White Shepherd vs Maltese - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

White Shepherd vs Maltese - Breed ComparisonWhite Shepherd is originated from United States but Maltese is originated from Italy. White Shepherd may grow 40 cm / 16 inches higher than Maltese. White Shepherd may weigh 35 kg / 78 pounds more than Maltese. Both White Shepherd and Maltese has almost same life span. White Shepherd may have more litter size than Maltese. Both White Shepherd and Maltese requires Moderate maintenance.

History

white shepherd - historyThe German Shepherd and the white German Shepherd are the same dog - the only thing is that their coat colors vary.

The White Shepherd evolved because people were looking for a working companion dog with a high degree of intelligence and a white coat.

The development of the White Shepherd began at the time of the 19th and 20th centuries. A breeding program was started but in 1933, the white coat color was made a disqualification in the German Shepherd Dog breed standard.

Not to be deterred, it was in 1969 that the U.S. and Canada formed White German Shepherd breed clubs and the breed was actually recognized by the UKC in 1999.

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.

Description

white shepherd puppy - descriptionThe White Shepherd is a true beauty and is a medium to large-sized dog that is muscular and strong. He stands at between 55 and 65cm in height and weighs between 35 and 40kg.

He is somewhat longer than tall. The double coat is medium length, dense, straight and white. He is a fairly heavy shedder. He has an intelligent face, a long muzzle and erect ears. The long tail is low-set.

Temperament:

This beautiful dog’s face tells you that he is highly intelligent. He can be easily trained. The bright eyes are eager and alert and he is ready to be an excellent guard dog and take his role as protector and guardian seriously.

The White Shepherd loves his human family and isn't overly enthusiastic around strangers. They’re playful dogs and will make great playmates for children. They also aren’t aggressive with other dogs and will get on well with other pets in the house.

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.

Characteristics

white shepherd dog - characteristicsThe White Shepherd is such a beautiful dog and he has some great characteristics to match his good looks.

He is friendly and amicable with his human family and is a great protector as well. He isn’t aggressive yet he makes a great watchdog.

He is loving and loyal and forms strong bonds with his human family. Bringing him into your home and heart is guaranteed to confirm the opinion held that dogs are man's best friend.

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.

Health Problems

white shepherd puppies - health problemsThe White Shepherd shares health problems much the same as the German Shepherd, and one of these is hip dysplasia.

These dogs are at risk of getting hip dysplasia. It’s a congenital disorder with dogs inheriting the disease from their parents. Some young dogs can get the disease too. Because they are such active dogs, the White Shepherd is at risk of dysplasia. There are a number of signs you can look for in your dog and some of these are -

trouble standing up

limping

favoring the use of one particular leg

reduced activity

weight gain

Your vet may want x-rays to examine your dog's hips. Your vet will want to slow the development of the disease and also ease the pain in your pet. There are other steps the vet will suggest to you that can make it as comfortable as possible for your pet.

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.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

white shepherd dogs - caringThe White Shepherd's weather-resistant double coat will need to be brushed regularly as he is quite a heavy shedder. When brushing him, check for ticks and fleas as well as any unusual lumps.

Exercise:

This beautiful dog was developed from a herding breed so he is very active. He will love a walk every day but that won’t be sufficient. He just loves ball games, and if you take him to the park, he’ll love you throwing sticks for him or the frisbee.

Because of his intelligence, he will require mental and physical stimulation. You get some toys for dogs where you can put some kibble in the toy and he has to figure out a way to get the food out.

Diet:

The White Shepherd is an active dog, so to keep him that way, ensure he gets good food which has the right balance of vitamins.

There are good commercially manufactured dog foods on the market, but the idea is to know how to choose the high-quality ones and to avoid the ones that can actually jeopardize your dog’s health.

Always read the write-up on the packaging and choose according to your pet’s age and his activity levels.

It is always a good idea to give such a dog some home-made food too. Not any kind of home-made food either because you have to be careful with dogs to avoid them suffering from abdominal pain. They like their food plain and simple – boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables.

Some raw meat occasionally is also good. Don’t forget to ensure a constant supply of cool, fresh water.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Toy dog
Origin:
United States
Italy
Height Male:
55 - 65 cm
21 - 26 inches
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
Height Female:
55 - 65 cm
21 - 26 inches
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
Weight Male:
35 - 40 kg
77 - 89 pounds
1 - 5 kg
2 - 12 pounds
Weight Female:
35 - 40 kg
77 - 89 pounds
1 - 5 kg
2 - 12 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 10
1 - 3
Size:
Medium dog
Small dog
Other Names:
American White Shepherd
Melita, Maltese Lion Dog
Colors Available:
White
White
Coat:
Medium length, dense, straight
Long and silky
Shedding:
Constant
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

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

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds