Maltese vs Pekingese

A Maltese
Photo: Kevin Poh
A Pekingese
Photo: Lilly M

Side by side

Maltese
Pekingese
Adult weight
3–4 kg (6.6–8.8 lb)1
Males 3–5 kg (6.6–11 lb); females 3–5.4 kg (6.6–12 lb)2
Height
Males 21–25 cm; females 20–23 cm1
No sourced figure
Lifespan
Median 13.1 years3
Median 13.3 years3
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes4
Group
Companion & toy1
Companion & toy2
Coat
Long coat1
Long coat2
Shedding
Sheds through the year
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
Daily brushing
Exercise
A modest amount
Health
Sudden-onset diarrhoea (more likely)5
Mouth melanoma (much more likely)6
Class
Lap dog
Lap dog

Which suits you

Size
The Pekingese is a little larger on average: about 4.1 kg (9 lb) as an adult, against 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) for the Maltese.
Shedding
Their coats shed differently: the Maltese sheds through the year, the Pekingese moults most as the seasons change.
Temperament
They differ most on affection (Maltese: a lap or leaning dog; Pekingese: affectionate on its own terms) and on independence (Maltese: cooperative, with its own ideas; Pekingese: decides for itself).
Alike
Both are rated the same on loyalty: sticks close to its people.
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

Maltese
Companion & toy · Toy

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

Pekingese
Companion & toy · Toy

The Pekingese is affectionate and loyal with its own people but dignified and aloof with strangers. It is independent and can be stubborn, yet shows real courage for its size.

The Maltese page →The Pekingese page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Maltese
Pekingese
Activity
Happy with modest walks
Happy with modest walks
Intelligence
Differs
Learns readily, likes games
Easy-going, simple routines
Handler demand
Differs
Suits a first-time owner
Needs steady training
With people
Maltese
Pekingese
Affection
Differs
A lap or leaning dog
Affectionate on its own terms
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Differs
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Decides for itself
Around the home
Maltese
Pekingese
Sensitivity
Differs
Needs a calm, predictable home
Average
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 Pekingese grows to the heavier adult, about 4.2 kg against the Maltese's 3.5 kg.
Maltese
Pekingese
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02462m3m4m6m9m12m18m

More comparisons

Compare the Maltese with
Bichon Frise vs MalteseMaltese vs West Highland White TerrierPekingese vs Tibetan SpanielMaltese vs Shih TzuHavanese vs MalteseJapanese Chin vs PekingeseAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·