Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Fila Brasileiro Versus Maltese: Introduction
- Fila Brasileiro versus Maltese: Overview
- Fila Brasileiro versus Maltese: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Fila Brasileiro and the Maltese
- The Similarities Between the Fila Brasileiro and the Maltese
- Size (Weight and Height) of Fila Brasileiro versus Maltese
- Temperament of the Fila Brasileiro Versus the Maltese
- Price of Fila Brasileiro versus Price of Maltese
- Adopting the Fila Brasileiro versus Adopting the Maltese
- Can Fila Brasileiros Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Fila Brasileiro or the Maltese?
- Do Fila Brasileiros shed more than Malteses?
- Is the Fila Brasileiro Easier to Train than the Maltese?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Fila Brasileiro versus Maltese
- Can Fila Brasileiros Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Are Fila Brasileiros good family dogs? What about Malteses?
- How Kid-friendly are Fila Brasileiros and Malteses?
- Which one drools more, the Fila Brasileiro or the Maltese
- Do Fila Brasileiros Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
- Wanderlust Potential: Fila Brasileiro vs. Maltese
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Fila Brasileiro or the Maltese?
- Does the Fila Brasileiro Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Fila Brasileiro
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maltese
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Fila Brasileiro versus Maltese. Which One is a Better Pet?
Fila Brasileiro Versus Maltese: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro and the Maltese.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro or the Maltese
Fila Brasileiro versus Maltese: Overview
A very important difference between the Fila Brasileiro and the Maltese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Fila Brasileiro is a giant-sized dog while the Maltese is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Fila Brasileiro 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.
Fila Brasileiro versus Maltese: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Fila Brasileiro 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 | Fila Brasileiro | Maltese |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 24 to 30 inches | 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 9 to 12 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Weight | 90 to 180 pounds | Up to 7 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 10.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1270 | $2580 |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1400 | $1800 – $3000 |
| Temperament Score | 78.6 percent | 82.4 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
|
*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 Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro is 62 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 Fila Brasileiro. 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 Fila Brasileiro and the Maltese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Fila Brasileiro and the Maltese
Below is a list of where the Fila Brasileiro and the Maltese are most different:
The Similarities Between the Fila Brasileiro and the Maltese
The Fila Brasileiro and the Maltese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Fila Brasileiro and the Maltese are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Fila Brasileiro versus Maltese
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Fila Brasileiro and the Maltese.
Fila Brasileiros weigh 90 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Fila Brasileiros are 24 to 30 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.
Temperament of the Fila Brasileiro Versus the Maltese
The Maltese has a better temperament than the Fila Brasileiro.
This is because the temperament score for the Maltese is 82.4 percent while the temperament score for the Fila Brasileiro is 78.6 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 78.6 percent, the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro and the Maltese by measuring the temperaments of 14 Fila Brasileiros and 17 Malteses.
Price of Fila Brasileiro versus Price of Maltese
The average price of the Fila Brasileiro puppy is $1270. The price of the Fila Brasileiro typically ranges from $1000 – $1400. However, the price of a Fila Brasileiro can be as low as $1000 and as high as $1800. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 3 Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro.
| Fila Brasileiro | Maltese | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1270 | $2580 |
| Price Range | $1000 to $1400 | $1800 to $3000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Fila Brasileiro and Maltese. For different price points, the charts show how many Fila Brasileiro puppies or how many Maltese puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Fila Brasileiros. 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 Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro versus Adopting the Maltese
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Fila Brasileiros 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 Fila Brasileiro named Maverick that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Fila Brasileiros like Maverick on pefinder.com.
Also, like Fila Brasileiros, Malteses are also available for adoption. For example, Tiger is a Male Maltese that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Malteses like Tiger that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Also Maltese – Zeus, an adorable Male Maltese on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Fila Brasileiros and Malteses that are available for adoption on petfinder.
Is the Fila Brasileiro Better for Apartment Owners than the Maltese?
Fila Brasileiros do not adapt well to apartment living.
Malteses adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Fila Brasileiro or the Maltese?
Fila Brasileiros are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Malteses are very good for new dog owners.
Can Fila Brasileiros Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
Fila Brasileiros cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Malteses cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Fila Brasileiro or the Maltese?
Fila Brasileiros do not get along well with other dogs.
Malteses get along very well with other dogs.
Do Fila Brasileiros shed more than Malteses?
Fila Brasileiros 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.
Is the Fila Brasileiro Easier to Train than the Maltese?
Fila Brasileiros are not easy to train.
Malteses are very easy to train.
Tolerates Being Alone: Fila Brasileiro versus Maltese
Fila Brasileiros can be left alone only for a short time.
Malteses do not like to be left alone.
Can Fila Brasileiros Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
Fila Brasileiros 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.
Are Fila Brasileiros good family dogs? What about Malteses?
Fila Brasileiros are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.
Malteses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Fila Brasileiros and Malteses?
Fila Brasileiros get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Malteses get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Which one drools more, the Fila Brasileiro or the Maltese
Fila Brasileiros drool moderately.
Malteses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Do Fila Brasileiros Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
Fila Brasileiros bark and howl, but not very much.
Malteses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Wanderlust Potential: Fila Brasileiro vs. Maltese
Fila Brasileiros 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 Easier to Groom, the Fila Brasileiro or the Maltese?
Fila Brasileiros are very easy to groom.
Malteses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Fila Brasileiro Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
Fila Brasileiros 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.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Fila Brasileiro
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro:
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 Fila Brasileiro and how the Maltese compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Fila Brasileiro and of the Maltese to other breeds:
Fila Brasileiro Versus Other Dog Breeds
Fila Brasileiro versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier Fila Brasileiro versus Pharaoh Hound Fila Brasileiro versus Briard Fila Brasileiro versus Pug Fila Brasileiro versus Braque du Bourbonnais Fila Brasileiro versus Bich Poo Fila Brasileiro versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Fila Brasileiro versus Pomeranian Fila Brasileiro versus Lancashire Heeler Fila Brasileiro versus Bloodhound
Maltese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Maltese versus Curly-Coated Retriever Maltese versus Great Pyrenees Maltese versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Maltese versus Boxer Maltese versus Bull Terrier Maltese versus Dutch Shepherd Maltese versus Dogue de Bordeaux Maltese versus German Wirehaired Pointer Maltese versus Saluki Maltese versus Cane Corso
Conclusion: Fila Brasileiro 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 Fila Brasileiro and the Maltese better suits you and your family.