Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Affenpinscher Versus Maltese: Introduction
- Affenpinscher versus Maltese: Overview
- Affenpinscher versus Maltese: Comparison Table
- The Similarities Between the Affenpinscher and the Maltese
- Size (Weight and Height) of Affenpinscher versus Maltese
- Price of Affenpinscher versus Price of Maltese
- Adopting the Affenpinscher versus Adopting the Maltese
- The Intelligence of the Affenpinscher versus the Intelligence of the Maltese
- The Popularity of Affenpinscher versus Popularity of Maltese
- Health Problems of Affenpinscher versus Health Problems of Maltese
- Tolerates Being Alone: Affenpinscher versus Maltese
- How Kid-friendly are Affenpinschers and Malteses?
- Do Affenpinschers shed more than Malteses?
- Which one drools more, the Affenpinscher or the Maltese
- Is the Affenpinscher Easier to Train than the Maltese?
- Do Affenpinschers Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
- Wanderlust Potential: Affenpinscher vs. Maltese
- Can Affenpinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Affenpinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Affenpinscher or the Maltese?
- Does the Affenpinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Affenpinscher or the Maltese?
- Are Affenpinschers good family dogs? What about Malteses?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Affenpinscher
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maltese
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Affenpinscher versus Maltese. Which One is a Better Pet?
Affenpinscher Versus Maltese: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Affenpinscher and the Maltese? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Affenpinscher and the Maltese better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Affenpinscher and the Maltese.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Affenpinscher and the Maltese is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Affenpinscher and for the Maltese. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Affenpinscher and the Maltese.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Affenpinscher or the Maltese
Affenpinscher versus Maltese: Overview
Both the Affenpinscher and the Maltese are similar in size. The Affenpinscher and the Maltese are both tiny-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Affenpinscher and the Maltese are Companion Dogs. This means both the Affenpinscher and the Maltese were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
Affenpinscher versus Maltese: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Affenpinscher to the Maltese based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
| Factor | Affenpinscher | Maltese |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 7 to 9 pounds | Up to 7 pounds |
| Height | 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $2220 | $2580 |
| Price Range | $500 – $1962 | $1800 – $3000 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 147 | 33 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 37 | 59 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Affenpinscher in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Maltese. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for a Affenpinscher is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Maltese is 82 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Affenpinscher is a better pet than the Maltese. So, you should get the Affenpinscher!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Affenpinscher and the Maltese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Similarities Between the Affenpinscher and the Maltese
The Affenpinscher and the Maltese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Affenpinscher and the Maltese are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Affenpinscher versus Maltese
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Affenpinscher and the Maltese.
Affenpinschers weigh 7 to 9 pounds when fully grown. Affenpinschers are 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Malteses weigh Up to 7 pounds when fully grown. Malteses are 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Price of Affenpinscher versus Price of Maltese
The average price of the Affenpinscher puppy is $2220. The price of the Affenpinscher typically ranges from $500 – $1962. However, the price of a Affenpinscher can be as low as $150 and as high as $10000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 8 Affenpinscher puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Maltese puppy is $2580. The price of the Maltese typically ranges from $1800 – $3000. However, the price of a Maltese can be as low as $500 and as high as $7995. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 413 Maltese puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Maltese is more expensive than the Affenpinscher.
| Affenpinscher | Maltese | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2220 | $2580 |
| Price Range | $500 to $1962 | $1800 to $3000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Affenpinscher and Maltese. For different price points, the charts show how many Affenpinscher puppies or how many Maltese puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Affenpinschers. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Malteses
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Affenpinscher puppy or the Maltese puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Adopting the Affenpinscher versus Adopting the Maltese
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Affenpinschers and many Malteses are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Affenpinscher named Edge that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Affenpinschers like Edge on pefinder.com.
Also, like Affenpinschers, Malteses are also available for adoption. For example, Junior is a Male Maltese that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Malteses like Junior that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Topper is the name of another Affenpinscher (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also Rodin, an adorable Male Maltese on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Affenpinschers and Malteses that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Affenpinscher versus the Intelligence of the Maltese
| Affenpinscher | Maltese | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 37 out of 130 dog breeds | 59 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Affenpinscher has an obedience intelligence rank of 37 out of 130 dog breeds. The Affenpinscher belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Affenpinschers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.
