Maltese vs Finnish Spitz
Compare Maltese and Finnish Spitz side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
Maltese
Finnish Spitz
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
20 – 25 cm
41 – 47 cm
Weight
3 – 4 kg
7 – 13 kg
Life expectancy
12 – 15 years
12 – 15 years
Child friendly
3/5
5/5
Energy level
2/5
4/5
Intelligence
3/5
3/5
Trainability
3/5
4/5
Health
4/5
4/5
Grooming needs
3/5
2/5
Shedding
1/5
3/5
Barking level
3/5
5/5
Aggressiveness
2/5
3/5
Characteristics
Maltese
Tiny
Finnish Spitz
Great with kids
High energy
Low grooming
Easy to train
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 Finnish Spitz
Finnish Spitz is Finland’s national dog, a medium, foxlike, golden‑red spitz bred to hunt by “bark pointing.” Lively, intelligent, vocal, and affectionate with family but reserved with strangers, it needs regular exercise, mental stimulation, and typically lives 13–15 years.
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