Pyrenean Mastiff vs Maltese - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Pyrenean Mastiff vs Maltese - Breed ComparisonMaltese is originated from Italy but Pyrenean Mastiff is originated from Spain. Maltese may grow 57 cm / 22 inches shorter than Pyrenean Mastiff. Maltese may weigh 95 kg / 209 pounds lesser than Pyrenean Mastiff. Both Maltese and Pyrenean Mastiff has almost same life span. Maltese may have less litter size than Pyrenean Mastiff. Maltese requires Moderate Maintenance. But Pyrenean Mastiff requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Working dog
undefined
Italy
Spain
Height Male:
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
75 - 82 cm
29 - 33 inches
Height Female:
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
75 - 82 cm
29 - 33 inches
Weight Male:
1 - 5 kg
2 - 12 pounds
70 - 100 kg
154 - 221 pounds
Weight Female:
1 - 5 kg
2 - 12 pounds
70 - 100 kg
154 - 221 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 3
6 - 12
Size:
Small
Giant
Other Names:
Melita, Maltese Lion Dog
None
Colors Available:
White
tan, White with large markings of reddish brown, grey or black.
Coat:
Long and silky
Longish, thick double coat
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate, Constant
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, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low 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.

pyrenean mastiffThe Pyrenean Mastiff originates from Spain, descending from ancient livestock guardian-type dogs.

They have always been used as guardians, looking out for livestock and warding off predators.

When you do research you find that there is little information on the exact origins of the dog. It was only in recent years that the dog was taken out of its native region and sent to the USA, but it isn’t recognized by the AKC.

The dog was however recognized by the FCI in 1982.

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.

pyrenean mastiff puppy - descriptionThis is a beautiful big dog, strong and muscular. He stands at between 75 and 82cm in height and weighs between 70 and 100kg, males and females.

He has a thick double coat which is fairly long and which also sheds regularly. The coat is essentially white in color with large markings of reddish brown, tan, grey or black.

The Pyrenean Mastiff has a large head with a black nose, small, dark eyes, floppy, medium sized ears and a long tail with lush hair growth.

Temperament:

Large he may be, but the Pyrenean Mastiff is a docile dog that gets on well with children as well as with other pets. He is intelligent but also strong willed and independent, making him a little bit difficult to handle if he chooses to ignore your commands.

Training and socialization will be required if you want him to be obedient and well mannered. He can do well with you as a novice pet owner, so long as you are firm, consistent, kind, patient and fair in your handling of the Pyrenean Mastiff.

Even with socialization, he tends to be wary around strangers and becomes quite protective around his human family.

He is a calm dog that doesn’t require a whole lot of exercise, but he isn’t suited to life on a small property in the city as he needs a lot of space to feel content and at ease.

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.

pyrenean mastiff dog - characteristicsThese beautiful dogs have always been extraordinary guarding dogs, but he has some other excellent characteristics that make him such a great companion.

He is a loyal, loving dog and easy to train.

You just have to think twice before you take such a large dog into your home, as he doesn’t like to be cooped up in small spaces. He will also eat a lot too.

You want to know that you can provide the Pyrenean Mastiff with all these things. If you have the means to keep such a large pet, then he will make you a splendid canine 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.

pyrenean mastiff puppies - health problemsThis is a fairly healthy dog breed, particularly when you consider what a big dog he is. There are always some health concerns to watch for so that you can take steps to get your pet well again.

Dental Disease:

There is tartar build-up on the teeth and this can lead to infection of the gums and roots of the teeth. Rotting teeth can cause pain, but more worrisome they can cause damage to the heart and kidneys as well as the dog's joints. The vet or professional pet groomers can keep your pet’s teeth clean. They can advise you on how to take care of your large pet’s teeth.

Bacterial and Viral Infections:

Diseases such as rabies and parvo can be prevented by means of vaccine.

Obesity:

You can’t afford for a big dog like this to become obese. It’s a serious disease and can put pressure on your dog’s joints and also cause back pain and digestive disorders.

Parasites:

Your dog can be infected with all kinds of worms and bugs such as ticks d and fleas as well as mites. Some of these parasites can be transmitted to you. Your vet can talk about preventive medication.

Bloat:

Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus, commonly referred to as bloat often occurs in dogs with deep chests.

The stomach twists and fills with gas,and blood to the stomach is cut off. Left unattended to, your dog can die, sometimes within half an hour. His stomach is hard and swollen, requiring immediate veterinary attention.

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.

Spay or Neuter:

pyrenean mastiff dogs - caringHave your pet spayed or neutered if you don’t want puppies. Spaying or neutering also decreases the likelihood of certain types of cancers.

Diet:

Nothing but a top quality diet is good enough for your pet. Commercially manufactured dog foods are a convenient means to feed your pet, and there are some excellent brands.

Look out for the ones for extra large dogs and avoid the ones with low quality ingredients. The dry kibble you give your big pet can be made more tasty when you add some homemade food to it about twice a week.

Dogs thrive on simplicity, so boiled chicken, sweet potatoes, brown rice or pasta, carrots and spinach will be wonderful for him when you chop the food up and add it into the dry kibble. Its such a tasty, wholesome treat for your pet.

Some raw meat added in occasionally will contribute to your pet’s heath. Make sure he is never without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

Brush his coat at least twice a week. Check inside his ears for redness which could indicate an ear infection.

He’s an intelligent pet with lots of energy, so you will need to keep his mind and body active by ensuring he enjoys walks every day. He isn’t a dog that requires running with you on your jogs or cycles.

Comparison with other breeds

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