Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Maltese Versus Plott: Introduction
- Maltese versus Plott: Overview
- Maltese versus Plott: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Maltese and the Plott
- The Similarities Between the Maltese and the Plott
- Size (Weight and Height) of Maltese versus Plott
- Lifespan of Maltese versus Plott
- Price of Maltese versus Price of Plott
- Adopting the Maltese versus Adopting the Plott
- The Popularity of Maltese versus Popularity of Plott
- Tolerates Being Alone: Maltese versus Plott
- Do Malteses shed more than Plotts?
- Which one drools more, the Maltese or the Plott
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Maltese or the Plott?
- Does the Maltese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Plott?
- Do Malteses Bark and Howl? What about Plotts?
- Can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Plotts Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Maltese vs. Plott
- Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Plotts Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Maltese or the Plott?
- Are Malteses good family dogs? What about Plotts?
- How Kid-friendly are Malteses and Plotts?
- Is the Maltese Easier to Train than the Plott?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Maltese
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Plott
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Maltese versus Plott. Which One is a Better Pet?
Maltese Versus Plott: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Maltese and the Plott? 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 Plott 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 Plott.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Maltese and the Plott 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 Plott. 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 Plott.
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 Plott.
Maltese versus Plott: Overview
A very important difference between the Maltese and the Plott is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Maltese is a tiny-sized dog while the Plott is a medium-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 Plott belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
Maltese versus Plott: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Maltese to the Plott 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 Plott
| Factor | Maltese | Plott |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 14 years |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| 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 | 20 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Weight | Up to 7 pounds | 40 to 75 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 13.0 years |
| Average Price | $2580 | $600 |
| Price Range | $1800 – $3000 | $480 – $700 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
No Data |
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 33 | 161 |
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 Plott. 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 Plott is 74 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Maltese is a better pet than the Plott. 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 Plott so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Maltese and the Plott
Below is a list of where the Maltese and the Plott are most different:
The Similarities Between the Maltese and the Plott
The Maltese and the Plott are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Maltese and the Plott are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Maltese versus Plott
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Maltese and the Plott.
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, Plotts weigh 40 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Plotts are 20 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Lifespan of Maltese versus Plott
The lifespan of Malteses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Malteses is 13.5 years.
The lifespan of Plotts is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Plotts is 13.0 years.
Malteses live longer than Plotts.
Price of Maltese versus Price of Plott
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 Plott puppy is $600. The price of the Plott typically ranges from $480 – $700. However, the price of the Plott can be as low as $300 and as high as $800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 17 Plott puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Maltese is more expensive than the Plott.
| Maltese | Plott | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2580 | $600 |
| Price Range | $1800 to $3000 | $480 to $700 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Maltese and Plott. For different price points, the charts show how many Maltese puppies or how many Plott 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 Plotts
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Maltese puppy or the Plott 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 Plott
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Malteses and many Plotts 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 Oreo that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Malteses like Oreo on pefinder.com.
Also, like Malteses, Plotts are also available for adoption. For example, Treble is a Male Plott that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Plotts like Treble that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Snowball is the name of another Maltese (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also, Diesel is an adorable Male Plott on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Malteses and Plotts that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Maltese versus Popularity of Plott
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 Maltese and the Plott over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Maltese is more popular with dog owners than the Plott. 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 Plott is 161 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Maltese
Popularity of Plott
| Year | Maltese Popularity Rank | Plott Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 27 | 149 |
| 2014 | 29 | 154 |
| 2015 | 31 | 149 |
| 2016 | 33 | 158 |
| 2017 | 33 | 166 |
| 2018 | 37 | 171 |
| 2019 | 36 | 177 |
| 2020 | 38 | 167 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Maltese versus Plott
Malteses do not like to be left alone.
Plotts do not like to be left alone.
Do Malteses shed more than Plotts?
Malteses do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Plotts do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Which one drools more, the Maltese or the Plott
Malteses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Plotts do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Maltese or the Plott?
Malteses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Plotts are very easy to groom.
Does the Maltese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Plott?
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.
Plotts 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 Plotts?
Malteses are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Plotts are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Can Malteses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Plotts Tolerate Cold Weather?
Malteses cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Plotts cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Wanderlust Potential: Maltese vs. Plott
Malteses do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Plotts have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Can Malteses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Plotts Tolerate Hot Weather?
Malteses can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Plotts can tolerate hot weather.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Maltese or the Plott?
Malteses get along very well with other dogs.
Plotts get along very well with other dogs.
Are Malteses good family dogs? What about Plotts?
Malteses are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Plotts are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Malteses and Plotts?
Malteses get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Plotts get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.
Is the Maltese Easier to Train than the Plott?
Malteses are very easy to train.
Plotts are very easy to train.
Is the Maltese Better for Apartment Owners than the Plott?
Malteses adapt very well to apartment living.
Plotts do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Maltese or the Plott?
Malteses are very good for new dog owners.
Plotts 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Plott
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Plott 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 Plott:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Maltese and how the Plott compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Maltese and of the Plott to other breeds:
Maltese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Maltese versus Spanish Mastiff Maltese versus Redbone Coonhound Maltese versus Silky Terrier Maltese versus Field Spaniel Maltese versus Belgian Malinois Maltese versus Chow Chow Maltese versus Keeshond Maltese versus Belgian Sheepdog Maltese versus Irish Water Spaniel Maltese versus Shiranian Maltese versus Yorkipoo Maltese versus Kuvasz Maltese versus Biewer Terrier Maltese versus Azawakh Maltese versus Airedale Terrier Maltese versus Keeshond Maltese versus Japanese Spitz Maltese versus Alaskan Malamute Maltese versus Akbash Maltese versus Karelian Bear Dog Maltese versus Maremma Sheepdog Maltese versus Irish Terrier Maltese versus Bichon Frise Maltese versus Keeshond Maltese versus Kishu Ken
Plott Versus Other Dog Breeds
Plott versus Tibetan Mastiff Plott versus Brittany Plott versus Basset Hound Plott versus Norwegian Lundehund Plott versus Goldendoodle Plott versus Boxerdoodle Plott versus Cavapoo Plott versus Chi-Poo Plott versus Patterdale Terrier Plott versus Bull Terrier Plott versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Plott versus Alaskan Klee Kai Plott versus Yorkshire Terrier Plott versus Bernedoodle Plott versus Mastiff Plott versus Pug Plott versus Alaskan Klee Kai Plott versus American Eskimo Dog Plott versus Patterdale Terrier Plott versus Lowchen Plott versus Japanese Chin Plott versus Bulldog Plott versus Schnoodle Plott versus German Longhaired Pointer Plott versus Sheepadoodle
Conclusion: Maltese versus Plott. 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 Plott better suits you and your family.