Yorkies and Maltese are both tiny, low-shedding companion dogs that adore their people, so the choice usually comes down to personality: a Yorkshire Terrier tends to be bold, spunky, and a bit of a watchdog, while a Maltese leans gentle, mellow, and lap-loving. Both stay under about seven pounds and suit apartments and family homes alike.

If you have narrowed your search to two of the most beloved toy breeds, you are in good company. Here in Lawrenceville and across Gwinnett County, the Yorkshire Terrier and the Maltese are two of the questions we hear most at Sugar Sweet Georgia Puppies. They look similar in size and both wear a silky, single coat, yet they can feel like quite different dogs to live with day to day. This side-by-side guide walks through how they compare so you can pick the pup that fits your household.

Yorkie vs. Maltese at a glance

Before we dig into the details, here is a quick visual rundown of how the two breeds stack up on the traits families ask about most.

Size and looks

Both breeds are true toy dogs. A grown Yorkshire Terrier and a grown Maltese typically weigh somewhere around four to seven pounds and stand roughly seven to nine inches at the shoulder, which means either one travels easily, fits in a small home, and does not need a big yard. The most obvious difference is color. The Maltese wears a pure white coat, while the Yorkie shows the classic steel-blue and tan that deepens as a puppy matures. Both coats are silky and hair-like rather than fluffy and dense, which is part of why each breed sheds so little.

Personality: the real deciding factor

This is where the two breeds part ways, and it is usually what settles the decision. The Yorkshire Terrier carries a genuine terrier streak. Expect a confident, curious, sometimes cheeky little dog with a surprisingly big bark for its size, a love of games, and a tendency to appoint itself the household alarm system. Yorkies are affectionate and playful, but they like to be busy and they have opinions.

The Maltese, by contrast, is famous for being a devoted lap dog. Maltese pups are gentle, sweet-natured, and deeply people-oriented, happiest snuggled against you or trotting along at your side. They can absolutely play and be silly, but their default setting is calmer and cuddlier than a typical Yorkie’s. If your ideal evening is a quiet dog curled on the couch, the Maltese leans that direction; if you want a spirited little sidekick with plenty of sass, the Yorkie delivers.

Neither temperament is better, they simply suit different homes. Families who want a lower-key companion often prefer the Maltese, while those who love a lively, watchful personality gravitate to the Yorkie. If you are still weighing personality types more broadly, our guide to calm versus playful puppy personalities is a helpful companion read.

Grooming and shedding

Here the two breeds are close cousins. Both the Yorkie and the Maltese have single, hair-like coats that shed very little, which is why both frequently land on lists of small breeds that tend to be easier on allergy-prone households. Keep in mind that no dog is truly non-allergenic, so anyone with sensitivities should spend time around the breed first. Because that hair keeps growing, both breeds need regular brushing to prevent tangles and periodic trims to stay comfortable, especially around the eyes, paws, and sanitary areas. Many owners keep either breed in a short, easy “puppy cut.” If you would rather leave the coat care to professionals, you can always book a grooming appointment with our Lawrenceville team.

Training and socialization

Both breeds are bright and capable of learning tricks, manners, and house routines, and both respond best to short, upbeat sessions with plenty of praise and treats. The Yorkie’s independent terrier mind can make it a touch more stubborn, so consistency matters. The Maltese is eager to please but can be sensitive, so a gentle tone goes a long way. Toy breeds also take patience with house-training simply because their bladders are small, which is where a steady routine helps. Our gentle crate-training guide for small-breed puppies lays out an approach that works well for either breed. Early, positive socialization with new people, sounds, and gentle handling helps both grow into confident adults.

Health and lifespan

Small companion breeds are generally long-lived, and both the Yorkie and the Maltese commonly reach twelve to fifteen years with good care. Like many toy breeds, both can be prone to concerns such as dental disease (those tiny mouths crowd easily), patellar luxation, and tracheal sensitivity, according to veterinary resources such as VCA Animal Hospitals and PetMD. None of that should scare you off; it simply means routine veterinary checkups, daily dental care, and a healthy weight go a long way. Any specific health question about your individual puppy should always go to a licensed veterinarian, who can examine your dog and give advice tailored to it.

Which one fits your Georgia home?

Choose a Yorkshire Terrier if you want a bold, playful, alert little personality who keeps you entertained and lets you know when someone is at the door. Choose a Maltese if you are after a softer, snugglier companion who is content to be your shadow. Both do beautifully in apartments and family homes around Lawrenceville and Metro Atlanta, and with gentle, supervised handling both can be wonderful with respectful older children. As with any tiny puppy, interactions with very young kids should always be supervised because of the dog’s small size.

Cannot decide? Consider a Morkie

If you love traits from both columns, there is a charming middle ground: the Morkie, a Maltese and Yorkshire Terrier mix that often blends the Yorkie’s playful spark with the Maltese’s affectionate sweetness. You can learn more on our Morkie puppies page, or browse everything we raise on the full list of our small companion breeds. Puppies from Sugar Sweet Georgia Puppies are registered through the Premier Kennel Club (PKC), a Lawrenceville-based small-breed registry.