Maltese Dog Breed Facts & Information


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Maltese dog sitting in grass
miodrag ignjatovic via iStock

The Maltese is an ancient toy breed recognized for its distinct silky white coat, small size, and loving nature.

These gentle dogs were bred for companionship, according to Kathryn Henzerling, preservation show breeder and owner of Bella Dolce Maltese in Phoenix, Arizona. “They’re the true ‘lap warmer’ dogs.”

Despite their love of couch cuddles, these dogs are highly intelligent and can also excel in agility classes and advanced tricks. The Maltese’s adaptable personality makes them a great pet for people of all ages.

Read on to discover more about the Maltese, from their personality and ideal environment to overall care needs and health. Plus, get information on how to find a Maltese of your own!

Breed Characteristics

Key

  • Low
  • Medium
  • High
  • Origin: Malta
  • Size:
  • Size: 7-9 inches
  • Weight: up to 7 pounds
  • Activity level:
  • Barking/howling level:
  • Good with kids: yes
  • Good with cats:
  • Good for first-time dog parents: yes
  • Shedding:
  • Shedding: Seasonal
  • Hair type: Long
  • Grooming level:
  • Training level:
  • Drooling level:

Appearance

As a toy breed, Maltese typically weigh no more than 7 pounds and stand between 7–9 inches tall. Some males may weigh a little more than 7 pounds or grow up to 10 inches tall.

Maltese have distinct characteristics, including:

  • Dark, round eyes
  • Low-set drop ears feathered with hair
  • Long, silky white coat
  • Round head with medium-length muzzle

A Maltese’s coat offers the opportunity for a variety of haircuts, from an easy-to-maintain short cut, teddy bear cut, or elegant show cut.

Origin And History

The exact origin of the Maltese remains unclear, but many people believe the Phoenicians brought the ancestors of this toy breed to the island of Malta more than 2,500 years ago. According to the American Kennel Club, this makes them one of the oldest dog breeds to exist.

These dogs were bred for the sole purpose of companionship, particularly for Roman noblewomen and aristocrats, and they eventually became a status symbol. After the fall of Rome, Chinese breeders helped saved these dogs from extinction.

More than 1,000 years later, the Maltese made their appearance as the “Maltese Lion Dog” at the first Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1877. The AKC recognized the Maltese as a toy dog in 1888.

A few famous pet parents of Maltese dogs include:

  • Marilyn Monroe
  • Liberace
  • Halle Berry
  • Eva Longoria
  • Lindsay Lohan

Personality

In general, you can expect Maltese to be incredibly loving, loyal, and sweet-natured, Henzerling says. “They love to love, and they love to get lots of attention.”

These little dogs have big personalities, and they tend to be divas or little princes and princesses, she adds. Male Maltese can be more tender and want more attention, while females may be more aloof and reserved in comparison.

They also tend to be fairly unafraid and social and may stroll up to greet new people and dogs without hesitation.

Henzerling says Maltese are true companion animals. They enjoy being held, sitting in your lap, and sleeping in your bed. “They tend to love their primary caretaker, and they tend to like everybody else.”

With that in mind, you’ll want to prepare to spend plenty of time with your Maltese. They’re happy to lounge on the couch at home or accompany you wherever you go—whether that’s a short trip to the mailbox or a journey across the country.

Ideal Environment

As companion dogs, Maltese want to be the center of attention—better yet, your whole world! “They do require a bit of attention,” Henzerling says, adding that having a Maltese is a little like having a child.

This means these dogs will do best in homes where their person stays home most of the day. They prefer not to be left alone for long periods of time. Left on their own, they may experience separation anxiety.

As long as they get what they consider sufficient attention and affection, they make wonderful additions to just about any home. Henzerling says Maltese can make great choices for seniors. They can also do well in families with young children, as long as adults supervise all interactions and teach kids how to safely interact with dogs.

She adds, though, that smaller Maltese may do best in homes with no young children or large dogs.

In general, Maltese can also get along well with other dogs and cats, as long as they early socialization.

And as a bonus, since they don’t shed much, they can make ideal pets for people with allergies.

Exercise needs

Maltese don’t require intense exercise. Short walks and indoor play sessions will meet their daily exercise needs. In fact, Henzerling says it’s important to avoid overexerting Maltese due to their delicate patella structures.

Due to their small size and lighter exercise needs, they tend to do well as apartment dogs.

As for daily enrichment, she explains that a Maltese’s mental stimulation comes from interacting with their humans or other dog friends, going outside, and smelling different scents while out on walks. She recommends providing them with food puzzles and snuffle mats to help keep them mentally active.

While every dog is their own individual, Maltese tend to be more vocal dogs. They may bark for various reasons, from welcoming you home to alerting you of the mail carrier’s daily visit.

