Parson Russell Terrier vs Maltese - Breed Comparison

Parson Russell Terrier vs Maltese - Breed ComparisonMaltese is originated from Italy but Parson Russell Terrier is originated from United Kingdom. Maltese may grow 11 cm / 4 inches shorter than Parson Russell Terrier. Both Maltese and Parson Russell Terrier are having almost same weight. Both Maltese and Parson Russell Terrier has same life span. Maltese may have less litter size than Parson Russell Terrier. Both Maltese and Parson Russell Terrier requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Terrier dog
undefined
Italy
United Kingdom
Height Male:
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
33 - 36 cm
12 - 15 inches
Height Female:
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
33 - 36 cm
12 - 15 inches
Weight Male:
1 - 5 kg
2 - 12 pounds
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
Weight Female:
1 - 5 kg
2 - 12 pounds
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 3
4 - 8
Size:
Small
Small
Other Names:
Melita, Maltese Lion Dog
Parson, Jack Russell Terrier
Colors Available:
White
White, black - tri-colored, tan, fawn
Coat:
Long and silky
Short and smooth, rough or broken
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

malteseThe Maltese dog hardly needs any introduction as this is an ancient breed which is still as popular as ever. Some people refer to it as the "Maltese Lion Dog," or "Melita" which was Malta’s previous name.

It was in the 19th century, that the Kennel Club settled on the name of Maltese for the dog breed. The dog has been selectively bred to keep its small size. The exact origin of the dog is unknown and there are various stories surrounding where its origins are, thought to be Italy.

It is believed that dogs such as spaniels and poodles have been used to bring about the Maltese. The American Kennel Club, a registry for pure bred dogs, recognized the breed in 1888.

parson russell terrierThe Parson Russell Terrier hails from England and is a small to medium sized dog dating back to the 18th century. It is believed that Reverend John ‘Jack’ Russell was the developer of this dog. The Parson has always been involved with England’s sport of foxhunting.

They’re spritely and quick and have been able to keep up on a hunt and take on a fox in its lair. The dog was first recognized in 1990 in the United Kingdom as the Parson Jack Russell Terrier and in America in 1997.

All the top kennel clubs recognize this dog as the Parson Jack Russell Terrier.

Description

maltese puppy - descriptionThe Maltese is looked upon as a toy dog. Both male and female stand roughly between 20-25cm in height and weigh between 1 and 4kg.

He is as cute as a button with a rounded skull, a pitch black nose, brown eyes and medium length floppy ears. The tail is feathery and is curled. He has a long, silky coat without an undercoat.

The color of his coat is pure white, and because he doesn’t shed he is looked upon as being hypoallergenic. Most people who own a Maltese like having the coat short to one length all round.

Temperament:

These little dogs have been bred to be companion dogs. They may be little, but it is a good idea to have him trained and socialized as they are inclined to be a bit snappy, especially with children.

He is intelligent, so training him won’t be difficult. Brought up the right way though, he can be good with children as well as pets in the home. They love their human families and want to be constantly with them. He is an energetic little dog too, and will just love ball games both inside and outside.

His very temperament and smallness make it that he fits perfectly into life in the city or the countryside. He is sweet and gentle but he makes a good watchdog, alerting you with his barking to strangers coming close by. Don’t leave him for long period of time as he hates being on his own and then he may start barking from sheer boredom and frustration.

parson russell terrier puppy - descriptionThe Parson Jack Russell is essentially a white dog with black and tan or orange-fawn patches. He can be tri-colored too. The coat is either smooth, rough or broken.

He stands at between 33–36cm tall at the withers and weighs between 5 and 8kg. Unlike the Jack Russell, the Parson Russell Terrier has longer legs. He has some longer hair on the head, legs and body. The ears are floppy wit the tip pointed forward. The tail has always been docked but when left long it it held high, slightly curving over the back.

Temperament:

Feisty, brave, cheeky and alert, the Parson Russell Terrier is an energetic dog who gets on well with children as he knows that this is essentially where his games come from.

He is bold and clever and you’ll be able to have him trained and socialized without any trouble. These little dogs are full of life and they are protective of their humans and their property, making excellent watchdogs.

Characteristics

maltese dog - characteristicsThe Maltese is a popular dog no doubt, and his smallness is a draw-card as he adapts easily to life in the city or the countryside.

He is loving, loyal, intelligent and responsive, making him a good family dog and being an excellent playmate for children. Teach your children how to respect animals because raucous, disrespectful kids might produce a nip from an agitated Maltese.

Being a light shedder is another draw-card, with him being looked upon as a hypoallergenic breed. He has got so many good things going for him that he is guaranteed to make you an ideal pet.

parson russell terrier dog - characteristicsIn general the Parson is a friendly,loving dog, fairly small but packed full of feisty personality.

They make excellent pets for the entire family. He is an intelligent dog, but typical of most terriers he can be stubborn, but this can easily be fixed with training and socialization. With good care, he’ll make you a wonderful little pet and companion.

