Maltese

Training: Maltese really respond well to “respect” training. They are eager to please the people they love, but Maltese don’t like forceful lessons. Work with your Maltese to expose them to many different sights and sounds early on in their lives. Seeing different people and animals will help them learn about the world and how to behave. The Maltese is really easy to spoil – they are so darn cute! They really know how to get their own way, so remember to stay strong and stick to your training plan.

Barking: Maltese can be excessive barkers. The usual culprits are a lack of attention and proper exercise. You need to give your Maltese a lot of love and affection to maintain their happy spirit. They respond well to training, so make sure you take the time to work with your Maltese on good habits. Many Maltese owners report success with a “quiet” command along with the use of a dog clicker. Others say that the silent treatment works wonders if you just ignore the barking. Avoid all these problems with good obedience habits instilled early in the life of your Maltese. Keep to a strict walking regimen and don’t be shy with your love.

Temperament & Behavior: Maltese are fearless, curious dogs that do not know their own size. They often put themselves in danger by taking on a much larger opponent. It’s up to you as their guardian to keep them out of harm’s way. They are lively and active around the house. While they love to cuddle and relax with you on the couch, your Maltese will also follow you around your house all day. They want to be close to their owners as often as possible, and can occasionally suffer from separation anxiety.

Behavior with Kids: Maltese are good for families with small children as long as the dog is well-socialized and any very small children are supervised at all times. The danger here is the fragile bones and tiny body of the Maltese. They don’t stand up to much abuse, but they are gentle and loving companions for families around the world.

Protection: Maltese are not guard dogs. Quite the opposite, since they generally love everyone around them. They aren’t really timid like some other small breeds – more like curious and playful. They love to cuddle and share their love with the whole family.

Life Span: On average, Maltese live to be about 12-15 years old.

Inherited Health Issues: The Maltese is relatively free of common genetic defects, but there are a few that they are prone to. Reputable breeders will remove dogs from their breeding programs if their offspring is diagnosed with any of these conditions, so be sure to discuss genetics with any breeder you are interested in working with. The following conditions are seen more frequently in the Maltese: portosystemic shunt, patellar luxation, progressive retinal atrophy and cryptorchidism.

Preventive Care: Proper nutrition is important in the life of any dog. Maltese do well on diets formulated for small dogs. It’s also worth considering a diet specially formulated to reduce tartar buildup, as Maltese tend to have trouble with plaque and tartar build-up.

Every dog deserves high quality, consistent preventive care to ensure that he lives a long and happy life. Click here to understand exactly what is recommended for keeping your dog healthy, from puppyhood to senior living!

It’s a good idea to choose a high quality food that’s specially designed for the needs of small breed dogs for your Maltese. Small breed foods have smaller kibble size, which is easier for them to eat and digest.

Daily Consumption: Average daily consumption for an adult Maltese is 1/4 to 1/2 cup.

Energy Level: Not interested in exercise, would rather doze the day away

Exercise: Maltese really love to get outside and run around, but you need to make sure they do it safely. They can look like a delicious snack for larger dogs, so be wary of the dog pack unleashed. Their bones develop slowly, so make sure you go easy until they are nine months old. A fenced yard is a must for a safe playing around for your Maltese. You really need a tight fit on your fence to the ground since the Maltese will squeeze its tiny body underneath most fences without a problem. Inspect your yard regularly to make sure it’s safe for your little Maltese to run and play. If your Maltese companions don’t get enough exercise, all sorts of problems can occur. Bad health, poor behavior, separation anxiety, and excessive barking can all be prevented by regular walks and active daily play.

Climate: Malta is ranked as one of the best climates in the world, so the Maltese grew up on the sunny shores of the Mediterranean. Some owners report no issues with the cold in snowy northern winters, but you should consider a coat and boots if it’s a cold day where you live. Watch out for overheating, too. Their small bodies are susceptible to the elements in both directions on the thermometer.

Living space: Maltese are small dogs that can thrive in the smallest of spaces. They are happy to get their daily exercise by scuttling around your living room and kitchen. If you have a yard for your dog, make sure to invest in good fences and check them for gaps.