Maltese Breed Guide
Quick Summary
The Maltese is an exquisite, ultra-affectionate toy breed famous for its floor-sweeping white coat and surprisingly bold, playful personality. In my years of working with them, I’ve found they thrive best as indoor companions for individuals, couples, or families with older children who can commit to daily grooming and plenty of quality time. They are the ultimate lapdogs, but they possess a lively, alert nature that keeps their households endlessly entertained.
Quick Facts
- origin countryMalta (Mediterranean Basin)
- breed groupToy
- sizeToy
- weight range4 to 7 pounds
- height range7 to 9 inches
- lifespan12 to 15 years
- coat typeLong, silky, single coat with no undercoat
- common colorsPure white (light tan or lemon ears are permissible but discouraged)
- other namesMaltese Lion Dog, Melitaie Dog, Ye Ancient Dogge of Malta
- recognized byAKC, UKC, FCI, KC, ANKC
Caring for a Maltese
Living with a Maltese is a lesson in absolute devotion; they want to be exactly where you are, preferably on your lap. Their daily care revolves heavily around coat maintenance, dental hygiene, and preventing separation anxiety through structured boundaries. Despite their delicate, aristocratic appearance, they are quite hardy and playful indoors, making them outstanding apartment dogs. However, their tiny size means you must protect them from accidental falls, rough handling, and larger predatory animals.
Is a Maltese a good family pet?
They make highly loving family pets, but I do not recommend them for homes with toddlers or very young children. Because they typically weigh under seven pounds, they are incredibly fragile and can easily be injured by accidental drops, steps, or overly enthusiastic play.
Do Malteses shed a lot?
Virtually not at all. Because they have a single coat that grows continuously rather than shedding like double-coated breeds, they lose very little dander and hair, making them a fantastic choice for allergy sufferers. However, this lack of shedding means their dead hair must be brushed out daily to prevent severe matting.
Is a Maltese good for first-time owners?
Yes, their highly affectionate, eager-to-please nature makes them incredibly rewarding for novices. However, a beginner must be fully prepared for the intense, non-negotiable daily grooming routine and the breed’s tendency to struggle with being left alone.
Temperament & Personality
Do not let the delicate, angelic look fool you: the Maltese is a lively, confident, and highly alert dog. In my experience, they are surprisingly brave and will readily sound the alarm if they hear someone at the door. They possess a sweet, gentle temperament and a refined sensitivity to their owner’s emotions, often acting as excellent therapy or emotional support animals.
Is a Maltese good with other pets?
Generally, yes, they get along wonderfully with other dogs and cats, often showing no fear of animals much larger than themselves. I always warn owners to monitor these interactions closely, as a Maltese’s bold attitude can easily lead to accidental injury when playing with larger dogs.
How much attention does a Maltese need?
They require a massive amount of human interaction and do not tolerate being isolated for long periods. If you work long hours away from home, this is not the breed for you, as they are highly prone to severe separation distress and destructive barking when lonely.
Training & Behavior
Maltese are clever, responsive, and highly capable of learning tricks and basic obedience when trained with positive reinforcement. I always tell owners that because they are so small and cute, it’s easy to let them get away with bad habits like begging or excessive barking—a phenomenon often called ‘Small Dog Syndrome.’ Consistent, gentle rules from day one will ensure they grow into well-mannered companions.
Training Tips
- Use extremely small, low-calorie training treats, as their tiny stomachs fill up quickly.
- Keep training sessions short, positive, and fun (no longer than 5 to 10 minutes).
- Be patient with housebreaking; their tiny bladders make this process take longer than with larger breeds.
- Never use harsh corrections, as this sensitive breed will shut down and refuse to cooperate.
- Socialize them early to different sights, sounds, and people to prevent them from becoming overly timid or protective.
Fun Activities
- Agility training with scaled-down, toy-sized obstacles
- Learning complex tricks like spinning, bowing, and fetching specific toys
- Involvement in therapy work, visiting nursing homes and hospitals
- Scent work games using tiny hidden treats around the living room
- Daily strolls around the neighborhood to satisfy their natural curiosity
Is a Maltese easy to train?
They are highly intelligent and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train in basic obedience. However, housebreaking can be notoriously difficult due to their tiny bladder capacity; I highly recommend using a consistent crate training schedule or pee-pad setup.
