Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Basenji Versus Maltese: Introduction
- Basenji versus Maltese: Overview
- Basenji versus Maltese: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Basenji and the Maltese
- The Similarities Between the Basenji and the Maltese
- Size Comparison of Basenji versus Maltese
- Lifespan of Basenji versus Maltese
- Temperament of the Maltese Versus the Basenji
- Price of Basenji versus Price of Maltese
- The Intelligence of the Basenji versus the Intelligence of the Maltese
- Health Problems of Basenji versus Health Problems of Maltese
- Tolerates Being Alone: Basenji versus Maltese
- Do Basenjis shed more than Malteses?
- Which one drools more, the Basenji or the Maltese
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Basenji or the Maltese?
- Does the Basenji Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
- Do Basenjis Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
- Can Basenjis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Basenji vs. Maltese
- Can Basenjis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Basenji or the Maltese?
- Are Basenjis good family dogs? What about Malteses?
- How Kid-friendly are Basenjis and Malteses?
- Is the Basenji Easier to Train than the Maltese?
- Conclusion: Basenji versus Maltese. Which One is a Better Pet?
Basenji Versus Maltese: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Basenji 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 Basenji 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 Basenji and the Maltese.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Basenji 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 Basenji 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 Basenji 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 Basenji or the Maltese.
Basenji versus Maltese: Overview
A very important difference between the Basenji and the Maltese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Basenji is a small-sized dog while the Maltese is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Basenji belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
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.
Basenji versus Maltese: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Basenji 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 Basenji and the Maltese
| Factor | Basenji | Maltese |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 16 to 17 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 22 to 24 pounds | Up to 7 pounds |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1560 | $2580 |
| Price Range | $1450 – $1450 | $1800 – $3000 |
| Temperament Score | 68.9 percent | 82.4 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 78 | 59 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Basenji 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 Basenji is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Maltese is 82 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Basenji is a better pet than the Maltese. So, you should get the Basenji!
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 Basenji and the Maltese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Basenji and the Maltese
Below is a list of where the Basenji and the Maltese are most different:
- Basenjis are not easy to train. However, Malteses are very easy to train.
- Basenjis are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Malteses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
- Basenjis can be left alone for some time without problems. However, Malteses do not like to be left alone.
- Basenjis are very friendly towards strangers. However, Malteses are not very friendly towards strangers.
- Basenjis are very easy to groom. However, Malteses require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
- Basenjis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Malteses do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
- Basenjis require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, Malteses have low exercise needs.
The Similarities Between the Basenji and the Maltese
The Basenji and the Maltese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Basenji and the Maltese are most similar:
- Both the Basenji and the Maltese cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
- Both the Basenji and the Maltese do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
- Both the Basenji and the Maltese do not have the tendency to drool.
- Both the Basenji and the Maltese have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
- Both the Basenji and the Maltese are not prone to gaining weight easily.
- Both the Basenji and the Maltese are good for new dog owners.
- Both the Basenji and the Maltese can tolerate hot weather.
- Both the Basenji and the Maltese get along well with other dogs.
- Both the Basenji and the Maltese are highly intelligent.
- Both the Basenji and the Maltese adapt well to apartment living.
- Both the Basenji and the Maltese are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
- Both the Basenji and the Maltese have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
Size Comparison of Basenji versus Maltese
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Basenji and the Maltese.
Basenjis weigh 22 to 24 pounds when fully grown. Basenjis are 16 to 17 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.
Lifespan of Basenji versus Maltese
The lifespan of Basenjis is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Basenjis is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Malteses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Malteses is 13.5 years.
Malteses live longer than Basenjis.
Temperament of the Maltese Versus the Basenji
The Maltese has a better temperament than the Basenji.
This is because the temperament score for the Maltese is 82.4 percent while the temperament score for the Basenji is 68.9 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 68.9 percent, the Basenji has a below-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 Basenji and the Maltese by measuring the temperaments of 177 Basenjis and 17 Malteses.
Price of Basenji versus Price of Maltese
The average price of the Basenji puppy is $1560. The price of the Basenji typically ranges from $1450 – $1450. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 10 Basenji 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 Basenji.
The charts below show the price distribution for the Basenji and Maltese. For different price points, the charts show how many Basenji puppies or how many Maltese puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Basenjis. 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 Basenji 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 Basenji versus the Intelligence of the Maltese
`| Basenji | Maltese | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 78 out of 130 dog breeds | 59 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! | 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 Basenji has an obedience intelligence rank of 78 out of 130 dog breeds. The Basenji belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Basenjis tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
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 Maltese is more intelligent than the Basenji.
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 Basenji 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 Basenji 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 Basenji is prone to more genetic health problems than the Maltese.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Basenji than for the Maltese.
6 health tests are recommended for Basenji while 3 tests are recommended for the Maltese.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Basenjis and in Malteses.
Basenji Health Problems
Basenjis are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Basenji 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 Basenji puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Basenji 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 Basenjis for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Basenjis 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: Basenji versus Maltese
Basenjis can be left alone for some time without problems.
Malteses do not like to be left alone.
Do Basenjis shed more than Malteses?
Basenjis 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 Basenji or the Maltese
Basenjis do have a very low tendency to drool.
Malteses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Basenji or the Maltese?
Basenjis are very easy to groom.
Malteses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Basenji Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
Basenjis 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.
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 Basenjis Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
Basenjis are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Malteses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Basenjis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
Basenjis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Malteses cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Basenji vs. Maltese
Basenjis have a high tendency to wander. They are easily 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 Basenjis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
Basenjis can tolerate hot weather.
Malteses can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Basenji or the Maltese?
Basenjis get along very well with other dogs.
Malteses get along very well with other dogs.
Are Basenjis good family dogs? What about Malteses?
Basenjis 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 Basenjis and Malteses?
Basenjis get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Malteses get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the Basenji Easier to Train than the Maltese?
Basenjis are not easy to train.
Malteses are very easy to train.
Is the Basenji Better for Apartment Owners than the Maltese?
Basenjis adapt very well to apartment living.
Malteses adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Basenji or the Maltese?
Basenjis are very good for new dog owners.
Malteses are very good for new dog owners.
Conclusion: Basenji 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 Basenji and the Maltese better suits you and your family.