See my experience is much different. My little Haley is much like how Brenda (luvmypup) describes Bentley, her maltese as, And Maya my maltese is much like her Mia, her yorkie.
The way that my Maya is, she is very typical of the maltese personality. She is VERY affectionate, very sweet tempered, loyal, and playful. She likes other people, although haley has taught her the bad habit of barking when someone comes in our house. I would get another maltese in a heartbeat (well actually we wouldnt because Maya is one of a kind
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I have 3, and what I have noticed is that every breed will have similarities and differences no matter what, but when it comes down to it, it is the specific dog that will have the differences. A lot of our yorkies have similar traits that are cute yorkie only things, but some of ours are shy, playful, calm, and I think we have determined that many yorkie coats are different.
Rocky is the most playful yorkie around. He swims, runs, is CONSTANTLY playing with his ball etc. but nobody would have told us that that is what we were getting when we got a yorkie, so I think it just really depends.
However, I totally agree that a maltese's coat is a piece of work! That is the only reason I would discourage anyone who doesnt have the time to groom. I didnt brush Maya for 2 days, she even had a short coat, I had to immediately take her to the groomer and get her cut so they could take the mats out. The coat is something that isnt even describable. Also, mats that maltese's get can be dangerous because they form into the skin. My groomer told me never to try and cut them out myself bc I could cut her skin. Well, I will never let her get mats again!
I would do a lot of research about the breed. I think they are a great match with yorkies, Maya and Rocky play all day long. Haley is my little sleeper so she could care less lol!
Maltese's (and yorkies) are a wonderful breed!