Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier Comparison - Dog breed selector: Lab or Maltese lion dog or Aussie? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier" Compare Labrador Retriever and Maltese. Which is better: Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Australian Terrier?

Size and Weight Price and Availability Trainability and Intelligence Personality and Temperament Activity and Playfulness Adaptability and Independence Bite Characteristics Health and Lifespan Energy and Activity Diet and Weight Management Allergies and Grooming Good With As a Working Dog Reproducibility Recognition Show differences only

Name	Labrador Retriever	Maltese	Australian Terrier
Origins	England Canada	Italy	Australia
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Gun Dog	Companion Dogs	Hunting Dogs
Popularity Rank	1	33	137
Reviews	9	3	1
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Lab Labrador	Maltese lion dog Maltese Dog	Aussie
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Australian Terrier? Which is the smallest dog, Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Australian Terrier?	Large	Small	Small
Weight Which is heavier, Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Maltese? Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier weight comparison:	Male: 60-75 pounds (27-34kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg)	6.5-9 pounds (3-4 kg)	9-14 pounds (4-6 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	Male: 67.5 pounds (30.5 kg), Female: 62.5 pounds (28.5 kg)	6.7 pounds (3.5 kg)	11.5 pounds (5 kg)
Height Which is taller, Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Australian Terrier? Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier height comparison:	Male: 22-24 inches (56-61cm), Female: 21-23 inches (53-58 cm)	Male: 8-10 inches (21-25 cm), Female: 8-9 inches (20-23 cm)	9-11 inches (23-28 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 23 inches (58.5 cm), Female: 22 inches (55.5 cm)	Male: 9 inches (23 cm), Female: 8.5 inches (21.5 cm)	10 inches (25.5 cm)

Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Australian Terrier? Which is more expensive?	$1000-$2000	$600-$800	$1000-$1500
Availability Which is easier to get, Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Australian Terrier?	Very frequent: The Labrador Retriever is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Maltese is quite easy to get.	Frequent: The Australian Terrier is easier than average to get.

Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier intelligence:	Outstanding: Labrador Retriever is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one. See more.	Smart: The Australian Terrier dogs have great intelligence. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier trainability comparison.	Labrador Retriever dogs are very easy to train. See more.	Maltese dogs are quite easy to train. See more.	Australian Terrier dogs are easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Australian Terrier?	Labrador Retriever dogs are average watchdogs. See more.	Maltese dogs are average watchdogs. See more.	Australian Terrier dogs are average watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Australian Terrier? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	Labrador Retriever dogs are average defenders. See more.	Maltese dogs strongly protect their territory. See more.	Australian Terrier dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Australian Terrier? Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier behavior/temperament comparison:	Playful Loving Energetic Alert Intelligent Friendly Responsive Affectionate Loyal Gentle Going Social Cheerful	Active Playful Intelligent Responsive Docile Gentle Tempered Sweet Easygoing	Alert Courageous Intelligent Loyal Outright Tempered Companionable Spirited
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	Sensitive: Labrador Retriever dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.	Australian Terrier dogs are less sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier?	Slightly Below Average: Labrador Retriever dogs may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence. See more.	High: Maltese dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	Average: Australian Terrier dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier social needs comparison:	Labrador Retriever dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.	Maltese dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.	Australian Terrier dogs are a social breed. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	Labrador Retriever dogs have average wanderlust potential. See more.	Maltese dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.	The wanderlust potential of the Australian Terrier is strong enough to escape from home. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?	Labrador Retriever dogs have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals. See more.	Maltese dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Australian Terrier dogs have a high impulse to chase and catch something. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier playfulness comparison:	The Labrador Retriever is a highly playful breed. See more.	Average: Malteses, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	The Australian Terrier is a playful breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier?	Average: The Labrador Retriever barks occasionally. See more.	A lot: Maltese is a particularly loud breed. See more.	Average: The Australian Terrier barks occasionally. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Australian Terrier?	It is not recommended to keep the Labrador Retriever breed in the home.	Very house-friendly dog the Maltese breed.	It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep Australian Terrier indoors.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	Labrador Retriever dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Maltese dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Australian Terrier dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Australian Terrier?	Labrador Retriever dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	Maltese dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	Australian Terrier dogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.

Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI Which bite is stronger: Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Australian Terrier?	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Labrador Retriever bite force: Ordinary.	Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Maltese bite force: Weak.	Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Australian Terrier bite force: Weak.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force
Biting Potential Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison:	Moderate ⏺ The Labrador Retriever has an average chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Maltese has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Australian Terrier has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier mouthiness comparison:	Labrador Retriever dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.	Maltese dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	Australian Terrier dogs have a low tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.

Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier health comparison. Which is the healthier: Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier?	The Labrador Retriever 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.	Australian Terriers are commonly healthy dogs.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier health problems comparison:	Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Bloat Epilepsy Ear Infections Elbow Dysplasia Osteochondrosis Dissecans Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia Acute Moist Dermatitis Cold Tail Myopathy	Collapsed Trachea Patellar Luxation Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Portosystemic Liver Shunt Reverse Sneezing Hypoglycemia White Dog Shaker Syndrome	No data available
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	Average The Labrador Retriever should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Average The Maltese should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Rare The Australian Terrier should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year).
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier lifespan comparison. How long do Labrador Retriever, Maltese and Australian Terrier breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	10-12 years The average lifespan of Labrador Retriever: 11 years	14-18 years The average lifespan of Maltese: 16 years	11-15 years The average lifespan of Australian Terrier: 13 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier?	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.	Prefers warm weather Dogs that prefer warm weather conditions are typically breeds that were originally bred in warmer climates. See more.	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.

Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level Who has more energy a Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Australian Terrier? Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier energy level comparison:	Labrador Retriever dogs are high-energy dogs.	Maltese dogs have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you.	Australian Terrier dogs are high-energy dogs.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Australian Terrier? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Labrador Retriever dogs need a lot of exercises.	Maltese dogs exercise need is very minimal.	Australian Terrier dogs need quite a lot of exercise.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Australian Terrier?	Labrador Retriever dogs don't need too much sleep.	Maltese dogs sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered a lazy breed.	Australian Terrier dogs don't need too much sleep.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Australian Terrier?	Recommended daily amount: 2.5 to 3 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.	1/2 to 1 cup dry food a day.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier weight gain potential comparison:	High: The Labrador Retriever breed has a strong tendency to be overweight. See more.	Average: The Maltese has an average risk for obesity. See more.	Average: The Australian Terrier has an average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier coat comparison:	Dense Waterproof Hard Short	Feathered	Rough
Colors What are the original Labrador Retriever, Maltese and Australian Terrier color?	Black Yellow Chocolate	White	Tan Red Blue Sandy
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Australian Terrier? Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier grooming comparison:	Effortless: The Labrador Retriever requires minimal grooming. See more.	Average: The Maltese requires average grooming effort. See more.	Average: The Australian Terrier requires average grooming effort. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Australian Terrier? Labrador Retriever or Maltese or {name3 shedding:	Labrador Retriever dogs shed moderately. See more.	Maltese dogs shed none to minimal. See more.	Australian Terrier dogs shed none to minimal. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency Which dog should be bathed more: Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Australian Terrier?	3-4 weeks More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. See more.	6-8 weeks Rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.
Hypoallergenic Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No See more.	Yes See more.	Yes See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Stinkiness Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier?	High 🔼 The Labrador Retriever has a high chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Maltese has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Australian Terrier has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?	The Labrador Retriever is an average drooler. See more.	The Maltese is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Australian Terrier is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.

Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	Labrador Retriever dogs are usually friendly towards other pets.	Maltese dogs are one of the friendliest dog breeds.	Australian Terrier dogs do best when they’re the only pet at the family.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Australian Terrier? Which dog is more friendly?	Labrador Retriever dogs are very stranger-friendly dogs.	Maltese dogs are very stranger-friendly dogs.	Australian Terrier dogs are average friendly towards strangers.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Child Friendly Which dog is more child/kid friendly Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Australian Terrier?	Labrador Retriever dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.	Maltese dogs are kid-friendly dogs.	Australian Terrier dogs are kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Australian Terrier?	Labrador Retriever dogs are cat-friendly dogs.	Maltese dogs are very cat-friendly dogs.	Australian Terrier dogs are not cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Australian Terrier?	Labrador Retriever dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.	Maltese dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.	Australian Terrier dogs are not dog-friendly.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier?	Yes Labrador Retriever dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Maltese dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Australian Terrier dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	No Labrador Retriever is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Maltese is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Australian Terrier is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly Which dog is good for elderly people?	Labrador Retrievers are one of the best breeds for elderly people.	Malteses are usually recommended for elderly people.	Australian Terriers are usually recommended for elderly people.

Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Which one could be a service dog?	Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. See more.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Dog Which one could be a therapy dog: Labrador Retriever or Maltese or Australian Terrier? Which is better for autism?	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.
Therapy Dog Breeds
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog Which one could be a detection/sniffer dog?	Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) Which one could be a search and rescue dog?	Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog.	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog Which one could be a boat dog: Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier?	Yes Labrador Retriever breed usually likes being on a boat. See more.	Not really Maltese breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Australian Terrier breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog Which one could be a cart pulling or drafting dog?	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.
Fighting Dog / Military 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.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier Reproducibility Comparison

Gestation Length	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.
Litter Frequency	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.
Litter Size How many puppies can Labrador Retriever and Maltese and Australian Terrier have?	5-10 puppies	3-5 puppies	3-6 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy

Labrador Retriever vs Maltese vs Australian Terrier Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1917 as a Sporting breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888 as a Toy breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1960 as a Terrier breed.
FCI Group Which dog is recognized by the FCI?	Recognized by FCI in the Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs group, in the Retrievers section.	Recognized by FCI in the Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the Bichons and related breeds section.	Recognized by FCI in the Terriers group, in the Small sized Terriers section.
Breed Recognition What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?	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 Canadian Canine Registry	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	No data available

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