Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Kuvasz Versus Maltese: Introduction
- Kuvasz versus Maltese: Overview
- Kuvasz versus Maltese: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Kuvasz and the Maltese
- The Similarities Between the Kuvasz and the Maltese
- Size (Weight and Height) of Kuvasz versus Maltese
- Lifespan of Kuvasz versus Maltese
- Temperament of the Maltese Versus the Kuvasz
- Price of Kuvasz versus Price of Maltese
- The Intelligence of the Kuvasz versus the Intelligence of the Maltese
- The Popularity of Kuvasz versus Popularity of Maltese
- Health Problems of Kuvasz versus Health Problems of Maltese
- Tolerates Being Alone: Kuvasz versus Maltese
- Do Kuvaszs shed more than Malteses?
- Which one drools more, the Kuvasz or the Maltese
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Kuvasz or the Maltese?
- Does the Kuvasz Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
- Do Kuvaszs Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
- Can Kuvaszs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Kuvasz vs. Maltese
- Can Kuvaszs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Kuvasz or the Maltese?
- Are Kuvaszs good family dogs? What about Malteses?
- How Kid-friendly are Kuvaszs and Malteses?
- Is the Kuvasz Easier to Train than the Maltese?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Kuvasz
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maltese
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Kuvasz versus Maltese. Which One is a Better Pet?
Kuvasz Versus Maltese: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Kuvasz 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 Kuvasz 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 Kuvasz and the Maltese.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Kuvasz 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 Kuvasz 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 Kuvasz 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 Kuvasz or the Maltese.
Kuvasz versus Maltese: Overview
A very important difference between the Kuvasz and the Maltese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Kuvasz is a giant-sized dog while the Maltese is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Kuvasz 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.
Kuvasz versus Maltese: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Kuvasz 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 Kuvasz and the Maltese
| Factor | Kuvasz | Maltese |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 26 to 30 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Does NOT Drool | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 70 to 115 pounds | Up to 7 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1630 | $2580 |
| Price Range | $1438 – $1812 | $1800 – $3000 |
| Temperament Score | 78.4 percent | 82.4 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 161 | 33 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 42 | 59 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Kuvasz 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 Kuvasz is 66 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 Kuvasz. 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 Kuvasz and the Maltese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Kuvasz and the Maltese
Below is a list of where the Kuvasz and the Maltese are most different:
The Similarities Between the Kuvasz and the Maltese
The Kuvasz and the Maltese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Kuvasz and the Maltese are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Kuvasz versus Maltese
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Kuvasz and the Maltese.
Kuvaszs weigh 70 to 115 pounds when fully grown. Kuvaszs are 26 to 30 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 Kuvasz versus Maltese
The lifespan of Kuvaszs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Kuvaszs 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 Kuvaszs.
Temperament of the Maltese Versus the Kuvasz
The Maltese has a better temperament than the Kuvasz.
This is because the temperament score for the Maltese is 82.4 percent while the temperament score for the Kuvasz is 78.4 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 78.4 percent, the Kuvasz 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 Kuvasz and the Maltese by measuring the temperaments of 51 Kuvaszs and 17 Malteses.
Price of Kuvasz versus Price of Maltese
The average price of the Kuvasz puppy is $1630. The price of the Kuvasz typically ranges from $1438 – $1812. However, the price of a Kuvasz can be as low as $1250 and as high as $2000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2 Kuvasz 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 Kuvasz.
| Kuvasz | Maltese | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1630 | $2580 |
| Price Range | $1438 to $1812 | $1800 to $3000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Kuvasz and Maltese. For different price points, the charts show how many Kuvasz puppies or how many Maltese puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Kuvaszs. 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 Kuvasz 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 Intelligence of the Kuvasz versus the Intelligence of the Maltese
| Kuvasz | Maltese | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 42 out of 130 dog breeds | 59 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions | Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 Repetitions! |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Kuvasz has an obedience intelligence rank of 42 out of 130 dog breeds. The Kuvasz belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Kuvaszs tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Maltese has an obedience intelligence rank of 59 out of 130 dog breeds. The Maltese belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Malteses tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.
The Kuvasz is more intelligent than the Maltese.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Kuvasz 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 Kuvasz 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 Kuvasz. 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 Kuvasz is 161 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Kuvasz
Popularity of Maltese
| Year | Kuvasz Popularity Rank | Maltese Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 150 | 27 |
| 2014 | 161 | 29 |
| 2015 | 150 | 31 |
| 2016 | 165 | 33 |
| 2017 | 157 | 33 |
| 2018 | 163 | 37 |
| 2019 | 166 | 36 |
| 2020 | 177 | 38 |
Health Problems of Kuvasz 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 Kuvasz 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 Kuvasz is prone to more genetic health problems than the Maltese.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Kuvasz than for the Maltese.
