Quick Links: Table of Contents
- German Pinscher Versus Maltese: Introduction
- German Pinscher versus Maltese: Overview
- German Pinscher versus Maltese: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Pinscher and the Maltese
- The Similarities Between the German Pinscher and the Maltese
- Size (Weight and Height) of German Pinscher versus Maltese
- Lifespan of German Pinscher versus Maltese
- Temperament of the German Pinscher Versus the Maltese
- Price of German Pinscher versus Price of Maltese
- Adopting the German Pinscher versus Adopting the Maltese
- The Popularity of German Pinscher versus Popularity of Maltese
- Health Problems of German Pinscher versus Health Problems of Maltese
- Tolerates Being Alone: German Pinscher versus Maltese
- Do German Pinschers shed more than Malteses?
- Which one drools more, the German Pinscher or the Maltese
- Which is Easier to Groom, the German Pinscher or the Maltese?
- Does the German Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
- Do German Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
- Can German Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: German Pinscher vs. Maltese
- Can German Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Pinscher or the Maltese?
- Are German Pinschers good family dogs? What about Malteses?
- How Kid-friendly are German Pinschers and Malteses?
- Is the German Pinscher Easier to Train than the Maltese?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Pinscher
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maltese
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: German Pinscher versus Maltese. Which One is a Better Pet?
German Pinscher Versus Maltese: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Maltese.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher or the Maltese.
German Pinscher versus Maltese: Overview
A very important difference between the German Pinscher and the Maltese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The German Pinscher is a medium-sized dog while the Maltese is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the German Pinscher 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.
German Pinscher versus Maltese: Comparison Table
The table below compares the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Maltese
| Factor | German Pinscher | Maltese |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 14 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 25 to 45 pounds | Up to 7 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 13.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $2040 | $2580 |
| Price Range | $1150 – $2688 | $1800 – $3000 |
| Temperament Score | 91.9 percent | 82.4 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 135 | 33 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher is 78 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 German Pinscher. 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 German Pinscher and the Maltese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Pinscher and the Maltese
Below is a list of where the German Pinscher and the Maltese are most different:
The Similarities Between the German Pinscher and the Maltese
The German Pinscher and the Maltese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the German Pinscher and the Maltese are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of German Pinscher versus Maltese
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Pinscher and the Maltese.
German Pinschers weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. German Pinschers 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.
Lifespan of German Pinscher versus Maltese
The lifespan of German Pinschers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Pinschers is 13.0 years.
The lifespan of Malteses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Malteses is 13.5 years.
Malteses live longer than German Pinschers.
Temperament of the German Pinscher Versus the Maltese
The German Pinscher has a better temperament than the Maltese.
This is because the temperament score for the German Pinscher is 91.9 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 91.9 percent, the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Maltese by measuring the temperaments of 37 German Pinschers and 17 Malteses.
Price of German Pinscher versus Price of Maltese
The average price of the German Pinscher puppy is $2040. The price of the German Pinscher typically ranges from $1150 – $2688. However, the price of a German Pinscher can be as low as $500 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 10 German Pinscher 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 the 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 German Pinscher.
| German Pinscher | Maltese | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2040 | $2580 |
| Price Range | $1150 to $2688 | $1800 to $3000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the German Pinscher and Maltese. For different price points, the charts show how many German Pinscher puppies or how many Maltese puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of German Pinschers. 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 German Pinscher 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.
Adopting the German Pinscher versus Adopting the Maltese
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many German Pinschers 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 German Pinscher named Skeeter that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable German Pinschers like Skeeter on pefinder.com.
Also, like German Pinschers, Malteses are also available for adoption. For example, Ivan is a Male Maltese that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Malteses like Ivan that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Remi is the name of another German Pinscher (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Woodrow is an adorable Male Maltese on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more German Pinschers and Malteses that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher. 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 German Pinscher is 135 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of German Pinscher
Popularity of Maltese
| Year | German Pinscher Popularity Rank | Maltese Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 130 | 27 |
| 2014 | 141 | 29 |
| 2015 | 138 | 31 |
| 2016 | 146 | 33 |
| 2017 | 136 | 33 |
| 2018 | 134 | 37 |
| 2019 | 123 | 36 |
| 2020 | 139 | 38 |
Health Problems of German Pinscher versus Health Problems of Maltese
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.
