Is the Maltese Better than the Mountain Cur as a Pet? Answer…

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Maltese Versus Mountain Cur: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Maltese and the Mountain Cur 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 Maltese and for the Mountain Cur. 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 Maltese and the Mountain Cur.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Maltese or the Mountain Cur.

Maltese versus Mountain Cur: Overview

A very important difference between the Maltese and the Mountain Cur is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Maltese is a tiny-sized dog while the Mountain Cur is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Mountain Cur 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.

Maltese versus Mountain Cur: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Maltese to the Mountain Cur 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 Maltese and the Mountain Cur

Factor Maltese Mountain Cur
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 2/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 16 years
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Height 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder 16 to 26 inches
Weight Up to 7 pounds 30 to 60 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $2580 $550
Price Range $1800 – $3000 $350 – $800
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Maltese 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 Mountain Cur. 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 Maltese is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Mountain Cur is 76 out of 125.

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Maltese and the Mountain Cur

    Below is a list of where the Maltese and the Mountain Cur are most different:

  • Malteses cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Mountain Curs can tolerate cold weather.
  • Malteses do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Mountain Curs have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Malteses have low exercise needs. However, Mountain Curs require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Malteses adapt well to apartment living. However, Mountain Curs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Malteses are good for new dog owners. However, Mountain Curs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • The Similarities Between the Maltese and the Mountain Cur

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

  • Both the Maltese and the Mountain Cur do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Maltese and the Mountain Cur do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Maltese and the Mountain Cur are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Maltese and the Mountain Cur do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Maltese and the Mountain Cur are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Maltese and the Mountain Cur get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Maltese and the Mountain Cur are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Maltese and the Mountain Cur have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Maltese and the Mountain Cur are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Maltese and the Mountain Cur are very playful.
  • Both the Maltese and the Mountain Cur are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Maltese versus Mountain Cur

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Maltese and the Mountain Cur.

    Malteses weigh Up to 7 pounds when fully grown. Malteses are 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Mountain Curs weigh 30 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Mountain Curs are 16 to 26 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Maltese versus Mountain Cur

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

    The lifespan of Mountain Curs is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Mountain Curs is 13.0 years.

    Malteses live longer than Mountain Curs.

    Price of Maltese versus Price of Mountain Cur

    The average price of the Maltese puppy is $2580. The price of the Maltese typically ranges from $1800 – $3000. However, the price of a Maltese can be as low as $500 and as high as $7995. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 413 Maltese puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Mountain Cur puppy is $550. The price of the Mountain Cur typically ranges from $350 – $800. However, the price of the Mountain Cur can be as low as $100 and as high as $1000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 40 Mountain Cur puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Maltese is more expensive than the Mountain Cur.

    Maltese Mountain Cur
    Average Price $2580 $550
    Price Range $1800 to $3000 $350 to $800

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

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Mountain Curs

    A breakdown of the prices of Mountain Curs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Maltese puppy or the Mountain Cur 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 Maltese versus Adopting the Mountain Cur

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Malteses and many Mountain Curs 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 Maltese named Gordon 5 Yr And Thumper 11 Year Father And Son Bonded Malteses Males that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Malteses like Gordon 5 Yr And Thumper 11 Year Father And Son Bonded Malteses Males on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Malteses, Mountain Curs are also available for adoption. For example, Melvin is a Male Mountain Cur that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Mountain Curs like Melvin that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Maltese and the Mountain Cur can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Koki is the name of another Maltese (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Evan is an adorable Male Mountain Cur on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Malteses and Mountain Curs are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Malteses and Mountain Curs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Maltese versus Mountain Cur

    Malteses do not like to be left alone.

    Mountain Curs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Malteses shed more than Mountain Curs?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Maltese or the Mountain Cur

    Malteses do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Mountain Curs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Maltese or the Mountain Cur?

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

    Mountain Curs are very easy to groom.

    Does the Maltese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Mountain Cur?

    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.

    Mountain Curs 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 Malteses Bark and Howl? What about Mountain Curs?

    Malteses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Mountain Curs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Mountain Curs Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Mountain Curs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Maltese vs. Mountain Cur

    Malteses do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Mountain Curs have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Mountain Curs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Malteses can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Mountain Curs can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Maltese or the Mountain Cur?

    Malteses get along very well with other dogs.

    Mountain Curs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Malteses good family dogs? What about Mountain Curs?

    Malteses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Mountain Curs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Malteses and Mountain Curs?

    Malteses get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Mountain Curs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Maltese Easier to Train than the Mountain Cur?

    Malteses are very easy to train.

    Mountain Curs are not easy to train.

    Is the Maltese Better for Apartment Owners than the Mountain Cur?

    Malteses adapt very well to apartment living.

    Mountain Curs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Maltese or the Mountain Cur?

    Malteses are very good for new dog owners.

    Mountain Curs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    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 Mountain Cur vs Pomapoo.
  • Peek A Poo (81 percent match with Maltese). Here is our comparison of the Mountain Cur vs Peek A Poo.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Mountain Cur

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Mountain Cur 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 Mountain Cur:

  • Black Mouth Cur (80 percent match with Mountain Cur). Here is our comparison of the Maltese vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Karelian Bear Dog (77 percent match with Mountain Cur). Here is our comparison of the Maltese vs Karelian Bear Dog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Maltese Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Maltese versus Dachshund     Maltese versus Berger Picard     Maltese versus Boykin Spaniel     Maltese versus Norwegian Buhund     Maltese versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Maltese versus Belgian Malinois     Maltese versus Tibetan Spaniel     Maltese versus Cesky Terrier     Maltese versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Maltese versus Shiloh Shepherd     Maltese versus Shetland Sheepdog     Maltese versus Havanese     Maltese versus Japanese Chin     Maltese versus Tibetan Mastiff     Maltese versus Brussels Griffon     Maltese versus Silky Terrier     Maltese versus Doberman Pinscher     Maltese versus Tibetan Spaniel     Maltese versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Maltese versus Akita     Maltese versus Welsh Terrier     Maltese versus Tibetan Spaniel     Maltese versus Boston Terrier     Maltese versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     

    Mountain Cur Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Mountain Cur versus Harrier     Mountain Cur versus Bernedoodle     Mountain Cur versus Beagle     Mountain Cur versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Mountain Cur versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Mountain Cur versus Keeshond     Mountain Cur versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Mountain Cur versus Brittany     Mountain Cur versus Bluetick Coonhound     Mountain Cur versus Affenhuahua     Mountain Cur versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Mountain Cur versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Mountain Cur versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Mountain Cur versus Sloughi     Mountain Cur versus Clumber Spaniel     Mountain Cur versus Skye Terrier     Mountain Cur versus Brussels Griffon     Mountain Cur versus Papipoo     Mountain Cur versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Mountain Cur versus Komondor     Mountain Cur versus Bracco Italiano     Mountain Cur versus Belgian Sheepdog     Mountain Cur versus American Foxhound     Mountain Cur versus Bearded Collie     Mountain Cur versus Dalmatian     

    Conclusion: Maltese versus Mountain Cur. 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 Maltese and the Mountain Cur better suits you and your family.