Maltese vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Maltese vs Belgian Griffon - Breed ComparisonMaltese is originated from Italy but Belgian Griffon is originated from Belgium. Both Maltese and Belgian Griffon are having almost same height. Both Maltese and Belgian Griffon are having almost same weight. Both Maltese and Belgian Griffon has same life span. Both Maltese and Belgian Griffon has same litter size. Both Maltese and Belgian Griffon 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.

belgian griffon - historyThe Belgian Griffon isn’t your most attractive dog, but maybe its his quirky, gremlin looks that makes him such an adored pet for many. There are different varieties of Griffon, and the Belgian- and Brussels Griffon are one and the same. All small Belgian dogs have the same breed standards, with the Belgian having a rough coat The dog hails from Belguim and its ancestors were no doubt a mix of the Belgian street dog, the Stable Griffon and the Affenpinscher.

Later on in the 1800s, this combination was then crossed with the Pug, giving the dog the brachycephalic or flat faced look.

Unfortunately no written records were kept about the precise origin of this breed, but there is also the idea that the King Charles- and English Toy Spaniel were also involved in its development. These small dogs were bred to catch rats in the barns of European estates.

Basic Information

Group:
Toy dog
Toy dog
Origin:
Italy
Belgium
Height Male:
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
18 - 20 cm
7 - 8 inches
Height Female:
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
16 - 20 cm
6 - 8 inches
Weight Male:
1 - 5 kg
2 - 12 pounds
2 - 6 kg
4 - 14 pounds
Weight Female:
1 - 5 kg
2 - 12 pounds
2 - 6 kg
4 - 14 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 3
1 - 3
Size:
Small dog
Small dog
Other Names:
Melita, Maltese Lion Dog
Brussels Griffon, Griffon Belge, Griffon Bruxellois Petit Brabançon
Colors Available:
White
red, tan or black
Coat:
Long and silky
2 types - soft or wiry
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal, 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, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
Yes
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.

Small but Full of Attitude

belgian griffon puppy - descriptionThere are different variations of this dog to give it its distinctive look and size. This quaint looking little Griffon canine comes with two different coat types - soft or wiry. With the Belgian Griffon, his wiry coat of red, tan or black will need to be brushed at least twice a week. Shedding with this dog is seasonal.

He has a compact, sturdy little body, and he trots around with attitude. With his sharp pointed ears and whiskers, he has been given the nickname ‘bearded dog’. His dark black eyes are alert. He is self-confident, intelligent and curious breed, a great family pet and good with children if he has grown up with them in the home. He is good with other pets. The fact that this is a small breed and that he doesn’t have excessive energy levels, means he is adaptable to city- and country living.

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.

belgian griffon dog - characteristicsThe Belgian Griffon is an affectionate pet and often establishes a strong bond with one member of the family. You’ll have your Griffon with you for about 15 years so make sure he is trained and a pleasure to have around.They are difficult to train, being somewhat stubborn so they are going to require patience. They’re sensitive too, and they won’t respond well to aggressive treatment.

They’re much more indoor dogs than outdoor dogs because they’re also vulnerable to heat stroke. They just want to come indoors and be with their human family, and when you do that for them, they’ll become a wonderful friend and companion to you.

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.

belgian griffon puppies - health problemsWhen you get your Griffon from a reputable breeder, you always have a better chance that he’ll be healthy. As it is, the Belgian Griffon has few hereditary health issues. However his dark eyes will have some genetic problems to contend with and he could suffer with progressive retinal atrophy. This is an illness which can lead to blindness

Other health issues to look out for are -

Syringomyelia – this is a neurological condition – an abnormality of the spinal cord – a disease which occurs more frequently in small breeds. It can cause your pet to endure a lot of pain.

Birthing Issues - these little dogs often have problems with giving birth, and a vet often has to intervene and perform a cesarean.

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.

Food and Water

belgian griffon dogs - caringThe Belgian Griffon will do well if you invest in high quality foods. You can make your own, but if you’re concerned about his health, it would be best to check what ingredients should go into his home-prepared meals to ensure he gets all the vitamins and minerals he needs.

If you want to go with commercially manufactured dog foods, check with your vet about wet- and dry foods. Your vet will help with choosing a food appropriate to his size and age. Always ensure that there is clean, fresh water available to your pet.

Exercise

Even though he is a small breed, he is fairly active and he will need his fair share of exercise like ball games and walks. Training and socialization are a must for him. You’ll notice that training isn’t particularly easy with this breed, and first time dog owners might not have the patience with him.

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. Pomeranian vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  27. Pug vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  28. Maltipoo vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  29. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  30. Cockapoo vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  31. Cavapoo vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  32. Cavachon vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  33. Papillon vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  34. Japanese Chin vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  35. Miniature English Bulldog vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  36. Bolognese vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  37. Italian Greyhound vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  38. Jug vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  39. Miniature Pinscher vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  40. Dorgi vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  41. Belgian Griffon vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Belgian Griffon vs Bantam Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  43. Carlin Pinscher vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  44. Dorkie vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  45. German Spitz (Klein) vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  46. Doxiepoo vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  47. Bospin vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  48. Damchi vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  49. Lowchen vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds