The Vet’s Guide to Maltese: Facts, Care, and Training Tips

With roots taking them back to Ancient Rome, the Maltese dog breed has been a family favourite for centuries. The friendly breed has been loved among royalty, taking pride of place beside Queen Elizabeth I, and has even been mentioned by historic philosopher Aristotle.

The breed is linked to locations throughout the Mediterranean and Italy, but as per their name, Maltese dogs are generally believed to have originated from Malta. Although they were almost made extinct due to cross-breeding that aimed to make these pocket-sized pups even smaller, Maltese dogs are now thriving around the world.

Their association with royalty has definitely made a lasting impression on these pampered pooches, who are often spotted being paraded through the streets, or sitting happily inside a handbag, with their soft white coat perfectly arranged.

The hypoallergenic dogs are known for their good-naturedness and sociable personalities, making them ideally suited to a variety of households, and are a good fit for apartment living. Maltese dogs can make for a great companion for first-time dog owners who are on the lookout for a pretty chilled-out pup to cuddle up to on the couch.

Appearance: The Maltese is a small dog, predominantly white in colour, sometimes with patches of tan or lemon-coloured fur around their ears. Staying pretty small into adulthood, they typically reach around a maximum height of 25cm to the shoulder, weighing in at anywhere between 2-4 kilograms. 

Temperament: These diligent dogs are as loving as they are cute! Energetic, playful, and sociable, the breed has no problem showing affection, just as long as they are given the right amount of attention. Historically a lapdog, Maltese will happily sit near (or likely on) you while you relax on the couch after a day of playing. Whilst they are a friendly dog, and little ones tend to gravitate towards their plush appearance, Maltese dogs can be a little snappy around small children, so are better suited to families with older kids. 

Activity Level: These happy-go-lucky pals have plenty of energy to play, but require only occasional exercise to stay healthy. Further along in this guide, we’ll give you some tips on how to keep your pup active.

Health: Maltese dogs are susceptible to a number of health conditions, but these are generally quite manageable. Luckily, their lifespan is not usually impacted by the conditions.

We’ll take a deeper look into these further down, giving you tips on what to look out for, and what to do if you notice any changes in your pup!

Lifespan: The average Maltese has a lifespan of 12-15 years, with an upper range of up to 17 years in some cases. Females tend to live longer than males, with the oldest Maltese alleged to have lived until the age of 20 (although this claim has not been officially substantiated!).

Maltese are a hypoallergenic breed of dog, so they’re a good choice for owners with allergies. However, the low-shedding dogs do require some upkeep and maintenance to keep their fur and skin in good condition. Starting these practices early will help get your dog used to grooming from a young age, setting you both up for success in the long run.

Coat Types & Shedding Patterns: Known for their silky looking, long, white coat, Maltese dogs actually used to come in a range of colours, before being purposely bred to be exclusively white-haired. Their coat is also considered to be closer to hair than fur, and just like with humans, needs to be brushed frequently to prevent knots and mattes from forming.

Maltese don’t have an undercoat, which means they lack natural “insulation” to help them control their temperature in extreme hot and cold conditions. 

The upside of their coat, however, is that they are a notably low-shedding dog, so you won’t need to crack the vacuum out daily with a Maltese in your house. 

Grooming Requirements: It’s best to brush these dogs’ coats 2-3 times each week, but a quick brush daily can help to keep on top grooming, preventing any tangles from forming. It’s recommended to dampen their coat lightly with a detangler spray before brushing, too, with a bath time scheduled every 3 or so weeks. These pooches should be properly pampered with a full-grooming experience every 6-8 weeks. 

At home, you should brush your pup’s fur with a pin or slicker brush to keep it looking fresh. Around their eyes can also be wiped with eye wipes or specially-formulated tear stain remover, which is made to get rid of tear stains. Although this discolouration isn’t harmful to dogs, many owners prefer a cleaner look around the eyes. 

Dental Needs: It’s also important to look after dental health, as Maltese are prone to dental issues. Brushing a few times a week with specially-formulated dog toothpaste is paramount. Dental chews are also a great option to keep your pups teeth clean and healthy.

Nail Maintenance: Maltese nails’ can grow quickly too, so for those that aren’t frequently walked on cement (which will naturally wear them down), regular nail care should also be kept on top of. Small nail clippers can make this process so much easier. 

Ear Care: Lastly, ear wax build-up can be prevented with the use of ear cleaning drops to loosen wax and debris, allowing it to be removed with a quick wipe of some cotton wool.

As mentioned above, Maltese dogs are prone to certain health issues that you may encounter during their life. Luckily, with some TLC and a good vet, many of these can be treated and managed, limiting any impact on your pal’s quality of life. The best way to aid in the management of any of these issues is to ensure your Maltese maintains a healthy weight so as not to put any additional strain on their system.

Dental Disease: Proper dental care is important with any dog, and especially Maltese, as dental disease can be a common issue among the breed. Choosing small dog-friendly food that’s been made specifically to tackle this is an easy way to limit risk for your dog, along with an annual dental scale and polish with your vet.

Collapsed Trachea: The trachea (or windpipe, as many know it), is supported and protected by rings of cartilage. Unfortunately for Maltese, this cartilage can be pretty easily damaged through play and pulling on tight collars or leashes. The giveaway sign that something’s not quite right with your pup's windpipe is a dry cough that sounds somewhat like a honking noise. In severe cases, the dog may require surgery, but oftentimes, this can be managed by using a soft harness as opposed to a collar.

