Maltese

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Maltese

Maltese Characteristics

Size:
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Exercise Needs:
Good With Dogs:
Watchdog Ability:

Maltese Breed Information

Breed Group: Toy

Weight: 4-7 lbs

Height: 9-10 inches

Color(s): white

Overview

The Maltese is considered to be the oldest of the European Toy breeds. Nobles, royals, and aristocracy favored them. They are very well mannered and affectionate. The Maltese displays a graceful and regal demeanor.

Character

The Maltese exudes great joy and delight. They are highly intelligent, animated, and playful. They are very social. They are happy and content being the center of attention whether they are with their family or in the show ring. This endearing breed is bright, loving, and a deeply devoted companion.

Temperament

The Maltese is gentle, trusting, and obedient. They are typically good natured and amiable and love to be held and cuddled. They will tolerate other pets, but are not suitable for inconsiderate or ill-behaved children. They most often will establish a close bond with one person. They do not do well when left alone for extended periods of time. They may be over-protective of their owner, family, and territory, and bark or bite if they perceive a threat. They are a fearless, vigorous, and agile breed. The Maltese commit themselves fully to their owner and families.

Care

The Maltese coat requires daily brushing and combing to prevent matting. The coat is extremely soft and silky, so gentle care is highly recommended. They need to be bathed or dry shampooed on a regular basis. The eyes need daily cleaning to prevent staining. It is also important to keep their ears clean and free from stray hair. They may be prone to eye problems, skin disorders, and respiratory problems. The Maltese do not do well in very hot climates or damp conditions. They may be finicky eaters and suffer indigestion. Dental hygiene is important to prevent tooth loss.

Coat

The Maltese has an elegant mantle of long, silky hair. The coat is straight, lacks an undercoat, and is pure bright white in color. They are non-shedding. Their luxurious cloak of white is the hallmark of the Maltese.

Training

The Maltese may be difficult to housebreak so crate training is recommended. They do best with early socialization. Training must never be harsh in nature. It must be done with gentle love, consistency, reward, and patience. They are adept at learning tricks. The Maltese does not need extensive obedience training, as they are naturally obedient to their Master.

Activity

The Maltese does not require a high level of exercise. They are suitable for apartment or condominium living. They enjoy a daily walk, indoor play sessions, or a romp and run in a secured small yard. The Maltese loves to be social, so a play date at the park is always welcomed. They must be supervised and securely leashed.

Ask a Question Maltese Questions & Answers

QUESTION: I have just mated my male maltese with my daughters maltese. Yesterday she had 6 puppies but 1 died. We have 5 healthy puppies - what is the correct amount of puppies that I am entitled too please? I am letting my daughter have the first choice as she is keeping a bitch but I am not keeping any. We had 3 bitches and 2 male puppies. Many thanks

Anonymous - 5/17/2012 12:16:55 PM

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QUESTION: I have a 4 years old and a 3 years old maltese (both females). They were both spayed at 8 months. The older one is humping a stuffed animal. It was very mildly about in the beginning, but now, she is to the point where it's hard to overlook. Is this normal and what can I do about it? Should I try to find a "mate" for her? The younger one is not doing that now, is that going to happen to her too?

Anonymous - 5/14/2012 9:28:17 AM

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If your bitch is spayed she can't be mated. Spayed bitches who hump things are usually trying to dominate something, be it an inaminate object or a living thing.

Anonymous - 5/21/2012 5:26:18 PM

QUESTION: why do maltese grow fast?

Anonymous - 5/11/2012 12:40:30 AM

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QUESTION: I have a 3 year old Maltese who is generally a very happy well behaved girl, but lately she has taken to carrying her toys around in her mouth and whimpering constantly. Have you come across this before and what should I do?

Anonymous - 5/7/2012 11:54:16 AM

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She may have a false pregnancy. See your vet.

Anonymous - 5/21/2012 5:27:39 PM

QUESTION: My maltese licks his nose a lot. What would cause this?

Anonymous - 5/5/2012 10:34:51 PM

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could be dry nose, injured nose... can't be sure though. its probably a good idea to visit a vet.

Anonymous - 5/7/2012 4:00:39 PM

QUESTION: How ho you housetrain a 7 week old maltese?

Anonymous - 4/24/2012 12:17:31 PM

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My advice to you is to use treats or toys, whichever most motivates your maltese puppy, and from there work off of how the puppy works. Every dog is different.

