Chihuahua vs Maltese
Breed Snapshot
Best For
Equal parts affectionate, charming and mischievous, Chihuahuas are small, adaptable dogs who thrive in households (small and large!) with no other dominant pets. This toy breed's ideal pet parent provides companionship, care and lots of...
Equal parts affectionate, charming and mischievous, Chihuahuas are small, adaptable dogs who thrive in households (small and large!) with no other dominant pets. This toy breed's ideal pet parent provides companionship, care and lots of attention.
Chihuahua Temperament
Chihuahuas are charming little scamps with an eye for mischief and a sense of bravery that outsizes their physicality. They’re playful pups who enjoy a good romp or game, even though it may not last long (depending on their energy level). And they love to snooze on laps an...
Chihuahuas are charming little scamps with an eye for mischief and a sense of bravery that outsizes their physicality. They’re playful pups who enjoy a good romp or game, even though it may not last long (depending on their energy level). And they love to snooze on laps and cuddle—that is, after all, what they’re bred to do.
They like a lot of attention and are quite portable. But even though they’re easily carried, they do still need to learn how to walk on their own and be able to engage in normal dog behaviors, like sniffing, exploring and playing. In other words, don’t pop them in a purse or a stroller and tote them everywhere—unless, of course, it’s somewhere risky with lots of feet that could hurt a tiny paw, like an airport or street festival.
The Chihuahua dog breed is said to resemble a terrier with their demeanor and can become quite feisty, especially if they feel threatened. Some sites report that the Chihuahua bite force is 3,900 pounds per square inch (psi), but those so-called Chihuahua facts are wildly inaccurate, when a lion is only at 600 psi. In truth, Chihuahuas usually inflict no more than a Level 1-3 bite, with no puncture deeper than half the length of one of their canine teeth.
To help your Chihuahua puppy overcome a nipping or protective tendency, socialize them by safely and slowly introducing them to new people and places from the get-go and start training when they are young. Early training will also help this smallest of dog breeds become wonderfully friendly and receptive to all members of the family, including other pets.
Chihuahua Traits
Breed Snapshot
Best For
The Maltese is a small toy breed known for their luxurious white coat and affectionate temperament. With a long history serving as lapdogs to society's elite, Maltese thrive on attention and make charming companions.
Maltese Temperament
Due to their long history as companions animals, Maltese dogs have a love for laps and their people. Truly, their favorite place is to be wherever you are, and although they are not as energetic as herding breeds, they are lively and playful little dogs. These friendly dogs are f...
Due to their long history as companions animals, Maltese dogs have a love for laps and their people. Truly, their favorite place is to be wherever you are, and although they are not as energetic as herding breeds, they are lively and playful little dogs.
These friendly dogs are fairly social and generally get along well with other pets, provided they were properly trained and socialized. But even though they’re they have a gentle manner, their small weight and height make them fragile. So, they should always be supervised around very young children and babies to make sure the pup isn’t injured or overwhelmed by rough play.
The tiny Maltese has a sweet personality that makes them great therapy dogs. But more than anything else, they just want a chance to sit in your lap and be close to you.
Maltese Traits
