Maltese
Overview
What Is a Maltese?
The Maltese is one of the oldest known toy breeds, with a history stretching back at least 2,000 years. Ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian texts all mention small white dogs from the island of Malta that were prized as companions and lap dogs for nobility and wealthy merchants. They've been doing the same job for two millennia, and they're very good at it.
Under 7 pounds with a floor-length white silky coat (when in show condition) and eyes that seem too large for their face, Maltese have an aristocratic appearance that matches their ancient lineage. Their personality is a combination of devotion and considerable boldness — they're gentle enough for a lapdog but have the confidence to tell a dog ten times their size to back off.
Physical
What Maltese Look Like
The Maltese is a tiny, well-proportioned dog with a rounded skull, black nose, and large, expressive dark eyes. The coat is single-layered (no undercoat), purely white, and silky — it drapes to the ground in show condition and doesn't shed the way double-coated breeds do. The lack of undercoat is why Maltese are often better tolerated by allergy sufferers.
Most pet-owner Maltese are kept in a short "puppy cut" that's more manageable than the full flowing show coat. Either way, the coat requires consistent maintenance to stay healthy. They typically weigh 4–7 lbs and stand about 7–9 inches tall — genuinely tiny dogs. Their small size makes them vulnerable to injury from falls and rough handling, which is the primary reason they're recommended for adults or families with children 8 and older.
Personality
Temperament
Maltese are affectionate, playful, and deeply attached to their owners. They tend to bond strongly with one or two people and express that bond through being present — they'll follow you from room to room, settle in your lap the moment you sit down, and generally treat proximity to their person as the best possible state of being.
Despite their delicate appearance, Maltese have confidence that often surprises people. They're not typically timid or nervous — they'll approach strangers with curiosity and don't hesitate to voice an opinion about other dogs, regardless of size difference. This bold streak is charming, but it can lead to conflict with larger dogs who don't find a 5-pound dog's bravado amusing.
The most significant behavioral risk is "small dog syndrome" — when the dog's size leads owners to allow behaviors that would never be acceptable in a larger dog. Maltese who aren't given consistent training and boundaries become demanding, barky, and difficult to live with. Their intelligence means they learn quickly; they'll learn bad habits just as fast as good ones.
A Realistic Take
What I'd Tell a Friend Thinking About a Maltese
A Maltese is a wonderful companion for the right person. If you want a small, affectionate dog that will be devoted to you, adaptable to apartment living, and reasonably low on the exercise demand scale, the Maltese delivers all of that. They're genuinely bright and engaging dogs, not just lap ornaments.
The two things I'd make sure a friend understood before getting one: the grooming is real, and the size has real-world implications. The grooming — daily brushing, professional cuts every 6–8 weeks, daily face cleaning — is non-negotiable and ongoing. It's not like a Golden's occasional bathing; it's a scheduled maintenance commitment. If you let the coat go, it mats close to the skin and causes pain and skin problems.
The size means housetraining takes time (small bladders, remember), they can be injured by a toddler who doesn't know their own strength, and they can't safely jump off a standard-height couch without risk. These are manageable realities, not dealbreakers — but they change how you set up your home and interact with the dog. Go in knowing this, and a Maltese is a joy.
Daily Life
Care Requirements
Exercise
20–30 minutes daily is plenty — a short walk and indoor play satisfies most Maltese. They're not high-energy dogs, though they have bursts of enthusiasm. Avoid strenuous exercise in heat; tiny dogs overheat faster than large breeds. They're ideal for apartment living and don't need outdoor space.
Grooming
- Brushing: Daily — the single-layer silky coat tangles fast without regular brushing, especially behind ears and in the armpits
- Professional grooming: Every 6–8 weeks for a puppy cut; show coat requires far more
- Face: Wipe daily with a damp cloth to clear discharge and prevent tear staining; the white coat shows staining prominently
- Bathing: Every 2–3 weeks to keep the white coat clean
- Teeth: Daily brushing — small breeds are especially prone to dental disease
Training
Positive reinforcement with food rewards. Maltese are smart and trainable, but housetraining requires significant patience — small breed, small bladder, slow development. Crate training plus strict scheduling is the reliable approach; give the dog the run of the house before it's trustworthy and you'll have accidents for months longer than necessary. Don't let their size make you inconsistent — they need the same rules a large dog would get.
I put together a full Maltese grooming guide with the specific tools and routine that work best for this coat type.