Anonymous - 4/27/2012 9:04:05 PM

QUESTION: Are Maltese inside or outside dogs??

Anonymous - 4/19/2012 7:55:47 PM

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Maltese prefer to be indoor dogs most of the time.

Anonymous - 5/7/2012 4:01:28 PM

I have 2 Maltese and one loves the outside and the other loves inside so it really depends on their personality

Anonymous - 4/23/2012 7:28:09 PM

QUESTION: Hi, my Maltese frequently has blood in her stool I am not sure if this is normal or if I should take her to the vet. We haven't had a problem in the past with her using the bathroom in doors she normally would always go to the door or pace back and forward to let us know that she needs to go out. Lately she has not. Is this something to be worried about? Is this normal?

Anonymous - 4/17/2012 9:20:17 AM

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you should take your maltese to the vet immediately - could be something serious best to make sure

Anonymous - 5/20/2012 11:46:34 AM

QUESTION: I have an 11 year old son. He can be loud at times. Do Maltese adapt to loud sounds?

Anonymous - 4/14/2012 7:04:38 PM

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QUESTION: how old before my maltese will have her menstrual?

Anonymous - 4/12/2012 6:11:41 PM

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Maltese can go into heat by 6 months it just depends.

Anonymous - 4/28/2012 2:43:45 PM

My one maltese really doesn't care the other one just wants to know what it was you should be fine

Anonymous - 4/23/2012 7:32:18 PM

QUESTION: how long can a maltese live?

Anonymous - 4/4/2012 1:31:33 PM

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A MALTESE CAN LIVE UP TO 16 YEARS SO HE/SHE WILL BE WITH U FOR A LONG TIME BUT THEY TEND TO RUN AWAY ALOT SO MAKE SURE TO KEEP THEM ON A LEASH AT ALL TIMES EXCEPT FOR IN THE HOUSE

Anonymous - 4/8/2012 10:19:48 AM

my little maltese lived to almost 16 years a very true and faithful little friend

Anonymous - 4/7/2012 6:51:29 AM

QUESTION: I am asthmatic. Can i have Maltese?

Anonymous - 3/29/2012 8:22:03 AM

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I think you could. I have a maltese and asthma and she does not bother it, along with allergies.

Anonymous - 4/4/2012 1:33:49 PM

QUESTION: how big does a maltese get as an adult? I like tiny dogs.

Anonymous - 3/28/2012 1:19:07 AM

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Not so big . About 6 inches in height and about 12 inches in width but maltese are so lovable and cute

Anonymous - 4/6/2012 2:13:00 PM

QUESTION: My maltese is having loose poop? can anyone tell me if this is something not to panic about? it has been for 1 day so far

Anonymous - 3/26/2012 11:44:32 AM

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NO IT IS NOT SOMETHING TO WORRY ABOUT AND IT SHOULD STOP. MALTESE BREEDS ARE KNOWN FOR EATING THINGS OFF THE FLOOR SO JUST KEEP A CLEAN HOUSE AND YOUR MALTESE SHOULDNT BE ABLE TO PICK UP ANYTHING OFF THE GROUND.

Anonymous - 4/8/2012 10:21:20 AM

QUESTION: Where do I find the prices of the dogs?

Anonymous - 3/23/2012 12:28:47 PM

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WELL I WILL TELL YOU RIGHT NOW THAT A MALTESE CAN PRICE RANGE FROM 450-2800 IT DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU GO. I GOT MY MALTESE FOR 450 AFTER I NEGOTIATED IT FROM 550 BUT MALTESE BREEDS ARE NOT VERY CHEAP THEY CAN BE VERY EXPENSIVE

Anonymous - 4/8/2012 10:23:10 AM

QUESTION: I think I have a maltese he was found running around and saved by a friend who gave him to me. My question is do maltese have black spots on their bodies. he is solid white but has these spots all over his body

Anonymous - 3/19/2012 6:57:12 PM

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A PUREBRED MALTESE SHOULD BE WHITE THEY SHOULDNT HAVE ANY DIFFERENT COLORED SPOTS ON THEIR SKIN UNLESS AS I SAID BEFORE ARE MIXED WITH ANOTHER DOG BREED

Anonymous - 4/8/2012 10:27:13 AM

QUESTION: Why do dogs lick their foot. I have a Maltese that licks one foot and it turns brown. The other feet or white. Thanks

Anonymous - 3/19/2012 10:32:42 AM

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Need to make sure there isnt anything wrong with that foot that could be bothering your Maltese , like a sticker in the pad, or some other thing that shouldnt be there which would cause the dog to lick that foot a lot. Also, it could just be a habit, maybe your dog gets bored and it feels good... like us getting a foot rub!

