Although Maltese dogs are well-known as popular, loving lap dogs, there is truly a lot more to this breed than meets the eye. Amid an outgoing personality and energetic nature, these dogs are susceptible to a few health concerns and can actually be quite high maintenance. I would like to share some info and tips if you are thinking about adopting a Maltese. It’s important to be aware of the breed’s unique needs, and ideal if you are well-informed before getting your sweet, furry friend.
Where did the Maltese come from?
To start, let’s go over a brief history of the Maltese breed, to figure out who they are at their root. The Maltese is an ancient breed, with suspected origins during the colonization of the island of Malta by the Phoenicians around 1000 BCE. In addition to their reputation as sweet companions, they were also bartered for food and protection of ship’s food rations from rodents.
On the island of Malta, the dogs were bred primarily as companion animals, especially favored by the ladies, who carried the lapdogs with them nearly everywhere they went.
In the centuries following, the Maltese’s popularity as a companion had only spread around the globe. By the middle of the 19th century, they were lauded as household pets as well as show dogs.
All the best things about the Maltese breed
The Maltese is a well-known, beloved companion breed thanks to numerous positive qualities. They are suitable for a wide range of people and capable of thriving in a variety of environments and circumstances. The Maltese is intelligent, affectionate, good-natured, playful, and loving; all the makings of a great companion for both individuals and families.
Good Temperament/ Personality:
Part of what has held the Maltese in good favor all these years is their big personality. Despite their small size, the Maltese’s bold personality keeps them from being overly timid. Their outgoing and friendly nature extends to people and dogs alike, though some may be a bit shy around newcomers.
Despite the cliche rumor that all small dogs are yappy and poorly behaved with children, the Maltese are perfectly capable of stellar behavior with proper training. They are also known to be great family pets in households with gentle children.
The loyalty and affection of the Maltese are recognized as some of their best lap dog qualities. Happiest when spending time with their people, these dogs enjoy playing, snuggling up on the couch, or even taking a walk. Their loyalty runs deep, and combined with their feisty personality, your Maltese may even act as a guard dog.
Intelligence and Trainability:
The Maltese were already highly-intelligent dogs, but after spending centuries as our companions, they really know how to get what they want. Because of this and their tendency to be strong-willed, it is important to be consistent with their training. It is also best to begin teaching your dog the basics of good dog behavior at an early age.
Early training combined with their eagerness to please can help your Maltese become a wonderfully behaved little dog. Outlets such as obedience classes and agility courses are some of their favorite ways to spend their time and also encourage good behavior. Additionally, they typically respond best with positive, reward-based training and are known to be incredibly treat-motivated.
Energy Levels:
Thanks to their small size, the typically energetic and active Maltese can enjoy playtime either indoors or outdoors. Because they are inherently playful, these dogs can enjoy playing with their favorite humans as much as playing with their toys. Their size and adaptability are advantageous because the luxury of being able to play with toys indoors is not always available to dogs of large breeds, highly energetic, or working breed dogs.
The overlooked drawbacks to owning a Maltese
Although there are plenty of qualities that make Maltese a great dog and wonderful companion, they have unique needs and are actually quite high-maintenance dogs. Unfortunately, their adorable appearance and quirky personalities can make it easy to overlook the extent of their needs, so it’s important to be properly educated before deciding if a Maltese is right for you.
Extensive grooming:
The long, white coat that Maltese dogs wear is certainly beautiful if taken care of properly. That care will include daily brushing and combing to prevent tangles and mats from forming. Removing matting can be very painful for this breed because their fur is very fine and mats easily. I find that a GROOMING COMB works best. A Maltese should also be bathed every week or so, with a detangling spray or conditioning oil applied after. There are special shampoos and conditioners for Maltese dogs such as SHAMPOO and CONDITIONER
You can use a cotton washable make-up remover pad with warm water to keep buildup from accumulating around your dog’s eyes. Gently pat around the inner eye until it is moist and then use a small flea comb to remove the excess discharge which often very hard when it dries. This should be done every 1-3 days depending on your dog. Please don’t use the bleach products recommended to remove the dark color. This can be very dangerous for your pet and often doesn’t work anyway. I recommend these two products for your dog’s eye care.
With all that hair on their bodies, it should come as no surprise that there is plenty on their feet and ears as well. Be sure to maintain the fur around their feet, and have your pup’s nails trimmed as needed. The fur in their ears can promote wax build-ups and ear infections, so regular removal of any excess hair, wax, or accumulated debris is also a grooming necessity. I use a professional groomer and prefer to keep our Maltese’s coat in more of a “summer” cut. This makes grooming easier for both the dog and the owner.
Dental issues:
As is common in many small dog breeds, Maltese are prone to having issues with their teeth. For starters, these dogs tend to keep their baby teeth until they are nearly five months old, and even then, some of the teeth never fall out. Having so many tiny teeth in such a small mouth can encourage tartar build-up, tooth infections, and gingivitis.
The best way to prevent dental issues is frequently brushing your dog’s teeth, ideally as often as you brush your dog’s coat. Because the Maltese has such a small mouth, finding a small finger brush or small dog toothbrush can help improve the process. Check out a link to the best toothbrush option for your pet in the link I’ve provided below.
Genetic predispositions:
Despite the Maltese being a relatively healthy breed, and frequently living into the double digits, there are a few health conditions to be aware of. The most concerning of which are heart anomalies like PDA (patent ductus arteriosus) and joint issues like luxating patella, both of which responsible breeders should screen for. Additionally, Maltese puppies should be bile-acid tested for genetic liver conditions like microvascular dysplasia (MVD) and portosystemic shunts.
References and Resources
American Kennel Club. (2022). Maltese Dog Breed Information – American Kennel Club. Retrieved April 12, 2022, from https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/maltese/
Nylabone. (2021). Maltese Dog Breed. Nylabone Dog Toys, Chews, Treats, & Edible Dental Chews. Retrieved April 12, 2022, from https://www.nylabone.com/dog101/maltese
Oleksiv, S. (2021, January 21). 9 Things To Know Before Getting A Maltese Puppy. The Pets And Love. Retrieved April 12, 2022, from https://www.thepetsandlove.com/9-thigs-to-know-before-getting-maltese-puppy/
Petfinder. (2022). Maltese (Bichon Maltiase). Petfinder. Retrieved April 12, 2022, from https://www.petfinder.com/dog-breeds/maltese/#historySection_jumpTarget
PetMaltese. (2022). History of the Maltese Dog. The History and Origin of the Maltese Dog. Retrieved April 12, 2022, from https://www.petmaltese.com/maltese-dog-history
Rover. (2020, December 10). Maltese puppies: The ultimate guide for new dog owners. The Dog People by Rover.com. Retrieved April 12, 2022, from https://www.rover.com/blog/maltese-puppies-the-ultimate-guide-for-new-dog-owners/
*Here is the link for the best toothbrush for your Maltese. It really is the best option on the market today, and cleans quietly and very throughly which can help you avoid high dental surgery costs later. Start early and be consistent. I promise you won’t regret it!
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