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Breed

Maltese

The Maltese is a toy breed from Central Mediterranean Region, standing males 8–10 in · females 8–9 in at the withers, weighing males 3–8 lb · females 2–7 lb. Recorded lifespan is 12–15 yrs.

A photograph of the Maltese
Breed group
Toy
Origin
Central Mediterranean Region
Height
males 8–10 in · females 8–9 in
Weight
males 3–8 lb · females 2–7 lb
Lifespan
12–15 yrs

Among the 500 breeds here with recorded measurements, the Maltese is taller than 1% of the measured breeds, heavier than 1%, one of 20 in the Toy group.

Breeds that look like the Maltese

A neural network trained to tell breeds apart by sight read all 510 photographs in this reference, and these are the 6 it placed closest to the Maltese.

Side by side

Height 0–38 in

  1. Maltese
    8–10 in
  2. Coton de Tulear
    10–12 in
  3. Bolognese
    11–12 in
  4. Bichon Frise
    9–11 in
  5. Romanian Mioritic Shepherd
    27–29 in
  6. Bearded Collie
    21–22 in
  7. Tibetan spaniel
    10 in

Weight 0–220 lb

  1. Maltese
    3–8 lb
  2. Coton de Tulear
    9–13 lb
  3. Bolognese
    6–9 lb
  4. Bichon Frise
    7–11 lb
  5. Romanian Mioritic Shepherd
    100–130 lb
  6. Bearded Collie
    40–60 lb
  7. Tibetan spaniel
    9–15 lb

Lifespan 0–20 yrs

  1. Maltese
    12–15 yrs
  2. Coton de Tulear
    15–19 yrs
  3. Bolognese
    12–15 yrs
  4. Bichon Frise
    12–15 yrs
  5. Romanian Mioritic Shepherd
    12–14 yrs
  6. Bearded Collie
    12–14 yrs
  7. Tibetan spaniel
    12–15 yrs

Nothing here was grouped by hand. The ranking is an opinion about appearance, not about ancestry, which is why it sometimes puts together breeds no kennel club would — and why it is worth looking at the photographs rather than taking the order on trust.

Guides that mention the Maltese

Every guide on this site whose text actually discusses this breed.

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