Meet The Breeds: Maltese

Maltese dogs are often described as beautiful little floating angels from the toy group of the Spitz type. This stunning breed is assumed to have originated from South-Central Europe. Maltese dogs were known by many different names in the past, such as “Roman ladies’ dog”, “the comforter”, “Spaniel gentle”, “Bichon Maltese”, and the famous “Maltese terrier”.

This beautiful and stylish toy breed dog gathered a huge fan following within the elite families thanks to its angelic look and silky straight white fur. In the past, the Maltese were bred in different colors with a common lush furry look but now they are mostly found in just white color. When a white Maltese walks on the road, it gives the visual impression of floating over the cloud of his white silky fur. Since the Maltese doesn’t have an undercoat, they shed less compared to many other dogs which makes them perfect to be your pet. To many owners, the Maltese is considered to be a hypoallergenic dog.

Maltese Dog Breed Information and Facts

The Maltese is a beautiful little toy breed that everyone loves. These tiny angels were originated in South-Central Europe. Although being called the Maltese, these dogs do not have any verified historic reference to the “Island of Malta”, contrary to popular belief.

Here are some of fun facts about the Maltese which can assist you in better understanding the breed:

• Breed Group: Toy group
• Height: Female 20-23 cm, Male 21-25 cm being slightly taller than females
• Weight: Female 3-4 kg, Male 3-4 kg, both genders are almost of the same weight
• Life span: 12-15 years
• Coat: No undercoat, but a gorgeous silky long overcoat
• Color: Most commonly white
• Hypoallergenic: Yes
• Temperament: Intelligent, Responsive, Docile, Easygoing, Affectionate, Fearless, Sweet-tempered
• The difficulty level of first-time owners: On the scale of increasing difficulty from 1-10 paws, the Maltese receives a 3/10 paws according to the feedback from many Maltese owners. Based on their testimonies, these beautiful dogs are among the simplest of toy breeds to train.

Maltese Dog History

If we dig deeper in the Maltese’s history, we will learn that they are considered an ancient breed. These dogs are one of the several Bichon dogs found within the Mediterranean for thousands of years. Unfortunately, until today, the precise origin of Maltese dogs remains a mystery. Many countries claim to be the geographical origin of the Maltese, such as Egypt, Sicily, and Southern Europe. It is common belief through legends that Malta is the location of their developmental origin. However, based on the prevalent spread of Maltese dog, it probably belongs to Spitz-type dogs in South-Central Europe where it first and most resembles the modern Pomeranian.

As all of the above-mentioned histories of the Maltese have conflicting origins, there remains no authentic trace of history for the Maltese, and is still considered a mystery today.

What Are The Types Of Maltese Dogs?

Maltese are adorable balls of fur and fluff from the toy breed. This breed features a strong reference from ancient history and has claimed to be the oldest breed available to adopt. For many years, there have been many mixed breeds of the Maltese to extend the breeding of the Maltese and learn which other breeds are compatible with them. Some of the most popular Maltese breed mixes we find today are:

• Malshi (Maltese/Shih-Tzu)
• Malchi (Maltese/Chihuahua)
• Morkie (Maltese/Yorkshire-terrier)
• Maltipoo (Maltese/Poodle)
• Maltichon (Maltese/Bichon)
• Maltipug (Maltese/Pug)
• Maltipom (Maltese/Pomeranian)
• Malteagle (Maltese/Beagle)

These are some of the famous mixed breeds available across the globe that can be adopted to make your life a roller-coaster of joy and delight.

Are Maltese Good Pets?

Maltese dogs are amazing dogs with a gentle, affectionate, friendly, and caring temperament. They are playful and love outdoor walks, and pet parents can choose which collars or harnesses best suit their dog. Maltese dogs also enjoy being indoor pets and they do not mind not having the vast expanse of a backyard. To keep their Maltese engaged, pet parents often turn to a range of interactive toys, chew toys and toss & tug toys. Therefore, if you live in an apartment, you can consider the Maltese as one of your top pet choices.

Are Maltese High Maintenance?

Being a dog from the toy group, Maltese personalities have proven to be “high-maintenance” dogs. Having a silky and enviable fur coat, it requires daily brushing or combing and a bath regularly. Therefore, they require daily grooming to maintain their charm and cuteness. Maltese should also have their teeth brushed daily to prevent teeth infections, as do most dogs. Keeping all of the grooming needs in mind, we can easily say that Maltese are considered relatively “high maintenance” dogs.

What Health Issues Do Maltese Face?

No dog is perfect and the Maltese is no exception. Maltese can face several teeth and eye problems along with different bacterial infections which lead to different diseases. Maltese pet parents often turn to

• Maltese puppies can develop bacterial infections due to their low immunity. These infections are particularly common in dogs that come from shelter homes due to a lack of cleanliness. These infections can be prevented with regular baths and care.
• As an adult dog, if not taken proper care of, the Maltese can face teeth problems. If not brushed regularly, the Maltese could develop teeth infection which leads to dangerous results. This disease can be eliminated with proper vaccination and care.
• When getting old, senior Maltese dogs face eye problems. The Maltese could develop this problem due to the extra hairs around the eyes and constantly rubbing the eyes. This infection can be eliminated by regular trimming the hairs near the eyes.

In addition, Maltese pet parents can consider adding vitamins and supplements to their pet’s diets to improve their overall health wellbeing.

Do Maltese Bark A Lot?

In any case, it is safe to say that dogs from any breed, including the Maltese, bark a lot. From the very start, they are treated and considered as companion dogs. That’s why they require human attention. If left alone for hours and not given proper attention, the Maltese can experience anxiety and depression which makes them destructive, and as a result, they bark a lot. But with proper training, excessive barking can be eliminated. In addition, thanks to their friendly temperament, you are less likely to face any significant trainability issues with a Maltese.

Are Maltese Aggressive?

The Maltese are friendly dogs and are not aggressive. However, in some cases where these tiny creatures feel threatened, they become aggressive. It is easy for these little dogs to feel intimidated, even if you don’t mean to make them feel that way. When they feel insecure, they became defensive and usually resort to biting, barking, and growling. In the unlikely event of an accident, pet parents should consult their vet or have handy first-aid items at home.

Are Maltese HDB Approved?

Since Maltese don’t shed, this quality makes them a perfect pet and also HDB approved! It is for this very reason that they are considered one of the most popular breed choices in Singapore. These tiny creatures are perfect pets because they require less exercise, so if you have a busy schedule you can easily accommodate a Maltese while still adding fun to your life.

All in all, the Maltese is an extremely lovable and affectionate breed that has achieved wide popularly worldwide, Singapore included. Their miniature size and sweet temperament make them the perfect companion and house pet, especially in homes where space might be limited. If you’re a potential pet parent looking for the right furkid, the Maltese should definitely be one of your top considerations!