Learn more about living with the Maltese .
With her teeny - lilliputian height , flowing white coat , and easy - to - train smarts , the Maltese has lulu and brains that are voiceless to pulsate . For that , this toy breed has been care for since its earliest days in ancient Italy and has long been view as a portable and charming companion .
" They were bred to be soft - mannered , affectionate , and faithful to their proprietor — and that ’s just what they are , " says Jami - Lyn Derse , DVM , founder ofVeterinary Housecall Carein the Chicago region .
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But do n’t be fooled : Though flyspeck in sizing , the energetic Maltese dog is gamey and has a personality primed for a much larger pup . Her expert looks and pleasing disposition have made her a ducky of crossbreeders , resulting in much - loved intercrossed click such as theMaltipoo(Maltese andpoodlemix ) , theMorkie(Maltese andYorkshire terriermix ) , the Malshi ( Maltese andshih tzumix ) , and the Mauxie ( Maltese anddachshundmix ) .
Appearance
The Maltese pup rightfully is the quintessential lap dog-iron , with her fluffy ashen fur , adorable black - push nose , dark eyes , and sprightly demeanor . " They ’re like a little stuffed creature , " Derse says .
The Maltese has a compact , athletic body , small floppy ears , and a tufted tail that slue over her back . By the sentence a Maltese attain her full 7–9 column inch elevation and 4–6 Irish pound weight unit , those white tress become silky legato , requiringdaily brushingalong withregular bathsto maintain her royal appearance .
Maltese dogsdon’t molt much . And whileno dog is 100 % hypoallergenic , some , like the low - shedding Maltese , may have a lower impact on allergic reaction sufferers than other breeds .
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While Maltese owners planning to show their hotdog will allow them to keep their retentive , flowing lock chamber , most people keeping a Maltese as a familiar opt for frequent trims and brusque hairdo to make maintenance well-to-do .
Temperament
docile , playful , smart , affectionate , trainable — Maltese lovers swear that these charming pups are among the best out there . " They ’re a small dog breed that has a safe disposition , " Derse says . " They ’re just playful , they ’re vigorous , they ’re precious , and they ’re warm . "
Derse says Maltese are generally agreeable and canget along well with childrenand adults of all ages , and theylive well with catsand other wienerwurst , especially whensocialized betimes .
" For asmall hound strain , I think these guys are agood option for people and families , " she says . However , as with any hound , parents need toteach their nestling how to handle an animaland always monitor interaction , particularly when both puppy and kid are youthful .
Living Needs
Asmall apartmentis just all right for this compact canine . While the bouncy Maltese is happy togo on walksand sprint around afenced - in yard , she does n’t require much exercising . Rather , her most pressing need is to be near her beloved proprietor . And that owner , Derse suppose , tends to fluff the dog rotten . So much so , she says , that the Maltese ’s feet seldom touch the solid ground .
" A Maltese owner often has them in a purse or has them in their lap , " Derse says . " They never have them touch on the base . So when they get into the hospital , we ’ll put them on the base and put a leash on them and they just have no idea what to do . That ’s what they ’re bred for — they were spawn to be lap dogs . "
But that does n’t mean they ’re otiose . In fact , Maltese dogs excel in agility andobedience training , particularly when coupled with mickle ofpositive strengthener .
While they can stick out some prison term spend alone , they prefer to be with their family . Ifleft alone for too longor not yield enough practice , barkingcan become an yield for the Maltese . even positive reinforcement training and plenty of care can curb her bark trend .
Care
That feed white coat requiresquite a turn of dressing , Derse pronounce . Their gorgeous pelt can get flat and unsportsmanlike , so day-by-day brushing is key . even trims will help oneself keep the hairsbreadth from get in their eyes , too . But even with consistent preparation , Derse order , proprietor should n’t expect their Maltese to look like a show cad .
" If you ’ve ever seen the [ American Kennel Club ] ones in the show ring , their hair is drape and flow on the ground , " she says " It ’s really regal - looking for . " But without a team of groomers on a daily retainer , the mediocre proprietor will probably never get their whelp to depend like that .
Maltese dogs do require regular washup and coat conditioning to keep their silky lock looking their best . And , like other breeds , you will need to keep their tight - growing nail withregular trim school term , paying particular tending to not nick the fast , as many Maltese have black toenail that make see that bundle of spunk more challenging . Other routine neaten — includingear cleaningsandteeth brush , which are peculiarly important as your dog get older — will help with keeping your Maltese tidy between veterinary surgeon visits .
Ben Pruchnie / Gett
Tear stainingis also a common — but not usually serious — problem in Maltese , result in a rusty tint to the tomentum around the dog ’s eye . Talk to your vet about it to make certain there are no underlying causes . Once you ’re sure there ’s no aesculapian reason for the maculation , you may boil down the coming into court of smear by regularly cleaning the area and maintain her hair as dry as potential .
Health
One of the many perks of the Maltese istheir long life-time , which averages 12–15 years . As a lilliputian miniature breed , this dog is delicate — owners must take tending to not have her precipitate or jump from heights , or she could be injured . Both Maltese puppy and adult Canis familiaris aregenerally quite healthy , although , like many small strain , they can be prone to dental problems . It ’s authoritative to talk to your vet about how to give care for your Maltese ’s pearly White River viaregular teeth cleanings .
In accession , stifle issues such asluxated patellascan affect your Maltese cat , meaning the kneecap becomes weakened over clip and slips out of place . Legge - Calve - Perthes Disease ( LCPD)is another orthopedic concern to be aware of and affects the hips of Maltese puppy , though it is seldom seen in pups elderly than a year old . Maltese proprietor should speak with their vet about wellness business and find out if there are preventative steps they can take to keep their pup happy and healthy for yr to come .
Your Maltese breeder should conduct allhealth tests recommend by the OFAbefore marketing puppy . If you ’re adopting your Maltese , ask the rescue for all available health information .
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History
As her name states , the Maltese hails from Malta , an archipelago located below Sicily . While it ’s not completely clear how the wienerwurst originated , it ’s known that the Greeks and Romans who occupied the field in ancient clip idolize the small ashen pooch , lift her to status - symbol levels .
Ye Ancient Dogge of Malta , as the Maltese is known in breeder traffic circle , has been sitting in the lap of luxury for thousand of yr . TheMelitaie Doghas even been engrave into ceramics from the Golden Age . Even Aristotle had an sentiment of the Maltese , mention to the breed as " perfect in its small size of it . “During the Dark Ages in Europe , the Maltese faced extinction when breeders get across - bred them with toy Taiwanese cad breeds including the shih tzu and thePekingese .
The AKC officially recognized the strain in 1888 , and the strain hasrisen in popularityamongst American families and hound show aficionado likewise . When first show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1877 , the strain was bill as the Maltese king of beasts dog . Though a Maltese has never taken the top show award of Best in Show , these mantrap have win the Toy Group multiple times .
Fun Facts
The Roman Ladies ' Dog . National Purebred Dog Day .
The Maltese dog : a toy for ancient royalty . Times of Malta .
