Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Lowchen Versus Maltese: Introduction
- Lowchen versus Maltese: Overview
- Lowchen versus Maltese: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Lowchen and the Maltese
- The Similarities Between the Lowchen and the Maltese
- Size (Weight and Height) of Lowchen versus Maltese
- Lifespan of Lowchen versus Maltese
- Temperament of the Maltese Versus the Lowchen
- Price of Lowchen versus Price of Maltese
- The Popularity of Lowchen versus Popularity of Maltese
- Health Problems of Lowchen versus Health Problems of Maltese
- Tolerates Being Alone: Lowchen versus Maltese
- Do Lowchens shed more than Malteses?
- Which one drools more, the Lowchen or the Maltese
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Lowchen or the Maltese?
- Does the Lowchen Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
- Do Lowchens Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
- Can Lowchens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Lowchen vs. Maltese
- Can Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Lowchen or the Maltese?
- Are Lowchens good family dogs? What about Malteses?
- How Kid-friendly are Lowchens and Malteses?
- Is the Lowchen Easier to Train than the Maltese?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lowchen
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maltese
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Lowchen versus Maltese. Which One is a Better Pet?
Lowchen Versus Maltese: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Lowchen 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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen and the Maltese.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Lowchen 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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen or the Maltese.
Lowchen versus Maltese: Overview
Both the Lowchen and the Maltese are similar in size. The Lowchen and the Maltese are both tiny-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Lowchen and the Maltese are Companion Dogs. This means both the Lowchen and the Maltese 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.
Lowchen versus Maltese: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Lowchen 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 Lowchen and the Maltese
| Factor | Lowchen | Maltese |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Height | 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder | 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 13 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Weight | 9 to 18 pounds | Up to 7 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 14.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $2870 | $2580 |
| Price Range | $1642 – $4500 | $1800 – $3000 |
| Temperament Score | 75.0 percent | 82.4 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 163 | 33 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Lowchen 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 Lowchen is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Maltese is 82 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lowchen is a better pet than the Maltese. So, you should get the Lowchen!
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 Lowchen and the Maltese so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Lowchen and the Maltese
Below is a list of where the Lowchen and the Maltese are most different:
The Similarities Between the Lowchen and the Maltese
The Lowchen and the Maltese are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Lowchen and the Maltese are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Lowchen versus Maltese
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Lowchen and the Maltese.
Lowchens weigh 9 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Lowchens are 12 to 14 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 Lowchen versus Maltese
The lifespan of Lowchens is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lowchens is 14.0 years.
The lifespan of Malteses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Malteses is 13.5 years.
Lowchens live longer than Malteses.
Temperament of the Maltese Versus the Lowchen
The Maltese has a better temperament than the Lowchen.
This is because the temperament score for the Maltese is 82.4 percent while the temperament score for the Lowchen 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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen and the Maltese by measuring the temperaments of 12 Lowchens and 17 Malteses.
Price of Lowchen versus Price of Maltese
The average price of the Lowchen puppy is $2870. The price of the Lowchen typically ranges from $1642 – $4500. However, the price of a Lowchen can be as low as $300 and as high as $4500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 7 Lowchen 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 Lowchen is more expensive than the Maltese.
| Lowchen | Maltese | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2870 | $2580 |
| Price Range | $1642 to $4500 | $1800 to $3000 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Lowchen and Maltese. For different price points, the charts show how many Lowchen puppies or how many Maltese puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Lowchens. 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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen. 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 Lowchen is 163 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Lowchen
Popularity of Maltese
| Year | Lowchen Popularity Rank | Maltese Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 154 | 27 |
| 2014 | 165 | 29 |
| 2015 | 161 | 31 |
| 2016 | 171 | 33 |
| 2017 | 169 | 33 |
| 2018 | 168 | 37 |
| 2019 | 158 | 36 |
| 2020 | 161 | 38 |
Health Problems of Lowchen 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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen.
