Living
Which fits a small apartment better?
Both tie at a 5/5 apartment score, so the tiebreaker comes down to grooming tolerance and noise preference.
Dachshund vs Maltese: Which Suits Your Home?
Dachshund or Maltese? On paper they differ most on grooming need, and on the scales Dachshund is the heavier at 11–32 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.
This is for someone already down to Dachshund and Maltese and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on grooming need and friendly to strangers, so those are covered first and in most detail. Both rate 5/5 for flats, so housing does not settle this one. Breed history is left out; what follows is what you will actually live with.
Quick verdict
Between Dachshund and Maltese, grooming need is what separates them, and Maltese is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.
Choose dachshund if...
Choose Dachshund if you do not want a standing grooming appointment, you want a dog that can keep up with an active routine and you want a dog that is more watchful with visitors.
Choose maltese if...
Choose Maltese if this is your first dog, shedding is a problem in your house and your walking routine is modest.
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | dachshund | maltese | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | small | small | Equal |
| Weight | 11–32 lbs | 3–7 lbs | Equal |
| Height | 5–9 in | 7–9 in | Equal |
| Lifespan | 12–16 years | 12–15 years | dachshund |
| Exercise need | Moderate (3/5) | Low (2/5) | maltese |
| Grooming need | Low (2/5) | High (4/5) | dachshund |
| Shedding | Low (2/5) | Very low (1/5) | maltese |
| Energy level | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Barking | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | maltese |
| Apartment suitability | Very high (5/5) | Very high (5/5) | Equal |
| Good for first-time owners | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | maltese |
| Tolerates being alone | Very low (1/5) | Low (2/5) | maltese |
| Trainability | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | maltese |
| Good with kids | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Good with other dogs | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | maltese |
| Friendly to strangers | Low (2/5) | High (4/5) | maltese |
| Cost level | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Coat | Short, wirehaired, or longhaired | Long, silky, white | Equal |
| Origin | Germany | Malta | Equal |
| Typical monthly cost | $80–$150 | $100–$180 | Equal |
| Typical first-year cost | $1,200–$2,500 | $1,400–$2,300 | Equal |
Deep dive
Size and build
A Maltese is tiny even by small-breed standards -- 3 to 7 lbs and 7 to 9 inches tall, against the Dachshund's 11-to-32-lb, 5-to-9-inch range. A Dachshund can weigh more than four Maltese put together, even though both are classified as small dogs. Height is actually close; it's weight where the gap opens up.
Energy and exercise
The Maltese needs less daily exercise -- low (2/5) against the Dachshund's moderate (3/5) -- while both tie on general energy level at 3/5. Neither breed demands serious mileage, but the Maltese asks even less of you on the exercise front.
Grooming and shedding
The Dachshund's low-maintenance coat wins clearly on grooming -- 2/5 against the Maltese's high 4/5 -- but the Maltese sheds less, at a very low 1/5 against the Dachshund's already-low 2/5. That long white coat needs daily brushing to avoid matting and staining, which is real ongoing work the Dachshund never asks for.
Apartment living, noise and time alone
Both breeds tie at a very high 5/5 for apartment suitability, making either one a reasonable fit for small-space living. The Dachshund barks more, though -- high (4/5) against the Maltese's moderate (3/5) -- worth factoring in for anyone in a building with close neighbors.
Training and owner experience
The Maltese scores higher on both first-time-owner suitability (4/5 vs 3/5) and trainability (4/5 vs 3/5), backed by an intelligent, lively temperament that tends to make obedience basics come easier than with the Dachshund's more independent streak.
Kids, other dogs and visitors
Good with kids ties at a moderate 3/5 for both breeds, but the Maltese pulls ahead on other dogs (4/5 vs 3/5) and strangers (4/5 vs 2/5), consistent with its gentle, affectionate nature. Neither breed is the most kid-friendly option in this whole comparison set -- supervision matters with both.
Health and lifespan
Lifespan ranges are close -- 12 to 16 years for the Dachshund, 12 to 15 for the Maltese -- with the table giving the Dachshund a slight edge. Two conditions overlap: patellar luxation and dental disease. The Maltese's other risks run toward tear staining, hypoglycemia, and liver shunts, a different profile from the Dachshund's back-heavy list.
Cost to keep
Cost level ties at a moderate 3/5 for both breeds, and the dollar ranges sit reasonably close: $80-$150 monthly for the Dachshund versus $100-$180 for the Maltese, and $1,200-$2,500 versus $1,400-$2,300 in the first year. The Maltese's grooming needs likely account for most of the modest gap on the low end.
Dachshund vs Maltese at a glance
Dachshund weighs 11–32 lbs and lives 12–16 years; Maltese weighs 3–7 lbs and lives 12–15 years. The two diverge most on grooming need and friendly to strangers. They are level on apartment suitability, cost level and energy level, so those cannot decide it. The comparison marks an easier option only where one exists. Facts like weight and country of origin are not scored. Both dogs are rated from the same dataset, which is what makes the numbers comparable with each other even though any individual dog sits somewhere inside its breed's range.
Frequently asked questions
How much smaller is a Maltese than a Dachshund?
Considerably in weight -- 3 to 7 lbs against the Dachshund's 11 to 32 -- though the two are close in height, 7-9 inches versus 5-9 inches.
Which needs less exercise?
The Maltese, rated low (2/5) against the Dachshund's moderate (3/5).
Which sheds less?
The Maltese, at a very low 1/5 shedding score against the Dachshund's low 2/5 -- though the Maltese needs daily brushing regardless, to prevent matting and tear staining.
Is the Maltese a good first dog?
Yes, rated high (4/5) for first-time owners against the Dachshund's moderate (3/5), and it trains a bit more easily too.
How do apartment scores compare?
They tie -- both rated a very high 5/5 for apartment suitability, though the Dachshund barks more (4/5 vs 3/5).
Do they share health risks?
Two: patellar luxation and dental disease appear on both lists. The Maltese's other risks include tear staining, hypoglycemia, and liver shunts.
What's the monthly cost for each?
$80-150 for a Dachshund, $100-180 for a Maltese, both rated a moderate 3/5 cost level overall.
Quick answers
View more answersCosts
What's the monthly cost?
$80-150 for a Dachshund, $100-180 for a Maltese.
Behavior
Which needs less exercise?
The Maltese, rated low (2/5) against the Dachshund's moderate (3/5).
Health
Which lives longer?
The Dachshund, 12-16 years, versus the Maltese's 12-15 -- a narrow edge.
Related DogBreedCompass guides
- Dachshund breed guide – Readers comparing the two usually want the full profile of Dachshund before deciding.
- Maltese breed guide – The same for Maltese, so the comparison can be checked against the detail.
- Dachshund vs Brussels Griffon – Brussels Griffon is the closest breed to Dachshund on the measured axes, so it is the natural next comparison.
- Maltese vs Bichon Frise – Bichon Frise sits closest to Maltese, which makes it the alternative worth ruling out.
- What Dachshund costs to keep – Anyone weighing these two is usually also pricing them, and the cost pages carry city-level figures.
- Maltese health problems – The health pages set out what each breed is actually screened for.
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Important reminder
Health information here is general and is not veterinary advice. If your dog shows pain, sudden behaviour change, or worsening symptoms, consult a licensed veterinarian.
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