Maltese Health Issues
The Maltese is a generally healthy and long-lived breed, but like all toy dogs, they are prone to specific genetic conditions. Ensuring you purchase from a reputable breeder who performs cardiac, patellar, and eye evaluations can significantly reduce the risk of inherited diseases.
Patellar Luxation
A very common toy breed condition where the kneecap slips out of its anatomical groove, causing discomfort, limping, or a hopping gait.
Tracheal Collapse
A progressive weakening of the cartilage rings in the windpipe, which can cause the trachea to flatten and restrict airflow.
Portosystemic Shunt (PSS)
A congenital liver defect where abnormal blood vessels bypass the liver, preventing toxins from being filtered out of the bloodstream.
White Dog Shaker Syndrome
An idiopathic inflammatory condition affecting the central nervous system, characterized by full-body tremors in young, small white dogs.
Severe Dental Disease
Because of their tiny mouths, their teeth are crowded together, rapidly trapping plaque and tartar, which leads to early tooth loss and systemic infections.
How long do Malteses typically live?
A healthy Maltese can easily live between 12 and 15 years, and in my experience, it is not uncommon to see well-cared-for individuals reach 16 or 17. Keeping them at a lean weight and maintaining their dental health are key factors in extending their lifespan.
What to Feed a Maltese
Maltese require a high-quality, calorie-dense diet formulated specifically for toy breeds to support their fast metabolism. Because they are prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) as puppies, consistent, high-quality nutrition is vital to their early development.
Best Diet
I highly recommend feeding a premium, small-breed specific dry kibble that helps mechanically scrape plaque from their crowded teeth. Puppies under six months require a highly digestible, calorie-dense puppy formula, while adults should transition to a formula that supports joint, skin, and coat health.
How to Feed
Adult Maltese should be fed two to three small, measured meals per day to keep their blood sugar levels stable. Avoid free-feeding, as their tiny frames cannot handle excess weight without putting severe strain on their delicate joints.
How Much to Feed
Generally, an adult Maltese will eat between 1/4 to 1/2 cup of high-quality dry food per day, split into multiple meals. You must adjust this based on their exact weight, activity level, and sterilization status, and always consult your veterinarian to establish the perfect portion plan.
Nutritional Tips
Avoid giving table scraps, as rich foods can easily trigger life-threatening pancreatitis in this breed. Additionally, adding a high-quality omega-3 fatty acid supplement can work wonders for keeping their signature white coat incredibly soft, shiny, and skin moisturized.
Maltese Grooming Guide
The magnificent Maltese coat is undoubtedly high-maintenance and requires a serious daily commitment to keep it looking pristine. Whether you choose to keep them in a full, flowing show coat or a practical, short ‘puppy cut,’ their grooming cannot be neglected without causing them physical discomfort.
Coat Care
For a long coat, you must brush them daily with a pin brush and slicker to prevent painful mats, always misting the coat with a detangling spray first to prevent hair breakage. If keeping them in a short utility clip, they still require brushing every two to three days and professional grooming every 4 to 6 weeks.
Skin Care
They have sensitive skin that is easily irritated; always use a gentle, soap-free oatmeal shampoo and high-quality conditioner designed for white coats. Be sure to dry them completely after a bath, as damp hair quickly knots and mats close to the skin.
Eye Care
Tear staining is incredibly common in this breed due to shallow eye sockets or blocked tear ducts; wipe their eye area daily with a warm, damp cloth or specialized tear-stain remover, and keep the hair around their eyes trimmed short.
Ear Care
Their drop ears trap moisture and wax, and hair grows inside the ear canal; check their ears weekly for redness or odor, and gently pluck excess inner-ear hair to prevent painful ear infections.
Nail & Dental Care
Brush their teeth daily with dog-safe toothpaste to combat rapid tartar buildup, and trim their nails every 2 to 3 weeks, as they rarely wear them down naturally indoors.
Considerations for Pet Parents
Pros
- Incredibly affectionate, loving, and loyal to their owners.
- An excellent fit for apartment living due to their small size and modest indoor exercise needs.
- Virtually non-shedding, making them highly compatible with allergy sufferers.
- Highly portable and easy to travel with in a small carrier.
- Alert and quick to warn you of any visitors or deliveries.
- Generally friendly with other dogs, cats, and household pets.
Cons
- Extremely demanding grooming routine that requires daily brushing and regular bathing.
- Highly prone to separation anxiety and cannot be left alone for long stretches.
- Can be difficult to housebreak compared to larger, more independent breeds.
- Highly fragile and easily injured by children, large dogs, or high jumps.
