Breed comparison
Maltese vs Yorkshire Terrier
How the two breeds compare on the American Kennel Club's 1 to 5 trait ratings, and which one suits which home.
5Affection with family5
3Good with young children5
3Good with other dogs3
3Openness to strangers5
3Playfulness4
3Energy level4
3Trainability4
3Mental stimulation needs4
4Adaptability5
4Watchdog / protective5
3Barking4
1Shedding1
4Coat grooming5
1Drooling1
The biggest differences
- Good with young children: the Yorkshire Terrier scores 5 out of 5, the Maltese 3.
- Openness to strangers: the Yorkshire Terrier scores 5 out of 5, the Maltese 3.
They score the same on affection with family, good with other dogs, shedding, drooling.
Which one should you choose?
Pick the Maltese if you prefer a calmer dog, you want a quieter dog. Pick the Yorkshire Terrier if you have young children, you want an energetic exercise partner, you want a dog that is easier to train.
Ratings are general breed tendencies from the AKC. Every dog is an individual, so meet the dog, and its parents if you can, before you decide. Not sure? Try the breed selector.
Source: American Kennel Club breed ratings (compiled February 2022). How we check.