Which is Better Between the Boxer and the Maltese?

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Boxer Versus Maltese: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Boxer 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 Boxer 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 Boxer and the Maltese.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Boxer 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 Boxer 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 Boxer 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 Boxer or the Maltese.

Boxer versus Maltese: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Boxer belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Boxer versus Maltese: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Boxer 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 Boxer and the Maltese

FactorBoxerMaltese
Tolerates Being Alone1/51/5
Tolerates Hot Weather1/53/5
Life Span10 to 12 years12 to 15 years
Tolerates Cold Weather2/51/5
Does NOT Drool4/55/5
General Health2/53/5
Does NOT chew on things4/53/5
Height21 to 25 inches at the shoulder8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners3/55/5
Dog Friendly3/54/5
Low Prey Drive3/52/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/52/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/55/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living4/55/5
Easygoing2/52/5
Kid-Friendly4/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers4/52/5
Does NOT Shed2/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/53/5
Easy To Train4/54/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Easy To Groom5/52/5
NOT Rambunctious1/53/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor1/53/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/54/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Weight60 to 70 poundsUp to 7 pounds
Average Lifespan11.0 years13.5 years
Average Price$1620$2580
Price Range$1200 – $2000$1800 – $3000
Temperament Score83.9 percent82.4 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health TestsNo Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)4859

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Boxer 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 Boxer is 73 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 Boxer. 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 Boxer and the Maltese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Boxer and the Maltese

    Below is a list of where the Boxer and the Maltese are most different:

    • Boxers are very easy to groom. However, Malteses require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
    • Boxers require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, Malteses have low exercise needs.

    The Similarities Between the Boxer and the Maltese

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

    • Both the Boxer and the Maltese do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Boxer and the Maltese cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
    • Both the Boxer and the Maltese do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Boxer and the Maltese have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
    • Both the Boxer and the Maltese are not prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Boxer and the Maltese adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Boxer and the Maltese are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
    • Both the Boxer and the Maltese get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Boxer and the Maltese gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Boxer and the Maltese are very easy to train.
    • Both the Boxer and the Maltese are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Boxer and the Maltese are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Boxer and the Maltese are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Boxer versus Maltese

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Boxer and the Maltese.

    Boxers weigh 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Boxers are 21 to 25 inches 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 Boxer versus Maltese

    The lifespan of Boxers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Boxers 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 Boxers.

    Temperament of the Maltese Versus the Boxer

    The Boxer has a better temperament than the Maltese.

    This is because the temperament score for the Boxer is 83.9 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 83.9 percent, the Boxer 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 Boxer and the Maltese by measuring the temperaments of 472 Boxers and 17 Malteses.

    Price of Boxer versus Price of Maltese

    The average price of the Boxer puppy is $1620. The price of the Boxer typically ranges from $1200 – $2000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 636 Boxer 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 Boxer.

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Boxers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Boxers. 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 Boxer 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 Boxer versus the Intelligence of the Maltese

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    Boxer Maltese
    Intelligence Rank 48 out of 130 dog breeds 59 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 Boxer has an obedience intelligence rank of 48 out of 130 dog breeds. The Boxer belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Boxers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 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 Boxer 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Boxer versus Maltese

    Boxers do not like to be left alone.

    Malteses do not like to be left alone.

    Do Boxers shed more than Malteses?

    Boxers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Malteses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Boxer or the Maltese

    Boxers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Malteses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Boxer or the Maltese?

    Boxers are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Boxer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?

    Boxers 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 Boxers Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?

    Boxers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Boxers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Boxer vs. Maltese

    Boxers 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 Boxers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Boxers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Malteses can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Boxer or the Maltese?

    Boxers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Malteses get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Boxers good family dogs? What about Malteses?

    Boxers 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 Boxers and Malteses?

    Boxers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Boxer Easier to Train than the Maltese?

    Boxers are very easy to train.

    Malteses are very easy to train.

    Is the Boxer Better for Apartment Owners than the Maltese?

    Boxers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Malteses adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Boxer or the Maltese?

    Boxers are OK for new dog owners.

    Malteses are very good for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Boxer 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 Boxer and the Maltese better suits you and your family.