Bloodhound vs Maltese: Which Suits Your Home?

At the extremes, a Bloodhound can weigh over 15 times what a Maltese does - 90-110 lbs versus 3-7 lbs - and stand roughly three times as tall (23-27 in versus 7-9 in). This is about as large a size mismatch as you'll find in a breed comparison, and it should be the first thing you factor in before anything else on this page.

Exercise need is low for both, but the Bloodhound still edges ahead at 3/5 versus the Maltese's 2/5. General energy is closer, 3/5 for both. Neither breed demands intense daily exercise, though the Bloodhound's larger frame means its walks cover more ground even at a similar activity level - a short stroll wears out a Maltese faster than it does a Bloodhound simply due to leg length.

The Maltese needs real grooming commitment - a 4/5 rating versus the Bloodhound's easy 2/5 - but sheds far less, a very low 1/5 against the Bloodhound's moderate 3/5. That long, silky white coat mats and stains without regular brushing and bathing; the tradeoff is a dog that leaves almost no hair around the house. White coats also show dirt and tear staining more visibly, adding to the grooming workload.

The Maltese is built for small-space living: a 5/5 apartment suitability score against the Bloodhound's 2/5, with matching moderate barking at 3/5 for both. Both tolerate being alone only moderately-to-poorly, rated 2/5 each, so apartment size alone doesn't remove the need for companionship or a dog walker during long days. A Maltese in a studio apartment with someone home most of the time is a much better match than a Bloodhound in the same space, which will struggle regardless of how much exercise it gets indoors.

Trainability favors the Maltese, 4/5 versus the Bloodhound's 2/5, and the first-time-owner scores follow suit - 4/5 for the Maltese against a low 2/5 for the Bloodhound. A tiny, eager-to-please dog is simply an easier first training project than a huge, independent scent hound, and the consequences of an untrained Maltese are far smaller in every sense.

Here's a reversal worth noting: the Bloodhound actually rates higher with kids, 4/5 versus the Maltese's 3/5 - a small, fragile dog can be more at risk of injury from rough play than a sturdier one. Both do well with other dogs and strangers, rating 4/5 across those categories. If you have young, boisterous kids, that kids score deserves real weight in the decision.

Lifespan strongly favors the Maltese - 12 to 15 years versus the Bloodhound's 7 to 10. Health risks barely overlap: the Bloodhound deals with hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, ear infections, eye problems, atopy, gastric issues, bleeding disorders, ectropion and entropion, while the Maltese's risks include patellar luxation, white shaker syndrome, hypoglycemia, dental disease, tear staining, ear infections, liver shunts, heart murmurs, eye problems and allergies.

Cost ties at a moderate 3/5 for both, and the ranges are close - $100-180 monthly for the Maltese versus $100-200 for the Bloodhound, with a first-year cost of $1,400-2,300 against $1,500-2,800. Despite the enormous size gap, keeping either dog costs roughly the same, since the Maltese's smaller food bills are offset by its grooming needs.