The Maltese is a small toy dog that is no more than 10 inches at the shoulders. It weighs between 6 and 9 pounds and is covered in a long coat of white, straight, silky fur. Maltese are extremely sweet and adorable little dogs that have been a part of the aristocracy for over 28 centuries. This breed was celebrated by the Greeks, the Italians and, of course, the residents of Malta.
Even though the breed is now adored by the wealthy and common people alike, it still holds true to its natural traits of devotion, love and trust towards its owner. The Maltese’s gentle temperament and energetic nature is what continues to win the hearts of so many.
That said, they should not be pampered too much as this can ruin their ideal temperament traits and cause the dog to be extremely overprotective of their owner and jealous of others who spend time with their master. Also, they will be difficult to control if she is allowed to walk all over his family. Like all dogs, he must be taught his place in your home. It requires proper socialization and basic obedience training.
Maltese are the perfect size for apartments and are happy living in tight quarters with their owner. They require plenty of exercise, but are quite active indoors. So a few short walks per day and playtime should suffice.
This breed is easier to love than to care for. This is because his silky white coat requires daily care, as do his eyes. This breed is susceptible to tear stains, a condition that causes the dog to have watery eyes that form a sticky discharge in the corner of the eyes. It also causes the hair under the Maltese’s eye to turn a deep rusty red. Keeping your hair out of your eyes, tying it up on your head if it’s long, and wiping away buildup helps keep tear stains under control.
Maltese do not shed, but their coats easily become matted and dirty. This means that anyone who owns a Maltese should be prepared to purchase grooming supplies such as combs, a brush, and dog shampoo. All of these items are a regular part of Maltese care.
If the dog does not have short hair (which requires daily combing) and the hair is left long to be tested on the floor, its coat will need to be brushed a few times a day. In addition, he should be bathed once a month to keep his coat immaculate white. The coat should also be trimmed regularly.
Maltese typically live to be 15 years old. In rare cases, they have even been known to live up to 18 years. They are prone to sunburn, kidney stones, tooth, eye and knee problems. These dogs also tend to shake. This could be because the dog is shivering or is experiencing a condition known as White Dog Shaker Syndrome.
The Maltese loves his family, tolerates well-behaved children and doesn’t mind other pets in the house. He is an excellent family companion and a true love among dogs.
