I have 2. My daughter has the large one (with the 3 extra panels and the larger mat) at her apartment. I got the smaller one with the smaller mat. It is great! Sadie is a puppy, so don't know how it would do for a larger Maltese, but it is just perfect for her. We have greatly reduced the accidents in the house with this. We use if only when we are home. We use the crate when we leave the house.
Once you set up the larger one it is kind of hard to move around. The smaller pen is a snap because the 8 panels are connected and accordian fold when you are moving it around. The larger pen has the 8 connected panels, but then you have to connect the other 3. It is a little more unweildy, but will probably be the right size for the longest period of time.
