Which is Better between the Lancashire Heeler and the Maltese? A Very Detailed Review.

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Lancashire Heeler Versus Maltese: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler and the Maltese.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler or the Maltese.

Lancashire Heeler versus Maltese: Overview

Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Maltese are similar in size. The Lancashire Heeler and the Maltese are both tiny-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Lancashire Heeler 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.

Lancashire Heeler versus Maltese: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler and the Maltese

Factor Lancashire Heeler Maltese
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight 13 to 15 pounds Up to 7 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
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
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Life Span 9 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
Average Lifespan 11.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $200 $2580
Price Range $200 – $200 $1800 – $3000
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Maltese is 82 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Maltese is a better pet than the Lancashire Heeler. 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 Lancashire Heeler and the Maltese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Lancashire Heeler and the Maltese

    Below is a list of where the Lancashire Heeler and the Maltese are most different:

  • Lancashire Heelers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Malteses adapt well to apartment living.
  • Lancashire Heelers are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Malteses are good for new dog owners.
  • Lancashire Heelers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Malteses do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • The Similarities Between the Lancashire Heeler and the Maltese

    The Lancashire Heeler and the Maltese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Lancashire Heeler and the Maltese are most similar:

  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Maltese do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Maltese are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Maltese are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Maltese are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Maltese are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Maltese gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Maltese are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Maltese have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Maltese do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Maltese are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Lancashire Heeler versus Maltese

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Lancashire Heeler and the Maltese.

    Lancashire Heelers weigh 13 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Lancashire Heelers are 10 to 12 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 Lancashire Heeler versus Maltese

    The lifespan of Lancashire Heelers is between 9 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Lancashire Heelers is 11.5 years.

    The lifespan of Malteses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Malteses is 13.5 years.

    Malteses live longer than Lancashire Heelers.

    Price of Lancashire Heeler versus Price of Maltese

    The average price of the Lancashire Heeler puppy is $200. The price of the Lancashire Heeler typically ranges from $200 – $200. However, the price of a Lancashire Heeler can be as low as $200 and as high as $200. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 4 Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler.

    Lancashire Heeler Maltese
    Average Price $200 $2580
    Price Range $200 to $200 $1800 to $3000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Lancashire Heeler and Maltese. For different price points, the charts show how many Lancashire Heeler puppies or how many Maltese puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lancashire Heelers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lancashire Heelers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Malteses

    A breakdown of the prices of Malteses

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Lancashire Heeler 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.

    Adopting the Lancashire Heeler versus Adopting the Maltese

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Lancashire Heelers 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 Lancashire Heeler named Harvey that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Lancashire Heelers like Harvey on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Lancashire Heelers, Malteses are also available for adoption. For example, Kiki is a Male Maltese that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Malteses like Kiki that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Lancashire Heeler and the Maltese can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Badger is the name of another Lancashire Heeler (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more Lancashire Heelers and Malteses that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Health Problems of Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler.

    3 health tests are recommended for Lancashire Heeler while 3 tests are recommended for the Maltese.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Lancashire Heelers and in Malteses.

    Lancashire Heeler Health Problems

    Lancashire Heelers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heelers for:

  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lancashire Heelers 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:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Malteses here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Lancashire Heeler versus Maltese

    Lancashire Heelers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Malteses do not like to be left alone.

    Do Lancashire Heelers shed more than Malteses?

    Lancashire Heelers shed moderately.

    Malteses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Lancashire Heeler or the Maltese

    Lancashire Heelers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Malteses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Lancashire Heeler or the Maltese?

    Lancashire Heelers are very easy to groom.

    Malteses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Lancashire Heeler Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?

    Lancashire Heelers 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 Lancashire Heelers Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?

    Lancashire Heelers 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 Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Lancashire Heelers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Malteses cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lancashire Heeler vs. Maltese

    Lancashire Heelers 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 Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Lancashire Heelers 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 Lancashire Heeler or the Maltese?

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Malteses get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Lancashire Heelers good family dogs? What about Malteses?

    Lancashire Heelers 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 Lancashire Heelers and Malteses?

    Lancashire Heelers 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 Lancashire Heeler Easier to Train than the Maltese?

    Lancashire Heelers are fairly easy to train.

    Malteses are very easy to train.

    Is the Lancashire Heeler Better for Apartment Owners than the Maltese?

    Lancashire Heelers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Malteses adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Lancashire Heeler or the Maltese?

    Lancashire Heelers 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 Lancashire Heeler

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler:

  • Dalmatian (77 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Maltese vs Dalmatian.
  • Boxerdoodle (79 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Maltese vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Hovawart (77 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Maltese vs Hovawart.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maltese

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Maltese that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Maltese:

  • Pomapoo (80 percent match with Maltese). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Pomapoo.
  • Peek A Poo (81 percent match with Maltese). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Peek A Poo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Lancashire Heeler and how the Maltese compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Lancashire Heeler and of the Maltese to other breeds:

    Lancashire Heeler Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lancashire Heeler versus English Springer Spaniel     Lancashire Heeler versus Catahoula Bulldog     Lancashire Heeler versus Bernedoodle     Lancashire Heeler versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Lancashire Heeler versus Shih Tzu     Lancashire Heeler versus Puggle     Lancashire Heeler versus Scottish Deerhound     Lancashire Heeler versus Boxerdoodle     Lancashire Heeler versus Boerboel     Lancashire Heeler versus Shichon     Lancashire Heeler versus Basenji     Lancashire Heeler versus Alaskan Malamute     Lancashire Heeler versus Dachshund     Lancashire Heeler versus Lowchen     Lancashire Heeler versus Irish Setter     Lancashire Heeler versus Catahoula Bulldog     Lancashire Heeler versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Lancashire Heeler versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Lancashire Heeler versus Hovawart     Lancashire Heeler versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Lancashire Heeler versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Lancashire Heeler versus Beagle     Lancashire Heeler versus Labradoodle     Lancashire Heeler versus Beagle     Lancashire Heeler versus Collie     

    Maltese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Maltese versus Japanese Chin     Maltese versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Maltese versus Beagle     Maltese versus Stabyhoun     Maltese versus Miniature Schnauzer     Maltese versus Alaskan Malamute     Maltese versus Chihuahua     Maltese versus Newfoundland     Maltese versus Patterdale Terrier     Maltese versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Maltese versus Akbash     Maltese versus American Eskimo Dog     Maltese versus West Highland White Terrier     Maltese versus Bluetick Coonhound     Maltese versus Kooikerhondje     Maltese versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Maltese versus Brussels Griffon     Maltese versus Stabyhoun     Maltese versus Kishu Ken     Maltese versus Lhasapoo     Maltese versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Maltese versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Maltese versus Karelian Bear Dog     Maltese versus Lhasa Apso     Maltese versus Bullmastiff     

    Conclusion: Lancashire Heeler 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 Lancashire Heeler and the Maltese better suits you and your family.