Maltese vs Basenji
Compare Maltese and Basenji: size, life expectancy, temperament and care side by side.
Maltese
VS
Basenji
Comparison Table
Show Differences Only
Characteristic
Maltese
Basenji
Breed Type
Purebred
Purebred
FCI Group
9 – Companion and Toy Dogs
5 – Spitz and Primitive Types
Height
20 – 25 cm
40 – 43 cm
Weight
3 – 4 kg
9 – 11 kg
Life Expectancy
12 – 15 years
12 – 16 years
Child-Friendly
3/5
2/5
Energy Level
2/5
4/5
Intelligence
3/5
3/5
Trainability
3/5
3/5
Health
4/5
4/5
Grooming Needs
3/5
2/5
Shedding
1/5
2/5
Barking Level
3/5
1/5
Aggressiveness
2/5
3/5
The 1–5 scale shows the level of each trait. A higher value means more of that trait. Individual animals may vary.
Characteristics
Maltese
Tiny
Basenji
High Energy
Low Grooming
Quiet
Small
Summary
About Maltese
The Maltese is a small, sturdy companion dog with a long, white silky coat and expressive dark eyes. Affectionate and people oriented, it adapts well to apartments with daily walks. It needs regular grooming, dental care and gentle training, and often enjoys a long, active life.
About Basenji
Basenji: small, athletic African hound, 40–43 cm and 9–12 kg, with short coat, curled tail and wrinkled forehead. Often “barkless,” it yodels instead. Clean, independent, intelligent and strong-willed, it needs patient positive training, secure fencing, and regular mental and physical exercise.
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