Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Hovawart Versus Maltese: Introduction
- Hovawart versus Maltese: Overview
- Hovawart versus Maltese: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Hovawart and the Maltese
- The Similarities Between the Hovawart and the Maltese
- Size (Weight and Height) of Hovawart versus Maltese
- Lifespan of Hovawart versus Maltese
- Temperament of the Maltese Versus the Hovawart
- Tolerates Being Alone: Hovawart versus Maltese
- Do Hovawarts shed more than Malteses?
- Which one drools more, the Hovawart or the Maltese
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Hovawart or the Maltese?
- Does the Hovawart Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
- Do Hovawarts Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
- Can Hovawarts Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Hovawart vs. Maltese
- Can Hovawarts Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Hovawart or the Maltese?
- Are Hovawarts good family dogs? What about Malteses?
- How Kid-friendly are Hovawarts and Malteses?
- Is the Hovawart Easier to Train than the Maltese?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Hovawart
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maltese
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Hovawart versus Maltese. Which One is a Better Pet?
Hovawart Versus Maltese: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Hovawart 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 Hovawart 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 Hovawart and the Maltese.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Hovawart 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 Hovawart 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 Hovawart 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 Hovawart or the Maltese.
Hovawart versus Maltese: Overview
A very important difference between the Hovawart and the Maltese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Hovawart is a large-sized dog while the Maltese is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Hovawart 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.
Hovawart versus Maltese: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Hovawart 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 Hovawart and the Maltese
| Factor | Hovawart | Maltese |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 14 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Good For Novice Owners | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 23 to 29 inches | 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 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 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 55 to 110 pounds | Up to 7 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1800 – $3000 |
| Average Price | No Data | $2580 |
| Temperament Score | 91.7 percent | 82.4 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
|
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Hovawart 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 Hovawart 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 Hovawart. 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 Hovawart and the Maltese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Hovawart and the Maltese
Below is a list of where the Hovawart and the Maltese are most different:
The Similarities Between the Hovawart and the Maltese
The Hovawart and the Maltese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Hovawart and the Maltese are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Hovawart versus Maltese
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Hovawart and the Maltese.
Hovawarts weigh 55 to 110 pounds when fully grown. Hovawarts are 23 to 29 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.
Lifespan of Hovawart versus Maltese
The lifespan of Hovawarts is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Hovawarts is 12.0 years.
The lifespan of Malteses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Malteses is 13.5 years.
Malteses live longer than Hovawarts.
Temperament of the Maltese Versus the Hovawart
The Hovawart has a better temperament than the Maltese.
This is because the temperament score for the Hovawart is 91.7 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 91.7 percent, the Hovawart 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 Hovawart and the Maltese by measuring the temperaments of 24 Hovawarts and 17 Malteses.
Tolerates Being Alone: Hovawart versus Maltese
Hovawarts do not like to be left alone.
Malteses do not like to be left alone.
Do Hovawarts shed more than Malteses?
Hovawarts shed moderately.
Malteses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Hovawart or the Maltese
Hovawarts do have a very low tendency to drool.
Malteses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Hovawart or the Maltese?
Hovawarts are very easy to groom.
Malteses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Hovawart Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
Hovawarts have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Malteses have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Do Hovawarts Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
Hovawarts are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Malteses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Hovawarts Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
Hovawarts can very well tolerate cold weather.
Malteses cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Hovawart vs. Maltese
Hovawarts do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Malteses do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Can Hovawarts Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
Hovawarts 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.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Hovawart or the Maltese?
Hovawarts do not get along well with other dogs.
Malteses get along very well with other dogs.
Are Hovawarts good family dogs? What about Malteses?
Hovawarts 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 Hovawarts and Malteses?
Hovawarts get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Malteses get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the Hovawart Easier to Train than the Maltese?
Hovawarts are not easy to train.
Malteses are very easy to train.
Is the Hovawart Better for Apartment Owners than the Maltese?
Hovawarts do not adapt well to apartment living.
Malteses adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Hovawart or the Maltese?
Hovawarts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Malteses are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Hovawart
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Hovawart 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 Hovawart:
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 Hovawart and how the Maltese compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Hovawart and of the Maltese to other breeds:
Hovawart Versus Other Dog Breeds
Hovawart versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Hovawart versus French Bulldog Hovawart versus Australian Shepherd Hovawart versus Chinese Crested Hovawart versus Belgian Malinois Hovawart versus Sussex Spaniel Hovawart versus Cockalier Hovawart versus Patterdale Terrier Hovawart versus Barbet Hovawart versus Spanish Mastiff Hovawart versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Hovawart versus Cavapoo Hovawart versus Flat-Coated Retriever Hovawart versus Bedlington Terrier Hovawart versus Curly-Coated Retriever Hovawart versus Australian Kelpie Hovawart versus Saint Bernard Hovawart versus Black and Tan Coonhound Hovawart versus Canaan Dog Hovawart versus Boston Terrier Hovawart versus Karelian Bear Dog Hovawart versus Lowchen Hovawart versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Hovawart versus Papillon Hovawart versus Norwegian Lundehund
Maltese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Maltese versus Cavapoo Maltese versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Maltese versus English Setter Maltese versus Field Spaniel Maltese versus Basset Hound Maltese versus Bedlington Terrier Maltese versus Maremma Sheepdog Maltese versus Schnoodle Maltese versus Greyhound Maltese versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Maltese versus Chow Chow Maltese versus Pekingese Maltese versus English Toy Spaniel Maltese versus Chinook Maltese versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Maltese versus German Wirehaired Pointer Maltese versus Karelian Bear Dog Maltese versus Saluki Maltese versus Boxer Maltese versus Jack Russell Terrier Maltese versus Standard Schnauzer Maltese versus Belgian Malinois Maltese versus Whoodle Maltese versus Lancashire Heeler Maltese versus Bulldog
Conclusion: Hovawart 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 Hovawart and the Maltese better suits you and your family.