Maltese

The Maltese is a small pet dog. He’s cute and affectionate and very close to the members of his social group. He loves being with them and doesn’t deal well with spending time alone. His masters should be present and available to provide him with all he needs. Docile, intelligent and happy, training him is easy and pleasant - don’t think the latter isn’t necessary simply because he’s small.
Key facts about the Maltese
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Origins and history
The Maltese is an ancient dog, dating back to 500 BC. He was particularly popular among Roman women. Against all odds, his Maltese name actually has nothing to do with the island of Malta, and instead originates from the word “Màlat”, meaning “refuge” or “port” in the Semitic language (spoken in the Mediterranean). Unsurprisingly, the Maltese’s ancestors lived largely in Mediterranean ports, and were tasked with chasing away mice and other pests. The Maltese dog has therefore been around for thousands of years in the Mediterranean, particularly in Italy.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 9 - Companion and Toy Dogs
Section
Section 1 : Bichons and related breeds
Physical characteristics of the Maltese
Adult size
Female : Between 8 and 9 in
Male : Between 8 and 10 in
Weight
Female : Between 7 and 9 lb
Male : Between 7 and 9 lb
Coat colour
The coat should be pure white but the breed’s official standards also recognise pale ivory.
Type of coat
His coat is very long (up to 8 inches).
His head, torso, tail and limbs are covered in silky, very long fur. His coat is straight, never wavy or curly.
Eye colour
His iris is dark ochre.
Description
The Maltese is a small dog whose body is one-third longer than his height at the withers, making him look narrow and long. His skull is flat, his eyes are round and very dark, while his ears are triangular, worn high on his head and hang down on the sides of his face, covered in fur. His limbs are short, straight and very furry. His tail is aligned with his rump. His physique constitutes one long curve, finishing at the rump between his hips; he has very long hair that touches the back of his knees.
Good to know
This little snowball is a hypoallergenic dog. They are therefore particularly good for people allergic to dog hair and saliva, or even houseproud people looking for a pet that won’t moult all over the place.
Temperament
Behaviour of the Maltese
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Is the Maltese right for you?
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Compatibility
Price
The price of a Maltese Dog varies according to his origins, age and sex. You should budget around £1110 for a dog registered with the KC.
As for your monthly budget, you should set aside around £20 to be able to meet this little dog’s needs, including food and treatments (vaccinations, deworming, etc.).
Grooming
The Maltese dog’s grooming should be meticulous and daily, mainly because of his very long coat that can often grow longer than his height at the withers.
He must be brushed and detangled regularly and after every walk, especially if he lives in the countryside.
Like with many little long-haired dogs, many owners choose to cut their Maltese’s hair short at a grooming parlour, which significantly simplifies his daily grooming requirements.
On a weekly basis, you should also clean his eyes to avoid infection, and inspect his ears and teeth.
Shedding
The Maltese dog’s amount of hair loss is relatively minimal. He doesn’t shed during the annual moulting periods, despite what you might think from looking at his thick, long coat.
Nutrition of the Maltese
His meals should be adapted to his age, health and level of physical activity.
Pay particular attention to ‘sofa dogs’ that don’t get much exercise, as they can rapidly put a lot of weight on.
Premium-quality dry food is perfect for him, with regular vet check-ups while he’s young to make sure he’s getting everything he needs.
One meal a day is enough, preferably given in the evening while he’s alone and without any distraction. Make sure you’re not overfeeding him; you should avoid leaving a heap of dry food in his bowl to help himself to, and snacks in between meals should be exceptional.
Health of the Maltese
Life expectancy
His lifespan is around 13 years.
Strong / robust
Despite his small size, the Maltese is quite a robust dog. That said, he is nonetheless predisposed to a number of pathologies.
Withstand heat
The heat is less of a problem for this dog than the cold, but you should remain vigilant: make sure he always has access to a bowl of cold water and is able to retreat to a cool shady spot should the need arise.
Withstand cold
The Maltese Dog doesn’t tolerate the cold well at all, so you need to be very careful with him when the temperatures drop. He will greatly benefit from a winter coat.
Tendency to put on weight
Prone to obesity, it’s important for this dog to enjoy a diet adapted to his physical condition.
Common illnesses
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Congenital portosystemic shunts (birth defect that prevents blood from being cleaned by the liver, leaving toxic waste in the body)
- Shaker dog syndrome (light trembling causing the dog to shake, affecting small white dogs in particular)
- Hydrocephalus (excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain ventricles or cavities, a disease primarily observed in dwarf breeds)
- Eye infections
- Dislocation of the kneecaps
- Teeth and gum sensitivity