Side by side
Put a few breeds side by side before you make up your mind.
Pick up to four. The URL updates as you go, so you can send this comparison to whoever you are arguing with.
| Breed |  Morkie |  Maltese |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | United States, 1990s | Malta and the central Mediterranean |
| Group | Crossbreed | Toy |
| Size | Toy | Small |
| Coat | Long and silky | Long, straight, silky white single coat with no undercoat |
| Weight | 2 to 5 kg | 3 to 4 kg |
| Height | 18 to 25 cm | 20 to 25 cm |
| Lifespan | 12 to 16 yrs | 12 to 15 yrs |
| Exercise need | 5/10 | 5/10 |
| Affection | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Grooming needs | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Barking | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Good with children | 5/10 | 5/10 |
| Good with other dogs | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Trainability | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Prey drive | 4/10 | 2/10 |
| Copes alone | 2/10 | 2/10 |
| Drool | 1/10 | 1/10 |
| Shedding | 2/10 | 2/10 |
| Flat fit | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Running cost | €76 / month | €93 / month |
Morkie verdict
A tiny shadow with a terrier opinion
Get one if
- · Singles, couples and retirees wanting a constant companion
- · Home workers and households where someone is usually in
- · Flat dwellers; exercise needs are genuinely small
Think again if
- · Households with toddlers or very boisterous children
- · Homes empty for long working days
- · Anyone wanting a quiet dog; the bark is piercing
Maltese verdict
A long lived, silky coated companion that demands daily combing and daily company in equal measure.
Get one if
- · Owners who can offer consistent daily company rather than long stretches alone
- · People happy to commit to daily combing and regular professional grooming
- · First-time owners wanting a small, affectionate, trainable companion
Think again if
- · Households with very young or boisterous children who may handle a fragile dog too roughly
- · Owners who are out of the house for long working hours regularly
- · Anyone hoping to avoid daily coat care or regular professional grooming