7 health tests are recommended for Kuvasz while 3 tests are recommended for the Maltese.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Kuvaszs and in Malteses.
Kuvasz Health Problems
Kuvaszs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Kuvasz 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 Kuvasz puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Kuvasz 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 Kuvaszs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Kuvaszs 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 Kuvaszs 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 Kuvasz Breed is Thyroid problems.
This is because the Kuvasz ranks 7 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 434 Kuvaszs, 51 of them had Thyroid problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Kuvaszs, and how common these diseases are in Kuvaszs 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 Kuvasz and in Maltese and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Kuvasz and the Maltese:
| Disease | Kuvasz Rank | Maltese Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Thyroid problems | 7 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 25 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 52 out of 198 dog breeds | 98 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 64 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Patella problems | 124 out of 145 dog breeds | 41 out of 145 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 |
| Eyes problems | Not Common | 139 out of 182 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: Kuvasz versus Maltese
Kuvaszs do not like to be left alone.
Malteses do not like to be left alone.
Do Kuvaszs shed more than Malteses?
Kuvaszs 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 Kuvasz or the Maltese
Kuvaszs drool moderately.
Malteses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Kuvasz or the Maltese?
Kuvaszs are very easy to groom.
Malteses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Kuvasz Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
Kuvaszs 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 Kuvaszs Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
Kuvaszs bark and howl, but not very much.
Malteses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Kuvaszs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
Kuvaszs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Malteses cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Kuvasz vs. Maltese
Kuvaszs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get 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 Kuvaszs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
Kuvaszs 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.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Kuvasz or the Maltese?
Kuvaszs do not get along well with other dogs.
Malteses get along very well with other dogs.
Are Kuvaszs good family dogs? What about Malteses?
Kuvaszs 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 Kuvaszs and Malteses?
Kuvaszs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Malteses get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the Kuvasz Easier to Train than the Maltese?
Kuvaszs are not easy to train.
Malteses are very easy to train.
Is the Kuvasz Better for Apartment Owners than the Maltese?
Kuvaszs do not adapt well to apartment living.
Malteses adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Kuvasz or the Maltese?
Kuvaszs 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 Kuvasz
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Kuvasz 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 Kuvasz:
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 Kuvasz and how the Maltese compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Kuvasz and of the Maltese to other breeds:
Kuvasz Versus Other Dog Breeds
Kuvasz versus Redbone Coonhound Kuvasz versus Weimaraner Kuvasz versus Welsh Terrier Kuvasz versus Dalmatian Kuvasz versus Vizsla Kuvasz versus Shihpoo Kuvasz versus American Hairless Terrier Kuvasz versus Ibizan Hound Kuvasz versus Irish Wolfhound Kuvasz versus Dutch Shepherd Kuvasz versus Lhasa Apso Kuvasz versus Great Pyrenees Kuvasz versus Pomchi Kuvasz versus Norwich Terrier Kuvasz versus Dalmatian Kuvasz versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Kuvasz versus Komondor Kuvasz versus Belgian Tervuren Kuvasz versus Leonberger Kuvasz versus Samoyed Kuvasz versus Maltese Kuvasz versus Airedale Terrier Kuvasz versus Maltese Kuvasz versus Dutch Shepherd Kuvasz versus Black Russian Terrier
Maltese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Maltese versus Aussiedoodle Maltese versus Akbash Maltese versus English Toy Spaniel Maltese versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Maltese versus Harrier Maltese versus Toy Poodle Maltese versus Rhodesian Ridgeback Maltese versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Maltese versus Barbet Maltese versus Black and Tan Coonhound Maltese versus Scottish Terrier Maltese versus French Spaniel Maltese versus Newfoundland Maltese versus German Shepherd Dog Maltese versus Kuvasz Maltese versus Leonberger Maltese versus Chow Chow Maltese versus Scottish Terrier Maltese versus Shiranian Maltese versus Schipperke Maltese versus Goldendoodle Maltese versus English Setter Maltese versus Chinook Maltese versus Cockapoo Maltese versus Skye Terrier
Conclusion: Kuvasz 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 Kuvasz and the Maltese better suits you and your family.