Maltese vs Saint Bernard
A side-by-side breakdown of size, cost, grooming load and lifestyle fit — with a straight answer on which suits which household.
Short answer
Maltese is the easier breed to live with for most first-time owners — it scores higher on apartment fit (5/5 vs 1/5); it sheds less (1/5 vs 5/5); it costs less to keep ($102 vs $143 a month). Saint Bernard makes more sense only if you specifically want a heavier coat to groom and live with.
Comparison table
| Attribute | Maltese | Saint Bernard |
|---|---|---|
| Species | dog | dog |
| Origin | Malta | Switzerland / Italy |
| Weight (kg) | 2–4 | 54–82 |
| Height (cm) | 20–25 | 65–90 |
| Lifespan (years) | 12–15 | 8–10 |
| Monthly cost (USD) | $102 | $143 |
| Yearly cost (USD) | $1224 | $1716 |
| Purchase price (USD) | $1450 | $2900 |
| Grooming need (1–5) | 5 | 4 |
| Shedding (1–5) | 1 | 5 |
| Energy (1–5) | 2 | 2 |
| Trainability (1–5) | 3 | 3 |
| Apartment fit (1–5) | 5 | 1 |
| Good with kids (1–5) | 2 | 4 |
| Vocal (1–5) | 3 | 2 |
What the numbers mean
- Maltese weighs 2–4 kg and lives 12–15 years; Saint Bernard weighs 54–82 kg and lives 8–10 years.
- On estimated monthly cost, Maltese runs about $102/month versus $143/month for Saint Bernard — a difference of roughly $41 a month, or $492 a year.
- Maltese has the higher apartment suitability score (5/5 vs 1/5) — this matters most if you rent or live in a flat.
- Saint Bernard has the higher shedding score (5/5 vs 1/5) — higher means more hair on your sofa.
- Maltese has the higher grooming requirement (5/5 vs 4/5) — higher means more brushing and professional trimming.
- Both have the same energy level (2/5).
- Both have the same trainability score (3/5).
- Saint Bernard has the higher kid-friendliness score (4/5 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 $12,240 for Maltese and $17,160 for Saint Bernard. The gap is $4,920 — usually larger than the difference in purchase price.
Health profile
Maltese
Saint Bernard
Which one should you pick?
- 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.
- Choose Saint Bernard if you want a more substantial dog to work with, prefer a calmer daily routine, and your budget covers about $143 a month.
- Neither, if the grooming load is more than you can sustain; both need regular coat care.