The two breeds are very similar to one another and many times Yorkie or Maltese admirers tend to find both breeds appealing. Some of the same type health problems are prone to both breeds such as luxating patella, liver shunt, hypoglycemia, collapsed trachea, dental problem. White Shaker Dog Syndrome is something that is seen in small white dogs.

Both breeds are described as non shedding. Both breeds are described as being good for people with allergies due to low dander and shedding very little. Maltese do not have a doggy odor.

The maltese standard states that they are fine boned, weight is under 7 pounds with 4-6 lbs being desirable. They are single coated with silky hair that is pure white in color ( tan or lemon on the ears is permissible but not desirable). The terms black points and or halo describes the black eye rims and black nose. Tails are a long haired plume that is carried over the back. Head and ears resemble a spaniel.

The maltese temperament reads as follows according to AKC. (sounds pretty much like a yorkie to me)
For all his diminutive size, the Maltese seems to be without fear. His trust and affectionate responsiveness are very appealing. He is among the gentlest mannered of all little dogs, yet he is lively and playful as well as vigorous.

I truly love my maltese but he is not typical of the maltese temperament. I have never had a more devoted dog. He so painfully attached to me and has so little to do with anyone else. I just wish others in my family could enjoy his attention and affection as much as I do. Mia (yorkie) is very much a mamma’s girl as well but she also likes other people. I always say that if something were to happen to me poor Bentley would be devastated and probably pine away. While Mia would bond and adjust to someone else.

Very good description. I loved both my Maltese...but they were pretty high maintanence. Mine were both pretty quiet...but clingy. Especially to their favorite person, and there was no doubt with Misty. She followed my husband everywhere he went, and sat with him constantly. If he stood, she was right there looking up and waiting for him to sit so she could cuddle. She was very nervous, and would only come to me when my husband was not around. Riding in the car was impossible. I had to tranquilize her when my Mother got ill, and I had to travel 2 hours and take her with me. We couldn't leave her to take trips, because she would grieve and stop eating, etc. But every dog is different.

Bentley refuse to eat while I'm away too! He also will not go outside with anyone else. Before I got Mia my husband said bentley stayed on the couch the entire time I was at work. My husband would try and take Bentley outside to go potty and Bentely would refuse to go out or want back in as soon as he was taken out, he would not potty until I came home. He really had seperation anxiety. Getting Mia has helped with some of those issues. Mia was the best thing I could have done for him. He's great in the car though. Mia (my yorkie)is the one whom doesn't do well in the car. They are all so different.

I just wanted to add, IMO, since maltese are more prone to really attach themselves to one person, it is very much more important to work on socializing a maltese. My yorkie loves EVERYONE and I don't think I've had to work on socializing her, she just likes people by nature. She's so excited when we have a visitor she dribbles pee accidentally everywhere. I used to have a maltese that was NOT socialized very well and she hated strangers! But I have learned my lesson, Chloe is very socialized, but she does take a minute to warm up to people, I guess you would call her cautious but she does like people and attention, especially children. Unlike Tinkerbell who will jump right into a strangers lap and lick, lick, lick.

Hi! I've also thought about getting a Maltese. Right now I have a Norwegian Elkhound cross, a Yorkie, and a toy poodle. A maltese is next on my list!! :)

I totally agree. But there are going to be dogs that no matter what you do they will not be social. I think dogs are like us humans in that we all have our own personality & temperamnet. Some of us are outgoing, friendly and some are not.

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 ;))

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!

HI Brooke!
I was just wondering if you use a slicker brush on mats. I never have a problem getting a mat out with one of those. Also I think it's strange that your groomer would tell you not to cut a mat out. If you have a very bad mat you cut into the mat vertically and then use the slicker brush to comb it out layer by layer. Works very well.

My mother-in-laws maltese is a complete spaz! Its kinda ditzy. BUt it really sweet and nice. :)

I have a slicker brush :D Which one do you use? I have the pin brush and slicker from #1 all systems. I had cut the mats out and when I brought her in they said I shouldnt do that bc I could cut her. Oh well, wont happen again!! Do you keep Chloe in a long coat?

I use the one that looks like pins and they are bent at an angle at the end. I don't know what brand it is. I buy cheap because one of the dogs always gets ahold of the brush and chews it up so I feel like I have to buy them often. My mom and I both keep our dogs in long coat. But my mom's dogs, especially her female, doesn't mat ever. She's been staying with me for a while and I've only been brushing her once every week right before her bath and she hasn't had not one mat. Chloe is the only one that can get bad mats. I usually brush her every other day and she does ok.

Whatever you decide both breeds are adorable and a joy. They have so many similarities that they tend to appeal to people wanting a long haired toy breed. IMHO the mats are not nearly as easy to get out as with a yorkies hair and often just have to be cut out. Grooming a maltese is much more of a commitment and lots of people do not want to do such labor intensive grooming. They all have their own little personality and quirks just as we humans do. I'm glad I have one of each but in the future should I get another dog a maltese would not be my choice. I knew ahead of time about the grooming so I knew what I was getting into. Just wouldn't do it again.
Brooke, your Maya has always sounded like such a little sweetheart, I think she is very typical of the breeds personality.

My mom has a maltese that I adore!!! She grooms him herself and keeps him looking really pretty. I don't think she has a big problem with tear stains and when she finds a mat she just cuts it out. The biggest problem she's had with him is his breath!! We call it gorilla breath. Even after a teeth cleaning, within a few days it's bad again unless he stays on antibiotics. Something about his stomach. Has anyone else heard of this?? He is a really picky eater. Any advice would be great. The vet was not a lot of help other than the antibiotics. But Mom doesn't want to keep him on those all the time. Breath fresheners don't help and he eats raw carrots every day.

WOW you guys are so full of great information! I guess I have concluded that they are alot like our kids in that we never know what their personalities are going to be. I have 3 kids who are grown and all 3 who believe it or not have the same parents are completely different! I am actually concerned about getting a 3rd puppy but they bring so much joy to my life that I think another would be great but I'm always reminded that it was so much easier to pick up Lexi and run out the door with her in 1 hand and now I have 2 so how much harder will it really be or would I end up leaving them home more? I don't know what to do but I really do love my yorkies and swore I'd never get anything else but those malteses are just as cute especially now that I know they are very similar. I have a great groomer so that won't be a problem and my Lexi has the worst hair for matting so I'm ready, I think! Thank you so much for alll your advice! You girls are great! Anyone know of a good breeder in PA?

Check out this website for the American Maltese Association. They have a breeder list and you can see breeders in your state. :)