Maltese vs Yorkshire Terrier
A side-by-side breakdown of size, cost, grooming load and lifestyle fit — with a straight answer on which suits which household.
Short answer
These two are closely matched. The decision comes down to cost and coat rather than temperament — pick Yorkshire Terrier if monthly budget is the deciding factor.
Comparison table
| Attribute | Maltese | Yorkshire Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Species | dog | dog |
| Origin | Malta | United Kingdom |
| Weight (kg) | 2–4 | 1.5–3.2 |
| Height (cm) | 20–25 | 17–23 |
| Lifespan (years) | 12–15 | 13–16 |
| Monthly cost (USD) | $102 | $101 |
| Yearly cost (USD) | $1224 | $1212 |
| Purchase price (USD) | $1450 | $1400 |
| Grooming need (1–5) | 5 | 5 |
| Shedding (1–5) | 1 | 1 |
| Energy (1–5) | 2 | 3 |
| Trainability (1–5) | 3 | 3 |
| Apartment fit (1–5) | 5 | 5 |
| Good with kids (1–5) | 2 | 2 |
| Vocal (1–5) | 3 | 4 |
What the numbers mean
- Maltese weighs 2–4 kg and lives 12–15 years; Yorkshire Terrier weighs 1.5–3.2 kg and lives 13–16 years.
- On estimated monthly cost, Yorkshire Terrier runs about $101/month versus $102/month for Maltese — a difference of roughly $1 a month, or $12 a year.
- Both have the same apartment suitability score (5/5).
- Both have the same shedding score (1/5).
- Both have the same grooming requirement (5/5).
- Yorkshire Terrier has the higher energy level (3/5 vs 2/5) — higher means more daily exercise.
- Both have the same trainability score (3/5).
- Both have the same kid-friendliness score (2/5).
- Yorkshire Terrier has the higher vocalisation score (4/5 vs 3/5) — 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 $12,120 for Yorkshire Terrier. The gap is $120 — usually larger than the difference in purchase price.
Health profile
Maltese
Yorkshire Terrier
Both breeds are associated with Patellar luxation, so screening for these is worth raising with a breeder either way.
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 Yorkshire Terrier if you want a breed that copes well in a smaller home, prefer a calmer daily routine, and your budget covers about $101 a month.
- Neither, if the grooming load is more than you can sustain; both need regular coat care.