Written by Silvia Capelli
August 25, 2023
The Maltese is one of the most popular breeds in Europe, and it's a thoroughly Italian breed. But how did it become one of the most loved dogs among the many available?
We have listed 13 important things to know before buying one, to help you understand if this cheerful little dog is the right puppy for you.
The Maltese is intelligent, kind, becomes very attached to its owner, and is easy to train.
It has a playful and lively temperament and loves to exercise, but also enjoys lounging on the sofa.
It's the ideal companion dog for both families with children and the elderly.
The Maltese dog tends to bark, but this is a common characteristic of almost all small breeds.
It doesn't bark all day or all night, but only in situations of stress or when it's happy, or if it's left alone for too long.
And since it's easy to train, it quickly learns what is expected and its behavior is easily correctable.
It's a hypoallergenic breed, doesn't molt, and doesn't shed hair. Therefore, it's the ideal dog for those who suffer from allergies and for those who don't want to spend hours cleaning clothes, sofas, and floors.
However, its hair grows very quickly and needs to be brushed and cut frequently.
It possesses great intelligence and has few rivals when it comes to training. This animal is indeed an agility champion and can be trained both indoors and in the garden.
Just follow some simple rules and you're all set!
This breed has specific size dimensions: the weight should be around 3-4 kg, with a height of 21-25 cm for an adult male Maltese and 20-23 cm for a female Maltese.
Maltese dogs of different sizes are not the norm, so be aware that there are no variants such as:
Toy Maltese Dog
Dwarf Maltese Dog
Mini Toy Maltese Dog
Large Maltese Dog
To learn more, read the official breed standard on the ENCI website.
Often you see ads for a black Toy Maltese, or other colors, and sometimes even for parti-colored dogs.
The only color variant accepted is pure white; any different tone or color anomaly is a sign of impurity.
Don't be misled by breeders or private sellers offering a Korean Maltese, Russian Maltese, or American Maltese: this companion dog is classified exclusively as an Italian breed.
It may come from a foreign state, but the breed standards are set by the FCI, so there is only one type.
To learn more, read our article "Which countries are part of the FCI?"
There's no precise answer to how much a Maltese needs to walk, but it's an active dog and would need at least two 15/20 minute walks a day.
We're talking about the minimum, but it should go out a bit longer, also to maintain its ideal weight and not just for socializing.
Absolutely true, unless it's under severe stress or hasn't been properly trained.
Maltese dogs can become possessive of their owner and develop distrust towards strangers, and they might snap or growl to scare off an unfamiliar person. But generally, they don't bite.
Since it forms a very strong bond with family members, it can't be left alone for too long: it's a dog that suffers from loneliness and could be a victim of the classic abandonment syndrome. Therefore, purchasing this breed should be considered carefully if you're not often at home.
No problem for extended families: the Maltese adapts well to living with other dogs and cats, and it's even preferable to have other pets if you're away from home for many hours a day.
This breed needs companionship, so it's a yes for those who want more than one pet.
Unlike other apartment dog breeds, this one does not tend to run away. Maltese dogs love to stay close to their owner, unless they see a small prey to chase.
In the case of an adult Maltese, it's preferable to perform sterilization or castration to avoid even the slightest possibility of it straying away.
The red stains often seen under the eyes of Maltese dogs are caused by excessive tearing.
The scientific name for this condition is Epiphora, and it does not affect all individuals indiscriminately.
And it can be resolved. To find out how, read our article "Epiphora in Dogs."
To know everything you need about the history, character, diet, diseases, and grooming of the Maltese, read our article on the Maltese.
We have written a complete guide to help you get to know this wonderful dog and take care of it in the best way.
If you are still undecided and want to learn about other small dog breeds, come and discover them all with us, we will help you make the right choice!
Disclaimer
The information on our site is of a general nature and does not replace in any way the advice of a veterinarian or industry experts. Information about temperament is general in nature, and does not pertain to the individual animal: every dog is unique and has its own character.