Wellness
Health & Common Conditions
Maltese are relatively healthy for a toy breed with a 12–15 year lifespan. Their size creates some structural considerations and their coat requires attentive care to prevent skin problems underneath it.
| Condition | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Dental Disease | The number one health issue in small breeds. Maltese have small mouths with crowded teeth that accumulate tartar fast. Daily brushing and professional dental cleanings every 1–2 years are essential. Untreated dental disease leads to tooth loss and systemic health complications. |
| Patellar Luxation | Kneecap slipping is common in toy breeds. Watch for occasional three-legged skipping. Mild cases are monitored; severe cases need surgery. OFA patella evaluation is standard in responsible breeding programs. |
| Hypoglycemia | Very small puppies (especially under 4 lbs) are vulnerable to low blood sugar. Puppies must be fed frequently — every 4–6 hours. Signs: weakness, disorientation, tremors. Rub Karo syrup on gums and get to a vet immediately. Less of an issue once the dog is adult-sized. |
| Liver Shunts (PSS) | Portosystemic shunts occur at higher rates in Maltese than many breeds. Symptoms in puppies include poor growth, confusion, and seizures after meals. Ask breeders about family history; responsible breeders screen for this. |
| Eye Conditions | Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) occurs in the breed. CAER eye exams in breeding dogs are standard. Daily face wiping prevents infection from accumulated discharge. |
Ask breeders for: OFA patella evaluation, CAER eye exam, liver shunt family history, cardiac clearance.
Budget
Cost of Ownership
$1,000–$3,000 from a reputable breeder; $200–$500 from rescue. Ongoing costs are on the higher end for a small dog due to professional grooming requirements and the dental care commitment.
| Expense | First Year | Annual (ongoing) |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy / Adoption | $1,000–$3,000 / $200–$500 | — |
| Food | $150–$300 | $150–$300 |
| Vet (routine + dental) | $400–$800 | $400–$900 |
| Professional grooming | $350–$600 | $350–$600 |
| Pet insurance | $300–$550 | $300–$550 |
| Estimated Total | $2,500–$5,500+ | $1,200–$2,400 |
See the full Maltese first-year cost breakdown with real numbers before you commit.
Fit Assessment
Is a Maltese Right for You?
| Great fit if you... | Not the best fit if you... |
|---|---|
| Want a tiny, devoted companion dog for apartment or small home living | You can't commit 15-30 minutes daily to brushing or budget $80-150/month for professional grooming — Maltese coats matt fast without consistent care |
| Adults or families with older children (8+) who handle dogs gently | You have close neighbors or thin apartment walls — Malteses are vocal by breed standard and a single barking complaint can violate many city or HOA noise ordinances |
| Home much of the day — Maltese thrive with company | Have toddlers or very young children — size makes injury risk real |
| Can commit to daily face cleaning, brushing, and regular professional grooming | Want minimal grooming commitment |
| Mild dog allergy sufferers — low-shedding single coat often tolerated better | Away from home 8+ hours most days |
Next Steps
Finding Your Maltese
Buying from a Breeder
$1,000–$3,000 from a reputable breeder. The American Maltese Association maintains a breeder referral list and outlines expected health testing: OFA patella and hip evaluation, CAER eye exam, and cardiac clearance. Liver shunt history in the bloodlines is worth asking about specifically. Be cautious of breeders advertising "teacup" Maltese — dogs bred to be unusually tiny have amplified health vulnerabilities and shorter lifespans.
Rescue
Maltese rescue organizations are active in most regions. The American Maltese Association maintains a rescue network, and many regional small-breed rescues regularly have Maltese or Maltese mixes available at $200–$500. Adult Maltese in rescue often have known temperament profiles and are past the challenging puppy and housetraining stage.
Before you put down a deposit, go through the Maltese puppy checklist — it covers what to have ready before they arrive.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Maltese good dogs for seniors?
Often yes, with some considerations. Their small size, low exercise needs, and affectionate companionship make them appealing for older owners. The caveats: daily grooming is a genuine physical commitment that some owners underestimate, and their small size means they can be underfoot and create a trip hazard. For a mobile senior who wants a devoted lapdog and can handle the grooming, a Maltese is a genuinely good match.
Do Maltese bark a lot?
They can. Maltese are alert dogs who notice and announce things — visitors, sounds outside, other animals. Without consistent training, barking becomes a habit. With training and appropriate mental stimulation, it's manageable. They're not the worst small breed for barking, but they're not naturally quiet either. Apartment neighbors will depend on you putting in the training work early.
What's a 'teacup' Maltese and should I get one?
"Teacup" is a marketing term, not a recognized size classification. It refers to Maltese bred to be unusually small (under 4 lbs). These dogs have amplified health problems: more severe hypoglycemia risk, more fragile bones, higher rates of heart and liver problems, and shorter lifespans. Reputable breeders don't use the term or breed for extreme miniaturization. A standard-size Maltese at 5–7 lbs is already quite small; there's no health benefit and significant risk to going smaller.
How long do Maltese live?
12–15 years with good care from a health-tested breeder — often on the higher end of that range. They're among the longer-lived toy breeds when kept at a healthy weight, given proper dental care, and sourced from responsible breeders. The liver shunt risk is the main early-life concern; adult Maltese who clear that hurdle often live long, healthy lives.
Explore More
Similar Breeds
- Bichon Frise — Similar size, curly coat, lower-odor, more trainable
- Shih Tzu — Similar coat care needs, slightly bigger, more tolerant of children
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel — Larger, more robust, similar devotion to owners
