Dog breed profile
Maltese
A detailed profile covering characteristics, everyday care and linked health conditions.
Quick facts
Typical guide only; individual needs vary.
Profile description
The Maltese is a small companion breed with ancient Mediterranean origins and a long history as a household and aristocratic companion. Most adults stand around 20 to 25 centimetres tall and weigh approximately 2 to 4 kilograms. The breed has a compact body, dark eyes, drop ears and a long, straight, silky white coat.
Maltese are typically affectionate, lively, intelligent and strongly attached to their owners. They often enjoy close physical contact and can be playful and confident despite their small size. Some become vocal, possessive or anxious when poorly socialised or treated as too fragile to learn normal household behaviour. A functionally built Maltese should show balance and comfortable movement rather than an exaggerated interpretation of the physical features for which the breed is known.
Their light body makes them vulnerable to falls, rough handling and injury from larger animals. The long coat requires substantial care, while the small jaw is particularly prone to dental crowding and periodontal disease. Maltese can adapt well to apartments and quieter homes when provided with daily exercise, companionship and training.
A household should evaluate a Maltese by the demands of adult life, not solely by colour, size or puppy behaviour. Living space alone does not determine suitability for a Maltese; access to companionship, purposeful activity, rest and consistent handling is more important than the size of the property. Noise tolerance also matters when considering a Maltese, particularly in close housing where alert barking can affect neighbours before owners recognise a pattern. People choosing a Maltese should meet mature examples where possible, because adult energy, confidence and handling needs may be less obvious in an appealing puppy.
First-time dog owner tips
Practical preparation for welcoming this breed into your home.
Care requirements
Daily Maltese care requires several short walks, indoor play and mental stimulation each day. Early Maltese training should combine positive reinforcement and patience with a predictable toilet routine. Gradual alone-time training can reduce separation-related distress. Mental work for a Maltese can come from scent searches, food puzzles, cooperative handling and short training problems matched to the dog's confidence and physical ability. Increase duration and impact gradually in a young or previously unfit Maltese; fatigue, altered gait or reluctance should prompt rest and assessment instead of forced completion. Reward quiet alternative behaviour before the Maltese's alert barking becomes habitual, and reduce repeated exposure to triggers that cannot yet be handled calmly.
The long coat should be brushed and combed thoroughly every day to prevent matting, particularly behind the ears, beneath the legs and around the feet. Many companion dogs are professionally clipped into a shorter style every six to eight weeks. Use each grooming session to examine the Maltese's skin, feet, ears and body outline, making the process cooperative enough that subtle changes are noticed early. Introduce brushing, foot handling, mouth examination and quiet restraint to the Maltese in brief rewarded steps before any of those procedures becomes urgent.
The face should be cleaned regularly, and persistent tear staining or eye discharge should be assessed by a veterinarian. Teeth should be brushed daily because the breed is highly prone to dental disease and early tooth loss. Nails require frequent trimming and ears should be checked for wax or infection.
Food portions must be measured precisely to prevent obesity. Very small puppies may require careful feeding schedules under veterinary guidance. Routine examinations should monitor knees, heart health, eyes, liver function and dental condition. The dog should be protected from falls, rough children and unsupervised interaction with larger dogs.
Conditions linked to this breed
Congenital Portosystemic Shunts
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Endocardiosis
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Glaucoma (Primary, Inherited)
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Hydrocephalus
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Inherited Deafness
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Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
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Progressive Retinal Atrophy Generalised
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General dog health conditions
These conditions can affect dogs generally and are not presented as conditions specifically associated with this breed.
Cataract [Cloudiness of the Lens of the Eye]
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Diabetes Mellitus
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Hypothyroidism
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Otitis Externa (Ear Infections)
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Pancreatitis
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