Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Lagotto Romagnolo Versus Maltese: Introduction
- Lagotto Romagnolo versus Maltese: Overview
- Lagotto Romagnolo versus Maltese: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Lagotto Romagnolo and the Maltese
- The Similarities Between the Lagotto Romagnolo and the Maltese
- Size (Weight and Height) of Lagotto Romagnolo versus Maltese
- Lifespan of Lagotto Romagnolo versus Maltese
- Temperament of the Lagotto Romagnolo Versus the Maltese
- Price of Lagotto Romagnolo versus Price of Maltese
- The Popularity of Lagotto Romagnolo versus Popularity of Maltese
- Health Problems of Lagotto Romagnolo versus Health Problems of Maltese
- Tolerates Being Alone: Lagotto Romagnolo versus Maltese
- Do Lagotto Romagnolos shed more than Malteses?
- Which one drools more, the Lagotto Romagnolo or the Maltese
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Lagotto Romagnolo or the Maltese?
- Does the Lagotto Romagnolo Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
- Do Lagotto Romagnolos Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
- Can Lagotto Romagnolos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Lagotto Romagnolo vs. Maltese
- Can Lagotto Romagnolos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Lagotto Romagnolo or the Maltese?
- Are Lagotto Romagnolos good family dogs? What about Malteses?
- How Kid-friendly are Lagotto Romagnolos and Malteses?
- Is the Lagotto Romagnolo Easier to Train than the Maltese?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lagotto Romagnolo
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maltese
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Lagotto Romagnolo versus Maltese. Which One is a Better Pet?
Lagotto Romagnolo Versus Maltese: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo and the Maltese.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo or the Maltese.
Lagotto Romagnolo versus Maltese: Overview
A very important difference between the Lagotto Romagnolo and the Maltese is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Lagotto Romagnolo is a small-sized dog while the Maltese is a tiny-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Lagotto Romagnolo belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.
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.
Lagotto Romagnolo versus Maltese: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo and the Maltese
| Factor | Lagotto Romagnolo | Maltese |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 14 to 17 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 14 to 19 inches | 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 24 to 35 pounds | Up to 7 pounds |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 15.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $5210 | $2580 |
| Price Range | $4994 – $5819 | $1800 – $3000 |
| Temperament Score | 75.0 percent | 82.4 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | ||
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 101 | 33 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo is 80 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 Lagotto Romagnolo. 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 Lagotto Romagnolo and the Maltese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Lagotto Romagnolo and the Maltese
Below is a list of where the Lagotto Romagnolo and the Maltese are most different:
The Similarities Between the Lagotto Romagnolo and the Maltese
The Lagotto Romagnolo and the Maltese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Lagotto Romagnolo and the Maltese are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Lagotto Romagnolo versus Maltese
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Lagotto Romagnolo and the Maltese.
Lagotto Romagnolos weigh 24 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Lagotto Romagnolos are 14 to 19 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 Lagotto Romagnolo versus Maltese
The lifespan of Lagotto Romagnolos is between 14 to 17 years. The average lifespan of Lagotto Romagnolos is 15.5 years.
The lifespan of Malteses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Malteses is 13.5 years.
Lagotto Romagnolos live longer than Malteses.
Temperament of the Lagotto Romagnolo Versus the Maltese
The Maltese has a better temperament than the Lagotto Romagnolo.
This is because the temperament score for the Maltese is 82.4 percent while the temperament score for the Lagotto Romagnolo is 75.0 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 75.0 percent, the Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo and the Maltese by measuring the temperaments of 4 Lagotto Romagnolos and 17 Malteses.
Price of Lagotto Romagnolo versus Price of Maltese
The average price of the Lagotto Romagnolo puppy is $5210. The price of the Lagotto Romagnolo typically ranges from $4994 – $5819. However, the price of a Lagotto Romagnolo can be as low as $3850 and as high as $6100. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 12 Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo is more expensive than the Maltese.
`| Lagotto Romagnolo | Maltese | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $5210 | $2580 |
| Price Range | $4994 to $5819 | $1800 to $3000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Lagotto Romagnolo and Maltese. For different price points, the charts show how many Lagotto Romagnolo puppies or how many Maltese puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Lagotto Romagnolos. 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 Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo. 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 Lagotto Romagnolo is 101 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Lagotto Romagnolo
Popularity of Maltese
| Year | Lagotto Romagnolo Popularity Rank | Maltese Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 114.0 | 33 |
| 2017 | 117.0 | 33 |
| 2018 | 99.0 | 37 |
| 2019 | 90.0 | 36 |
| 2020 | 88.0 | 38 |
| 2013 | no data | 27 |
| 2014 | no data | 29 |
| 2015 | no data | 31 |
Health Problems of Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo is prone to more genetic health problems than the Maltese.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Lagotto Romagnolo than for the Maltese.
6 health tests are recommended for Lagotto Romagnolo while 3 tests are recommended for the Maltese.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Lagotto Romagnolos and in Malteses.
Lagotto Romagnolo Health Problems
Lagotto Romagnolos are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolos for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lagotto Romagnolos 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 Lagotto Romagnolos 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 Lagotto Romagnolo Breed is Dentition Database problems.
This is because the Lagotto Romagnolo ranks 8 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 65 Lagotto Romagnolos, 10 of them had Dentition Database problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Lagotto Romagnolos, and how common these diseases are in Lagotto Romagnolos 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 Lagotto Romagnolo and in Maltese and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Lagotto Romagnolo and the Maltese:
`| Disease | Lagotto Romagnolo Rank | Maltese Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Dentition Database problems | 8 out of 49 dog breeds | 16 out of 49 dog breeds |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 18 out of 71 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 33 out of 198 dog breeds | 98 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 56 out of 145 dog breeds | 41 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 110 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 145 out of 182 dog breeds | 139 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Legg-Calve-Perthes problems | Not Common | 6 out of 40 dog breeds |
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: Lagotto Romagnolo versus Maltese
Lagotto Romagnolos can be left alone only for a short time.
Malteses do not like to be left alone.
Do Lagotto Romagnolos shed more than Malteses?
Lagotto Romagnolos do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Malteses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Lagotto Romagnolo or the Maltese
Lagotto Romagnolos do have a very low tendency to drool.
Malteses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Lagotto Romagnolo or the Maltese?
Lagotto Romagnolos 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 Lagotto Romagnolo Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
Lagotto Romagnolos 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 Lagotto Romagnolos Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
Lagotto Romagnolos bark and howl, but not very much.
Malteses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Lagotto Romagnolos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
Lagotto Romagnolos can very well tolerate cold weather.
Malteses cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Lagotto Romagnolo vs. Maltese
Lagotto Romagnolos 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 Lagotto Romagnolos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
Lagotto Romagnolos 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 Lagotto Romagnolo or the Maltese?
Lagotto Romagnolos get along fairly well with other dogs.
Malteses get along very well with other dogs.
Are Lagotto Romagnolos good family dogs? What about Malteses?
Lagotto Romagnolos are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.
Malteses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Lagotto Romagnolos and Malteses?
Lagotto Romagnolos 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 Lagotto Romagnolo Easier to Train than the Maltese?
Lagotto Romagnolos are very easy to train.
Malteses are very easy to train.
Is the Lagotto Romagnolo Better for Apartment Owners than the Maltese?
Lagotto Romagnolos do not adapt well to apartment living.
Malteses adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Lagotto Romagnolo or the Maltese?
Lagotto Romagnolos are very good for new dog owners.
Malteses are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lagotto Romagnolo
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo:
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 Lagotto Romagnolo and how the Maltese compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Lagotto Romagnolo and of the Maltese to other breeds:
Lagotto Romagnolo Versus Other Dog Breeds
Lagotto Romagnolo versus Chorkie Lagotto Romagnolo versus Azawakh Lagotto Romagnolo versus Great Pyrenees Lagotto Romagnolo versus Samoyed Lagotto Romagnolo versus Lhasapoo Lagotto Romagnolo versus Clumber Spaniel Lagotto Romagnolo versus Japanese Chin Lagotto Romagnolo versus Japanese Spitz Lagotto Romagnolo versus Bearded Collie Lagotto Romagnolo versus Bernese Mountain Dog Lagotto Romagnolo versus Akita Lagotto Romagnolo versus Schipperke Lagotto Romagnolo versus Belgian Malinois Lagotto Romagnolo versus Cockalier Lagotto Romagnolo versus Aussiedoodle Lagotto Romagnolo versus Puggle Lagotto Romagnolo versus Black and Tan Coonhound Lagotto Romagnolo versus Sheepadoodle Lagotto Romagnolo versus French Bulldog Lagotto Romagnolo versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen Lagotto Romagnolo versus Border Terrier Lagotto Romagnolo versus Maltipoo Lagotto Romagnolo versus Bullmastiff Lagotto Romagnolo versus Havanese Lagotto Romagnolo versus MastiffMaltese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Maltese versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Maltese versus Afghan Hound Maltese versus Pyrenean Mastiff Maltese versus Miniature Schnauzer Maltese versus Dogo Argentino Maltese versus Shiba Inu Maltese versus Boxer Maltese versus American Hairless Terrier Maltese versus Portuguese Water Dog Maltese versus Yorkshire Terrier Maltese versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Maltese versus Brittany Maltese versus Papipoo Maltese versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog Maltese versus Manchester Terrier Maltese versus Dachshund Maltese versus Bullmastiff Maltese versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde Maltese versus Great Pyrenees Maltese versus Chi-Poo Maltese versus Beaglier Maltese versus Bolognese Maltese versus Cavapoo Maltese versus German Wirehaired Pointer Maltese versus Belgian MalinoisConclusion: Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo and the Maltese better suits you and your family.