Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Icelandic Sheepdog Versus Maltese: Introduction
- Icelandic Sheepdog versus Maltese: Overview
- Icelandic Sheepdog versus Maltese: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Maltese
- The Similarities Between the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Maltese
- Size (Weight and Height) of Icelandic Sheepdog versus Maltese
- Lifespan of Icelandic Sheepdog versus Maltese
- Temperament of the Maltese Versus the Icelandic Sheepdog
- Adopting the Icelandic Sheepdog versus Adopting the Maltese
- The Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog versus Popularity of Maltese
- Health Problems of Icelandic Sheepdog versus Health Problems of Maltese
- Tolerates Being Alone: Icelandic Sheepdog versus Maltese
- Do Icelandic Sheepdogs shed more than Malteses?
- Which one drools more, the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Maltese
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Maltese?
- Does the Icelandic Sheepdog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
- Do Icelandic Sheepdogs Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
- Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Icelandic Sheepdog vs. Maltese
- Can Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Maltese?
- Are Icelandic Sheepdogs good family dogs? What about Malteses?
- How Kid-friendly are Icelandic Sheepdogs and Malteses?
- Is the Icelandic Sheepdog Easier to Train than the Maltese?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maltese
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Icelandic Sheepdog versus Maltese. Which One is a Better Pet?
Icelandic Sheepdog Versus Maltese: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog and the Maltese.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog or the Maltese.
Icelandic Sheepdog versus Maltese: Overview
A very important difference between the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Maltese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Icelandic Sheepdog is a medium-sized dog while the Maltese is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Icelandic Sheepdog 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.
Icelandic Sheepdog versus Maltese: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog and the Maltese
| Factor | Icelandic Sheepdog | Maltese |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 14 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 16 to 18 inchestall at the shoulder | 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 20 to 30 pounds | Up to 7 pounds |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 14.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Price Range | No Data | $1800 – $3000 |
| Average Price | No Data | $2580 |
| Temperament Score | 100.0 percent | 82.4 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 145 | 33 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog is 68 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 Icelandic Sheepdog. 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 Icelandic Sheepdog and the Maltese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Maltese
Below is a list of where the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Maltese are most different:
The Similarities Between the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Maltese
The Icelandic Sheepdog and the Maltese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Maltese are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Icelandic Sheepdog versus Maltese
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Maltese.
Icelandic Sheepdogs weigh 20 to 30 pounds when fully grown. Icelandic Sheepdogs are 16 to 18 inchestall 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 Icelandic Sheepdog versus Maltese
The lifespan of Icelandic Sheepdogs is between 14 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Icelandic Sheepdogs is 14.5 years.
The lifespan of Malteses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Malteses is 13.5 years.
Icelandic Sheepdogs live longer than Malteses.
Temperament of the Maltese Versus the Icelandic Sheepdog
The Icelandic Sheepdog has a better temperament than the Maltese.
This is because the temperament score for the Icelandic Sheepdog is 100.0 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 100.0 percent, the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog and the Maltese by measuring the temperaments of 10 Icelandic Sheepdogs and 17 Malteses.
Adopting the Icelandic Sheepdog versus Adopting the Maltese
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdog named Elf that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Icelandic Sheepdogs like Elf on pefinder.com.
Also, like Icelandic Sheepdogs, Malteses are also available for adoption. For example, Astro is a Male Maltese that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Malteses like Astro that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Also, Carlos is an adorable Male Maltese on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Icelandic Sheepdogs and Malteses that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog. 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 Icelandic Sheepdog is 145 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Icelandic Sheepdog
Popularity of Maltese
| Year | Icelandic Sheepdog Popularity Rank | Maltese Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 142 | 27 |
| 2014 | 146 | 29 |
| 2015 | 140 | 31 |
| 2016 | 153 | 33 |
| 2017 | 144 | 33 |
| 2018 | 155 | 37 |
| 2019 | 132 | 36 |
| 2020 | 154 | 38 |
Health Problems of Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Maltese.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Icelandic Sheepdog than for the Maltese.
