Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Coton de Tulear Versus Maltese: Introduction
- Coton de Tulear versus Maltese: Overview
- Coton de Tulear versus Maltese: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Coton de Tulear and the Maltese
- The Similarities Between the Coton de Tulear and the Maltese
- Size (Weight and Height) of Coton de Tulear versus Maltese
- Price of Coton de Tulear versus Price of Maltese
- Adopting the Coton de Tulear versus Adopting the Maltese
- The Popularity of Coton de Tulear versus Popularity of Maltese
- Health Problems of Coton de Tulear versus Health Problems of Maltese
- Tolerates Being Alone: Coton de Tulear versus Maltese
- Do Coton de Tulears shed more than Malteses?
- Which one drools more, the Coton de Tulear or the Maltese
- Does the Coton de Tulear Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Coton de Tulear or the Maltese?
- Do Coton de Tulears Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
- Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Is the Coton de Tulear Easier to Train than the Maltese?
- Wanderlust Potential: Coton de Tulear vs. Maltese
- Are Coton de Tulears good family dogs? What about Malteses?
- How Kid-friendly are Coton de Tulears and Malteses?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Coton de Tulear or the Maltese?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Coton de Tulear
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maltese
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Coton de Tulear versus Maltese. Which One is a Better Pet?
Coton de Tulear Versus Maltese: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear and the Maltese.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear or the Maltese
Coton de Tulear versus Maltese: Overview
Both the Coton de Tulear and the Maltese are similar in size. The Coton de Tulear and the Maltese are both tiny-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Coton de Tulear and the Maltese are Companion Dogs. This means both the Coton de Tulear 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.
Coton de Tulear versus Maltese: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Coton de Tulear 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 | Coton de Tulear | Maltese |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 14 to 16 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 8 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Weight | 8 to 13 pounds | Up to 7 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 15.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $2060 | $2580 |
| Price Range | $1745 – $2500 | $1800 – $3000 |
| Temperament Score | No Data | 82.4 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 74 | 33 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear is 94 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Maltese is 82 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Coton de Tulear is a better pet than the Maltese. So, you should get the Coton de Tulear!
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 Coton de Tulear and the Maltese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Coton de Tulear and the Maltese
Below is a list of where the Coton de Tulear and the Maltese are most different:
The Similarities Between the Coton de Tulear and the Maltese
The Coton de Tulear and the Maltese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Coton de Tulear and the Maltese are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Coton de Tulear versus Maltese
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Coton de Tulear and the Maltese.
Coton de Tulears weigh 8 to 13 pounds when fully grown. Coton de Tulears are 8 to 12 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 Coton de Tulear versus Price of Maltese
The average price of the Coton de Tulear puppy is $2060. The price of the Coton de Tulear typically ranges from $1745 – $2500. However, the price of a Coton de Tulear can be as low as $1000 and as high as $3200. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 127 Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear.
| Coton de Tulear | Maltese | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2060 | $2580 |
| Price Range | $1745 to $2500 | $1800 to $3000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Coton de Tulear and Maltese. For different price points, the charts show how many Coton de Tulear puppies or how many Maltese puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Coton de Tulears. 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 Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear versus Adopting the Maltese
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Coton de Tulears 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 Coton de Tulear named Chef that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Coton de Tulears like Chef on pefinder.com.
Also, like Coton de Tulears, Malteses are also available for adoption. For example, Oliver is a Male Maltese that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Malteses like Oliver that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Also Dash – 1 Year Maltese Male @ Petco, 5011 E. Ray Road, Phoenix 85044 On Saturday, September 4, 11 Am – 2 Pm , an adorable Male Maltese on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Coton de Tulears and Malteses that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear. 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 Coton de Tulear is 74 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Coton de Tulear
Popularity of Maltese
| Year | Coton de Tulear Popularity Rank | Maltese Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 31.0 | 29 |
| 2015 | 85.0 | 31 |
| 2016 | 80.0 | 33 |
| 2017 | 81.0 | 33 |
| 2018 | 81.0 | 37 |
| 2019 | 81.0 | 36 |
| 2020 | 80.0 | 38 |
| 2013 | no data | 27 |
Health Problems of Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear 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 Maltese is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Coton de Tulear.
