Maltese vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Maltese vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed ComparisonMaltese is originated from Italy but Dutch Shepherd is originated from Netherlands. Maltese may grow 37 cm / 14 inches shorter than Dutch Shepherd. Maltese may weigh 27 kg / 59 pounds lesser than Dutch Shepherd. Both Maltese and Dutch Shepherd has same life span. Maltese may have less litter size than Dutch Shepherd. Both Maltese and Dutch Shepherd requires Moderate maintenance.

History

maltese - historyThe 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.

dutch shepherd - historyThe Dutch Shepherd is of Dutch origin, hailing from the Netherlands. They were originally used as herding dogs on the farms, where they became a jack-of-all-trades type of dog.

The Dutch Shepherd in those days, 100 odd years ago, were also known as Hollandse Herders.

These dogs are more rare in modern days, but when you do find them, they are being used as police or security dogs, as guides for the blind, or simply as family friends.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
Italy
Netherlands
Height Male:
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
55 - 62 cm
21 - 25 inches
Height Female:
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
55 - 62 cm
21 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
1 - 5 kg
2 - 12 pounds
20 - 32 kg
44 - 71 pounds
Weight Female:
1 - 5 kg
2 - 12 pounds
20 - 32 kg
44 - 71 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 3
6 - 10
Size:
Small dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Melita, Maltese Lion Dog
Hollandse Herder
Colors Available:
White
brindle, red, Gold or silver
Coat:
Long and silky
Short and dense but also long or wiry
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

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.

dutch shepherd puppy - descriptionThe Dutch Shepherd dog is very similar in appearance to the popular German Shepherds, being a medium to large sized dog.

The males are slightly heavier than females, but both males and females can stand between 55 and 62cm and weigh between 20 and 32kg.

There are actually 3 varieties found in the Dutch Shepherd dogs - short-haired, long-haired, and wiry or rough-haired. The dog has a double coat, consisting of a woolly undercoat and a top coat. The basic color of the coat is gold or silver through to red, giving rise to the brindle variations. Too much black or white seen in the fur is considered a fault.

In 1914 it was decided that brindle coats would distinguish them from the others.

The eyes of the Dutch Shepherd are dark, almond shaped and slightly slanting, while the medium sized ears are erect and high on the head and the thick tail is slightly curved. The dog has an unusually long tongue which is often found hanging out.

Temperament:

Early training and socializing for this dog is important so that he can learn to stay calm around new people, or visitors to the property.

The beautiful Dutch Shepherd doesn’t like being left alone for too long, loving rather to be involved with all that the family is involved in. They get on well with other pets in the home as well as being child-friendly.

They are happy dogs, who can also be smart and cunning, therefore highly trainable. They soak up new commands easily. Dutch Shepherds are also good watchdogs as they are fiercely loyal, and do not take kindly to strangers.

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.

dutch shepherd dog - characteristicsYour alert, intelligent and somewhat rare Dutch Shepherd is a loyal, protective dog, and while he can be aggressive around intruders and be a great guard dog, he can also be a gentle, loving animal around his human family members.

Though his tongue is long and often hangs out, you won’t have to contend with drooling. He is a wonderfully active dog and doesn’t easily gain weight. He isn’t a barker or howler, and his exceptional intelligence makes him highly trainable.

Whether there are children or other animals in the house, you can rely on your Dutch Shepherd to get on well with them, making him a wonderful family pet and canine friend.

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.

dutch shepherd puppies - health problemsThe Dutch Shepherd dogs are the healthiest of the Shepherd breeds. They have relatively few health problems.

However, like the German Shepherds they may develop hip dysplasia, but this is in fact fairly rare. Get your pet to the vet if you suspect this in your dog because it can lead to lameness.

In 2018 the University of Minnesota identified a disease in Dutch Shepherds called Miositis. This is an inflammatory myopathy causing painful inflammation of the skeletal muscle tissue.

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.

Grooming:

dutch shepherd dogs - caringUnfortunately Dutch Shepherds shed quite a bit of hair during their shedding period in spring and autumn. This makes regular brushing important during these seasons so as to remove the dead hairs, especially from the undercoat.

The wire- or rough-haired variety shouldn’t be brushed but should rather be groomed by a professional groomer every 6 months or so.

Their nails need to be trimmed when necessary, to avoid cracking, splitting, or an injury.

Their ears can be cleaned weekly to get rid of any debris or wax build-up. This, if left, can lead to infection. Brush his teeth 2 or 3 times a week to avoid dental disease which brings on a host of illnesses.

Exercise:

These dogs do need regular exercising, and at the same time need to be physically and mentally stimulated. He is the kind of dog that has been used for herding purpose on the farm and he just craves activity. Take him with you on your walks and include him in ball games, hikes, jogging, swimming or when you go cycling – he is game for all kinds of activities.

Diet:

The formula for their diet would be that of a medium to large dog with high energy levels. The top commercially manufactured foods have been developed to include all the important vitamins and minerals. Fish oil can also be added to their food to keep the coat shiny.

Add in cooked rice, cooked vegetables and chicken from time to time and be sure to add in some raw meat occasionally to prevent problems with the skin. Always ensure that your pet has fresh, cool water to drink.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pomeranian vs Maltese - Breed Comparison
  2. Maltese vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  3. Maltese vs Cockapoo - Breed Comparison
  4. Maltese vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison
  5. Maltese vs Cavachon - Breed Comparison
  6. Maltese vs Japanese Chin - Breed Comparison
  7. Maltese vs Bolognese - Breed Comparison
  8. Maltese vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  9. Maltese vs Jug - Breed Comparison
  10. Maltese vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Maltese vs Dorgi - Breed Comparison
  12. Maltese vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  13. Maltese vs Carlin Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  14. Maltese vs Dorkie - Breed Comparison
  15. Maltese vs German Spitz (Klein) - Breed Comparison
  16. Maltese vs Doxiepoo - Breed Comparison
  17. Maltese vs Bospin - Breed Comparison
  18. Maltese vs Bantam Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  19. Maltese vs Damchi - Breed Comparison
  20. Maltese vs Lowchen - Breed Comparison
  21. Maltese vs Cyprus Poodle - Breed Comparison
  22. Maltese vs Doxiepom - Breed Comparison
  23. Pug vs Maltese - Breed Comparison
  24. Maltipoo vs Maltese - Breed Comparison
  25. Papillon vs Maltese - Breed Comparison
  26. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  27. Dutch Shepherd vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Dutch Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  29. Dutch Shepherd vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  30. Dutch Shepherd vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  31. Dutch Shepherd vs Collie - Breed Comparison
  32. Dutch Shepherd vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  33. Dutch Shepherd vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  34. Dutch Shepherd vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  35. Dutch Shepherd vs Catahoula Cur - Breed Comparison
  36. Dutch Shepherd vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  37. Dutch Shepherd vs Catalan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  38. Dutch Shepherd vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  39. Dutch Shepherd vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  40. Dutch Shepherd vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  41. Dutch Shepherd vs Bohemian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  42. Dutch Shepherd vs Croatian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  43. Dutch Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  44. Dutch Shepherd vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  45. Dutch Shepherd vs Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  46. Dutch Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  47. Dutch Shepherd vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  48. Dutch Shepherd vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  49. English Shepherd vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  50. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds