Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Komondor Versus Maltese: Introduction
- Komondor versus Maltese: Overview
- Komondor versus Maltese: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Komondor and the Maltese
- The Similarities Between the Komondor and the Maltese
- Size (Weight and Height) of Komondor versus Maltese
- Lifespan of Komondor versus Maltese
- Temperament of the Maltese Versus the Komondor
- Price of Komondor versus Price of Maltese
- The Popularity of Komondor versus Popularity of Maltese
- Health Problems of Komondor versus Health Problems of Maltese
- Tolerates Being Alone: Komondor versus Maltese
- Do Komondors shed more than Malteses?
- Which one drools more, the Komondor or the Maltese
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Komondor or the Maltese?
- Does the Komondor Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
- Do Komondors Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
- Can Komondors Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Komondor vs. Maltese
- Can Komondors Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Komondor or the Maltese?
- Are Komondors good family dogs? What about Malteses?
- How Kid-friendly are Komondors and Malteses?
- Is the Komondor Easier to Train than the Maltese?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Komondor
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maltese
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Komondor versus Maltese. Which One is a Better Pet?
Komondor Versus Maltese: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Komondor 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 Komondor 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 Komondor and the Maltese.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Komondor 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 Komondor 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 Komondor 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 Komondor or the Maltese.
Komondor versus Maltese: Overview
A very important difference between the Komondor and the Maltese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Komondor is a large-sized dog while the Maltese is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Komondor 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.
Komondor versus Maltese: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Komondor 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 Komondor and the Maltese
| Factor | Komondor | Maltese |
|---|---|---|
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Height | 25 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 80 to 100 pounds | Up to 7 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $840 | $2580 |
| Price Range | $550 – $800 | $1800 – $3000 |
| Temperament Score | 90.0 percent | 82.4 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 170 | 33 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Komondor 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 Komondor is 70 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 Komondor. 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 Komondor and the Maltese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Komondor and the Maltese
Below is a list of where the Komondor and the Maltese are most different:
The Similarities Between the Komondor and the Maltese
The Komondor and the Maltese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Komondor and the Maltese are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Komondor versus Maltese
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Komondor and the Maltese.
Komondors weigh 80 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Komondors are 25 to 27 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 Komondor versus Maltese
The lifespan of Komondors is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Komondors is 11.0 years.
The lifespan of Malteses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Malteses is 13.5 years.
Malteses live longer than Komondors.
Temperament of the Maltese Versus the Komondor
The Komondor has a better temperament than the Maltese.
This is because the temperament score for the Komondor is 90.0 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 90.0 percent, the Komondor 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 Komondor and the Maltese by measuring the temperaments of 10 Komondors and 17 Malteses.
Price of Komondor versus Price of Maltese
The average price of the Komondor puppy is $840. The price of the Komondor typically ranges from $550 – $800. However, the price of a Komondor can be as low as $500 and as high as $1800. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 17 Komondor 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 Komondor.
| Komondor | Maltese | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $840 | $2580 |
| Price Range | $550 to $800 | $1800 to $3000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Komondor and Maltese. For different price points, the charts show how many Komondor puppies or how many Maltese puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Komondors. 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 Komondor 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.
The Popularity of Komondor 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 Komondor 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 Komondor. 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 Komondor is 170 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Komondor
Popularity of Maltese
| Year | Komondor Popularity Rank | Maltese Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 159 | 27 |
| 2014 | 168 | 29 |
| 2015 | 163 | 31 |
| 2016 | 177 | 33 |
| 2017 | 163 | 33 |
| 2018 | 173 | 37 |
| 2019 | 181 | 36 |
| 2020 | 178 | 38 |
Health Problems of Komondor 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 Komondor 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 Maltese is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Komondor.
3 health tests are recommended for Komondor while 3 tests are recommended for the Maltese.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Komondors and in Malteses.
Komondor Health Problems
Komondors are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Komondor 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 Komondor puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Komondor 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 Komondors for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Komondors 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 Komondors 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 Komondor Breed is Eyes problems.
This is because the Komondor ranks 19 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 54 Komondors, 1 of them had Eyes problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Komondors, and how common these diseases are in Komondors 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 Komondor and in Maltese and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Komondor and the Maltese:
| Disease | Komondor Rank | Maltese Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Eyes problems | 19 out of 182 dog breeds | 139 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 30 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 90 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: Komondor versus Maltese
Komondors do not like to be left alone.
Malteses do not like to be left alone.
Do Komondors shed more than Malteses?
Komondors shed moderately.
Malteses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Komondor or the Maltese
Komondors do have a very low tendency to drool.
Malteses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Komondor or the Maltese?
Komondors 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 Komondor Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
Komondors 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 Komondors Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
Komondors are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Malteses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Komondors Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
Komondors can very well tolerate cold weather.
Malteses cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Komondor vs. Maltese
Komondors 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 Komondors Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
Komondors 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 Komondor or the Maltese?
Komondors do not get along well with other dogs.
Malteses get along very well with other dogs.
Are Komondors good family dogs? What about Malteses?
Komondors 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 Komondors and Malteses?
Komondors 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 Komondor Easier to Train than the Maltese?
Komondors are very easy to train.
Malteses are very easy to train.
Is the Komondor Better for Apartment Owners than the Maltese?
Komondors do not adapt well to apartment living.
Malteses adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Komondor or the Maltese?
Komondors 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 Komondor
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Komondor 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 Komondor:
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 Komondor and how the Maltese compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Komondor and of the Maltese to other breeds:
Komondor Versus Other Dog Breeds
Komondor versus Great Dane Komondor versus Kerry Blue Terrier Komondor versus Korean Jindo Dog Komondor versus Standard Poodle Komondor versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Komondor versus Field Spaniel Komondor versus Manchester Terrier Komondor versus Chinook Komondor versus Dogue de Bordeaux Komondor versus Bloodhound Komondor versus Frenchton Komondor versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Komondor versus Shichon Komondor versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Komondor versus Goldador Komondor versus Standard Poodle Komondor versus Bulldog Komondor versus American Hairless Terrier Komondor versus Bearded Collie Komondor versus Whoodle Komondor versus Catahoula Bulldog Komondor versus King Shepherd Komondor versus Maltese Komondor versus Australian Kelpie Komondor versus Barbet
Maltese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Maltese versus Bouvier des Flandres Maltese versus Irish Water Spaniel Maltese versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Maltese versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Maltese versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Maltese versus Gordon Setter Maltese versus Great Dane Maltese versus German Longhaired Pointer Maltese versus Norwich Terrier Maltese versus Skye Terrier Maltese versus Miniature Poodle Maltese versus American Bulldog Maltese versus English Springer Spaniel Maltese versus Finnish Spitz Maltese versus Basset Hound Maltese versus Japanese Chin Maltese versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog Maltese versus Shichon Maltese versus Golden Cocker Retriever Maltese versus Shiba Inu Maltese versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Maltese versus Spinone Italiano Maltese versus Neapolitan Mastiff Maltese versus Kooikerhondje Maltese versus Shiba Inu
Conclusion: Komondor 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 Komondor and the Maltese better suits you and your family.