sure that you are choosing a reputable breeder that is in it to better the breed, these are the ones that we should be supporting.

[blondyinnh]

Thank you. I agree. I have had a strong presence of animals in my life (grew up on a farm) but never a dog. I am trying to go about this the right way. I have already gotten some red flags sadly. I never realized there were some people out there who "should not" be breeding dogs.
The morkie's this woman has was "by accident". I'll find out more Friday when I go visit. Already she sounds wonderful to me and defintely someone who cares about what she does. I'm not into the kennel idea. I am looking for someone who has these dogs in their home. Under their feet, socialized and not part of a group of 30 as Ive seen already.

[Princess J]

I have only had Leilah for 2 1/2 weeks but she has proven to be an amazingly sweet yorkie. She enjoys sitting with me but loves to roam around freely by herself as well. She definitely has her spurts of endless energy followed by hard naps, but she's just a pup. I worried about the yappy thing a bit since none of my other animals have ever been yappy but so far she's been fairly good about that. She growls when she's playing and excited with an occasional squeal/bark but never any endless chatter. She was really really really easy to train to use the litter box. She hasn't had any accidents since the first day we brought her home! She sleeps wonderfully in her crate with the attached xpen so that she has free movement to her water/food bowl and litter box. I made this adjustment after a few nights of waking up to let her pee and now she sleeps through the night, gets up to do her business and then goes back to sleep...no whining or anything. I haven't really done much training other than "sit" but she is taking well to that. I know each dog is different regardless of breed so you really have to make a leap of faith and just love whatever you bring home! I can't imagine life without her even if she turned out to be a difficult yappy brat! lol

[spiritwings1202]

I love my Yorkie and probably will always have one or two in my household. She is not yappy at all in fact I have a Jack-a-poo who is very yappy and my Yorkie looks at her sometimes as to say what in the heck are you barking at!!

[MauiGirl]

Originally Posted by blondyinnh

Also, the breeder we are visiting has a friend who has asked her to sell some maltese-yorkie mixes. Would this be a better solution for us? Is a mixed breed a bad decision? Are there pro's and con's there as well? Thank you!

I have a Yorkie and 3 Morkies, and all are equally wonderful.

I understand you not wanting the upkeep of a pure white dog as I felt the same way. The color on the mixes can vary widely, and even Yorkies vary with some being lighter and others darker.

Good luck in your search!

[lovespandp]

I love my Yorkie, yes they are high maintance. Between the brushing, walking, playing, feeding, cleaning, grooming..etc etc, but I wouldn't have it any other way! My yorkie isn't a yapper, but he is very aleart esp when DH isn't home he is VERY aware of what is outside~

If you dont want to deal with the hair why wouldnt you get a breed with short hair, but still small in size? Maybe even a little more stronger, not as breakable like a yorkie. I say that bc of their luxating patella and collapsed trachea issues..