French Bulldog vs Maltese
A side-by-side breakdown of size, cost, grooming load and lifestyle fit — with a straight answer on which suits which household.
Short answer
French Bulldog is the easier breed to live with for most first-time owners — it scores better with children (3/5 vs 2/5); it needs less grooming (2/5 vs 5/5); it costs less to keep ($73 vs $102 a month). Maltese makes more sense only if you specifically want what it offers more of.
Comparison table
| Attribute | French Bulldog | Maltese |
|---|---|---|
| Species | dog | dog |
| Origin | France | Malta |
| Weight (kg) | 8–13 | 2–4 |
| Height (cm) | 28–33 | 20–25 |
| Lifespan (years) | 10–12 | 12–15 |
| Monthly cost (USD) | $73 | $102 |
| Yearly cost (USD) | $876 | $1224 |
| Purchase price (USD) | $1700 | $1450 |
| Grooming need (1–5) | 2 | 5 |
| Shedding (1–5) | 3 | 1 |
| Energy (1–5) | 2 | 2 |
| Trainability (1–5) | 3 | 3 |
| Apartment fit (1–5) | 5 | 5 |
| Good with kids (1–5) | 3 | 2 |
| Vocal (1–5) | 2 | 3 |
What the numbers mean
- French Bulldog weighs 8–13 kg and lives 10–12 years; Maltese weighs 2–4 kg and lives 12–15 years.
- On estimated monthly cost, French Bulldog runs about $73/month versus $102/month for Maltese — a difference of roughly $29 a month, or $348 a year.
- Both have the same apartment suitability score (5/5).
- French Bulldog has the higher shedding score (3/5 vs 1/5) — higher means more hair on your sofa.
- Maltese has the higher grooming requirement (5/5 vs 2/5) — higher means more brushing and professional trimming.
- Both have the same energy level (2/5).
- Both have the same trainability score (3/5).
- French Bulldog has the higher kid-friendliness score (3/5 vs 2/5).
- Maltese has the higher vocalisation score (3/5 vs 2/5) — higher means more barking or meowing.
Cost over ten years
At the estimated monthly rates above, ten years of routine care (food, treats, grooming, medication, vet visits and supplies — excluding insurance, emergency treatment and purchase price) works out to roughly $8,760 for French Bulldog and $12,240 for Maltese. The gap is $3,480 — usually larger than the difference in purchase price.
Health profile
French Bulldog
Maltese
Which one should you pick?
- Choose French Bulldog if you want a breed that copes well in a smaller home, prefer a calmer daily routine, and your budget covers about $73 a month.
- Choose Maltese if you want a breed that copes well in a smaller home, prefer a calmer daily routine, and your budget covers about $102 a month.
- Neither, if the grooming load is more than you can sustain; both need regular coat care.