toy
Yorkshire Terrier
- Size
- toy
- Exercise
- 30 min/day
- Life expectancy
- 11-15 years
- Hypoallergenic
- Yes
Matchapup
Breed comparison
Yorkshire Terrier vs Maltese
Yorkshire Terriers tend to feel bolder and more terrier-like. Maltese are usually softer companion dogs, but both need grooming discipline and careful handling because of their small size.
toy
Maltese
- Size
- toy
- Exercise
- 25 min/day
- Life expectancy
- 12-15 years
- Hypoallergenic
- Yes
Quick answer
Should I get a Yorkshire Terrier or Maltese?
Yorkshire Terriers tend to feel bolder and more terrier-like. Maltese are usually softer companion dogs, but both need grooming discipline and careful handling because of their small size.
The best choice depends less on looks and more on daily rhythm: activity tolerance, training appetite, coat cleanup, heat or cold limits, and how much health-cost uncertainty your household can absorb.
Best for whom
Tiny dog with attitude: Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkies often bring more alertness, confidence, and terrier spark.
Softer lap companion: Maltese
Maltese are often chosen for a gentler, more classic companion-dog feel.
Low grooming effort: Neither guaranteed
Both coats need regular brushing, trims, face care, and mat prevention.
Also searched as
Maltese vs Yorkshire Terrier
This is the same comparison as Yorkshire Terrier vs Maltese. Matchapup keeps the canonical version at /compare/yorkshire-terrier-vs-maltese so the breed decision stays in one place.
Decision checklist
Use these prompts before choosing between Yorkshire Terrier and Maltese. They turn a breed-vs-breed page into a real household decision instead of a popularity contest.
Daily routine
Yorkshire Terrier and Maltese can look similar on a shortlist, but exercise rhythm changes the ownership feel. Yorkshire Terrier is estimated around 30 minutes per day, while Maltese is estimated around 25 minutes.
Training plan
Compare how much structure your household can offer. A breed that is easier to live with on paper can still become frustrating if barking, leash skills, recall, or polite greetings are not trained early.
Care budget
Use the cost notes below as a planning range, then sanity-check food, insurance, routine vet care, grooming, and emergency savings before you bring either breed home.
Household fit
Run the decision through your real constraints: kids, other pets, apartment rules, climate, alone time, shedding tolerance, and whether anyone in the home needs allergy or mobility accommodations.
Side-by-side fit signals
Seeded and supplemental scores use sourced Matchapup breed data for directional comparison. Missing coverage is shown plainly instead of backfilled.
Energy4/5 vs 3/5
Shedding1/5 vs 1/5
Grooming5/5 vs 5/5
Apartment fit5/5 vs 5/5
Kid friendly3/5 vs 3/5
Trainability3/5 vs 4/5
Which is better for...
Tiny dog with attitude
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkies often bring more alertness, confidence, and terrier spark.
Softer lap companion
Maltese
Maltese are often chosen for a gentler, more classic companion-dog feel.
Low grooming effort
Neither guaranteed
Both coats need regular brushing, trims, face care, and mat prevention.
Health and cost differences
Cost differences are directional, not a quote. Use them to decide whether the higher-risk parts of either breed still fit your budget, schedule, and comfort with routine care.
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier: $1,320-$3,000 per year for food, routine vet care, insurance, and grooming in the Matchapup planning model. Health planning should account for Patellar luxation and Eye disorders.
Maltese
Maltese: $1,300-$2,950 per year for food, routine vet care, insurance, and grooming in the Matchapup planning model. Health planning should account for Patellar luxation and Dental disease.
Frequently asked questions
Should I get a Yorkshire Terrier or Maltese?
Yorkshire Terriers tend to feel bolder and more terrier-like. Maltese are usually softer companion dogs, but both need grooming discipline and careful handling because of their small size. Use the match quiz if your home has constraints around space, kids, alone time, exercise, or grooming.
Which is better for families, Yorkshire Terrier or Maltese?
Tiny dog with attitude: Yorkshire Terrier because Yorkies often bring more alertness, confidence, and terrier spark. Softer lap companion: Maltese because Maltese are often chosen for a gentler, more classic companion-dog feel. Low grooming effort: Neither guaranteed because Both coats need regular brushing, trims, face care, and mat prevention.
Which costs more, Yorkshire Terrier or Maltese?
Yorkshire Terrier: $1,320-$3,000 per year for food, routine vet care, insurance, and grooming in the Matchapup planning model. Health planning should account for Patellar luxation and Eye disorders. Maltese: $1,300-$2,950 per year for food, routine vet care, insurance, and grooming in the Matchapup planning model. Health planning should account for Patellar luxation and Dental disease.
Which needs more exercise, Yorkshire Terrier or Maltese?
Yorkshire Terrier usually needs more daily exercise: Yorkshire Terrier is estimated around 30 minutes per day, while Maltese is estimated around 25 minutes per day.
Which sheds more, Yorkshire Terrier or Maltese?
Their shedding scores are similar: Matchapup scores Yorkshire Terrier 1/5 and Maltese 1/5 for shedding.
Is Maltese vs Yorkshire Terrier the same comparison?
Maltese vs Yorkshire Terrier is the same comparison as Yorkshire Terrier vs Maltese. Matchapup keeps one canonical page at /compare/yorkshire-terrier-vs-maltese so readers and search engines do not split the same breed decision across duplicates.
Related breed comparisons
Keep comparing close-fit breeds before you pick a direction. These pages share one of the breeds above or fill the next useful decision path in the Matchapup comparison set.
Husky vs Alaskan MalamutePick a Husky if you want a lighter, faster companion with more vocal personality. Pick an Alaskan Malamute if you want a larger, steadier working dog and can handle serious coat care.Goldendoodle vs LabradoodleGoldendoodles often appeal to families wanting a softer Golden Retriever-style temperament, while Labradoodles often appeal to people who want a sportier Labrador-style companion.Goldendoodle vs BernedoodleGoldendoodles are usually the better fit for active families wanting a retriever-like companion. Bernedoodles often appeal to people who want a bigger, calmer mountain-dog feel.
Related lifestyle guides
Not sure either breed fits your home? Follow the trait that matters most and compare a broader ranked list before deciding.