Maltese

The Maltese is a small, hardy dog. The dog has a silky, single layer coat that is white or light ivory. When kept long and groomed like a show dog, it hangs flat, long over the sides of the body almost to the ground, hanging on each side of a center part line and is not wavy, curly or kinky. A lot of owners choose to cut the coat into a short, easy-care puppy cut.

Maltese are lively, gentle, and very playful. They are spirited, trusting, and devoted to their master. The Maltese is highly intelligent and good at learning tricks. They are bold little animals and quick to sound an alarm if they hear a suspicious noise. This graceful and lovable dog will make a great companion dog.

A Maltese does well with other animals and dogs. They love to play outdoors. Some may even like to jump in puddles.

The Maltese may be a difficult dog to housebreak. They can be picky eaters if they are fed table scraps.

Maltese that are allowed to take over the house and ‘rule’ the humans can develop separation anxiety, guarding, and obsessive barking. They may even become snappish with children or other adults. Over pampering and overprotecting these little dogs can cause them to become unstable and even jealous of visitors. These behaviors are all brought on by the way the dog is treated by the people closest to it and are not typical Maltese traits. When the ‘pack leaders’ are stable, the bad behaviors will go away.

The Maltese can be prone to sunburn along the hair part. They also can have skin, respiratory, and eye issues. Some may have weak digestive systems which make it hard to properly feed them. Hot weather causes them discomfort. They may get chills and should be kept out of damp areas. Maltese can also be prone to teeth problems. Giving them dry dog biscuits can help their teeth stay clean and healthy.

The Maltese is a good dog for apartment life. They are very active indoors and will do okay without a yard. Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs, but they will still need a daily walk. These dogs remain playful well into old age. Their life expectancy is 15 or more years.

Daily combing and brushing of the long coat is important but be gentle, as the coat is very soft. Clean the eyes daily to prevent staining, and clean the beard after meals for the same reason. Bathe or dry shampoo regularly, making sure the animal is thoroughly dry and warm afterward. Clean the ears, and pull out hair growing inside the ear canal.

The eyes should be checked regularly and cleaned if necessary. The hair on the top of the head is often tied up in a topknot to keep it away from the eyes. Some pet owners opt to clip the hair short for easier and less time-consuming grooming. The Maltese sheds little to no hair and is good for allergy sufferers.