That's a tough one.
 

I think it is partly just a breed characteristic but I also think my Maltese came from a better breeder, better lines and a much better start in life. My Yorkie was only 11 oz. when I got her & she had coccidia. Although her breeder told me she was old enough to leave her mom, I'm not sure she even told me her correct age.

I didn't get Buttons until he was 4 months old & he is just very sure of himself. He also has a championship pedigree for the last 5 generations.
Like I said, I love them both but if you are really wanting a snuggler that is not too hyper, you might be better off with a Malt.

But Little Bit (Yorkie) is a good traveler as well. She rides very well in her car seat. Buttons really wants to sit in your lap & is not happy in his seat.

She is almost 18 months old & still not completely housebroken & will dart out the door when it is opened & not necessarily come back until you go chase her. Buttons will sit right by your feet when the door is opened & always comes when called.

The Maltese coat does require a lot more grooming. Little Bit can be kept neat with a minimum of effort but I can't say that about Buttons thick white coat, not to mention the Maltese eye staining if food or allergies are off.
Probably if I had gotten Buttons first, I would not have gotten Little Bit, just because of the grooming time & expense involved.

But you can't go wrong, they are both very loving & lovable. One of the most important things you should do is be very sure of your breeder.

Thanks everybody! You've given me ALOT to think about.

I have a 10 year old morkie that I wouldn't give you for ten show yorkies, I love Peanut to death, but after losing a yorkie from liver shunt and finding out about all of health risk in these little ones, I would be very careful and selective in getting any of them, yorkie, maltese or morkie, just do research on the breeder if possible.:)

Hi Betsi,
I have an almost 3 year old maltese & love her to pieces. I don't think you could go wrong there. She is really like a baby. She follows me everywhere, sits on my lap whenever I am sitting & was great at potty training. She is a real sweetheart! Grooming does take a good bit of time but I have found that maltese don't have a dog odor, which is great.
I don't have advice on yorkies, as I am on here to learn about them & hopefully add one to my family someday soon. I simply love the look of the yorkies with their perky little ears! & if I find out they can be just as sweet as my maltese I'm probably going to get a yorkie. It seems that what I am finding out is to find a good breeder who can pick out a pup (whether its a yorkie or a maltese) & find one with the personality that matches what you want! Good Luck!

The maltese are suppose to be a little less hyper and might make a better theraphy dog, but if you got the mix you would have the best of both worlds.

my best friend has a maltese and she just said yesterday, that although she loves her dog, she was told that Maltese are perpetual puppies. She thought at the time she bought him, "oh won't that be fun" But now at nearly 3 he is still chewing up everything, she's thinking perpetual puppy isn't so fun.

Go with a pure breed. We are not doing any breed any good by promoting so called designer dogs - I just think this promotes more puppy mills & backyard breeders. Therefore, that's why more of these dogs have health issues. I realize this may not be a popular statement with those that own mixed breed dogs. It's just my opinion & I don't want to offend anyone.

you can't go wrong with either a Maltese, Yorkie or Morkie (bka Malkie or Yorktese). i recently had a litter of Morkies if you are interested...check out my thread in the nursery section...keke..


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