Living
Which breed should most people pick?
For a quieter, lower-exercise household, the Maltese. For an active owner who wants a highly trainable, kid-friendly dog and doesn't mind more barking, the Schnauzer.
Maltese vs Schnauzer (Standard): Which Suits Your Home?
Maltese or Schnauzer (Standard)? On paper they differ most on exercise need, and on the scales Schnauzer (Standard) is the heavier at 26–50 lbs. Here is how the two compare on everything that shapes an ordinary week.
This is for someone already down to Maltese and Schnauzer (Standard) and deciding between them. For this pair the decision usually turns on exercise need and good with kids, so those are covered first and in most detail. Anyone choosing from a flat has a clear answer here: Maltese rates 5/5 against 4/5. The focus throughout is on daily consequences rather than breed background.
Quick verdict
Between Maltese and Schnauzer (Standard), exercise need 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 your walking routine is modest.
Choose schnauzer standard if...
Choose Schnauzer (Standard) if the dog will be alone during the working day, there are young children at home and you want a dog that picks up training quickly.
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | maltese | schnauzer standard | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size class | small | medium | Equal |
| Weight | 3–7 lbs | 26–50 lbs | Equal |
| Height | 7–9 in | 17–20 in | Equal |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years | 13–16 years | schnauzer standard |
| Exercise need | Low (2/5) | High (4/5) | maltese |
| Grooming need | High (4/5) | High (4/5) | Equal |
| Shedding | Very low (1/5) | Very low (1/5) | Equal |
| Energy level | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | Equal |
| Barking | Moderate (3/5) | High (4/5) | maltese |
| Apartment suitability | Very high (5/5) | High (4/5) | maltese |
| Good for first-time owners | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | maltese |
| Tolerates being alone | Low (2/5) | Moderate (3/5) | schnauzer standard |
| Trainability | High (4/5) | Very high (5/5) | schnauzer standard |
| Good with kids | Moderate (3/5) | Very high (5/5) | schnauzer standard |
| Good with other dogs | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | maltese |
| Friendly to strangers | High (4/5) | Moderate (3/5) | maltese |
| Cost level | Moderate (3/5) | Moderate (3/5) | Equal |
| Coat | Long, silky, white | Wiry double coat | Equal |
| Origin | Malta | Germany | Equal |
| Typical monthly cost | $100–$180 | $100–$200 | Equal |
| Typical first-year cost | $1,400–$2,300 | $1,500–$2,800 | Equal |
Deep dive
Size and build
The Standard Schnauzer is a genuinely medium-sized dog at 26-50 lbs and 17-20 inches, dwarfing the Maltese's 3-7 lbs and 7-9 inches by a factor of roughly seven at the low end. Both are compact compared to large working breeds, but this is still a real jump — a Schnauzer is a solid, muscular dog, while the Maltese remains a lap-sized companion.
Energy and exercise
The Schnauzer rates High (4/5) exercise need against the Maltese's Low (2/5) — this is a working terrier-type breed that wants real daily activity, not just a stroll. If your schedule allows for a solid walk or run each day, the Schnauzer will thrive on it; if it doesn't, the Maltese's lighter needs are the safer bet.
Grooming and shedding
Grooming ties at High (4/5) for both — the Schnauzer's wiry coat needs regular hand-stripping or clipping, just like the Maltese's long coat needs regular brushing. Shedding also ties, both Very Low (1/5), making this a genuinely low-shed pairing either way. The grooming style differs more than the effort level: brushing versus coat texture maintenance.
Apartment living, noise and time alone
The Maltese edges out the Schnauzer on apartment suitability (Very High vs High) and barks less (Moderate vs High) — Schnauzers are alert, vocal dogs by nature. One point in the Schnauzer's favor: it tolerates being left alone somewhat better (Moderate vs Low), useful if your household has longer stretches away from home.