- Prone to excessive barking if not properly trained and stimulated.
Best For
This breed is absolute perfection for retirees, work-from-home professionals, or couples who can integrate a dog into almost every aspect of their day. They shine brightest with owners who view daily brushing as a peaceful bonding ritual rather than a chore.
Not Recommended For
I strongly advise against a Maltese for families with very active toddlers, or for busy professionals who are out of the house for 8 to 10 hours a day. They will not thrive in chaotic households where they might be stepped on or left in isolation.
Cost
- purchase price$1,500 to $4,000
- monthly cost$100 to $200 (primarily covering professional grooming, high-quality food, and preventative veterinary care)
- initial setupExpect to spend an additional $800 to $1,200 initially on high-quality grooming tools (slicker brushes, metal combs, tear-stain wipes), a secure travel carrier, a step-in harness, a crate, and immediate veterinary check-ups.
Similar Breeds
Bichon Frise
Havanese
Maltese FAQs
How do I get rid of tear stains on my Maltese?
The most effective method is consistency: wipe the area around the eyes twice daily with a damp washcloth or a dedicated tear-stain wipe. Keep the facial hair trimmed short, feed them out of stainless steel or ceramic bowls rather than plastic, and use filtered or purified water, as tap water minerals can exacerbate staining.
Are Maltese dogs hypoallergenic?
Yes, they are considered hypoallergenic because they have hair rather than fur and do not shed. While no dog is 100% allergen-free, they produce significantly less dander and do not release hair into the air, making them excellent companions for many allergy sufferers.
Why is my Maltese barking so much?
Maltese are naturally alert watchdogs and can become hyper-vigilant. If they bark constantly, it is usually due to boredom, separation anxiety, or lack of early socialization; addressing these core emotional needs and rewarding quiet behavior will help drastically.
Can a Maltese be left alone for 8 hours?
No, I do not recommend leaving a Maltese alone for that long. They are prone to severe separation anxiety, which can lead to destructive behaviors, continuous crying, and house training setbacks; they should not be left alone for more than 3 to 4 hours at a time.
At what age is a Maltese fully grown?
A Maltese typically reaches their full adult size, height, and weight by 10 to 12 months of age. Their adult coat will continue to mature, thicken, and reach its full, luxurious length by the time they are 18 to 24 months old.
Why is my Maltese reverse sneezing?
Reverse sneezing is very common in toy breeds and occurs when the soft palate becomes irritated, causing them to rapidly inhale air with a snorting sound. While alarming, it is usually harmless; you can resolve it by gently massaging their throat or briefly covering their nostrils to force them to swallow.
Do I have to keep my Maltese in a long show coat?
Absolutely not. In fact, the vast majority of Maltese owners choose a short ‘puppy cut’ or ‘teddy bear cut’ from a professional groomer. This dramatically reduces daily brushing time while keeping the dog looking cute, clean, and highly manageable.
Are Maltese hard to potty train?
They can be challenging due to their tiny bladders and sensitivity to cold or wet weather. Success requires strict crate training, taking them out on a highly consistent schedule, and using positive reinforcement (never punishment) when they successfully do their business outside.
Can a Maltese jump off the couch?
I strongly advise against letting them jump off high couches or beds. Their bones are delicate, and jumping can easily cause patellar luxation, sprains, or even fractures; I always recommend placing pet stairs or ramps next to high furniture.
Do Maltese need a lot of exercise?
They do not require long, strenuous hikes, but they still need daily activity. A couple of short, 15-minute walks around the block combined with active indoor play sessions are more than enough to keep them physically fit and mentally stimulated.
Why does my Maltese have bad breath?
Bad breath in a Maltese is almost always a sign of periodontal disease, which is highly prevalent in toy breeds. If brushing their teeth daily doesn’t resolve it, they likely require a professional veterinary dental cleaning under anesthesia to remove deep-seated tartar.
Should a Maltese wear a collar or a harness?
Always use a harness when walking a Maltese. Because they are highly prone to tracheal collapse, a collar puts dangerous pressure on their fragile windpipe when they pull; a step-in harness distributes the pressure safely across their chest.
What is a ‘Teacup’ Maltese?
There is no official breed called a ‘Teacup Maltese.’ This is a marketing term used by breeders to describe puppies that are abnormally small, often weighing under 3 or 4 pounds. These dogs are highly prone to severe genetic defects, fragile bones, and chronic health issues, and should be avoided.