The Maltese is a small companion breed with a sweet, tender, and loving temperament. They have been in existence for thousands of years and in many civilizations. The Egyptians and Europeans had the belief that the Maltese could cure people, hence they came to be called, “The Comforter.” Due to their sensitive personality, they make great therapy dogs, but have a tendency to develop separation anxiety when left alone for an extended period of time. They are a great breed for new dog owners, and are easy to train due to their intelligence, but early training and socialization would be essential. Beloved, winsome, and charming the Maltese is a natural comic and will bring delight to any home. They are the most admired breed at dog shows with its gorgeous white coat, and playful personality. They even keep their playfulness as they get older. The Maltese would do well living in an apartment, and they require only 30 minutes a day of exercise. But, it is vitally important not to walk a young pup too far, that is until after 9 months of age because their bones are still developing. The Maltese was bred to be a companion dog, so it subsequently needs to live indoors and be with its human family. They are typically 8-10 inches high, usually weigh up to seven pounds, and commonly have a lifespan of 12-15 years. The Maltese’s coat is normally pure white, soft, straight and thick. It does not have an undercoat and therefore sheds very little. However, the coat does tend to get matted easily, and therefore it would be helpful to get all the knots out with your fingers before bathing the pup. Daily combing and brushing would alleviate some of the matting. Weekly bathing of the Maltese would also be necessary due to its white coat. It is also essential to check the breed’s ears at least once a week, and trim its nails 1-2x/month. Due to the Maltese being a small breed they do have a predisposition to develop dental issues, so daily brushing of their teeth is crucial. Keeping their eyes clean would also be needed because they are prone to develop tear stains. Overall, this charming breed is basically healthy and with routine veterinary visits and loving care they should live a long and happy life.
Each dog breed can be prone to develop certain diseases or conditions, be sure to research your specific breed before making a purchase to ensure you´re prepared for any challenges that may arise. This information is only a generalization and we make no guarantees on any breed related to personality, appearance, or typical health characteristics.