Anonymous - 3/19/2012 7:23:56 PM

QUESTION: I have a maltese, Romeo, I am having trouble with the brown around the eyes, eye stains, I have used angel eyes, angel glow, distilled water, spring water and drinking water bought in gal jugs, I cut the hairs around the eyes when needed and I wipe his eyes several times a day, I even gotten new dog food "INNOVA" . I have no idea what to do next. Any suggestions??? Angel eyes and angel glow do not work. Thank you.

Anonymous - 3/18/2012 4:00:24 PM

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i had a maltese for 11 years ,about 4 years ago someone told me to put a splash of apple cider vineger in her water and it was amazing! try it. i also only gave her bottled water. patti

Anonymous - 4/25/2012 2:09:12 PM

I am responding to the answer with the childrens pediatric benedryl comes in 2 flavors cherry or grape, nasty for a lil dog if it came in no flavor maybe I would have had considered it, but ty for your answer.

Anonymous - 4/17/2012 11:49:50 PM

Thank you all very much for the answers. My maltese been on bottled water over a year, angel eyes forget the product, i have to go with the infection of the tear duct. Thank you all very much, some interesting answers.

Anonymous - 3/25/2012 6:15:15 PM

ANGEL eyes really does work if given everyday like it says its the only thing i have ever seen that really works on white dogs and i use it on my yorkie also and it dried its eyes also took about 2 weeks but great after that..

Anonymous - 3/23/2012 9:21:47 PM

QUESTION: Do Maltese suffer separation anxiety?

Anonymous - 3/15/2012 7:37:24 PM

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some do, depends if they were taken from their mom too fast, maltese should be 8-10 weeks before leaving the mom

Anonymous - 5/17/2012 11:24:52 AM

My Maltese has always been left alone from 8-10 hours a day while I am at work and has never had any anxiety over such. She has also never destroyed or chewed on anything as I always gave her rawhide chews when she was a puppy.

Anonymous - 3/22/2012 4:08:55 PM

Not usually, my maltese has no problems being at home during the day alone. Most I know with maltese dont have an issue. Dogs that have this problem are usually high energy dogs such as the herding group or hunting group.

Anonymous - 3/18/2012 3:11:16 PM

QUESTION: My maltese is biting everything all the time. Does she have a problem with biting?

Anonymous - 3/6/2012 7:14:51 PM

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you could try giving a raw meaty bone from the butcher now and then. lamb or pork for a little dog. it can satisfy an instinct. teach your maltese not to bring it onto the carpet.

Anonymous - 4/11/2012 11:14:07 PM

Me!! I did not have this problem before, but now my 9 month old maltese is bitting my furniture!! don't know what to do!! :(

Anonymous - 3/28/2012 5:22:54 PM

QUESTION: My maltese puppy is 9 months. How old does he have to be to breed him?

Anonymous - 3/3/2012 12:07:00 AM

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A MALTESE BREED CAN BREED AT 6 MONTHS FOR A GUY AND A FEMALE SHOULD WAIT TILL SHE IS ABOUT A YEAR HOPE THIS INFORMATION WAS HELPFUL

Anonymous - 4/8/2012 10:24:32 AM

QUESTION: I have a 7 yr old Maltese and when he was little pup he had a weard looking hair on his nose. Well it has grown to a sore with a lot of hair coming out and it scabs over to a point where it will bleed if bumped. Do you know of anything besides a vet ? thanks

Anonymous - 2/29/2012 11:22:12 AM

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It sounds like an ingrown hair or festered hair to me. My Lhasa Apso had the same thing,it had to be cut out.

Anonymous - 3/10/2012 7:19:01 AM

QUESTION: my Maltese wont eat nothing but Vienna Sausage and fried chicken , what should i do ?

Anonymous - 2/27/2012 3:23:35 PM

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caesar cups are great, and had a little dry puppy food in the mix, they love it and getting both finds of food

Anonymous - 5/17/2012 11:26:31 AM

SOMETIMES A DOG WILL ONLY EAT CERTAIN FOODS. FOR A WHILE LIKE MY MALTESE LIKED SOFT DOG FOOD INSTEAD OF HARD BUT NOW THAT I HAVE BEEN PUSHING HIM A LITTLE HARDER TO EAT THE DRY FOOD NOW HE STILL ISNT CRAZY ABOUT IT BUT HE WILL EAT IF HE HAS TO.

