Maltese Information, a Guide to a Fluffy and Friendly Dog Why This Breed Is a Lot of Fun

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Small Breed X-Small Breed Maltese

Is the Maltese Right For You?

  • 1 Maltese dogs are small breed dogs with a rich history of human interaction.
  • 2 The Maltese has a happy and playful disposition that remains constant as they age and makes for a great companion pet.
  • 3 Maltese dogs prefer to play in medium space environs which make them a great urban dog or apartment dog.

HISTORY

The descendent of the Poodle and the Miniature Spaniel, the Maltese was first recognized as a breed in Malta, Italy, where they hail from. Thanks to their snuggly soft fur and their tiny stature, these dogs became all the rage with royalty everywhere, seen in the arms of nearly every woman in the King's court. Brought to England by Crusaders, the Maltese was first recognized by the AKC in 1888.

Quick Facts

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    Size

    Toy/Small

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    Lifespan

    12-14 years

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    Hair Length

    Long

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    Male Height

    9-10 inches at the withers

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    Male Weight

    4-6 pounds, but no more than 7

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    Female Height

    9-10 inches at the withers

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    Female Weight

    4-6 pounds, but no more than 7

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    Litter Size

    Average 2-4 puppies per litter

Personality

The Maltese are known for their exceptional intelligence, their endless capacity for love, and their ceaseless ability to play. They love being outside and learning new tricks. They are good with other animals, but may be a little snappy with kids. Be careful not to pamper a Maltese, because they will take this as a sign of supremacy, leading to a budding case of โ€œsmall dog syndrome.โ€ With the proper exercise, mental exertion, and discipline, the Maltese is a loyal companion and a loveable friend. .

Color

The Maltese is almost always white; light tan or lemon on the ears is sometimes present, but not desired in show dogs.

Health Concerns

The life expectancy of the Maltese is between 15 and 18 years. The most common health problems that affect the Maltese are:

  • sunburns
  • respiratory problems
  • eye issues
  • tooth problems
  • patella luxation

More on the Maltese

Information on Maltese: Health
The Diets for Maltese Dogs
Grooming and Cuts for a Maltese
Training a Dominant Maltese
Characteristics of a Maltese Dog

 

 

Appearance

A dog which belongs to the toy group, the Maltese is covered from head to foot with a beautiful, luxurious coat of long, soft, silky white hair eight to nine inches long. If the Maltese is tall, the body of the dog will often be extremely compact. The long neck of the Maltese reflects a sort of royal elegance. The dog has loosely hanging long ears, their tails draped over their backs and abundantly covered with hair. The Maltese has large, round, dark eyes that exude a gentle, alert and intelligent expression and their nose is black.

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