Papillon vs Maltese Comparison – Which dog is better Continental Toy Spaniel or Maltese lion dog?
"Find similarities and differences between Papillon vs Maltese"
Compare Papillon and Maltese. Which is better: Papillon or Maltese?
 |  |
| Name | Papillon | Maltese |
|---|---|---|
| Origins |  Spain  France  Belgium |  Italy |
| Group | Companion Dogs | Companion Dogs |
| Popularity Rank | 53 | 33 |
| Reviews | 5 | 3 |
| User Ratings |
| Common Names & Aliases
Compare different names used for Papillon and Maltese. What other names are these breeds known by? |
Continental Toy Spaniel Epagneul Nain Epagneul Nain Continental Phalène Squirrel Dog Butterfly Dog |
Maltese lion dog Maltese Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Breed Classification
Compare breed classifications between a Papillon and a Maltese. Learn about their genetic backgrounds. | Purebred | Purebred |
Papillon vs Maltese Size and Weight Comparison
| Size Classification
Which is bigger: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare size differences between these breeds. | Small | Small |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Statistics
Compare weight ranges between a Papillon and a Maltese. Which breed is heavier? | Male: 8-10 pounds (4-5 kg), Female: 7-9 pounds (3-4 kg) | 6.5-9 pounds (3-4 kg) |
| Average Weight
Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight? | Male: 9 pounds (4.5 kg), Female: 8 pounds (3.5 kg) | 6.7 pounds (3.5 kg) |
| Height
Which is taller, Papillon or Maltese? Is a Papillon taller than a Maltese? | Male: 8-11 inches (20-28 cm), Female: 8-11 inches (20-28 cm) | Male: 8-10 inches (21-25 cm), Female: 8-9 inches (20-23 cm) |
| Average Height
Which dog has a smaller / higher average height? | Male: 9.5 inches (24 cm), Female: 9.5 inches (24 cm) | Male: 9 inches (23 cm), Female: 8.5 inches (21.5 cm) |
Papillon vs Maltese Price and Availability Comparison
| Price Range
Compare puppy prices between a Papillon and a Maltese. Which breed costs more? | $400-$600 | $600-$800 |
|---|---|---|
| Availability
Which is easier to get, Papillon or Maltese? | Very frequent: The Papillon is quite easy to get. | Very frequent: The Maltese is quite easy to get. |
Papillon vs Maltese Trainability and Intelligence Comparison
| Intelligence Rating
Which is smarter: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare intelligence rankings and learning abilities. | Outstanding: Papillon is one of the brightest dog breeds. | Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one. |
|---|---|---|
| Training Difficulty
Which is easier to train: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare training requirements. | Papillon dogs are easy to train. | Maltese dogs are quite easy to train. |
| Watchdog Rating
Which makes a better watchdog: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare alertness levels. | Papillon dogs are average watchdogs. | Maltese dogs are average watchdogs. |
| Territorial Protection
Which is more protective: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare territorial behaviors. | Papillon dogs strongly protect their territory. | Maltese dogs strongly protect their territory. |
Papillon vs Maltese Personality and Temperament Comparison
| Personality Traits
Compare personalities of a Papillon and a Maltese. How do their temperaments differ? |
Happy Energetic Alert Intelligent Friendly |
Active Playful Intelligent Responsive Docile Gentle Tempered Sweet Easygoing |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between Papillon vs Maltese? | Papillon dogs 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
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Papillon vs Maltese? | High: Papillon dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | High: Maltese dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
| Social Needs
Papillon vs Maltese social needs comparison: | Papillon dogs need a lot of social interaction. | Maltese dogs need a lot of social interaction. |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between Papillon vs Maltese? | Papillon dogs are not the biggest explorers. | Maltese dogs are not the biggest explorers. |
| Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between Papillon vs Maltese? Which can be better for hunting? | Papillon dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | Maltese dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. |
Papillon vs Maltese Activity and Playfulness Comparison
| Barking Frequency
Which breed barks more: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare vocalization tendencies. | A lot: Papillon is a particularly loud breed. | A lot: Maltese is a particularly loud breed. |
|---|---|---|
| Playful Nature
Which breed is more playful: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare play drive and energy. | The Papillon is a highly playful breed. | Average: Malteses, like any other dog breed, like playing. |
| Apartment Adaptability
Which is better for apartments: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare living space needs. | 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 Papillon indoors. | Very house-friendly dog the Maltese breed. |
Papillon vs Maltese Adaptability and Independence Comparison
| Lifestyle Adaptability
Which adapts better to changes: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare adaptability levels. | Papillon 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. |
