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Maltese vs Rottweiler Mix: Which Suits Your Home?

Maltese or Rottweiler Mix? On paper they differ most on apartment suitability, and on the scales Rottweiler Mix is the heavier at 80–135 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.

This is for someone already down to Maltese and Rottweiler Mix and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on apartment suitability and exercise need, so those are covered first and in most detail. Anyone choosing from a flat has a clear answer here: Maltese rates 5/5 against 2/5. It is written for the decision rather than the breed history.

Quick verdict

Between Maltese and Rottweiler Mix, apartment suitability is what separates them, and Maltese is the lower-effort dog of the two to keep.

Choose maltese if...

Choose Maltese if you are in a flat or a smaller home, this is your first dog and shedding is a problem in your house.

Choose rottweiler secondary if...

Choose Rottweiler Mix if you do not want a standing grooming appointment, the dog will be alone during the working day and you want a dog that can keep up with an active routine.

Head-to-head comparison

Feature	maltese	rottweiler secondary	Winner
Size class	small	large	Equal
Weight	3–7 lbs	80–135 lbs	Equal
Height	7–9 in	22–27 in	Equal
Lifespan	12–15 years	9–10 years	maltese
Exercise need	Low (2/5)	High (4/5)	maltese
Grooming need	High (4/5)	Low (2/5)	rottweiler secondary
Shedding	Very low (1/5)	Moderate (3/5)	maltese
Energy level	Moderate (3/5)	Moderate (3/5)	Equal
Barking	Moderate (3/5)	Low (2/5)	rottweiler secondary
Apartment suitability	Very high (5/5)	Low (2/5)	maltese
Good for first-time owners	High (4/5)	Low (2/5)	maltese
Tolerates being alone	Low (2/5)	Moderate (3/5)	rottweiler secondary
Trainability	High (4/5)	High (4/5)	Equal
Good with kids	Moderate (3/5)	Moderate (3/5)	Equal
Good with other dogs	High (4/5)	Low (2/5)	maltese
Friendly to strangers	High (4/5)	Low (2/5)	maltese
Cost level	Moderate (3/5)	High (4/5)	maltese
Coat	Long, silky, white	Short, dense double coat	Equal
Origin	Malta	Various	Equal
Typical monthly cost	$100–$180	$110–$240	Equal
Typical first-year cost	$1,400–$2,300	$1,700–$3,200	Equal

Deep dive

Size and build

Same enormous gap as any Rottweiler comparison: 3-7 lbs for the Maltese against 80-135 lbs for the Rottweiler Mix, with height running 7-9 inches versus 22-27. Mixing doesn't shrink a Rottweiler-type dog down to Maltese scale — this pairing is still a small toy breed against a large, powerfully built dog, whatever the exact parentage.

Energy and exercise

Here the two actually land closer than the purebred comparison: the Rottweiler Mix rates Moderate (3/5) energy, versus the purebred's High (4/5), while the Maltese stays at Moderate (3/5) too — an even tie on energy level, even though exercise need itself still favors the Maltese's smaller-dog routine over a large mixed breed's daily needs.

Grooming and shedding

The Rottweiler Mix is easier to groom (Low, 2/5) than the Maltese (High, 4/5), and it also sheds less than the purebred line — Moderate (3/5) here versus High (4/5) for a purebred Rottweiler — though still more than the Maltese's Very Low (1/5). A mixed coat can vary, but this data set lands it in the middle.

Apartment living, noise and time alone

The Maltese rates Very High (5/5) for apartment life against the Rottweiler Mix's Low (2/5) — size dominates this rating regardless of temperament differences from a purebred. One genuine edge for the mix: it tolerates being alone slightly better (Moderate, 3/5, versus the Maltese's Low, 2/5), and it barks less (Low vs Moderate).

Training and owner experience

Trainability ties at High (4/5) for both. But first-time-owner suitability doesn't: the Maltese rates High (4/5), the Rottweiler Mix Low (2/5), reflecting the size, strength and handling experience a large, powerful dog demands regardless of its exact breed mix. This isn't a beginner's dog any more than a purebred Rottweiler is.