Left-Sided Congestive Heart Failure: Maltese breeds are known to have pretty poorly-formed heart valves, making them susceptible to heart murmurs and some other issues. In this case, blood in the left ventricle that’s supposed to flow out and circulate around the rest of the body ends up leaking back into the left atrium. The majority of the time, this is a low-grade problem that does not have particularly negative implications, however in more severe cases, can lead to diminished cardiac function. Keep an eye out for a cough, signs of breathing difficulty or strain, or exercise intolerance in your dog. If you are concerned about their heart function, your vet will be able to test and find the best course of action.

Patellar Luxation: Maltese dogs are known to have issues with their kneecap, or patella, becoming displaced or dislocated. This usually only happens momentarily and often goes back into place by itself with ease. When the luxation (dislocation) is more advanced, surgery may be the answer to keep your pet pain-free. If your Maltese is showing signs of pain or discomfort when walking, it may be worthwhile to consider patellar luxation as a possible cause and bring this up with your vet.

Maltese dogs are intelligent and highly trainable, so owners can easily teach them behaviours, as well as fun tricks to show off in the dog park.

As with managing and reducing barking, positive reinforcement works wonders with Maltese dogs. Consistent training from a young age is key. These are generally quite easy dogs to train, although some pups can be a little stubborn, so may need a few more treats to be convinced. On average, it can take up to four months to train a Maltese, so the most important thing is persistence. As these are pretty smart dogs, they’ll quickly work out the best ways to get an extra treat out of you!

As always when training all breeds of dogs, it's important to start early while they're still a puppy. Beginning training during the puppy stage is crucial as it sets the foundation for their future behaviour and obedience. Early training not only establishes good behaviour patterns but also strengthens the bond between you and your dog. It enables easier management as they grow and helps mitigate potential behavioural issues that could become more challenging to address in an older dog.

A generally well-tempered breed, Maltese dogs can be known to get a little stressed and anxious, leading to behavioural issues like barking, chewing, and general disobedience.

Protective Instincts: Oftentimes, this comes down to the owner. As mentioned above, Maltese tend to be protective; this means that if they see something or someone as a threat, they may be inclined to act out. Proper socialisation from a young age, however, can nip this in the bud. 

Separation Anxiety: Similarly, they can face separation anxiety issues if you leave them home alone for too long. To ease their separation anxiety, dogs who are used to attention should be weaned into stints of alone time if the home routine is about to change. That being said, the longest these dogs should ideally be left alone is no more than six hours, building up to that duration over time.

Barking Behaviour in Maltese: Maltese dogs get a bad rep for being ‘yappy’, but, typically speaking, are no more vocal than many other small dog breeds. 

When these dogs bark, there’s usually a reason for it. Most often, they will bark either out of their protective nature, or separation anxiety. This means that strangers approaching, or their loved one (that’s you) leaving them behind for too long can be distressing for them, and lead to barking. 

A good way to combat this is by positive reinforcement, which is most effective when applied from a young age. This could be as easy as training with a verbal queue like “quiet”, followed by a treat as a reward for obeying.

Maltese dogs require a moderate level of exercise to keep fit. An adult Maltese will often sleep for 12-14 hours a day, leaving them plenty of time to spend with you, too. 

Daily Needs: Their exercise time could be made up of an hour spent in the backyard, or a 30-60 minute walk each day. Whatever it is, these dogs will be happy to simply get their movement in through playing with you or other furry friends.

Puppy Play Time: If your Maltese will be playing with other dogs, it’s imperative that they’re properly socialised from a young age, especially due to their protective nature. You can do this through regular dog park play, or puppy training classes with other eager learners.

Exercise The Mind: Maltese are intelligent dogs, so combining physical activity with a mentally stimulating challenge is a great form of enrichment for them. There are a range of toys available that are perfect for this, from treat-filled balls to puzzles with an edible prize at the end, your pooch can be entertained for hours. Just make sure you choose something size and age-appropriate so your pet can get the most out of it!

Due to their small size, Maltese dogs don’t have a large caloric requirement. They should be fed a high-quality kibble or wet food that’s been formulated specifically for small dogs. This will help to keep them healthy, and maintain their coat, too. Like other small dogs, Maltese should be swapped from puppy to adult food between nine months and one year old.

Smaller Portions: For smaller dogs who want to maintain their weight, ¼ - ½ cup of dry food is enough per day and this should be split into two meals. Some Maltese can be a bit picky at mealtimes, so may prefer to have food that has a bit more moisture to it. Canned food can be a good solution for these circumstances.

Of course you’ll want to reward your furry friend with a treat, but bear in mind that a small dog such as a Maltese should only get about 10% of their daily caloric intake from treats, which can add up rather quickly. For owners that like to give multiple treats a day, it’s recommended to find a low-calorie option to help stay within the guidelines.

Whether you already have a Maltese or you're thinking about getting one, we hope you learnt something by reading our article. Whilst this guide is great start to learning about Maltese ownership, never stop seeking out new information from reputable sources. Share your experiences with other Maltese owners, and always continue to learn more about your dogs breed, temperament and how best to care for and love them.

This article was written by Dr. Jack Ayerbe