Maltese
Complete Breed Guide
"Goldilocks wishes she had hair as good as mine!"
Quick Facts About Malteses
Toy
4–7 lbs
7–9"
Yes
Based on current listing prices on Puppies.com. Results may vary.
Overview
The Maltese, with their long hair and dark round eyes, have a unique appearance. A sociable breed they often befriend other pets and will warm up to strangers given enough time and interaction
The Maltese is the oldest European toy breed of Europe, hailing from the Mediterranean island nation of Malta, hence the name. Maltese have a domed skull, round dark eyes surrounded by a dark ‘halo,’ a wide, black nose, and low ears covered by long hair. Some have a ‘winter nose’ which fades to pink in the winter and then returns to its former darker shade in the summer (the color change can be permanent in older dogs).Their unique appearance makes them popular show dogs. The Maltese is eager to learn, fearless, friendly, and sociable. Their high energy level may overwhelm new owners who aren’t prepared. Maltese are social butterflies and easily befriend other dogs and cats, even much larger ones.
Temperament and Behavior
Maltese are friendly, energetic, fearless dogs who love to play. They don’t bark at random things, but they will alert their owners to anything they deem suspicious, making them great watchdogs. The Maltese loves to cuddle and does not shed, which is easy on both your allergies and your wardrobe. They do need watched in hot or cold weather since they don’t adjust easily to either. They're generally sensitive pups, so encouragement should be used during training rather than lashing out harshly.
Coat & Grooming
Maltese have a distinctive long, white, silky coat with no undercoat. Some may have cream or lemon-colored ears. They do require daily brushing to remove dead hair and require periodic dental care since they do sometimes have problems with their teeth.
Lifestyle & Living Conditions
The Maltese, with their loving personalities and playful attitudes, are great around older children. They are definitely companion dogs who also get along well with other pets. This breed can adapt to a rural lifestyle but does best as an indoor dog.
Exercise & Activity
The Maltese does not require an abundance of activity , but they do love to play chase and enjoy occasional walks. So strap up your tennis shoes and provide plenty of catch-toys for this toy breed!
Characteristics at-a-glance
Ratings are on a scale of 1–10, based on breed standards and typical temperament.
Maltese FAQs
Common questions about the Maltese breed, answered by our editorial team.
Find Maltese Puppies