Training and owner experience
The Schnauzer trains at Very High (5/5), just ahead of the Maltese's High (4/5) — it's a genuinely sharp, capable breed. Yet the Maltese rates better for first-time owners (High vs Moderate), likely reflecting the Schnauzer's higher exercise demands and more assertive personality, both of which take more consistent handling from a new owner.
Kids, other dogs and visitors
The Schnauzer rates better with kids (Very High vs Moderate), its sturdier build and steady temperament suiting an active household well. The Maltese comes out ahead with other dogs (High vs Moderate) and with strangers (High vs Moderate) — Schnauzers tend toward a more watchful, reserved reaction to unfamiliar people and dogs, consistent with their history as farm and guard dogs.
Health and lifespan
The Schnauzer lives slightly longer, 13-16 years versus 12-15 for the Maltese. Its health list is considerably longer, though — ten conditions including hemangiosarcoma, seizures and pancreatitis, versus the Maltese's ten as well but skewed toward less severe small-dog issues like tear staining and dental disease. Longevity doesn't necessarily mean a lighter health-risk load.
Cost to keep
Monthly costs tie at Moderate (3/5) for both, and the dollar ranges sit close: $100-200 for the Schnauzer versus $100-180 for the Maltese. First-year costs show a modest gap, $1,500-2,800 versus $1,400-2,300, likely reflecting the Schnauzer's larger size and its own grooming needs. Neither breed is a budget outlier here.
Maltese vs Schnauzer (Standard) at a glance
Maltese weighs 3–7 lbs and lives 12–15 years; Schnauzer (Standard) weighs 26–50 lbs and lives 13–16 years. The two diverge most on exercise need and good with kids. They are level on cost level, grooming need and shedding, so those cannot decide it. The table below marks a winner only where one breed is genuinely easier for a typical owner; size and origin are facts rather than merits and stay level. Ratings come from one source applied to both breeds, so they are meaningful against each other rather than as absolute scores.
Frequently asked questions
How much bigger is a Standard Schnauzer than a Maltese?
Substantially — 26-50 lbs versus 3-7 lbs, roughly seven times heavier at the low end. The Schnauzer is classed as medium, the Maltese as small.
Which sheds more?
Neither — both tie at Very Low (1/5) shedding, making this an unusually allergy-friendly comparison on both sides, despite very different coat types.
Is a Standard Schnauzer good for a first-time owner?
Rated Moderate (3/5), behind the Maltese's High (4/5) — its higher exercise needs and more assertive personality ask more of a new owner even though it's highly trainable.
Which barks more?
The Schnauzer, rated High (4/5) against the Maltese's Moderate (3/5). Schnauzers are naturally alert, vocal watchdogs, which matters in shared-wall housing.
What's the monthly cost?
Very close: $100-200 for the Schnauzer, $100-180 for the Maltese. Neither breed stands out as notably expensive to keep.
Do they share health risks?
Not meaningfully. The Schnauzer's list includes hemangiosarcoma, seizures and pancreatitis; the Maltese's leans toward small-dog dental, eye and joint issues. Check both with a vet before deciding.
Which lives longer?
The Schnauzer, slightly — 13-16 years versus 12-15 for the Maltese, though the gap isn't dramatic.
Quick answers
View more answersCosts
What's the monthly cost?
$100-200 for the Schnauzer versus $100-180 for the Maltese — both land in a similar moderate range.
Training
How much exercise does the Schnauzer need?
High (4/5) — real daily activity, versus the Maltese's Low (2/5).
Health
Which lives longer?
The Schnauzer, 13-16 years versus the Maltese's 12-15.
Related DogBreedCompass guides
- Maltese breed guide – Readers comparing the two usually want the full profile of Maltese before deciding.
- Schnauzer (Standard) breed guide – The same for Schnauzer (Standard), 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.
- Schnauzer (Standard) vs Poodle (All Sizes) – Poodle (All Sizes) sits closest to Schnauzer (Standard), 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.
- Schnauzer (Standard) 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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