Maltese vs Akita - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Maltese vs Akita - Breed ComparisonAkita is originated from Japan but Maltese is originated from Italy. Akita may grow 45 cm / 18 inches higher than Maltese. Akita may weigh 49 kg / 109 pounds more than Maltese. Both Akita and Maltese has same life span. Akita may have more litter size than Maltese. Akita requires Low Maintenance. But Maltese requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Toy dog
undefined
Japan
Italy
Height Male:
64 - 70 cm
25 - 28 inches
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
Height Female:
58 - 64 cm
22 - 26 inches
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
Weight Male:
34 - 54 kg
74 - 120 pounds
1 - 5 kg
2 - 12 pounds
Weight Female:
34 - 50 kg
74 - 111 pounds
1 - 5 kg
2 - 12 pounds
Life Span:
11 - 15 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
7 - 8
1 - 3
Size:
Large
Small
Other Names:
Akita-Inu, Japanese Akita
Melita, Maltese Lion Dog
Colors Available:
Brindle, Fawn, White, Red Fawn, Red, Pinto and Sesame
White
Coat:
Harsh and Rough, Dense, Water-Repellent, Short and Thick
Long and silky
Shedding:
Constant
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Friendly, Independent, Loyal, Protective, Responsive
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

akitaAkita is a very old breed. The first information originates back in the 1600s. Akita was a royalty guard and a hunting dog. They were popular because of their bravery. Akita even attacked bears. Helen Keller brought the first Akita to America. She admired the breed because of the famous Hachiko, a dog that was known for his loyalty. Today, Akita is a popular dog in the whole world. They are lovely family pets, and if train properly they will be adorable part of any family.

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.

Description

akita puppy - descriptionAkita’s average weight is 34-54kg, while their height is 58-66cm. Females are smaller than males. Lifespan variates from dog to dog but an average lifespan of Akita is 11-15 years. However, if you take care of your dog with a proper diet and regular vet checks they can live longer than average. Litter Size of Akita is 7-8 puppies, but again, litter size variates because of dog’s genetics. Other Names for Akita are Akita-Inu and Japanese Akita.

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

akita dog - characteristics Akita is a very elegant breed. They are very strong and fast, so they had been excellent guards. They sometimes can be stubborn, but they are very loyal to the family. Akita has tendencies to be aggressive to other dogs. Because of their dominant character, they can be especially aggressive towards the same sex. They are the best for one-dog houses. With family, they are very loving and gentle. The best way to train Akita is by positive training with awards. The old-fashioned way like punishing is not recommendable. Constant and firm training is important, so if you are first time owner, it might be a big challenge. If you are first time owner, consider advising with a trainer who knows the breed.

Akita loves to be around family and to be included in family activities. They do not need a lot of activity, but daily routines of one-hour walks or jogging would be ideal for Akita. Visiting parks for dogs is not a good idea because of aggressive attitude towards other animals. If Akita does not have activities they can get bored, and you do not want bored Akita. When bored they start barking, digging, chewing, and sometimes even aggressive. Overall, they are very loving and gentle dogs who love to be around family and enjoy activities. But, they also need proper care and attention which require time and patience.

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

akita puppies - health problemsAkita is a very healthy breed in general. Nevertheless, almost as every breed, Akita can develop health issues. Hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, Progressive retinal atrophy are some of the issues Akita might have. Although, if you give your puppy Akita necessary vitamins, with a healthy diet and regular vet checks, it will a very happy and healthy dog. It is also important to know the genetics of your dog, so carefully choosing a puppy is very important.

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

Feeding Akita

akita dogs - caringIt is always important to adjust feeding to size, activity age and built. Dogs who are bigger and have more activity will need more food. For an average Akita 3-5 cups of dry high-quality food, divided into 2 meals will be enough. They also love to eat vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and fruits like apples, oranges, watermelon, etc.

Feeding Akita puppy

Akita puppy should have more meals per day plus additional calcium and vitamins. 3-5 meals per day would be an ideal for a puppy. It is a perfect way to develop your puppy into a healthy adult dog.

Grooming Akita

Grooming Akita is not the worst, but it will require some work. They have a double coat, but they are shedding a lot. Occasional vacuuming will be a new habit that every Akita owner needs. They shed 2-3 times per year, so it is not very bad. When it not shedding, everyday brushing would be a perfect way to groom your Akita.

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.

Comparison with other breeds

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