Breed comparison
Chihuahua vs Maltese: two kinds of devotion
Both tiny, both affectionate, both HDB-approved. The Maltese is the gentle family lapdog; the Chihuahua is smaller, longer-lived, lower-grooming and intensely yours.
Nelson and Kim, Curious Tails · AVS licence AS24J00046· Updated 24 July 2026
What is the difference between a Chihuahua and a Maltese?
Both are tiny, affectionate, HDB approved lap dogs, but the Maltese is a gentle, family-friendly lapdog with a demanding white coat and tear stains to manage, while the Chihuahua is smaller, longer-lived, far lower-grooming in a smooth coat, and forms an intense one-person bond. Choose the Maltese for a soft family dog, the Chihuahua for the smallest, longest-lived companion that is unmistakably yours.
Devotion versus gentleness
The Chihuahua and the Maltese are both tiny, both affectionate, and both classic lap dogs, but they offer two quite different kinds of companionship. The Maltese is the gentle, sweet-natured lapdog, an easy-going charmer that tends to spread its love across the whole family. The Chihuahua is more intense, forming that fierce one-person bond and reserving its deepest devotion for its chosen human.
Both are HDB approved, so this is a fit decision, not a legality one. The two big practical differences are the coat, low-grooming smooth Chihuahua versus the demanding white coat of the Maltese, and the temperament match to your household.
Here is the honest side-by-side.
| Trait | Chihuahua | Maltese |
|---|---|---|
| Adult weight | ~1.8–2.7 kg | ~3–4 kg |
| Coat | Smooth or long | Long, silky white |
| Grooming | Low to modest | High + tear-stain care |
| Temperament | Devoted, one-person, bold | Gentle, family-friendly |
| With children | Best with calm older kids | Generally good, gentle |
| Lifespan | ~14–18 yrs | ~12–15 yrs |
| HDB | Approved | Approved |
The coat, and the white-dog upkeep
The Maltese wears a long, silky, pure-white coat with no undercoat, which has two consequences. On the plus side, it is low-shedding and often tolerated better by some allergy sufferers, though no dog is truly hypoallergenic. On the demanding side, that coat mats easily and needs daily-to-frequent brushing plus regular professional grooming, and the white fur around the eyes shows tear stains that need routine cleaning to manage.
The Chihuahua is far simpler. A smooth-coat Chihuahua is close to wash-and-wear, and even a long coat is a light commitment. If low-maintenance grooming is a priority, the Chihuahua wins clearly, and the difference in both time and grooming bills over a dozen years is substantial.
Neither breed is heat-suited to shave-and-forget living, and both, being tiny and thin-coated relative to their size, appreciate warmth in air-conditioned Singapore rather than cooling. So the coat conversation is really about upkeep, not climate.
Temperament and the household question
This is where the two diverge most. The Maltese is bred to be a gentle companion and generally lives up to it: sweet, sociable, adaptable, and typically comfortable being handled and loved by everyone in the home. That makes it a strong pick for a family, including one with gentle, sensible children, provided the small size is respected.
The Chihuahua is bolder and more single-minded. Its one-person bond is a joy for the person it chooses and can look like aloofness or even guarding toward others. It is a superb dog for a single person, a couple, or a senior who wants a devoted shadow, and a less natural fit for a busy household wanting a dog that loves everyone equally. Both need training against barking for flat life, and both are fragile enough to warrant care around toddlers.
On dental care, both are small-jawed and need it, with the Chihuahua's crowding making it the more demanding. And the Chihuahua's lifespan edge, among the longest of any breed, is worth weighing if longevity matters to you.
Quick household match
- Family with gentle kids wanting a soft lapdog → often the Maltese
- Single or senior wanting a devoted shadow → often the Chihuahua
- Lowest grooming and longest life → the Chihuahua
- Both need dental care and anti-bark training
Which suits which owner
Choose the Maltese if you want a gentle, family-friendly lapdog whose affection spreads across the household, and you do not mind the real grooming and tear-stain routine that the white coat demands. It is one of the sweetest-tempered toy breeds there is.
Choose the Chihuahua if you want the smallest, longest-lived option, the lowest grooming, and a dog that is unmistakably and intensely yours. For the right single owner or couple, that devotion is the entire appeal, and the easy coat is a bonus.
Both are excellent, both are HDB-approved, and neither is a wrong answer, they simply suit different homes. Be honest about whether you want a dog for the family or a dog for you, and about how much grooming you will realistically keep up, and the choice tends to make itself.
It is worth being realistic about the grooming specifically, because it is the commitment buyers most often underestimate. A Maltese coat left un-brushed for a week can mat to the skin, and the tear-stain routine is a near-daily wipe if you want to keep that white face looking its best. Many owners love the ritual; others quietly resent it by month three and end up keeping the dog in a short "puppy cut" that removes the very look they bought the breed for. If you know yourself to be a low-maintenance owner, the smooth Chihuahua removes that whole category of decision, and that honesty with yourself is worth more than any breed-trait chart.
The Maltese loves the whole room; the Chihuahua chooses a person. Decide which kind of devotion you are looking for.
What we place
We are a Chihuahua specialist, so we place Chihuahuas rather than Maltese. If the intense bond, tiny size, long life and easy coat are what you want, we will help you find the right smooth or long coat individual and match its temperament to your home.
If, having read this, the Maltese's gentle, family-friendly nature is the better fit, we will say so honestly and point you toward reputable, licensed sources for that breed. The right dog for your household matters more than which breed we happen to sell.
WhatsApp us at +65 8220 6408, tell us whether this is a family dog or a personal one and how much grooming you want to do, and we will give you a straight read on whether the Chihuahua fits.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Chihuahua and a Maltese?
The Maltese is a gentle, family-friendly lapdog with a demanding white coat; the Chihuahua is smaller, longer-lived, lower-grooming, and bonds intensely to one person. Both are HDB approved, so the choice is fit, not legality.
Which needs more grooming?
The Maltese, by a lot. Its long, silky white coat mats easily and needs frequent brushing, regular professional grooming and tear-stain care. A smooth Chihuahua is close to wash-and-wear.
Is a Maltese hypoallergenic?
No dog is truly hypoallergenic, but the Maltese is low-shedding with no undercoat and is often tolerated better by some allergy sufferers. The Chihuahua does shed modestly.
Which is better with children?
The Maltese tends to suit family life well thanks to its gentle nature, with gentle older children. The Chihuahua is more fragile and one-person-focused, better for a calmer or single-owner home. Respect the small size of either.
Which lives longer?
The Chihuahua, at roughly 14 to 18 years, is among the longest-lived of any breed. The Maltese typically lives around 12 to 15 years.
Which bonds more to one person?
The Chihuahua, distinctly. It forms an intense one-person bond, which is wonderful for a single owner or senior. The Maltese spreads its affection more evenly across the family.
Do you place Maltese?
No, we specialise in Chihuahuas. If the Maltese is the better fit for your home, we will honestly point you toward reputable, licensed sources for that breed.
Meet your Chihuahua
Come say hello at Balestier
2 Balestier Road #01-701, Singapore 320002 · Weekdays 12pm–6pm · Weekends 10am–6pm. Or message us first: tell us about your home and routine, and we'll tell you honestly if a Chihuahua fits.
Still deciding?
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