Havanese vs Maltese

A Havanese
Photo: J.Castro
A Maltese
Photo: Kevin Poh

Side by side

Havanese
Maltese
Adult weight
3.2–5.9 kg (7–13 lb) (breed club figure)1
3–4 kg (6.6–8.8 lb)2
Height
No sourced figure
Males 21–25 cm; females 20–23 cm2
Lifespan
Median 14.5 years3
Median 13.1 years3
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes4
Group
Companion & toy5
Companion & toy2
Coat
Long coat5
Long coat2
Shedding
Sheds through the year
Grooming
Daily brushing
Exercise
A modest amount
Health
No sourced figure
Sudden-onset diarrhoea (more likely)6
Class
Lap dog
Lap dog

Which suits you

Size
The Havanese is larger on average: about 4.6 kg (10 lb) as an adult, against 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) for the Maltese.
Lifespan
In UK vet records the Havanese lives longer: a median of 14.5 years, against 13.1 for the Maltese.
Temperament
They differ most on independence (Havanese: keen to work with you; Maltese: cooperative, with its own ideas).
Alike
Both are rated the same on affection: a lap or leaning dog.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Havanese
Companion & toy · Toy

In temperament the Havanese is lively, playful and affectionate, and closely attached to its household. It learns quickly and readily picks up tricks, which may explain its old circus work.

Maltese
Companion & toy · Toy

In temperament the Maltese is gentle and affectionate, lively and playful, and quick to respond to its people.

The Havanese page →The Maltese page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Havanese
Maltese
Activity
Happy with modest walks
Happy with modest walks
Intelligence
Learns readily, likes games
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Suits a first-time owner
Suits a first-time owner
With people
Havanese
Maltese
Affection
A lap or leaning dog
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Differs
Keen to work with you
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Havanese
Maltese
Sensitivity
Needs a calm, predictable home
Needs a calm, predictable home
Voice
Barks to alert, then settles
Barks to alert, then settles
Prey drive
Usually fine with small pets
Usually fine with small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour7. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home8,9.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Havanese grows to the heavier adult, about 4.6 kg against the Maltese's 3.5 kg.
Havanese
Maltese
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More comparisons

Compare the Havanese with
Bichon Frise vs MalteseMaltese vs West Highland White TerrierMaltese vs Shih TzuHavanese vs Lhasa ApsoCoton de Tulear vs MalteseHavanese vs Shih TzuAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·