Family-friendly:5/5Exercise needs:2/5Easy to train:4/5Tolerates being alone:1/5Likes other pets:4/5Energy level:3/5Grooming needs:2/5Shedding:2/5

Maltese

An aristocratic-looking toy dog, with dark eyes and a pure white coat that is long and silky, the Maltese is a most striking dog.

Lifespan

12–15 years

Weight

2–4kg

Height

20–25cm

Colours

White

Size

Small

Kennel Club group

Toy

The need-to-know

Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
Extra training required
Generally healthy breed
Enjoys active walks
Needs under an hour of walking a day

Small dog
Some drool
Requires grooming every other day
Quiet dog
Barks and alerts to visitors/anything unusual

Generally friendly with other dogs
Gets along with other pets with training
May need additional supervision to live with children
Needs a small garden
Can happily live in the city

Can be left occasionally with training

Generally healthy breed

The Maltese breed can be prone to:
- Patellar luxation
- Portosystemic shunt
- Mitral Valve Disease¹ which is where the heart valves become diseased and don't work properly.
- Chiari malformation syringomyelia² which is a condition where fluid-filled areas develop around the spinal cord causing pain.
- Cataracts³ which is a condition where the lens in the eye becomes cloudy and this can result in blindness.

Priority Kennel Club health schemes and testing:
None but there are several recommended schemes that the Kennel Club recommends which can be found here.

¹C. M. Lee, 'Genome-wide association study of degenerative mitral valve disease in Maltese dogs', Jan 2019, Journal of Veterinary Science
²S. Sanchis‐Mora et al, 'Dogs attending primary‐care practice in England with clinical signs suggestive of Chiari‐like malformation/syringomyelia', 2016, Vet Record
³S. A. Park et al, 'Clinical manifestations of cataracts in small breed dogs', 2009, Veterinary Ophthalmology

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Personality

Despite their small size the Maltese is a comparatively robust little dog who as long as they are well-bred and socialised, are active, friendly, trusting and alert. They bond very closely to their owners and will want to go everywhere with them.

Vet Rating

Family-friendly:	5/5
Exercise needs:	2/5
Easy to train:	4/5
Tolerates being alone:	1/5
Likes other pets:	4/5
Energy level:	3/5
Grooming needs:	2/5
Shedding:	2/5

History and Origins

This is one of the earliest of the small companion dog breeds and they may well have existed in Malta for hundreds of years, although the earliest records are from the early 1800s where they became known as lapdogs of the nobility - and were frequently seen in the paintings of the time. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries they became increasingly popular both in Malta and wider afield, and thanks to both their appearance and their temperament they quickly found fans around the world, first appearing as a show dog in England in 1859.

Ideal Owner

Suited to first time owners who enjoy dog grooming, can provide active daily walks and enjoy both basic obedience training and fun trick training to keep the Maltese brain and body busy. Ideal for child free homes or for those with quiet/older children who can listen to instruction and understand this small dog is not a toy no matter how cute!

Exercise Needs

Half an hour's daily exercise will keep a Maltese content, though they are capable of more if you can offer it. They can be surprisingly game when out and about, and their past history as a one-time vermin catcher can come to the fore! The also enjoy games with their owners.

Nutrition and Feeding

Toy dogs have a fast metabolism, meaning they burn energy at a high rate, although their small stomachs mean that they must eat little and often. Small-breed foods are specifically designed with appropriate levels of key nutrients and smaller kibble sizes to suit smaller mouths. This also encourages chewing and improves digestion.

Grooming Maltese’s

Daily grooming is needed to keep the long, silky coat tangle-free. If neglected, mats will form, which will become painful for the dog. Getting a Maltese puppy to view grooming as a rewarding experience is therefore very important.

Training Maltese’s

The Maltese is far cleverer than many people think and they will enjoy learning tricks and games - and should be trained to walk on a lead and harness as well as come back when called. While this may look like a cute fluffy dog, the Maltese can enjoy the occasional ‘squirrel chase’!

Best Family Dog Breeds

The Maltese is an enchanting companion dog and they will happily live in a family; however, they bond closely to one person and are too small and gentle for noisy families with young and boisterous children.

While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.

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Did you know?

The Maltese was loved by royalty and it is said that when Mary Queen of Scots was beheaded, her loyal Maltese was hiding under her skirts and was only discovered after the execution.
Maltese’s have been known by many names over the years including: Melitae Dog, Ye Ancient Dogge of Malta, Roman Ladies Dog, The Comforter, Spaniel Gentle, Bichon, Maltese Lion Dog and the Maltese Terrier.
They’re very good jumpers and are known to have no real fear of gravity!
There was a millionaire Maltese called Take Trouble who was worth $2 million.