Maltese
An elegant, silky lap companion.
The Maltese is a tiny toy breed with a long, silky white coat and a gentle, affectionate nature. An ancient companion dog, it is playful, people-loving and well suited to apartment life.
Great points
- Low-shedding silky coat
- Gentle and affectionate
- Great for apartments
- Playful and people-loving
Things to consider
- Coat needs daily care or clipping
- Fragile and easily injured
- Can be barky
- Prone to dental issues
The story
One of the oldest toy breeds, the Maltese has charmed Mediterranean nobility for more than two thousand years. Bred purely for companionship, it has always been a cherished lapdog.
Training
Maltese are bright and eager to please, responding well to gentle, positive training, though house-training small toy dogs takes patience.
Grooming
The long white coat needs daily brushing to prevent mats, or a short puppy clip to reduce the work, and keeping the face clean limits tear staining.
Food & diet
About 0.25 to 0.5 cup of small-breed food a day, fed in small meals.
Exercise
Low. Short walks and indoor play are plenty for this little companion.
Health to watch
Prone to dental disease, luxating patella and tear staining. Dental care and gentle handling help.
Fun fact. The Maltese has been a favourite of royalty and aristocrats since ancient Greek and Roman times.
