Maltese vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Size Category
Small
Ideal For
Various Households
Maintenance Level
Moderate
Size Category
Small
Ideal For
Families, Multi-pet Homes
Maintenance Level
Moderate
Decision Helper
Quick Decision Guide
Maltese might be better if you:
- Want a smaller dog that's easy to carry
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel might be better if you:
- Want a dog great with children
- Have other pets at home
- Want an easily trainable dog
- Prefer low-maintenance grooming
- Often have visitors or socialize frequently
- Want a smaller dog that's easy to carry
Find Your Match
Quick Match Quiz
Question 1 of 7
What best describes your lifestyle?
Breed Overview
Maltese
The Maltese is a small toy breed known for its long, flowing white coat and lively personality. They typically weigh between 4 to 7 pounds and stand about 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder. Maltese dogs are characterized by their playful and affectionate nature, making them excellent companions. They are highly social, often forming strong bonds with their owners and family members. Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them relatively easy to train, although they can sometimes exhibit a stubborn streak. Maltese are also known for their alertness, often acting as watchdogs despite their small size. They require regular grooming to maintain their beautiful coat and benefit from daily exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small, elegant toy breed known for its affectionate nature and expressive eyes. They typically weigh between 13 to 18 pounds and stand about 12 to 13 inches tall at the shoulder. Their silky, medium-length coat comes in a variety of color combinations, including Blenheim, tricolor, ruby, and black and tan. This breed is known for its friendly and gentle disposition, making them excellent companions for families, singles, and seniors alike. Cavaliers are highly social dogs that thrive on human interaction and are known for their playful and affectionate demeanor. They are often described as adaptable, eager to please, and intelligent, making them relatively easy to train. However, they can be prone to separation anxiety if left alone for long periods.
Key Statistics
Life Expectancy
Height (Male)
Weight (Male)
Breed Characteristics
Good with Children
Good with children
Excellent with children
Good with Other Dogs
Generally friendly with other dogs
Very social with other dogs
Shedding
Light shedding level
Light shedding level
Grooming Needs
High grooming needs
Low grooming needs
Trainability
Moderately trainable
Highly trainable
Energy Level
Moderately energetic breed
Moderately energetic breed
Barking Tendency
Moderate barking tendency
Moderate barking tendency
Care Requirements
Care Requirements
Maltese
Exercise Needs
Regular exercise needed
Grooming
Brush coat daily to prevent matting and tangles.
Feeding
Provide a balanced diet appropriate for their size and age.
Health Care
Check and clean ears weekly to prevent infections.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Exercise Needs
Feed a balanced diet appropriate for their age, size, and activity level.
Grooming
Brush their coat daily to prevent matting and reduce shedding.
Feeding
Feed a balanced diet appropriate for their age, size, and activity level.
Health Care
Check and clean their ears regularly to prevent infections.
Exercise Needs
Regular exercise needed
Exercise Needs
Feed a balanced diet appropriate for their age, size, and activity level.
Grooming
Brush coat daily to prevent matting and tangles.
Grooming
Brush their coat daily to prevent matting and reduce shedding.
Feeding
Provide a balanced diet appropriate for their size and age.
Feeding
Feed a balanced diet appropriate for their age, size, and activity level.
Health Care
Check and clean ears weekly to prevent infections.
Health Care
Check and clean their ears regularly to prevent infections.
Additional Care Notes
Maltese
- •Provide a balanced diet appropriate for their size and age.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- •Schedule regular veterinary check-ups and vaccinations.
Training & Exercise
Training & Exercise Guide
Maltese
Maltese dogs are intelligent and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train. Basic training should include housebreaking, basic commands (sit, stay, come), and leash training. Start with short, positive training sessions and use rewards such as treats and praise to encourage good behavior. Consistency and patience are key, as Maltese puppies can be easily distracted.
Training Challenges
- •Stubbornness during training
- •Separation anxiety
- •Barking excessively
- •Housebreaking difficulties
- •Fear of loud noises
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are intelligent and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train. Basic training should start early and focus on commands such as sit, stay, come, and leash walking. Positive reinforcement techniques, such as treats and praise, are highly effective. Socialization with other dogs and people is also crucial to help them develop into well-rounded pets.
Training Challenges
- •Separation anxiety due to their strong attachment to owners
- •Distractibility in environments with many stimuli
- •Stubbornness when not motivated by treats or praise
- •Difficulty with house training if not consistent
Maltese
Maltese dogs are intelligent and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train. Basic training should include housebreaking, basic commands (sit, stay, come), and leash training. Start with short, positive training sessions and use rewards such as treats and praise to encourage good behavior. Consistency and patience are key, as Maltese puppies can be easily distracted.
Training Challenges
- •Stubbornness during training
- •Separation anxiety
- •Barking excessively
- •Housebreaking difficulties
- •Fear of loud noises
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are intelligent and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train. Basic training should start early and focus on commands such as sit, stay, come, and leash walking. Positive reinforcement techniques, such as treats and praise, are highly effective. Socialization with other dogs and people is also crucial to help them develop into well-rounded pets.
Training Challenges
- •Separation anxiety due to their strong attachment to owners
- •Distractibility in environments with many stimuli
- •Stubbornness when not motivated by treats or praise
- •Difficulty with house training if not consistent
Training Resources
Maltese Training Guide
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Training Guide
Find Breeders
Find Maltese Breeders
Find Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breeders
Local Search Tips
When looking for a reputable breeder in your area, consider these approaches:
- 1.
Contact local veterinarians for breeder recommendations - They often know reputable breeders who prioritize health testing and proper care.
- 2.
Join breed-specific clubs in your area - These communities can provide valuable connections and insights about responsible breeders.
- 3.
Attend local dog shows to meet breeders - This gives you the opportunity to see their dogs and discuss breeding practices in person.