Coton De Tulear vs Maltese: What’s the Difference?

While they may look extremely similar, there are many differences between the coton de tulear vs maltese. But what might some of these differences be, and how can you learn to tell these two dogs apart upon first glance? If you have always wanted to learn more about these small dog breeds, you’re in the right place.

In this article, we will compare and contrast the maltese and the coton de tulear so that you can have a true understanding of both breeds. We will also address their appearances and sizes as well as their lifespans. Finally, we will go over their behaviors and ancestries so that you can gain a full scope of both breeds. Let’s get started now!

Comparing Coton De Tulear vs Maltese

Key Differences Between Coton De Tulear vs Maltese

There are many key differences between maltese dogs and coton de tulears. The maltese is smaller compared to the coton de tulear, in both height and weight. Additionally, the maltese is a breed that dates back to ancient times, while the coton de tulear has unknown origins. Finally, the coton de tulear is more personable and friendly compared to the alert maltese.

Let’s take a closer look at these dog breeds now.

Coton De Tulear vs Maltese: Size

You may not notice this upon first glance, but the maltese is smaller in both height and weight compared to the coton de tulear. While neither of these dogs are particularly large, the maltese is considered a toy breed, while the coton de tulear is a small breed. However, what do these dogs measure in detail? Let’s take a look now.

On average, the coton de tulear measures 9-11 inches tall, while the maltese measures 7-9 inches tall. Additionally, the maltese only weighs 5-7 pounds total, while the coton de tulear weighs anywhere from 8-15 pounds, depending on gender. This is only the beginning of the differences between these two dog breeds!

Coton De Tulear vs Maltese: Appearance

It can be extremely difficult to tell a coton de tulear apart from a maltese at first glance. However, there are a few signs that you can look for in order to see the differences between these two breeds. For example, the coton de tulear comes in shades of white, black, and gray, while the maltese only comes in shades of white.

While both of these dog breeds are prized for their fluffy and silky fur, the coton de tulear is much softer to the touch compared to the long haired maltese. They both have floppy ears and a similarly shaped face, making them difficult to tell apart. However, the body of the maltese is less muscular compared to the body of the coton de tulear.

Coton De Tulear vs Maltese: Ancestry and Breeding

Little is known about the origins of the coton de tulear and the maltese breeds, respectively. However, the maltese is an ancient dog breed dating back thousands of years, while the coton de tulear is likely a more recent breed. Given their small sizes and bold personalities, both the maltese and the coton de tulear were originally bred for hunting rats and rodents on merchant vessels and in businesses.

Coton De Tulear vs Maltese: Behavior

There are some behavioral differences between the coton de tulear and the maltese, though it also depends on the behaviors of the individual dog. For example, the maltese is more wary of strangers compared to the friendly coton de tulear. This means that the maltese makes a better watch dog compared to the laid back coton de tulear, though both breeds are highly trainable.

Additionally, the maltese needs more exposure to people and environments compared to the sunny coton de tulear. While both small dogs require more exposure and training than other breeds, the maltese needs more reassurance than the coton de tulear overall.

Coton De Tulear vs Maltese: Lifespan

A final difference between the coton de tulear and the maltese is their lifespan. The maltese lives slightly longer than the coton de tulear, though it will depend on the individual dog and their health. Let’s take a look at their lifespans in closer detail now.

Given the small size of the maltese, they live anywhere from 13-17 years, while the coton de tulear lives 13-16 years on average. However, these lifespans are very similar and likely overlap, and both of these breeds are healthy and long-lived!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Eric Isselee/Shutterstock.com