3 health tests are recommended for Lowchen while 3 tests are recommended for the Maltese.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Lowchens and in Malteses.
Lowchen Health Problems
Lowchens are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Lowchen 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 Lowchen puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Lowchen 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 Lowchens for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lowchens 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 Lowchens 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 Lowchen Breed is Patella problems.
This is because the Lowchen ranks 19 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 149 Lowchens, 9 of them had Patella problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Lowchens, and how common these diseases are in Lowchens 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 Lowchen and in Maltese and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Lowchen and the Maltese:
| Disease | Lowchen Rank | Maltese Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Patella problems | 19 out of 145 dog breeds | 41 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 42 out of 182 dog breeds | 139 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 163 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 |
*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: Lowchen versus Maltese
Lowchens do not like to be left alone.
Malteses do not like to be left alone.
Do Lowchens shed more than Malteses?
Lowchens shed moderately.
Malteses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Lowchen or the Maltese
Lowchens do have a very low tendency to drool.
Malteses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Lowchen or the Maltese?
Lowchens are moderately easy to groom.
Malteses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Does the Lowchen Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Maltese?
Lowchens 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 Lowchens Bark and Howl? What about Malteses?
Lowchens are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Malteses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Can Lowchens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather?
Lowchens can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Malteses cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Lowchen vs. Maltese
Lowchens 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 Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather?
Lowchens 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 Lowchen or the Maltese?
Lowchens get along very well with other dogs.
Malteses get along very well with other dogs.
Are Lowchens good family dogs? What about Malteses?
Lowchens 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 Lowchens and Malteses?
Lowchens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Malteses get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the Lowchen Easier to Train than the Maltese?
Lowchens are very easy to train.
Malteses are very easy to train.
Is the Lowchen Better for Apartment Owners than the Maltese?
Lowchens adapt very well to apartment living.
Malteses adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Lowchen or the Maltese?
Lowchens are very good for new dog owners.
Malteses are very good for new dog owners.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lowchen
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lowchen 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 Lowchen:
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 Lowchen and how the Maltese compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Lowchen and of the Maltese to other breeds:
Lowchen Versus Other Dog Breeds
Lowchen versus Bernese Mountain Dog Lowchen versus Spinone Italiano Lowchen versus Stabyhoun Lowchen versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Lowchen versus Portuguese Water Dog Lowchen versus Canaan Dog Lowchen versus Tibetan Terrier Lowchen versus Carolina Dog Lowchen versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier Lowchen versus German Shorthaired Pointer Lowchen versus Airedale Terrier Lowchen versus American Staffordshire Terrier Lowchen versus Irish Water Spaniel Lowchen versus German Wirehaired Pointer Lowchen versus Carolina Dog Lowchen versus Ibizan Hound Lowchen versus Belgian Sheepdog Lowchen versus Pekingese Lowchen versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Lowchen versus Komondor Lowchen versus Black and Tan Coonhound Lowchen versus Dutch Shepherd Lowchen versus Cavachon Lowchen versus Vizsla Lowchen versus Cockapoo
Maltese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Maltese versus English Cocker Spaniel Maltese versus Stabyhoun Maltese versus Pomeranian Maltese versus Great Pyrenees Maltese versus Cockapoo Maltese versus Black Mouth Cur Maltese versus Australian Shepherd Maltese versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Maltese versus Japanese Chin Maltese versus Leonberger Maltese versus Saint Berdoodle Maltese versus Akbash Maltese versus Doberman Pinscher Maltese versus Chinese Shar-Pei Maltese versus Collie Maltese versus Bordoodle Maltese versus Whoodle Maltese versus Cane Corso Maltese versus Morkie Maltese versus Irish Terrier Maltese versus Harrier Maltese versus Keeshond Maltese versus Cane Corso Maltese versus Frenchton Maltese versus Standard Schnauzer
Conclusion: Lowchen 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 Lowchen and the Maltese better suits you and your family.