Maltese vs West Highland White Terrier

Compare the Maltese to the West Highland White Terrier. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between Maltese and West Highland White Terriers.

Maltese vs West Highland White Terrier
Maltese
West Highland White Terrier
Maltese
West Highland White Terrier
Change Breed
Change Breed
General Details
Maltese
West Highland White Terrier
Breed Type
Purebred
Purebred
Allergy Friendly
Yes
Yes
Lifespan
12-15 Years
11-16 Years
Height
8-10 Inches
14-16 Inches
Weight
4-9 Pounds
15-20 Pounds
Intelligence
Average
Average
History
Maltese
West Highland White Terrier
Origin Country
Malta
United Kingdom
Origin Year
-200 BC
1500 AD
Temperament
Maltese
West Highland White Terrier
Overall Friendliness
Above Average
Above Average
Family Friendly
Above Average
Above Average
Child Friendly
Average
Above Average
Pet Friendly
Above Average
Above Average
Stranger Friendly
Below Average
Average
Personality
Maltese
West Highland White Terrier
Traits
Affectionate
Jealous
Loving
Needy
Separation Anxiety
Affectionate
Separation Anxiety
Stubborn
Living Environment
Maltese
West Highland White Terrier
Apartment
Yes
Yes
Indoor
Yes
Yes
Small Yard
No
Yes
Medium Yard
No
Yes
Large Yard
No
No
Temperature Tolerance
55-80 °F
30-85 °F
Barks/Howls
Average
Below Average
Exercise Needs
Maltese
West Highland White Terrier
Energy Level
High
High
Exercise Required
Low
Medium to High
Top Running Speed
12 MPH
18 MPH
Strength
Low
Medium
Grooming Needs
Maltese
West Highland White Terrier
Coat Maintenance
High
Low
Shedding
Low
Low
Dander
Low
Low
Drool
None
None
Instincts and Behavior
Breed Mentality
Maltese
West Highland White Terrier
Dominant / Alpha
No
No
Family / Pack
Yes
No
Independent
No
Yes
Breed Focus
Maltese
West Highland White Terrier
Distracted Easy
No
Yes
Focused & Patient
No
No
Breed Instincts
Maltese
West Highland White Terrier
Aggression
Below Average
Average
Burrow / Digging
None
Average
Chasing
None
Above Average
Follow Commands
None
Below Average
Fighting
None
None
Guarding
None
None
Herding
None
None
Hunting
None
Average
Protection
None
None
Remove Vermin
None
Above Average
Sled Pulling
None
None
Watch / Guardian
None
Below Average
Health Comparison
Lifespan
Maltese
West Highland White Terrier
Average Lifespan
12-15 Years
11-16 Years
Health Concerns
Maltese
West Highland White Terrier
Common Health Issues
Patellar luxation
Collapsed trachea
Progressive retinal atrophy
Portosystemic shunt
Reverse sneezing
Hypoglycemia
Shaker syndrome
Cataracts
Patellar luxation
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
Shaker syndrome
Westie jaw
Inflammatory bowel disease
Atopic dermatitis
Hyperplastic dermatosis
Krabbe disease
Pulmonary fibrosis
Appearance Comparison
Coat
Maltese
West Highland White Terrier
Coat Type
Hair
Fur
Coat Layering
Single
Double
Coat Texture
Silky
Straight
Shaggy
Wavy
Coat Length
Long
Medium
Coat Coloring
Maltese
West Highland White Terrier
Breed Colors
White
White
White
White
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