Training A Maltese

“A Maltese puppy typically goes through their puppy phase for about 6 to 12 months,” says Shannon Griffin, founder of Hound Therapy. “During this time, they’re learning and developing essential skills.”

The ideal age to begin dog training is around 8 weeks old, she adds. You’ll want to start training your Maltese puppy as soon as you bring them home since early socialization and basic obedience are essential during this phase.

Griffin considers Maltese to generally be trainable and respond well to positive reinforcement. She adds that they may enjoy standard behavior training, agility classes, and nosework activities and emphasizes that regular socialization with other dogs and people is essential to help them grow into well-rounded adult dogs.

“Maltese are known for their affectionate nature and adaptability, but they can also be sensitive,” Griffin says. Making sure you approach training gently and consistently can help prevent behavior issues later in life.

It’s also worth noting that they can be difficult to house train, Henzerling says. It can take anywhere from 6 months to a year to completely house train your Maltese.

Without proper training and socialization, this breed may develop anxiety or barking issues, and they may become overly attached to their pet parents. Providing structure and engaging them in activities can help prevent these challenges, Griffin says.

Grooming

Maltese are a low-shedding breed, and they need routine coat grooming every 4–6 weeks, Henzerling says. Their straight drop coat doesn’t shed much, but it’s constantly growing and needs maintenance every month.

Maltese with longer coats should get daily brushing, while those with short coats should get weekly brushing to prevent mats and tangles.

Henzerling recommends professional grooming for Maltese. However, she says you can groom at home, as long as you’re committed to learning proper grooming practices and using the right tools.

She also adds that paw health, dental health, and ear health are very important for this breed. Maltese should have their nails trimmed every three weeks, their teeth brushed daily, and their ears checked about every month.

Health

Maltese can live up to 15 years, sometimes even longer. That said, they may have a slightly higher chance of developing certain health conditions.

Henzerling shares some health conditions that often affect Maltese:

  • Hypoglycemia: Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is common among small breeds. You can prevent and manage this condition by feeding your dog a quality diet right for their age, limiting stress, and keeping them warm.
  • Dental issues: Dental problems are common in Maltese, so oral hygiene is especially important. Henzerling recommends regularly brushing their teeth from puppyhood and scheduling routine professional dental cleanings once they turn 4 years old.
  • Obesity: As small dogs, Maltese can easily put on excess weight. You can take steps to prevent this by feeding them controlled portions and limiting treats and human food.
  • Shaker syndrome: This inherited condition causes full body tremors and shakes. Your vet can treat it by prescribing low doses of prednisone.
  • Liver dysfunction: Maltese are genetically prone to liver issues, like liver shunt and microvascular dysplasia. Henzerling says feeding your dog a proper diet and avoiding high levels of protein in their food can help lower their risk.
  • Chiari-like malformation: Chiari-like malformation (CM) is a complex genetic disorder where a dog’s brain is too large for their skull. This leads to a developmental abnormality. Treatment involves pain management in the form of medication and medical acupuncture. In some cases, your vet may recommend surgery.
  • Granulomatous meningoencephalitis (GME): Maltese have a genetic predisposition to GME, a serious inflammatory disease. Dogs with this condition may experience seizures, unsteady gait, neck pain, blindness, and head tilt. Your vet can prescribe medication to help manage this condition.

When planning to get a puppy, it’s important to find an ethical and reputable breeder. Breeders who prioritize their dogs’ health and well-being will conduct testing and share those results with you.

Of course, not all illnesses can be predicted or prevented, so investing in pet insurance for your new dog can help cover veterinary care costs and give you some peace of mind.

Your vet can give you more guidance on your dog’s specific health needs, including vaccinations and annual check-ups.

Getting A Maltese

If the Maltese seems like the right dog for you, you can start your search by reviewing rescues and breeders, depending on whether you’d like to adopt or purchase a dog.

According to Good Dog, you can expect to pay anywhere between $1,100–$3,750 for a Maltese puppy depending on their pedigree, health, and coat color.

If you’d like to adopt a Maltese from a rescue or shelter, you’ll typically pay much less in adoption fees than you would when buying a dog from a breeder.

A few places to begin your search for a Maltese:

You can also check out shelters and rescue groups near you.

And when you find the perfect pup, our list of the 300 most popular Maltese names may offer some inspiration!

References

Yvonne Villasenor

Yvonne Villasenor

Yvonne Villasenor is a freelance journalist and lifelong animal lover based in Orange County, California. Her work has been featured in The Los Angeles Times, Daily Paws, This Dog’s Life, among others. When not writing, Yvonne enjoys lounging with her precious pets, exploring Southern California, and watching funny animal videos.