Anonymous - 4/8/2012 10:28:55 AM

feed them vienna sausasge

Anonymous - 3/27/2012 3:03:49 PM

QUESTION: what can i use to clean my maltese ears

Anonymous - 2/25/2012 11:08:20 PM

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mix equal amounts of peroxide,water, and white vinager in a spray bottle and spray in the ears once a week.

Anonymous - 3/19/2012 12:49:40 PM

QUESTION: I just got a 3month maltese male puppy as a gift and i was told not to bath him till 6months, but my husband complains about a weird odor frm the puppy, should i bathe him? or should i be worried?

Anonymous - 2/19/2012 9:19:34 AM

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Thats silly, your maltese needs a bath at least once a week. Due to the skin conditions of maltese make sure to use a shampoo and conditioner mix to keep the skin from drying out.

Anonymous - 3/18/2012 3:12:58 PM

Yes maltese need a bath every week.

Anonymous - 2/28/2012 1:56:27 PM

just bathe him

Anonymous - 2/22/2012 9:42:43 AM

QUESTION: are maltese suitable for 8 years and up?

Anonymous - 2/11/2012 12:50:43 PM

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Well a maltese is extremely good with children. BUT You shouldnt have a maltese when a child is 6 years or younger because maltese are fragile and a child 6 years or younger can hurt them or probaly worse. So 8 years is alright and you should probaly tell them that to not play roughly because it can hurt the maltese.

Anonymous - 3/2/2012 7:08:26 PM

QUESTION: MY MALTESE IS BLEEDING AND IS IN HEAT - HOW LONG DOES IT LAST OR WHEN SHOULD I BREED HER?

Anonymous - 2/11/2012 11:38:34 AM

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Heat can last as long as a month and there's actually different phases to it...I would definitely Google it for the specifics :)

Anonymous - 3/1/2012 11:40:03 AM

QUESTION: How often do female Maltese go in heat... also I have a female who humps male pomerian is that normal?

Anonymous - 2/9/2012 8:43:54 PM

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some maltese may take up to 1 year if they go over 16 months you should get a vets advise

Anonymous - 5/17/2012 11:28:52 AM

Every breed goes in heat every 6 months.

Anonymous - 2/10/2012 11:15:33 PM

QUESTION: So i was wondering if it is weird for someone to give a maltese away for free?

Anonymous - 2/7/2012 10:05:03 PM

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I got a maltese from a girl at work because I was babysitting and caring for it more then she was. I finally asked her what are you going to do about the puppy and she just said oh you can have her. So she joined the family of 3 other dogs 2 yorkies and a white distress collie and a ragdoll cat. I got her fixed right away as I have everyone else which calmed her down some but she still rules everyone and you can ask her and she will tell you so.

Anonymous - 3/6/2012 11:05:30 AM

I believe it is weird. I came across a posting of somebody giving 2 malteses for adoption, after going back and forth with several emails I realized was a scam. I ended up buying the dogs from a breeder. I always think if there is something that looks too good to be true, is probably a scam. There is always the exemption to the rule...

Anonymous - 2/15/2012 10:55:56 AM

Some people love their animals and would prefer to ensure a good home. I believe animals should not be sold, but gifted only to those what can care for them. 2500$ for a living breathing creature? NEVER!

Anonymous - 2/14/2012 10:31:21 PM

Not really I guess it depends the reason. I was given one free because the owners young daughter had bad allergic reactions.

Anonymous - 2/10/2012 4:23:39 PM

QUESTION: Hi im thinking about getting a maltese! Do you think she would do good with another dog and when can i get her spayed?

Anonymous - 2/7/2012 10:03:46 PM

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I had three Basset Hounds and a female Maltese she ruled the roost even the female Basset and her got along.

Anonymous - 2/22/2012 10:05:08 PM

Maltese are very good social dogs with other breeds and humans, I don't think you would have a problem at all at least with the maltese. You can get her spayed at around 6 months.

Anonymous - 2/15/2012 10:59:13 AM

If you are looking for Maltese puppies for sale from reputable Maltese breeders or to adopt a Maltese from a Maltese rescue then make sure you understand as much about the dog breeds you are interested in as you can. Every puppy breed is different. Begin your research by reading the breed information about the Maltese puppy above. Search our dog breeds section to find Maltese puppies, dogs and puppies that make great pets.