Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Finnish Lapphund Versus Maltese: Introduction
- Finnish Lapphund versus Maltese: Overview
- Finnish Lapphund versus Maltese: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Finnish Lapphund and the Maltese
- The Similarities Between the Finnish Lapphund and the Maltese
- Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Lapphund versus Maltese
- Temperament of the Maltese Versus the Finnish Lapphund
- The Popularity of Finnish Lapphund versus Popularity of Maltese
- Health Problems of Finnish Lapphund versus Health Problems of Maltese
- Which one drools more, the Finnish Lapphund or the Maltese
- Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Lapphund versus Maltese
- Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Do Finnish Lapphunds shed more than Malteses?
- Do Finnish Lapphunds Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Lapphund or the Maltese?
- Does the Finnish Lapphund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
- Wanderlust Potential: Finnish Lapphund vs. Maltese
- Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Are Finnish Lapphunds good family dogs? What about Malteses?
- How Kid-friendly are Finnish Lapphunds and Malteses?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Finnish Lapphund or the Maltese?
- Is the Finnish Lapphund Easier to Train than the Maltese?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Lapphund
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maltese
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Finnish Lapphund versus Maltese. Which One is a Better Pet?
Finnish Lapphund Versus Maltese: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund and the Maltese.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund or the Maltese
Finnish Lapphund versus Maltese: Overview
A very important difference between the Finnish Lapphund and the Maltese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Finnish Lapphund is a medium-sized dog while the Maltese is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Finnish Lapphund belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
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.
Finnish Lapphund versus Maltese: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Finnish Lapphund 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 | Finnish Lapphund | Maltese |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 33 to 53 pounds | Up to 7 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1800 – $3000 |
| Average Price | No Data | $2580 |
| Temperament Score | 62.5 percent | 82.4 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 168 | 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 Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund is 84 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Maltese is 82 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Finnish Lapphund is a better pet than the Maltese. So, you should get the Finnish Lapphund!
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 Finnish Lapphund and the Maltese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Finnish Lapphund and the Maltese
Below is a list of where the Finnish Lapphund and the Maltese are most different:
The Similarities Between the Finnish Lapphund and the Maltese
The Finnish Lapphund and the Maltese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Finnish Lapphund and the Maltese are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Lapphund versus Maltese
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Finnish Lapphund and the Maltese.
Finnish Lapphunds weigh 33 to 53 pounds when fully grown. Finnish Lapphunds are 17 to 20 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.
Temperament of the Maltese Versus the Finnish Lapphund
The Maltese has a better temperament than the Finnish Lapphund.
This is because the temperament score for the Maltese is 82.4 percent while the temperament score for the Finnish Lapphund is 62.5 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 62.5 percent, the Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund and the Maltese by measuring the temperaments of 8 Finnish Lapphunds and 17 Malteses.
The Popularity of Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund. 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 Finnish Lapphund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Finnish Lapphund
Popularity of Maltese
| Year | Finnish Lapphund Popularity Rank | Maltese Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 171 | 27 |
| 2014 | 173 | 29 |
| 2015 | 169 | 31 |
| 2016 | 173 | 33 |
| 2017 | 173 | 33 |
| 2018 | 161 | 37 |
| 2019 | 165 | 36 |
| 2020 | 165 | 38 |
Health Problems of Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund is prone to more genetic health problems than the Maltese.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Finnish Lapphund than for the Maltese.
6 health tests are recommended for Finnish Lapphund while 3 tests are recommended for the Maltese.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Finnish Lapphunds and in Malteses.
Finnish Lapphund Health Problems
Finnish Lapphunds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphunds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Finnish Lapphunds 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 Finnish Lapphunds 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 Finnish Lapphund Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Finnish Lapphund ranks 74 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 160 Finnish Lapphunds, 3 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Finnish Lapphunds, and how common these diseases are in Finnish Lapphunds 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 Finnish Lapphund and in Maltese and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Finnish Lapphund and the Maltese:
| Disease | Finnish Lapphund Rank | Maltese Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 74 out of 145 dog breeds | 41 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 86 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 90 out of 182 dog breeds | 139 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 119 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 |
*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.
Which one drools more, the Finnish Lapphund or the Maltese
Finnish Lapphunds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Malteses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Lapphund versus Maltese
Finnish Lapphunds do not like to be left alone.
Malteses do not like to be left alone.
Can Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
Finnish Lapphunds 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.
Do Finnish Lapphunds shed more than Malteses?
Finnish Lapphunds shed moderately.
Malteses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Do Finnish Lapphunds Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
Finnish Lapphunds bark and howl, but not very much.
Malteses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Is the Finnish Lapphund Better for Apartment Owners than the Maltese?
Finnish Lapphunds adapt very well to apartment living.
Malteses adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Finnish Lapphund or the Maltese?
Finnish Lapphunds are very good for new dog owners.
Malteses are very good for new dog owners.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Lapphund or the Maltese?
Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to groom.
Malteses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Finnish Lapphund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
Finnish Lapphunds 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: Finnish Lapphund vs. Maltese
Finnish Lapphunds 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 Finnish Lapphunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
Finnish Lapphunds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Malteses cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Are Finnish Lapphunds good family dogs? What about Malteses?
Finnish Lapphunds 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 Finnish Lapphunds and Malteses?
Finnish Lapphunds 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 Finnish Lapphund or the Maltese?
Finnish Lapphunds get along very well with other dogs.
Malteses get along very well with other dogs.
Is the Finnish Lapphund Easier to Train than the Maltese?
Finnish Lapphunds are very easy to train.
Malteses are very easy to train.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Lapphund
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund:
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 Finnish Lapphund and how the Maltese compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Finnish Lapphund and of the Maltese to other breeds:
Finnish Lapphund Versus Other Dog Breeds
Finnish Lapphund versus Chi-Poo Finnish Lapphund versus Braque du Bourbonnais Finnish Lapphund versus Boxerdoodle Finnish Lapphund versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Finnish Lapphund versus Black Mouth Cur Finnish Lapphund versus Mal Shi Finnish Lapphund versus Shiranian Finnish Lapphund versus Chow Chow Finnish Lapphund versus English Cocker Spaniel Finnish Lapphund versus Bichon Frise
Maltese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Maltese versus Braque du Bourbonnais Maltese versus Pomeranian Maltese versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Maltese versus Chinook Maltese versus Westiepoo Maltese versus Bull Terrier Maltese versus Lhasapoo Maltese versus American Pit Bull Terrier Maltese versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Maltese versus French Spaniel
Conclusion: Finnish Lapphund 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 Finnish Lapphund and the Maltese better suits you and your family.