Maltese: A Comprehensive Guide

Maltese are known for how beautiful their coats are and how sweet and fun they are for a dog breed. Many times when you see a Maltese they have long, luxurious looking coats. While it’s not a requirement of owning the breed, there is quite a bit of upkeep that is required when it comes to grooming the Maltese. The Maltese is a true companion to its owner, and a friend to anyone they meet. They can live as long as 12 to 15 years and in that time they can provide a lot of love and joy to the family they’re a part of.

Key Characteristics

Maltese can grow anywhere from seven to twelve inches tall and weigh between four to eight pounds. They don’t have an undercoat and they don’t shed, but you do need to brush them to prevent their fur from matting. Also regular grooming is necessary, you can keep their hair long or do a short haircut known as a puppy cut. Maltese are considered hypoallergenic and are great for families. The breed is known for its sweet, gentle, and playful nature. They bark moderately but are easily adaptable to training. Speaking from experience, the Maltese is great for people getting their first dog and will make you love dogs for the rest of your life.

Features

Maltese used to come in different colors but were eventually bred to only have white fur. They are a toy dog breed so they stay small throughout their lifespan. Their skulls are slightly rounded with a black button nose, two dark eyes, and floppy ears to complete their regal look.

Care

You can choose the look that you want for your Maltese. Some choose their classic look of a long grown out coat while others opt for a puppy cut. It just depends on preference and the conditions of where you live. They are considered house dogs and shouldn’t spend time in high heat or extreme cold. When feeding your Maltese, you should pay attention to what the food bag says but a general rule of thumb is a ¼ cup or ½ cup of high quality food split into two meals each day.

Maltese are active dogs that require stimulation and play. Walking them several times a day and playing with them will help keep them in good shape.

Pros and Cons

There are pros and cons to owning any dog breed and Maltese are no different. If you don’t have the time to pay attention to your Maltese then this breed is not for you, because they thrive on human interaction and play time. They can experience separation anxiety from their owners, which is something you’ll have to work on with them. They have a tendency to bark, so if you can’t stand barking or you live in close quarters like an apartment you may want to find a more quiet dog. Also if you don’t have the budget to groom them regularly then you might want to consider a more low maintenance dog that doesn’t require regular groomings. You’ll also need to spend time brushing them to prevent matted fur. Also you’ll want to be wary of the Maltese if you have small children, because they can get territorial with children around. The biggest takeaway here is that you need to have time and money to spend with and on this breed.

If you do have the time and money to spend on a Maltese then the pros to owning this dog can be endless. They’re great companion dogs, and they stay puppy size for their whole life. Not only do they not shed, they don’t drool either. Maltese are great dogs to have out and about. They’re very agile and sociable, and you’ll likely be the hit of whatever place you take them to because everyone will want to look at how cute your dog is. Also if you’re looking to train your Maltese, it will likely be pretty easy because they are smart dogs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find a Maltese?

You can find a list of breeders through the American Kennel Club website. You’ll want to be wary of dogs on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace because many times it’s people looking to scam someone out of their money. It might be harder to find a Maltese in a shelter but it’s not impossible. Some shelters even have breed lists that you can put your name on so that you can be alerted when they get those puppies in.

What does their healthcare look like?

You should be taking them to the vet at least once a year. You can do twice yearly checkups but it’s not always necessary. Just make sure you speak with your vet. Maltese can be prone to certain health conditions including patellar luxation, portosystemic liver shunt, progressive retinal atrophy, and hypoglycemia. This is not a whole list of the conditions they’re prone to, and just because they’re prone to it doesn’t mean they’ll get these conditions but it is something to keep in mind. If you notice any issues with your dog you should take them to the vet to get checked on as soon as possible.

Also you’ll want to make sure you’re giving your dog heartworm prevention medication each month. You can get a six month supply from your vet when you take your dog for a checkup.

How often should I groom them?

Maltese need to be professionally groomed at least once every six weeks. It could be more or less depending on your dog’s haircut, and depending on how your groomer likes to do things.

When they’re not at the groomers there is a lot of work you need to be putting in at home with them. You should bathe them at least once a month, you can do more than that if they get dirty which is more likely because of their white coat. You should brush them daily to keep their coat mat free and healthy. Also brushing their teeth two to three times a week will help prevent tartar and buildup. It would be even better if you could do it daily but it’s understandable if it’s not always possible to achieve that goal. Getting their nails trimmed once or twice a month is also a good idea. If you’re comfortable doing it at home you can but you can also utilize a groomer if need be.

Maltese are prone to having brown under eye stains from their tear ducts. You can help keep those stains at bay by washing under their eyes daily with warm water and a rag.

What kind of lifestyle works best for a Maltese?

A semi-active lifestyle is best for the Maltese. They love being a companion to their owner and furthermore they love play time. They can’t walk long distances until they’re a little older but since they are able to be fairly active inside, outside exercise isn’t always necessary.

Should I train my Maltese?

Yes. Maltese are smart but they can be stubborn at times. Training is a great way to bond and build a relationship with your dog, and at the end of it you’ll have a well-mannered puppy. But you’ll want to make sure that you keep up with their training even after you’re done with training classes because they can easily revert back to old behaviors without discipline.

Summary

Maltese are as beautiful inside as they are on the outside. They’re the perfect companion dog to have by your side through good and bad. Like any other dog breed they require love, attention, and care. If you have the time and money to devote to a dog then the Maltese is a great choice. You won’t regret the investment because these pups give lots of love and joy for their 12 to 15 year lifespans.