|---|---|---|
| Alone Time Tolerance
Which dog can be left alone: Papillon or Maltese? | Papillon 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. |
Papillon vs Maltese Bite Characteristics Comparison
| Bite Risk Assessment
Which has lower bite risk: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare biting tendencies. | Low 🔽 The Papillon has a low chance of biting somebody. | Low 🔽 The Maltese has a low chance of biting somebody. |
|---|---|---|
| Mouthing Tendency
Which is more mouthy: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare mouthing behaviors. | Papillon dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. | Maltese dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. |
| Bite Strength Rating
Which has a stronger bite: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare bite force PSI. | Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Papillon bite force: Weak. | Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Maltese bite force: Weak. |
Papillon vs Maltese Health and Lifespan Comparison
| Average Lifespan
Which lives longer: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare average lifespans. |
12-16 years The average lifespan of Papillon: 14 years |
14-18 years The average lifespan of Maltese: 16 years |
|---|---|---|
| Climate Tolerance
Which handles weather better: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare climate tolerances. | Prefers average to warm weather conditions Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. | Prefers warm weather Dogs that prefer warm weather conditions are typically breeds that were originally bred in warmer climates. |
| Health Concerns
Compare common health issues between a Papillon and a Maltese. Which breed is healthier? | The Papillon 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. |
| Vet Care Frequency
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: Papillon vs Maltese? |
Average The Papillon 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. |
| Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Papillon vs Maltese? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Papillon vs Maltese health problems comparison: |
Collapsed Trachea Open Fontanel Patellar Luxation Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Hypoglycemia |
Collapsed Trachea Patellar Luxation Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Portosystemic Liver Shunt Reverse Sneezing Hypoglycemia White Dog Shaker Syndrome |
Papillon vs Maltese Energy and Activity Comparison
| Energy Rating
Which breed is more energetic: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare activity levels. | Papillon dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds. | Maltese dogs have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you. |
|---|---|---|
| Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
Papillon vs Maltese exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Papillon or Maltese? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest? | Papillon dogs need a lot of exercises. | Maltese dogs exercise need is very minimal. |
| Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: Papillon or Maltese? | Papillon dogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping. | Maltese dogs sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered a lazy breed. |
Papillon vs Maltese Diet and Weight Management Comparison
| Obesity Tendency
Which gains weight easier: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare obesity risks. | Average: The Papillon has an average risk for obesity. | Average: The Maltese has an average risk for obesity. |
|---|---|---|
| Food Consumption
Which eats more: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare daily food needs. | 1/4 to 1 cup 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. |
Papillon vs Maltese Allergies and Grooming Comparison
| Allergy Friendliness
Which is more hypoallergenic: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare allergy friendliness. | No See more. | Yes See more. |
|---|---|---|
| Coat Colors
What color variations exist for Papillon and Maltese? Compare breed colors. |
Black Tan Red White Sable Lemon | White |
| Grooming Requirements
Which needs more grooming: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare maintenance needs. | Average: The Papillon requires average grooming effort. | Average: The Maltese requires average grooming effort. |
| Drooling Tendency
Which drools more: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare drooling amounts. | The Papillon is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. | The Maltese is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. |
| Stinkiness Rating
Which has less odor: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare natural smell levels. | Low 🔽 The Papillon has a low chance of bad smell. | Medium ⏺ The Maltese has an average chance of bad smell. |
| Coat Characteristics
How do coats differ between a Papillon and a Maltese? Compare fur types. | Feathered | Feathered |
| Bathing Needs
Which needs more baths: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare bathing frequencies. | 6-8 weeks Rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. | 6-8 weeks Rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. |
| Shedding Level
Who sheds more Papillon or Maltese? Do Papillon dogs shed more than Maltese dogs? | Papillon dogs shed none to minimal. | Maltese dogs shed none to minimal. |