The Maltese has an obedience intelligence rank of 59 out of 130 dog breeds. The Maltese belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Malteses tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.
The Affenpinscher is more intelligent than the Maltese.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Affenpinscher versus Popularity of Maltese
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Affenpinscher and the Maltese over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Maltese is more popular with dog owners than the Affenpinscher. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Maltese is 33 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Affenpinscher is 147 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Affenpinscher
Popularity of Maltese
| Year | Affenpinscher Popularity Rank | Maltese Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 143 | 27 |
| 2014 | 144 | 29 |
| 2015 | 136 | 31 |
| 2016 | 149 | 33 |
| 2017 | 147 | 33 |
| 2018 | 148 | 37 |
| 2019 | 151 | 36 |
| 2020 | 163 | 38 |
Health Problems of Affenpinscher versus Health Problems of Maltese
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the Affenpinscher and the Maltese are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Affenpinscher is prone to more genetic health problems than the Maltese.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Affenpinscher than for the Maltese.
4 health tests are recommended for Affenpinscher while 3 tests are recommended for the Maltese.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Affenpinschers and in Malteses.
Affenpinscher Health Problems
Affenpinschers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Affenpinscher puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Affenpinscher puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Affenpinscher breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Affenpinschers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Affenpinschers here.
Maltese Health Problems
Malteses are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Maltese puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Maltese puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Maltese breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Malteses for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Malteses here.
Tolerates Being Alone: Affenpinscher versus Maltese
Affenpinschers do not like to be left alone.
Malteses do not like to be left alone.
How Kid-friendly are Affenpinschers and Malteses?
Affenpinschers do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Malteses get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Do Affenpinschers shed more than Malteses?
Affenpinschers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Malteses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Affenpinscher or the Maltese
Affenpinschers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Malteses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Is the Affenpinscher Easier to Train than the Maltese?
Affenpinschers are not easy to train.
Malteses are very easy to train.
Do Affenpinschers Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
Affenpinschers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Malteses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Wanderlust Potential: Affenpinscher vs. Maltese
Affenpinschers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Malteses do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Affenpinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
Affenpinschers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Malteses cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Can Affenpinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
Affenpinschers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Malteses can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Affenpinscher or the Maltese?
Affenpinschers are moderately easy to groom.
Malteses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Affenpinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
Affenpinschers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.
Malteses have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Affenpinscher or the Maltese?
Affenpinschers are very good for new dog owners.
Malteses are very good for new dog owners.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Affenpinscher or the Maltese?
Affenpinschers get along very well with other dogs.
Malteses get along very well with other dogs.
Is the Affenpinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Maltese?
Affenpinschers adapt very well to apartment living.
Malteses adapt very well to apartment living.
Are Affenpinschers good family dogs? What about Malteses?
Affenpinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Malteses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Affenpinscher
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Maltese that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Maltese:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maltese
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Affenpinscher that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Affenpinscher:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Affenpinscher and how the Maltese compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Affenpinscher and of the Maltese to other breeds:
Affenpinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds
Affenpinscher versus Standard Poodle Affenpinscher versus Miniature Poodle Affenpinscher versus Barbet Affenpinscher versus Weimaraner Affenpinscher versus Belgian Sheepdog Affenpinscher versus German Shepherd Dog Affenpinscher versus Komondor Affenpinscher versus Plott Affenpinscher versus Canaan Dog Affenpinscher versus Ibizan Hound
Maltese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Maltese versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever Maltese versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Maltese versus Border Terrier Maltese versus German Shepherd Dog Maltese versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Maltese versus Miniature Pinscher Maltese versus Affenpinscher Maltese versus Dachshund Maltese versus Black Mouth Cur Maltese versus Bullmastiff
Conclusion: Affenpinscher versus Maltese. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Affenpinscher and the Maltese better suits you and your family.