Maltese vs Rottweiler: Which Suits Your Home?

This is about as extreme a size gap as you'll find on this site. A Maltese weighs 3-7 lbs; a Rottweiler weighs 80-135 lbs — potentially twenty times heavier — and stands up to 27 inches versus the Maltese's 9. One is a lap dog in the literal sense, the other a large, powerfully built working breed. There's essentially no overlap in what daily life with each looks like physically.

The Rottweiler rates High (4/5) exercise need against the Maltese's Low (2/5). This is a working breed that wants a real job or substantial daily activity — long walks, structured training, purposeful exercise — not just a yard to wander. The Maltese is satisfied with short indoor sessions. Underexercising a Rottweiler this size can translate into real behavioral problems.

The Rottweiler is easier to groom (Low, 2/5) than the Maltese (High, 4/5) — no trims, no mats, just brushing. But it sheds more (High, 4/5) against the Maltese's Very Low (1/5). Trade a low-shedding coat that needs regular brushing and trims for a wash-and-go coat that leaves more fur around the house.

The Maltese is far better suited to a small space, rating Very High (5/5) on apartment suitability against the Rottweiler's Low (2/5) — size and exercise needs alone make a Rottweiler a poor fit for most apartments. Barking ties at Moderate (3/5) for both, and both tolerate being alone about equally poorly (2/5 each).

Trainability ties at High (4/5) for both — Rottweilers are genuinely smart, capable working dogs. But the Maltese rates far higher for first-time owners (High, 4/5, versus the Rottweiler's Low, 2/5). A Rottweiler's size, strength and protective instincts demand experienced, consistent handling; this isn't a breed to learn dog ownership on.

The Rottweiler rates better with kids (High vs Moderate) when well-socialized and trained, but the Maltese rates notably better with other dogs (High vs Moderate) and especially with strangers (High vs Low) — Rottweilers are bred to be watchful and protective, which shows up as reserve or wariness around unfamiliar people. That protective instinct needs careful management around visitors.

The Maltese lives considerably longer, 12-15 years against just 8-11 for the Rottweiler — a large-breed lifespan penalty that's well documented across giant and large dogs generally. The Rottweiler's health list is heavier too: hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, multiple cancer risks including bone cancer. The Maltese's risks are real but generally less life-threatening, centered on small-dog joint, dental and eye issues.

The Rottweiler costs more to keep across the board: $125-250 a month versus $100-180 for the Maltese, and $2,000-3,500 in the first year versus $1,400-2,300. Food volume alone accounts for a lot of that gap, and the Rottweiler's more serious health risk list — including cancer screening — can mean higher lifetime veterinary spending too.