3 health tests are recommended for Coton de Tulear while 3 tests are recommended for the Maltese.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Coton de Tulears and in Malteses.
Coton de Tulear Health Problems
Coton de Tulears are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulears for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Coton de Tulears 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.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Coton de Tulears and Malteses
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Coton de Tulear Breed is Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems.
This is because the Coton de Tulear ranks 1 out of 2 dog breeds for Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 51 Coton de Tulears, 47 of them had Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Coton de Tulears, and how common these diseases are in Coton de Tulears relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Maltese Breed is Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.
This is because the Maltese ranks 6 out of 40 dog breeds for Legg-Calve-Perthes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 155 Malteses, 2 of them had Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Malteses, and how common these diseases are in Malteses relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Coton de Tulear and in Maltese and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Coton de Tulear and the Maltese:
| Disease | Coton de Tulear Rank | Maltese Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems | 1 out of 2 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems | 2 out of 5 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 36 out of 145 dog breeds | 41 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | 61 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 71 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 103 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 121 out of 198 dog breeds | 98 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 168 out of 182 dog breeds | 139 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Legg-Calve-Perthes problems | Not Common | 6 out of 40 dog breeds |
| Dentition Database problems | Not Common | 16 out of 49 dog breeds |
*To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.
Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.
Tolerates Being Alone: Coton de Tulear versus Maltese
Coton de Tulears do not like to be left alone.
Malteses do not like to be left alone.
Do Coton de Tulears shed more than Malteses?
Coton de Tulears 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 Coton de Tulear or the Maltese
Coton de Tulears do have a very low tendency to drool.
Malteses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Does the Coton de Tulear Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
Coton de Tulears have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to 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.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Coton de Tulear or the Maltese?
Coton de Tulears require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Malteses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Do Coton de Tulears Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
Coton de Tulears 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 Coton de Tulears Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
Coton de Tulears can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Malteses cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
Coton de Tulears 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.
Is the Coton de Tulear Easier to Train than the Maltese?
Coton de Tulears are fairly easy to train.
Malteses are very easy to train.
Wanderlust Potential: Coton de Tulear vs. Maltese
Coton de Tulears 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.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Coton de Tulear or the Maltese?
Coton de Tulears are very good for new dog owners.
Malteses are very good for new dog owners.
Is the Coton de Tulear Better for Apartment Owners than the Maltese?
Coton de Tulears adapt very well to apartment living.
Malteses adapt very well to apartment living.
Are Coton de Tulears good family dogs? What about Malteses?
Coton de Tulears 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 Coton de Tulears and Malteses?
Coton de Tulears get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Malteses get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Coton de Tulear or the Maltese?
Coton de Tulears get along very well with other dogs.
Malteses get along very well with other dogs.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Coton de Tulear
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maltese
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 Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Coton de Tulear and how the Maltese compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Coton de Tulear and of the Maltese to other breeds:
Coton de Tulear Versus Other Dog Breeds
Coton de Tulear versus Papipoo Coton de Tulear versus Pharaoh Hound Coton de Tulear versus Maremma Sheepdog Coton de Tulear versus Black and Tan Coonhound Coton de Tulear versus American Eskimo Dog Coton de Tulear versus Manchester Terrier Coton de Tulear versus Chinook Coton de Tulear versus Portuguese Water Dog Coton de Tulear versus Pomapoo Coton de Tulear versus Weimaraner
Maltese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Maltese versus Coton de Tulear Maltese versus Finnish Lapphund Maltese versus Bichon Frise Maltese versus Cocker Spaniel Maltese versus Cavapoo Maltese versus Xoloitzcuintli Maltese versus Vizsla Maltese versus Bracco Italiano Maltese versus Manchester Terrier Maltese versus Estrela Mountain Dog
Conclusion: Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear and the Maltese better suits you and your family.