Kids, other dogs and visitors

Kids rate a tie here (Moderate for both) — a shift from the purebred comparison where the Rottweiler scored higher. The Maltese still comes out ahead with other dogs (High vs Low) and with strangers (High vs Low), where the mix's temperament leans watchful and reserved, consistent with typical Rottweiler-line guarding instincts.

Health and lifespan

The Maltese lives longer, 12-15 years versus 9-10 for the Rottweiler Mix — slightly better than the purebred Rottweiler's 8-11, a difference sometimes seen in mixed breeds. The mix's health list is shorter and different too: hip and elbow dysplasia, osteosarcoma, cruciate ligament tears — still large-breed joint and cancer risks, but a narrower list than the purebred's ten-condition inventory.

Cost to keep

The Rottweiler Mix runs $110-240 monthly and $1,700-3,200 in year one — somewhat less than a purebred Rottweiler's $125-250 and $2,000-3,500, but still well above the Maltese's $100-180 and $1,400-2,300. Large-breed food and vet costs apply whether or not the dog is a purebred.

Maltese vs Rottweiler Mix at a glance

Maltese weighs 3–7 lbs and lives 12–15 years; Rottweiler Mix weighs 80–135 lbs and lives 9–10 years. The two diverge most on apartment suitability, exercise need and grooming need and 4 other rated axes. They are level on energy level, good with kids and trainability, so those cannot decide it. In the table, a "winner" means easier for an ordinary household — not better. Size, coat and origin are recorded without a verdict. Because both breeds are scored the same way, the gaps are reliable even where the absolute numbers are rough.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Rottweiler Mix smaller than a purebred Rottweiler?

Not in this data — it's listed at the same 80-135 lb weight range and 22-27 inch height as a purebred. Mixing doesn't guarantee a smaller dog; size depends heavily on the other breed involved.

Is a Rottweiler Mix good for first-time owners?

Rated Low (2/5) here, same concern as a purebred Rottweiler — size and strength demand experienced handling regardless of exact ancestry.

Does a Rottweiler Mix shed less than a purebred?

In this data, yes — Moderate (3/5) versus a purebred's High (4/5) — though still more than the Maltese's Very Low (1/5).

How does cost compare to a purebred Rottweiler?

Slightly lower: $110-240 a month and $1,700-3,200 in year one, versus $125-250 and $2,000-3,500 for a purebred. Still well above the Maltese's costs either way.

Which lives longer, the mix or a purebred Rottweiler?

The mix edges it out slightly, 9-10 years versus 8-11, though both fall well short of the Maltese's 12-15 years.

Is the Rottweiler Mix's health list different from a purebred's?

Yes, shorter and somewhat different — hip and elbow dysplasia, osteosarcoma, subaortic stenosis and cruciate ligament tears, versus the purebred's longer ten-condition list that also includes bloat and multiple cancer types.

Which tolerates being left alone better?

The Rottweiler Mix, rated Moderate (3/5) against the Maltese's Low (2/5) — a small edge, though neither breed is ideal for long solo hours.

Quick answers

View more answers

Living

Which breed should most people pick?

The Maltese suits most households better, especially apartments and first-time owners. A Rottweiler Mix needs space, experience, and a real exercise commitment, mix or not.

Costs

What's the monthly cost?

$110-240 for a Rottweiler Mix versus $100-180 for a Maltese — closer than the purebred comparison, but still a real gap.

Training

How much exercise does the mix need?

Moderate (3/5) energy level, though its exercise needs still exceed the Maltese's low-key routine given its size.

Health

Which lives longer?

The Maltese, 12-15 years versus 9-10 for the Rottweiler Mix.

Related DogBreedCompass guides

Maltese breed guide – Readers comparing the two usually want the full profile of Maltese before deciding.
Rottweiler Mix breed guide – The same for Rottweiler Mix, so the comparison can be checked against the detail.
Maltese vs Bichon Frise – Bichon Frise is the closest breed to Maltese on the measured axes, so it is the natural next comparison.
Rottweiler Mix vs Rottweiler – Rottweiler sits closest to Rottweiler Mix, which makes it the alternative worth ruling out.
What Maltese costs to keep – Anyone weighing these two is usually also pricing them, and the cost pages carry city-level figures.
Rottweiler Mix health problems – The health pages set out what each breed is actually screened for.

Related guides

Cost

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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