Both the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher is prone to more genetic health problems than the Maltese.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the German Pinscher than for the Maltese.
4 health tests are recommended for German Pinscher while 3 tests are recommended for the Maltese.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in German Pinschers and in Malteses.
German Pinscher Health Problems
German Pinschers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your German Pinscher 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 German Pinschers for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for German Pinschers 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 German Pinschers 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 German Pinscher Breed is Advanced Cardiac problems.
This is because the German Pinscher ranks 11 out of 71 dog breeds for Advanced Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 77 German Pinschers, 2 of them had Advanced Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in German Pinschers, and how common these diseases are in German Pinschers 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 German Pinscher and in Maltese and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the German Pinscher and the Maltese:
| Disease | German Pinscher Rank | Maltese Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 11 out of 71 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 15 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 56 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 95 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 110 out of 182 dog breeds | 139 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 196 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 |
*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: German Pinscher versus Maltese
German Pinschers can be left alone only for a short time.
Malteses do not like to be left alone.
Do German Pinschers shed more than Malteses?
German Pinschers shed moderately.
Malteses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the German Pinscher or the Maltese
German Pinschers do have a very low tendency to drool.
Malteses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the German Pinscher or the Maltese?
German Pinschers are very easy to groom.
Malteses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the German Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
German Pinschers 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.
Do German Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
German Pinschers bark and howl, but not very much.
Malteses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can German Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
German Pinschers can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Malteses cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: German Pinscher vs. Maltese
German Pinschers 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 German Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
German Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.
Malteses can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Pinscher or the Maltese?
German Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.
Malteses get along very well with other dogs.
Are German Pinschers good family dogs? What about Malteses?
German Pinschers 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 German Pinschers and Malteses?
German Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Malteses get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the German Pinscher Easier to Train than the Maltese?
German Pinschers are very easy to train.
Malteses are very easy to train.
Is the German Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Maltese?
German Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Malteses adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the German Pinscher or the Maltese?
German Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.
Malteses are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Pinscher
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher:
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 German Pinscher and how the Maltese compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the German Pinscher and of the Maltese to other breeds:
German Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds
German Pinscher versus Schipperke German Pinscher versus Scottish Terrier German Pinscher versus Tibetan Mastiff German Pinscher versus Whoodle German Pinscher versus Bolognese German Pinscher versus American Pit Bull Terrier German Pinscher versus German Shorthaired Pointer German Pinscher versus Kerry Blue Terrier German Pinscher versus Cesky Terrier German Pinscher versus Estrela Mountain Dog German Pinscher versus Cockapoo German Pinscher versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog German Pinscher versus Norwich Terrier German Pinscher versus Papipoo German Pinscher versus Pomchi German Pinscher versus Whippet German Pinscher versus Silky Terrier German Pinscher versus Schnoodle German Pinscher versus Canaan Dog German Pinscher versus Miniature Schnauzer German Pinscher versus Redbone Coonhound German Pinscher versus Afador German Pinscher versus Mal Shi German Pinscher versus Portuguese Pointer German Pinscher versus Bullmastiff
Maltese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Maltese versus Cesky Terrier Maltese versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier Maltese versus Irish Setter Maltese versus Goldendoodle Maltese versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Maltese versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Maltese versus Bergamasco Sheepdog Maltese versus Bloodhound Maltese versus Lowchen Maltese versus Korean Jindo Dog Maltese versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Maltese versus Cockalier Maltese versus Chow Chow Maltese versus Boykin Spaniel Maltese versus Scottish Terrier Maltese versus Skye Terrier Maltese versus Bull Terrier Maltese versus Alaskan Klee Kai Maltese versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Maltese versus Mastiff Maltese versus Beagle Maltese versus Japanese Chin Maltese versus Shichon Maltese versus Irish Setter Maltese versus Australian Kelpie
Conclusion: German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Maltese better suits you and your family.