Maltese

Overview

The Maltese is one of the oldest toy breeds in the world - a tiny, pure-white, silken-coated companion dog cherished since antiquity. Greek and Roman writers praised the breed for its beauty and devotion; aristocratic ladies have kept Maltese on their laps for at least two thousand years. The modern Maltese remains a pure companion dog: tiny, affectionate, eternally puppy-faced, with a personality far larger than the four-kilogram body.

History & Origins

The breed's history stretches into deep antiquity. Phoenician traders are believed to have brought small white companion dogs to the island of Malta in the centuries before Christ; from there the breed spread across the Mediterranean world. Aristotle described "very small dogs called Melitaie" around 350 BC. Roman noblewomen kept Maltese as lap dogs; the breed appears on Greek pottery and Egyptian art.

The breed survived the fall of Rome and the Middle Ages largely in monasteries and aristocratic households. Maltese reached England in the 1500s and became favourites of Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots. The AKC recognised the breed in 1888.

The modern Maltese is essentially unchanged from depictions in Renaissance art - a remarkable continuity for any breed.

Appearance

Tiny, with a flowing pure-white coat. On AKC figures adults stand 18-23 cm (7-9 in) and weigh under 3.2 kg (7 lb) (AKC).

Key features:

• Coat: long, straight, silky, single-coated (no undercoat). Floor-length in show condition.
• Colour: pure white. Slight ivory or lemon tinting on the ears is acceptable but undesirable.
• Head: slightly rounded with a moderate stop, dark round eyes, and long drop ears covered in long silky hair.
• Tail: plumed, carried over the back.

Temperament & Character

Bold, lively, and affectionate. Maltese are not the fragile flowers their appearance suggests - they are confident, sometimes feisty, and famously fearless toward dogs many times their size. They form intense bonds with family, often particularly with one person.

The breed is friendly with strangers when introduced calmly, sociable with other dogs and cats when socialised young. Maltese bark readily - alarm barking is breed-typical.

Despite the lap-dog reputation Maltese enjoy walking, sniffing, and playing. Many do well in agility and obedience scaled to their size.

Care

Coat & Grooming

The long single coat is the highest-maintenance feature.

Long show coat: daily brushing with a pin brush and metal comb, hair "wrapped" between brushings to prevent breakage, weekly baths, topknot tied to keep hair out of eyes. Hours per week.

Pet "puppy clip": professional grooming every 4-6 weeks (clip body short, scissor face, sanitary trim). Most pet owners choose this. Brushing 2-3 times weekly between groomings.

Tear staining on the white face is a constant battle. Wipe around eyes daily with a damp cloth; some use specialised stain removers. Trim the hair between eyes or tie it back. Brush teeth daily - dental disease is universal in toy breeds. Trim nails every 3 weeks. Clean ears weekly; pluck ear-canal hair as needed.

The coat is single-layered and sheds minimally - less hair around the home, though not a hypoallergenic dog.

Exercise & Activity Needs

Modest. Adults need up to 30 minutes of daily exercise - walks, indoor play, training games (Royal Kennel Club). Maltese fit easily into small homes and apartments.

Use a harness, not a collar - the trachea is fragile. Carry up and down stairs and off furniture; small joints and the long back are vulnerable. Avoid hot pavement (small dogs heat quickly).

Health & Lifespan

Average lifespan is 12-15 years on AKC figures; a 2024 UK study found 13.1 years.

Common concerns:

• Dental disease - universal without daily brushing.
• Tracheal collapse - chronic cough; use harnesses.
• Patellar luxation.
• Liver shunt (portosystemic shunt) - relatively common in toy breeds.
• Hypoglycaemia - small puppies and very small adults crash without regular meals.
• White Shaker Syndrome - sudden tremors of unknown cause.
• Heart disease - patent ductus arteriosus, mitral valve disease in older dogs.
• Eye conditions - cataracts, PRA, retinal dysplasia.
• Reverse sneezing - startling but harmless episodes.

Feeding & Nutrition

How much an adult Maltese needs depends on the food's calories and on the dog's age and activity. The AKC suggests treating the feeding guide on the package only as a first estimate, since it can give larger portions than necessary, and checking the dog itself: a visible waist and ribs you can feel mean the amount is about right (AKC). Puppies need 3-4 small meals daily to prevent hypoglycaemia.

Picky eating is common. Establish a calm routine and resist hand-feeding. Treats should be tiny.

Liver shunt-affected dogs need specialised low-protein diets prescribed by a vet.

Training & Socialisation

Intelligent and eager to please when motivated. Reward-based methods work; harsh handling shuts the breed down or produces snappiness.

Priorities: house training (slow - establish consistent crate routine), polite greeting (Maltese love to jump and yap), leash manners on a harness, "quiet" cue, and socialisation with people, surfaces, and calm dogs.

Treat the dog as a real dog. Constantly carrying a Maltese produces reactivity and fear-snapping. Walk on the ground; meet other dogs calmly.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Tiny - fits any home.
• Long-lived.
• Affectionate and entertaining.
• Low shedding - less hair around the home (not hypoallergenic).
• Adaptable to apartment life.

Cons

• High coat maintenance.
• Slow to house-train.
• Vocal - barks readily.
• Fragile body; not for households with toddlers.
• Persistent tear staining on the white face.

Best Suited For

• Singles, couples, retirees wanting a constant companion.
• Apartment dwellers.
• Households that want a low-shedding coat.
• Families with older, gentle children.
• Owners willing to budget for grooming and dental care.

Not suited for households with toddlers or rough-playing large dogs, owners wanting a low-maintenance coat, or anyone unable to commit to daily face cleaning.