Quick Links: Table of Contents
- English Setter Versus Maltese: Introduction
- English Setter versus Maltese: Overview
- English Setter versus Maltese: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Setter and the Maltese
- The Similarities Between the English Setter and the Maltese
- Size (Weight and Height) of English Setter versus Maltese
- Temperament of the English Setter Versus the Maltese
- Price of English Setter versus Price of Maltese
- Adopting the English Setter versus Adopting the Maltese
- The Intelligence of the English Setter versus the Intelligence of the Maltese
- The Popularity of English Setter versus Popularity of Maltese
- Health Problems of English Setter versus Health Problems of Maltese
- Tolerates Being Alone: English Setter versus Maltese
- Which one drools more, the English Setter or the Maltese
- Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Do English Setters shed more than Malteses?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the English Setter or the Maltese?
- Is the English Setter Easier to Train than the Maltese?
- Can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Do English Setters Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
- Are English Setters good family dogs? What about Malteses?
- How Kid-friendly are English Setters and Malteses?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Setter or the Maltese?
- Does the English Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
- Wanderlust Potential: English Setter vs. Maltese
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Setter
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maltese
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: English Setter versus Maltese. Which One is a Better Pet?
English Setter Versus Maltese: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Setter 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 English Setter 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 English Setter and the Maltese.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Setter 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 English Setter 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 English Setter 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 English Setter or the Maltese
English Setter versus Maltese: Overview
A very important difference between the English Setter and the Maltese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Setter is a medium-sized dog while the Maltese is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the English Setter belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
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.
English Setter versus Maltese: Comparison Table
The table below compares the English Setter 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 | English Setter | Maltese |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Height | 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the | 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 11 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 45 to 80 pounds | Up to 7 pounds |
| 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 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1020 | $2580 |
| Price Range | $800 – $1200 | $1800 – $3000 |
| Temperament Score | 81.3 percent | 82.4 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 95 | 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, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the English Setter 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 English Setter is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Maltese is 82 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Maltese is a better pet than the English Setter. 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 English Setter and the Maltese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Setter and the Maltese
Below is a list of where the English Setter and the Maltese are most different:
The Similarities Between the English Setter and the Maltese
The English Setter and the Maltese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Setter and the Maltese are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of English Setter versus Maltese
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Setter and the Maltese.
English Setters weigh 45 to 80 pounds when fully grown. English Setters are 1 foot, 11 inches to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the 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.
Temperament of the English Setter Versus the Maltese
The Maltese has a better temperament than the English Setter.
This is because the temperament score for the Maltese is 82.4 percent while the temperament score for the English Setter is 81.3 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 they 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 81.3 percent, the English Setter 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 English Setter and the Maltese by measuring the temperaments of 32 English Setters and 17 Malteses.
Price of English Setter versus Price of Maltese
The average price of the English Setter puppy is $1020. The price of the English Setter typically ranges from $800 – $1200. However, the price of a English Setter can be as low as $450 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 114 English Setter 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 English Setter.
| English Setter | Maltese | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1020 | $2580 |
| Price Range | $800 to $1200 | $1800 to $3000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the English Setter and Maltese. For different price points, the charts show how many English Setter puppies or how many Maltese puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of English Setters. 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 English Setter 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 English Setter versus Adopting the Maltese
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many English Setters 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 English Setter named Porter that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable English Setters like Porter on pefinder.com.
Also, like English Setters, Malteses are also available for adoption. For example, Maltese- Casper is a Male Maltese that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Malteses like Maltese- Casper that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Cooper is the name of another English Setter (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also Teddy, an adorable Male Maltese on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more English Setters and Malteses that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the English Setter versus the Intelligence of the Maltese
| English Setter | 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 English Setter has an obedience intelligence rank of 37 out of 130 dog breeds. The English Setter belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that English Setters 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 English Setter 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 English Setter 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 English Setter 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 English Setter. 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 English Setter is 95 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of English Setter
Popularity of Maltese
| Year | English Setter Popularity Rank | Maltese Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 91 | 27 |
| 2014 | 89 | 29 |
| 2015 | 96 | 31 |
| 2016 | 102 | 33 |
| 2017 | 95 | 33 |
| 2018 | 94 | 37 |
| 2019 | 98 | 36 |
| 2020 | 101 | 38 |
Health Problems of English Setter 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 English Setter 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 English Setter is prone to more genetic health problems than the Maltese.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the English Setter than for the Maltese.
4 health tests are recommended for English Setter while 3 tests are recommended for the Maltese.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Setters and in Malteses.
English Setter Health Problems
English Setters are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing English Setter 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 English Setter puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your English Setter 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 English Setters for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Setters 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 English Setters 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 English Setter Breed is Baer Hearing (Es) problems.
This is because the English Setter ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Baer Hearing (Es) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 4303 English Setters, 4 of them had Baer Hearing (Es) problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in English Setters, and how common these diseases are in English Setters 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 English Setter and in Maltese and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Setter and the Maltese:
| Disease | English Setter Rank | Maltese Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Baer Hearing (Es) problems | 1 out of 1 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 1 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Baer Hearing Test problems | 4 out of 21 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 28 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 70 out of 198 dog breeds | 98 out of 198 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 |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 41 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | Not Common | 139 out of 182 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.
Is the English Setter Better for Apartment Owners than the Maltese?
English Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.
Malteses adapt very well to apartment living.
Tolerates Being Alone: English Setter versus Maltese
English Setters do not like to be left alone.
Malteses do not like to be left alone.
Which one drools more, the English Setter or the Maltese
English Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.
Malteses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Setter or the Maltese?
English Setters are OK for new dog owners.
Malteses are very good for new dog owners.
Can English Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
English Setters 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.
Do English Setters shed more than Malteses?
English Setters shed moderately.
Malteses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which is Easier to Groom, the English Setter or the Maltese?
English Setters are moderately easy to groom.
Malteses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Is the English Setter Easier to Train than the Maltese?
English Setters are fairly easy to train.
Malteses are very easy to train.
Can English Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
English Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.
Malteses cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Do English Setters Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
English Setters are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Malteses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Are English Setters good family dogs? What about Malteses?
English Setters 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 English Setters and Malteses?
English Setters 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 English Setter or the Maltese?
English Setters get along very well with other dogs.
Malteses get along very well with other dogs.
Does the English Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
English Setters 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.
Wanderlust Potential: English Setter vs. Maltese
English Setters 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.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Setter
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Setter 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 English Setter:
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 English Setter and how the Maltese compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Setter and of the Maltese to other breeds:
English Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds
English Setter versus Icelandic Sheepdog English Setter versus Beaglier English Setter versus German Shepherd Dog English Setter versus American Bulldog English Setter versus Karelian Bear Dog English Setter versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne English Setter versus Morkie English Setter versus Brittany English Setter versus Gordon Setter English Setter versus Cavachon
Maltese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Maltese versus Akita Maltese versus Cockapoo Maltese versus Tibetan Spaniel Maltese versus Giant Schnauzer Maltese versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Maltese versus Bernese Mountain Dog Maltese versus Norfolk Terrier Maltese versus Collie Maltese versus Kishu Ken Maltese versus German Pinscher
Conclusion: English Setter 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 English Setter and the Maltese better suits you and your family.