Health Problems

maltese puppies - health problemsYour Maltese is a feisty little thing who, with good care, can live for a good few years – up to 15 or even longer. As with any other dog, he can become ill. One or two illnesses to look out for include -

Skin Problems:

Sebaceous adenitis is caused by inflammation of the sebaceous glands and is an uncommon skin disease found in some breeds of dog.

There are two types - one for long coated breeds and one for short coated breeds. For long or double-coated dogs, you’ll notice a white/silvery kind of dandruff on the coat as well as hair loss. There can also be skin lesions along the back and ears. It can make your pet miserable and he will need to see a vet.

Thyroid Problems:

A common hormonal problem is canine hypothyroidism, brought on by inadequate levels of thyroid hormones. Symptoms include hair loss, weight gain, coldness and a weakened immune system.

parson russell terrier puppies - health problemsYour Parson Jack Russell can live to be between 12 and 15 years but nonetheless he does have some breed-related health issues to watch for.

Eye Disorders:

Eye conditions which can affect this dog include primary lens luxation,cataracts, corneal dystrophy and progressive retinal atrophy. With cataracts the lens of the eye develops a cloudy look resulting in poorer vision and sometimes blindness. Cataract surgery is available for dogs.

Obesity:

Your Parson Jack Russel should be lean and muscular and always full of energy. Avoid feeding him unhealthy treats which can lead to obesity and other health problems.

Parasites:

All kinds of parasites such as ticks, fleas and worms can invade your dog’s body. Roundworms, hookworms and tapeworms can cause havoc with their health and some of these parasites can even be transmitted to humans. It’s why it is important to get your puppy to the vet to be de-wormed and to get his first injections.

Liver Problems:

A liver disorder known as portosystemic shunt can mean that some of the blood supply doesn’t get to the liver and it doesn’t function properly. This will mean the liver can’t remove toxins from the bloodstream effectively.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

maltese dogs - caringYour Maltese is going to require quality food, water, exercise and shelter to enjoy a good life. The type of food you feed any dog has a direct impact on his health.

You need to provide him with quality food, and if its commercially manufactured food, you need to read the labels carefully so that the food is appropriate to your Maltese. For instance, you can’t mistakenly pull a ‘large-breed’ packet of food off the shelves and expect your Maltese to be able to stomach it.

If you do buy him this kibble, make sure the ingredients are wholesome. To break the monotony of eating kibble every day, give him some boiled chicken, brown rice and some raw or cooked vegetables chopped up finely into his kibble. He will love you for this as it makes a tasty meal for him and will keep him healthy.

Try to keep his diet nice and simple to avoid digestive problems.

Make sure he has constant access to fresh, cool water.

General Care:

Make sure your Maltese dog has a nice warm, dry place to sleep.

Get him to the vet if you notice that he is ill.

Brush his hair twice a week and take him to have it professionally cut if you prefer.

Clip his nails when they become too long and check around his eyes and inside his ears for any kind of infection.

These little dogs are prone to dental problems and he will need to have his teeth brushed 2 or 3 times a week.

parson russell terrier dogs - caringThe Parson Russell Terrier has different coat types – the smooth and rough and both will require regular brushing. Rough coats will require plucking or clipping to avoid matting.

Check his eyes and ears regularly. Look inside his ears for excess wax and dirt which could lead to an ear infection. His nails should also be trimmed.

No Puppies – Spay or Neuter:

The best thing you can do for your Parson Russell Terrier if you don’t want your pet producing puppies is to have it spayed or neutered. Spaying for females or neutering for males decreases the likelihood of certain types of cancers too so it can be beneficial.

Diet:

Diet is hugely important for a Parson Russell Terrier and the food you decide for him can impact his health. Many time those ‘treats’ you feed your pet do nothing more but give him a stomach ache.

It's tempting to pop chocolates, popcorn, nuts and ice cream into your pets mouth when he is so adorable but in the long run it is shortening his life. All he basically requires and needs is a simple, consistent diet of the top commercially manufactured foods mixed with some tasty home made food from time to time.

Boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach will do your pet wonders. Ensure he always has fresh, cool water available to him.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Maltese vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Maltese vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Maltese vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Maltese vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Maltese vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Maltese vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Maltese vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Maltese vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Maltese vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Maltese vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Maltese vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Maltese vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Maltese vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Maltese vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Maltese vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Maltese vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Maltese vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Maltese vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Maltese vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Maltese vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Maltese vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Maltese vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Maltese vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Maltese vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Maltese vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Parson Russell Terrier vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Parson Russell Terrier vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Parson Russell Terrier vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Parson Russell Terrier vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Parson Russell Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Parson Russell Terrier vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Parson Russell Terrier vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Parson Russell Terrier vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Parson Russell Terrier vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Parson Russell Terrier vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Parson Russell Terrier vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Parson Russell Terrier vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Parson Russell Terrier vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Parson Russell Terrier vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Parson Russell Terrier vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Parson Russell Terrier vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Parson Russell Terrier vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Parson Russell Terrier vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Parson Russell Terrier vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Parson Russell Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Parson Russell Terrier vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Parson Russell Terrier vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Parson Russell Terrier vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Parson Russell Terrier vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Parson Russell Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison