Breed guide

Maltese Breed Guide

Two thousand years of refined companionship — pure white, silky, and endlessly gentle.

Weight: Under 7 lbs
Lifespan: 12–15 years
Energy: Moderate
Shedding: Minimal
Trainability: Moderate
Coat: Long, straight, single-layer — white, silky, minimal shedding
Good with kids: Yes
Good with other dogs: Yes

The Maltese is one of the oldest toy breeds in the world — ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian records describe small white dogs from Malta that match the Maltese's description. Their silky white coat, black eyes, and sweet, gentle temperament have made them treasured companion dogs for over two millennia. They're sophisticated, loving, and surprisingly spirited for their elegant appearance.

Personality

Maltese are affectionate, gentle, and playful — they have a joyful quality about them that's infectious. They bond deeply with their families and love being included in daily life. They can be surprisingly bold given their tiny size and will alert-bark at unfamiliar sounds or visitors. They're adaptable to various living situations and tend to get along well with other animals when properly introduced.

Appearance

The Maltese is characterized by its floor-length, pure white, silky coat that has no undercoat and sheds minimally. Pet owners typically keep the coat in a short 'puppy clip' for ease of care. Dark eyes, black eye rims, and a black nose are hallmarks of the breed. They're tiny — under 7 lbs per AKC standard, with most pet Maltese weighing 4–6 lbs.

Feeding

Small-breed formula 2–3 times daily. Maltese puppies can be prone to hypoglycemia. White-coated dogs (including Maltese) sometimes develop tear staining that can be worsened by certain foods containing artificial dyes, high iron content, or certain protein sources — discuss with your vet if staining is significant.

Grooming

The long white coat requires daily brushing to prevent mats and staining. Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks is necessary. Keep the area around the eyes clean daily — tear staining is a known issue in Maltese. The coat around the sanitary area needs trimming regularly. Dental care is critical — Maltese are very prone to dental disease.

Exercise

Maltese have moderate energy needs satisfied by two short daily walks and indoor play. They're quite playful despite their elegant appearance and enjoy interactive toys and games. They're good apartment dogs.

Training

Maltese are intelligent and can learn quickly but may be stubborn about housetraining — small dogs have small bladders and need more frequent opportunities. Positive reinforcement works well. Some Maltese can be vocal — early training to limit nuisance barking pays off. Early socialization helps prevent fearfulness or snappiness with strangers.

Health

Generally healthy. Dental disease is nearly universal without active prevention — daily brushing is essential. Other concerns include luxating patella, portosystemic shunt (liver shunt — more common in very small dogs), heart disease, and progressive retinal atrophy. Reputable breeders health-test parents before breeding.

Health Concerns to Know

Dental disease
Luxating patella
Portosystemic shunt (liver shunt)
Progressive retinal atrophy
Hypoglycemia (puppies)
Collapsed trachea

Fun Facts

The Maltese is documented in ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian texts — they've been human companions for at least 2,000 years.
Aristotle mentioned 'a perfectly proportioned small dog from the island of Melita' — Melita being the Latin name for Malta.
The Maltese has no undercoat, which is why it sheds so minimally and why many allergy sufferers tolerate the breed well.
Marie Antoinette, Queen Elizabeth I, and Mary Queen of Scots all reportedly kept Maltese.

Maltese FAQ

How do I manage tear staining on a Maltese?

Clean around the eyes daily with a soft damp cloth or pet eye wipes. Keeping the hair around the eyes trimmed short or tied back reduces staining significantly. Some owners find switching to filtered water or a food with limited artificial ingredients reduces staining. Persistent staining with discharge may indicate a blocked tear duct — see your vet.

Do Maltese do well with other pets?

Generally yes — Maltese tend to be accepting of other dogs and even cats when properly introduced. Their small size means they should be supervised with much larger dogs for safety.