Quick answer
Which is the better overall choice?
Both work well in almost any home. Pick the Papillon if you want a slightly more trainable, cheaper-to-keep dog and don't mind more barking; pick the Maltese if you'd rather have a quieter dog and don't mind extra brushing time.
Maltese or Papillon? On paper they differ most on grooming need, and on the scales Papillon is the heavier at 5–10 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.
This is for someone already down to Maltese and Papillon and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on grooming need, so those are covered first and in most detail. Both rate 5/5 for flats, so housing does not settle this one. There is no origin story here — only what changes about your week.
Between Maltese and Papillon, grooming need is what separates them, and Papillon is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.
Choose Maltese if shedding is a problem in your house, your walking routine is modest and a smaller dog suits your car, your home or your back.
Choose Papillon if you do not want a standing grooming appointment, you want a dog that picks up training quickly and you want a dog that can keep up with an active routine.
| Feature | maltese | papillon | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | small | small | Equal |
| Weight | 3–7 lbs | 5–10 lbs | Equal |
| Height | 7–9 in | 8–11 in | Equal |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years | 14–16 years | papillon |
| Exercise need | Low (2/5) | Moderate (3/5) | maltese |
| Grooming need | High (4/5) | Low (2/5) | papillon |
| Shedding | Very low (1/5) | Low (2/5) | maltese |
| Energy level | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | Equal |
| Barking | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | maltese |
| Apartment suitability | Very high (5/5) | Very high (5/5) | Equal |
| Good for first-time owners | High (4/5) | High (4/5) | Equal |
| Tolerates being alone | Low (2/5) | Low (2/5) | Equal |
| Trainability | High (4/5) | Very high (5/5) | papillon |
| Good with kids | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Good with other dogs | High (4/5) | High (4/5) | Equal |
| Friendly to strangers | High (4/5) | High (4/5) | Equal |
| Cost level | Moderate (3/5) | Low (2/5) | papillon |
| Coat | Long, silky, white | Long, silky single coat | Equal |
| Origin | Malta | Various | Equal |
| Typical monthly cost | $100–$180 | $80–$150 | Equal |
| Typical first-year cost | $1,400–$2,300 | $1,100–$2,300 | Equal |
These are both toy breeds, so the size gap is modest by comparison to the rest of this site: 3 to 7 pounds for the Maltese against 5 to 10 pounds for the Papillon, with the Papillon standing a bit taller too (8 to 11 inches versus 7 to 9). Either dog will comfortably fit in a small apartment or a carrier bag; the difference here is a matter of a few pounds, not categories.
The Papillon runs slightly more active, a moderate 3 out of 5 exercise need against the Maltese's low 2 out of 5, and its energy level rates higher too (4 out of 5 versus 3). Despite its dainty appearance, the Papillon is a genuinely spry, alert little dog that enjoys more structured activity than its size might suggest. A short daily walk plus indoor play sessions will satisfy either breed just fine.
This is one of the more counterintuitive splits in the comparison: the Maltese needs more grooming (4 out of 5) despite shedding less (1 out of 5), while the Papillon needs less grooming (2 out of 5) despite shedding slightly more (2 out of 5). The Maltese's long, dense coat mats easily without regular brushing; the Papillon's single coat is more wash-and-go by comparison.
Both breeds tie at the maximum 5 out of 5 for apartment suitability, so either is a genuinely solid fit for small-space living. Barking tips toward the Papillon, though, rated high (4 out of 5) against the Maltese's moderate 3 out of 5, worth a thought if your walls are thin, even with two dogs this well suited to compact homes.
The Papillon holds a real edge in trainability, rating very high (5 out of 5) against the Maltese's still-solid high (4 out of 5). Papillons are frequently cited among the most trainable toy breeds, and it shows here. Both tie for first-time-owner suitability at a high 4 out of 5, so either dog is approachable for someone new to ownership.
This category is almost entirely tied, both breeds score 3 out of 5 with kids, 4 out of 5 with other dogs, and 4 out of 5 with strangers. Neither breed stands out over the other for general household sociability, which means this particular comparison won't help you decide; you'll want to weigh grooming, training, and cost instead, since those are where the real gaps show up between these two toy breeds.
The Papillon lives somewhat longer, typically 14 to 16 years against the Maltese's 12 to 15, both long-lived toy breeds, with the Papillon holding a modest edge at the top end. Its health list is shorter, at five conditions including collapsing trachea and an open fontanel; the Maltese's list runs to ten, including liver shunts and white shaker syndrome. Both lists include patellar luxation, a common concern across small breeds generally.
The Papillon is the cheaper dog to keep, rated low (2 out of 5) against the Maltese's moderate (3 out of 5), and that shows up in the dollar figures too: $80 to $150 monthly for the Papillon versus $100 to $180 for the Maltese. First-year totals follow the same pattern, with the Papillon's range starting noticeably lower, mostly a function of its lighter grooming needs rather than food.
Maltese weighs 3–7 lbs and lives 12–15 years; Papillon weighs 5–10 lbs and lives 14–16 years. The two diverge most on grooming need. They are level on tolerates being alone, apartment suitability and good with other dogs, so those cannot decide it. Where the table declares a winner it means less work for the owner, nothing more; descriptive rows are left as ties on purpose. The value here is in the differences between the two columns; treat any single score as approximate.
Both are toy breeds and close in size, the Maltese runs 3 to 7 pounds, the Papillon 5 to 10 pounds, with the Papillon standing a couple inches taller.
The Maltese sheds less (1 out of 5) than the Papillon (2 out of 5), even though the Maltese actually needs more grooming time overall, its long coat mats more easily.
Both are well suited to first-time owners, tying at a high 4 out of 5. Neither breed asks much of a new handler in terms of temperament.
Both tie at the maximum 5 out of 5 for apartment suitability, either is genuinely well suited to small-space living.
The Papillon is somewhat cheaper, $80 to $150 monthly against the Maltese's $100 to $180, with a lower overall cost rating too (2 out of 5 versus 3).
Patellar luxation and progressive retinal atrophy appear on both lists, but otherwise they diverge, the Maltese's list is longer and includes liver shunts and heart murmurs, while the Papillon's shorter list adds collapsing trachea and open fontanel.
The Papillon, rated very high (5 out of 5) against the Maltese's still-strong 4 out of 5, it's often cited as one of the most trainable toy breeds around, and that edge shows up clearly here.
Both work well in almost any home. Pick the Papillon if you want a slightly more trainable, cheaper-to-keep dog and don't mind more barking; pick the Maltese if you'd rather have a quieter dog and don't mind extra brushing time.
The Papillon runs $80-$150 a month; the Maltese runs $100-$180, a modest gap in the Papillon's favor.
Both are low-to-moderate, 2 out of 5 for the Maltese, 3 out of 5 for the Papillon. Neither breed needs intense daily activity.
The Papillon, slightly, typically 14 to 16 years against the Maltese's 12 to 15.
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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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