8 health tests are recommended for Icelandic Sheepdog while 3 tests are recommended for the Maltese.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Icelandic Sheepdogs and in Malteses.
Icelandic Sheepdog Health Problems
Icelandic Sheepdogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdogs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdog Breed is Hips problems.
This is because the Icelandic Sheepdog ranks 55 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 769 Icelandic Sheepdogs, 137 of them had Hips problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Icelandic Sheepdogs, and how common these diseases are in Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdog and in Maltese and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Maltese:
| Disease | Icelandic Sheepdog Rank | Maltese Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Hips problems | 55 out of 198 dog breeds | 98 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 149 out of 182 dog breeds | 139 out of 182 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: Icelandic Sheepdog versus Maltese
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.
Malteses do not like to be left alone.
Do Icelandic Sheepdogs shed more than Malteses?
Icelandic Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Malteses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Maltese
Icelandic Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Malteses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Maltese?
Icelandic Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Malteses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Icelandic Sheepdog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdogs Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
Icelandic Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Malteses cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Icelandic Sheepdog vs. Maltese
Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdog or the Maltese?
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not get along well with other dogs.
Malteses get along very well with other dogs.
Are Icelandic Sheepdogs good family dogs? What about Malteses?
Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdogs and Malteses?
Icelandic Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Malteses get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the Icelandic Sheepdog Easier to Train than the Maltese?
Icelandic Sheepdogs are fairly easy to train.
Malteses are very easy to train.
Is the Icelandic Sheepdog Better for Apartment Owners than the Maltese?
Icelandic Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Malteses adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Icelandic Sheepdog or the Maltese?
Icelandic Sheepdogs 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 Icelandic Sheepdog
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog:
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 Icelandic Sheepdog and how the Maltese compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Icelandic Sheepdog and of the Maltese to other breeds:
Icelandic Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds
Icelandic Sheepdog versus Welsh Terrier Icelandic Sheepdog versus Shiba Inu Icelandic Sheepdog versus German Longhaired Pointer Icelandic Sheepdog versus Chi-Poo Icelandic Sheepdog versus Goldador Icelandic Sheepdog versus Border Collie Icelandic Sheepdog versus Yorkipoo Icelandic Sheepdog versus Bich Poo Icelandic Sheepdog versus Black Russian Terrier Icelandic Sheepdog versus Pekingese Icelandic Sheepdog versus Leonberger Icelandic Sheepdog versus Dogue de Bordeaux Icelandic Sheepdog versus Finnish Lapphund Icelandic Sheepdog versus Saluki Icelandic Sheepdog versus American Bulldog Icelandic Sheepdog versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Icelandic Sheepdog versus Silky Terrier Icelandic Sheepdog versus Yorkshire Terrier Icelandic Sheepdog versus Patterdale Terrier Icelandic Sheepdog versus Plott Icelandic Sheepdog versus Bedlington Terrier Icelandic Sheepdog versus Akita Icelandic Sheepdog versus Cockalier Icelandic Sheepdog versus Bich Poo Icelandic Sheepdog versus Kai Ken
Maltese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Maltese versus Neapolitan Mastiff Maltese versus Giant Schnauzer Maltese versus Pomeranian Maltese versus Neapolitan Mastiff Maltese versus Shichon Maltese versus Saint Berdoodle Maltese versus Tibetan Terrier Maltese versus Yorkipoo Maltese versus West Highland White Terrier Maltese versus Bullmastiff Maltese versus Beaglier Maltese versus Boykin Spaniel Maltese versus Miniature Poodle Maltese versus Clumber Spaniel Maltese versus Cavachon Maltese versus Australian Kelpie Maltese versus Shih Tzu Maltese versus Mountain Cur Maltese versus Cocker Spaniel Maltese versus Havanese Maltese versus Bich Poo Maltese versus Hovawart Maltese versus Yorkipoo Maltese versus Papipoo Maltese versus Norwegian Buhund
Conclusion: Icelandic Sheepdog 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 Icelandic Sheepdog and the Maltese better suits you and your family.