Is the American Staffordshire Terrier Better than the Maltese as a Pet? Our Answer.

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American Staffordshire Terrier Versus Maltese: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Maltese? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the American Staffordshire Terrier 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 American Staffordshire Terrier and the Maltese.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the American Staffordshire Terrier 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 American Staffordshire Terrier 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 with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the American Staffordshire Terrier 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 American Staffordshire Terrier or the Maltese.

American Staffordshire Terrier versus Maltese: Overview

A very important difference between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Maltese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The American Staffordshire Terrier is a medium-sized dog while the Maltese is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the American Staffordshire Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

On the other hand, the Maltese belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs 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.

American Staffordshire Terrier versus Maltese: Comparison Table

The table below compares the American Staffordshire Terrier 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Maltese

FactorAmerican Staffordshire TerrierMaltese
Life Span10 to 15 years12 to 15 years
Height16 to 19 inches8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living2/55/5
Good For Novice Owners2/55/5
Tolerates Being Alone2/51/5
Tolerates Cold Weather2/51/5
Dog Friendly2/54/5
Does NOT Shed4/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight4/53/5
Easygoing3/52/5
Tolerates Hot Weather3/53/5
Does NOT Drool3/55/5
General Health3/53/5
Low Prey Drive3/52/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/55/5
NOT Rambunctious3/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs3/54/5
Affectionate With Family4/55/5
Kid-Friendly4/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers4/52/5
Easy To Groom4/52/5
Easy To Train4/54/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/52/5
Potential For Playfulness4/54/5
Weight40 to 60 poundsUp to 7 pounds
Does NOT chew on things1/53/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor1/53/5
Average Lifespan12.5 years13.5 years
Average Price$1340$2580
Price Range$575 – $2000$1800 – $3000
Temperament Score85.5 percent82.4 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • NCL-A (Cerebellar Ataxia)
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)3459

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the American Staffordshire Terrier 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 the American Staffordshire Terrier is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Maltese is 82 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Maltese is a better pet than the American Staffordshire Terrier. So, you should get the Maltese!

    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 American Staffordshire Terrier and the Maltese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Maltese

    Below is a list of where the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Maltese are most different:

    • American Staffordshire Terriers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Malteses adapt well to apartment living.
    • American Staffordshire Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Malteses are good for new dog owners.

    The Similarities Between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Maltese

    The American Staffordshire Terrier and the Maltese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Maltese are most similar:

    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Maltese do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Maltese cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Maltese do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Maltese are not prone to gaining weight easily.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Maltese are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Maltese get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Maltese are very easy to train.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Maltese are highly intelligent.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Maltese are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Maltese are very playful.

    Size Comparison of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Maltese

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Maltese.

    American Staffordshire Terriers weigh 40 to 60 pounds when fully grown. American Staffordshire Terriers are 16 to 19 inches 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.

    Lifespan of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Maltese

    The lifespan of American Staffordshire Terriers is between 10 to 15 years. The average lifespan of American Staffordshire Terriers is 12.5 years.

    The lifespan of Malteses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Malteses is 13.5 years.

    Malteses live longer than American Staffordshire Terriers.

    Temperament of the Maltese Versus the American Staffordshire Terrier

    The American Staffordshire Terrier has a better temperament than the Maltese.

    This is because the temperament score for the American Staffordshire Terrier is 85.5 percent while the temperament score for the Maltese is 82.4 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 85.5 percent, the American Staffordshire Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 82.4 percent, the Maltese has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Maltese by measuring the temperaments of 743 American Staffordshire Terriers and 17 Malteses.

    Price of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Price of Maltese

    The average price of the American Staffordshire Terrier puppy is $1340. The price of the American Staffordshire Terrier typically ranges from $575 – $2000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 125 American Staffordshire Terrier 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. 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 American Staffordshire Terrier.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the American Staffordshire Terrier and Maltese. For different price points, the charts show how many American Staffordshire Terrier puppies or how many Maltese puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Staffordshire Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of American Staffordshire Terriers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Malteses

    A breakdown of the prices of Malteses

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the American Staffordshire Terrier 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Intelligence of the American Staffordshire Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Maltese

    `
    American Staffordshire Terrier Maltese
    Intelligence Rank 34 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:
    • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
    • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
    • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

    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 American Staffordshire Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 34 out of 130 dog breeds. The American Staffordshire Terrier belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that American Staffordshire Terriers 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 American Staffordshire Terrier 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.

    Health Problems of American Staffordshire Terrier versus Health Problems of Maltese

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the American Staffordshire Terrier 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 American Staffordshire Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Maltese.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the American Staffordshire Terrier than for the Maltese.

    7 health tests are recommended for American Staffordshire Terrier while 3 tests are recommended for the Maltese.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in American Staffordshire Terriers and in Malteses.

    American Staffordshire Terrier Health Problems

    American Staffordshire Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing American Staffordshire Terrier 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 American Staffordshire Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your American Staffordshire Terrier 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 American Staffordshire Terriers for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • NCL-A (Cerebellar Ataxia)

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for American Staffordshire Terriers 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:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Serum Bile Acid Test

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Malteses here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: American Staffordshire Terrier versus Maltese

    American Staffordshire Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Malteses do not like to be left alone.

    Do American Staffordshire Terriers shed more than Malteses?

    American Staffordshire Terriers 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 American Staffordshire Terrier or the Maltese

    American Staffordshire Terriers drool moderately.

    Malteses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Maltese?

    American Staffordshire Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Malteses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the American Staffordshire Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?

    American Staffordshire Terriers 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.

    Do American Staffordshire Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?

    American Staffordshire Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Malteses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can American Staffordshire Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?

    American Staffordshire Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Malteses cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: American Staffordshire Terrier vs. Maltese

    American Staffordshire Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Malteses do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can American Staffordshire Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?

    American Staffordshire Terriers 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 Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Maltese?

    American Staffordshire Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Malteses get along very well with other dogs.

    Are American Staffordshire Terriers good family dogs? What about Malteses?

    American Staffordshire Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Malteses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are American Staffordshire Terriers and Malteses?

    American Staffordshire Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Malteses get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the American Staffordshire Terrier Easier to Train than the Maltese?

    American Staffordshire Terriers are very easy to train.

    Malteses are very easy to train.

    Is the American Staffordshire Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Maltese?

    American Staffordshire Terriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Malteses adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the American Staffordshire Terrier or the Maltese?

    American Staffordshire Terriers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Malteses are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: American Staffordshire Terrier 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 American Staffordshire Terrier and the Maltese better suits you and your family.