French Bulldog vs Maltese – Which one is a better dog breed for you?
"Find similarities and differences between French Bulldog vs Maltese"
Compare French Bulldog and Maltese. Which is better: French Bulldog or Maltese?
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Name | French Bulldog | Maltese |
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Origins | ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
Group | Companion Dogs | Companion Dogs |
Popularity Rank | 4 | 33 |
Reviews | 1 | 2 |
Rate |
Other Names | Frenchie, Bouledogue Français | Maltese Dog, Maltese lion dog |
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Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred |
AKC Group | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1898 as a Non-Sporting breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888 as a Toy breed. |
FCI Group | Recognized by FCI in the Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the Small Molossian type Dogs section. | Recognized by FCI in the Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the Bichons and related breeds section. |
Breed Recognition | American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club | American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club |
Price | $2000-$4000 | $600-$800 |
General Appearance - French Bulldog vs Maltese
Size | Small | Small |
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Weight | 18-30 pounds (8-14 kg) | 6.5-9 pounds (3-4 kg) |
Avg. Weight | There are two weight classes of French Bulldog: 19 - 22 pounds (9 - 10 kg) and 22 - 28 pounds (10 - 13 kg). Over 28 pounds is a disqualification. | 6.7 pounds (3.5 kg) |
Height | 13–16 inches (33–40 cm) | Male: 8-10 inches (21-25 cm), Female: 8-9 inches (20-23 cm) |
Avg. Height | 14.5 inches (36.5 cm) | Male: 9 inches (23 cm), Female: 8.5 inches (21.5 cm) |
Hair & Care - French Bulldog vs Maltese
Coat | Fine Smooth Short Close in texture | Feathered |
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Colors | Brindle Cream Fawn White | White |
Grooming | Easy to groom: The French Bulldog doesn't require a lot of grooming. | Average: The Maltese requires average grooming effort. |
Shedding Level | French Bulldogs are low shedders. | Malteses shed none to minimal. |
Characteristics - French Bulldog vs Maltese
Temperament | Affectionate Alert Bright Keen Patient Playful Athletic Easygoing Lively | Active Easygoing Intelligent Responsive Docile Gentle Playful Sweet Tempered |
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Intelligent Rank | Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one. | Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one. |
Trainability | French Bulldogs are quite easy to train. | Malteses are quite easy to train. |
Playfulness | French Bulldogs are not the most playful dog breed. | Malteses, like any other dog breed, like playing. |
Sensitivity Level | French Bulldogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. |
Affection Level | French Bulldogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Malteses are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
Social Needs | French Bulldogs need a lot of social interaction. | Malteses need a lot of social interaction. |
Barking | Low: The French Bulldog barks none to minimal. | High: The Maltese is a very vocal breed. |
Watchdog Ability | French Bulldogs are average watchdogs. | Malteses are average watchdogs. |
Territorial | French Bulldogs are average defenders. | Malteses strongly protect their territory. |
Biting Potential |
Low The French Bulldog has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Maltese has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Mouthiness | French Bulldogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Malteses have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. |
Impulse to Wander or Roam | French Bulldogs tend to escape less than other breeds. | Malteses are not the biggest explorers. |
Prey Drive | French Bulldogs have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals. | Malteses have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. |
Apartment Friendly | French Bulldogs are very apartment-friendly dogs. | Malteses are very apartment-friendly dogs. |
Adaptability | French Bulldogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Malteses adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. |
Tolerates Being Left Alone | French Bulldogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. | Malteses tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. |
Fighting Dog |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Good With - French Bulldog vs Maltese
Stranger Friendly | French Bulldogs are stranger friendly dogs. | Malteses are very stranger friendly dogs. |
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Child Friendly | French Bulldogs are not the most kid-friendly dogs. | Malteses are kid-friendly dogs. |
Cat Friendly | French Bulldogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs. | Malteses are very cat-friendly dogs. |
Dog Friendly | French Bulldogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs. | Malteses are very dog-friendly dogs. |
Office Friendly |
Yes French Bulldog is one of the best dog breeds for office environment |
No Maltese is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
Senior Citizens Friendly | French Bulldogs are not the best breed for elderly people. | Malteses are usually recommended for elderly people. |
Pet Friendly | French Bulldogs usually don’t get on well with other pets. | Malteses are one of the friendliest dog breeds. |
Good For First Time Owners |
Yes French Bulldogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
No Malteses are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
Service Dog |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Therapy Dog |
Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Boat Dog |
Not really French Bulldog breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Not really Maltese breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Health Factors - French Bulldog vs Maltese
Health Issues | The French Bulldog is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | The Maltese is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. |
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Health Problems | Allergies Brachycephalic Syndrome Cleft Palate Elongated Soft Palate Hemi-vertebrae Hip Dysplasia Intervertebral Disk Disease Patellar Luxation Von Willebrand's Disease | Collapsed Trachea Hypoglycemia Patellar Luxation Portosystemic Liver Shunt Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Reverse Sneezing White Dog Shaker Syndrome |
Life Expectancy | 10-12 years | 15-18 years |
Hypoallergenic | No | Yes |
Energy Level | French Bulldogs have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you. | Malteses have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you. |
Exercise Need | French Bulldogs exercise need is minimal. | Malteses exercise need is very minimal. |
Sleeping Need | French Bulldogs sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered as a lazy breed. | Malteses sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered as a lazy breed. |
Avg. daily food consumption | Recommended daily amount: 1 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | Recommended daily amount: 1/4 to 1/2 cup of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
Weight Gain Potential | Average to High. | Average. |
Weather & Climate | Prefers average to warm weather conditions | Prefers warm weather |
Stinkiness |
Medium The French Bulldog has an average chance of bad smell. |
Medium The Maltese has an average chance of bad smell. |
Drooling tendency | The French Bulldog is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. | The Maltese is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. |
Reproducibility - French Bulldog vs Maltese
Gestation Length | 60-64 days | 60-64 days |
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How often can the have a litter? |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Litter Size | 3-5 puppies | 3-5 puppies |
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