A side-by-side comparison of the Maltese and West Highland White Terrier across size, temperament, grooming, family fit, and more.
Maltese
West Highland White Terrier
Overall, Maltese wins more categories — but the right choice still depends on your family's specific needs.
Maltese
4 wins
West Highland White Terrier
0 wins
More family-friendly
Maltese edges ahead on kid-friendliness, affection, and trainability.
Lower maintenance
These breeds require similar grooming effort.
Longer-lived
These breeds have a similar expected lifespan.
Calmer
Maltese is generally more relaxed and lower-energy.
Quieter
Maltese tends to bark less.
More trainable
Maltese picks up commands and new behaviors more readily.
| Breed | Size | Weight | Height | Lifespan | Energy | Shedding | Grooming | Trainable | Affection | Barking | Kids | Dogs | Cats | Apartment | First-timers | Low-allergen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 5–7 lb | 10 in | 12 yr | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||||||
| Small | 15–22 lb | 10–11 in | 9–15 yr | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
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The Maltese and West Highland White Terrier are both popular breeds, but they differ meaningfully in day-to-day life. The verdict above scores them on six key dimensions — use it as a starting point, then factor in your specific home, activity level, and family situation.
Overall, Maltese wins more categories — but the right choice still depends on your family's specific needs.