Papillon vs Maltese Good With Comparison
| Child Compatibility
Which is better with children: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare kid-friendliness. | Papillon dogs are kid-friendly dogs. | Maltese dogs are kid-friendly dogs. |
|---|---|---|
| Pet Compatibility
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets? | Papillon dogs are one of the friendliest dog breeds. | Maltese dogs are one of the friendliest dog breeds. |
| Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly Papillon or Maltese? Which dog is more friendly? | Papillon dogs are very stranger-friendly dogs. | Maltese dogs are very stranger-friendly dogs. |
| Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly Papillon or Maltese? | Papillon dogs are very cat-friendly dogs. | Maltese dogs are very cat-friendly dogs. |
| Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly Papillon or Maltese? Can a Papillon and a Maltese be friends? Do Papillon dogs get along with Maltese dogs? | Papillon dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs. | Maltese dogs are very dog-friendly dogs. |
| Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is best for first time owners: Papillon vs Maltese? |
Yes Papillon 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. |
| Office Friendly
Which one fits better in the office? |
No Papillon is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Maltese is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
| Senior Citizens Friendly
Which dog is good for elderly people? | Papillons are usually recommended for elderly people. | Malteses are usually recommended for elderly people. |
Papillon vs Maltese As a Working Dog Comparison
| Service Dog Capability
Which makes a better service dog: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare service capabilities. | Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. | Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
|---|---|---|
| Therapy Work Suitability
Which is better for therapy work: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare therapy capabilities. | Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. | Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. |
| Scent Detection Ability
Which is better at detection work: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare scenting abilities. | 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 & Rescue Potential
Which is better for search and rescue: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare SAR abilities. | 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. |
| Maritime Work Ability
Which is better on boats: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare maritime abilities. | Not really Papillon breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. | Not really Maltese breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
| Draft Work Capability
Which is better at pulling: a Papillon or a Maltese? Compare draft work capabilities. | 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. |
| Military Service Background
Compare military history between Papillon and Maltese. Which has stronger military background? | 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. |
Papillon vs Maltese Reproducibility Comparison
| Puppy Litter Size
Compare litter sizes between Papillon and Maltese. Which has larger litters? | 2-4 puppies | 3-5 puppies |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy Duration
Compare pregnancy duration between Papillon and Maltese breeds. | 60-64 days See more. | 60-64 days See more. |
| Breeding Frequency
Compare breeding frequencies between Papillon and Maltese. Which needs longer recovery? | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Papillon vs Maltese Recognition Comparison
| AKC Classification
Compare AKC classifications of Papillon and Maltese. Which groups do they belong to? | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1915 as a Toy breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888 as a Toy breed. |
|---|---|---|
| FCI Classification
Compare FCI classifications of Papillon and Maltese. Which groups are they in? | Recognized by FCI in the Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the Continental Toy Spaniel and Russian Toy section. | Recognized by FCI in the Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the Bichons and related breeds section. |
| Kennel Club Recognition
Compare kennel club recognition between Papillon and Maltese. Which is more widely recognized? |
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 |
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 |
Popular Dog Compares
Sharing is caring.
Help our free service by spreading information about dog breeds.
Link to this: Papillon vs Maltese Comparison – Which dog is better Continental Toy Spaniel or Maltese lion dog?
<a href="https://dogell.com/en/compare-dog-breeds/papillon-vs-maltese">Papillon vs Maltese Comparison – Which dog is better Continental Toy Spaniel or Maltese lion dog?</a>
Help our free service by spreading information about dog breeds.
Link to this: Papillon vs Maltese Comparison – Which dog is better Continental Toy Spaniel or Maltese lion dog?
<a href="https://dogell.com/en/compare-dog-breeds/papillon-vs-maltese">Papillon vs Maltese Comparison – Which dog is better Continental Toy Spaniel or Maltese lion dog?</a>