Breed comparison

Yorkshire Terrier
vs Maltese.

Both are tiny, silky-coated toy breeds with a long history as devoted companions, and both are frequently confused for each other at a glance thanks to their flowing coats. Underneath the coat, though, the Yorkie is a true terrier, confident and a little scrappy, while the Maltese is a purpose-bred lap companion with a gentler, more attached temperament.

The choice usually comes down to personality more than looks: feisty terrier confidence versus a softer, more velcro companion nature.

Quick answer

Both are silky-coated toy breeds that need real grooming commitment, so choose on temperament. The Yorkshire Terrier suits someone who wants genuine terrier confidence and a bit of scrappy independence. The Maltese suits someone who wants a softer, more devoted, constantly-at-your-side companion. Either way, plan on daily brushing or regular professional grooming for life.

Yorkshire Terrier

Trainability
7/10
Energy
Medium
Training difficulty
45/100
Group
Toy

Maltese

Trainability
6/10
Energy
Medium
Training difficulty
57/100
Group
Toy

Scores from the TailorPup Dog Training Difficulty Index.

Key differences

Temperament

The Yorkshire Terrier carries real terrier grit, bold, confident, and sometimes scrappy with other dogs, it does not act like a small dog. The Maltese is gentler and more purely affectionate, bred for centuries as a lap companion with less independent, more attachment-driven behavior.

Trainability

The Yorkie scores 7/10 vs the Maltese 6/10, both are moderately trainable toy breeds with a stubborn streak, but the Yorkie terrier confidence can translate into a bit more independent decision-making, while the Maltese is generally more eager to please if handled gently.

Coat color and care

Both need daily brushing or a regular shorter clip to prevent matting. The Yorkie coat is famously silky and often kept long and parted, showing off its blue-and-tan coloring; the Maltese is solid white and shows staining around the eyes and mouth that needs regular cleaning.

Attachment and independence

The Maltese tends to be more prone to separation anxiety and wants to be close to its person constantly. The Yorkie, while affectionate, carries a bit more terrier self-sufficiency and can tolerate brief alone time slightly better, though neither is suited to being left alone for long stretches.

Which is easier to train?

Both breeds are moderately trainable (Yorkie 7/10, Maltese 6/10) and both do best with short, upbeat, reward-based sessions, drilling or harsh corrections backfire on either. The Yorkie terrier streak means it sometimes decides a squirrel or a doorbell matters more than the lesson at hand; the Maltese is generally more focused on pleasing its person but can be slower to firm up house training. Consistency and patience matter more than intensity for either.

Which one is right for you?

Choose the Yorkshire Terrier

Owners who want a bold, confident, true terrier personality in a tiny body and are ready for daily coat care and a dog that carries itself with real self-assurance.

Yorkshire Terrier training guide →

Choose the Maltese

Owners who want a gentler, more purely affectionate, attachment-driven lap companion and can commit to the same level of coat care plus close, near-constant companionship.

Maltese training guide →

The verdict

Both are silky-coated toy breeds that need real grooming commitment, so choose on temperament. The Yorkshire Terrier suits someone who wants genuine terrier confidence and a bit of scrappy independence. The Maltese suits someone who wants a softer, more devoted, constantly-at-your-side companion. Either way, plan on daily brushing or regular professional grooming for life.

Frequently asked questions

Which is calmer, a Yorkshire Terrier or a Maltese?

The Maltese is generally the gentler, more purely affectionate of the two. The Yorkshire Terrier carries genuine terrier confidence and can be a bit more scrappy or independent, especially around other dogs.

Which needs less grooming?

Neither is low-maintenance, both have long, silky coats that mat without regular brushing or a shorter clip. The Maltese solid white coat also shows tear staining that needs regular cleaning around the face.

Which is easier to train?

Both are moderately trainable (Yorkie 7/10, Maltese 6/10), a small gap. The Maltese is often a bit more eager to please when handled gently, while the Yorkie terrier independence can occasionally override a training cue.

Whichever you pick, train it right

TailorPup builds a personalized 12-week program around your dog's exact breed, age, and behavior, no generic one-size plan.

Build my dog's program

More: all breed comparisons · training difficulty index · all 240 breed guides