The Maltese is intelligent, lively, fearless – and protective. It is a popular family dog ​​for these reasons, as it shows care and affection towards you. It is a happy dog, who appreciates the company of other people. It loves people and shows this regularly.

Your Maltese adapts to the rhythm of your daily life. It thrives on an active everyday life, where it is frequently aired, but it can also settle down and relax at home. Similarly, it thrives on both short walks and long hikes.

The Maltese is easy to learn and train, but it is crucial that you socialize it as a puppy. It can quickly become spoiled and get used to a certain lifestyle. Therefore, you have to teach it boundaries, but it quickly learns this. The Maltese is an intelligent dog. No matter how well you train it, you still have to be prepared for it to often be skeptical of other animals. Therefore, it may bark if it perceives the situation as threatening, but it is never aggressive.

The dog is also excellent for various types of dog sports, such as activities based on obedience.

Weight and size

Male dogs are between 21 and 25 cm tall, while females are 20 to 23 cm tall. Maltese weigh between 3 and 4 kg.

Lifespan

The life expectancy of a Maltese is 12 to 15 years.

Hereditary diseases

Maltese are generally healthy dogs. Of course, diseases can occur and below you will find an overview of the most common problems in a Maltese:

• Kneecap dislocation (defect in the knee joint).
• Deafness.
• Dental health issues. It is important to brush your Maltese's teeth because they develop tartar easily.
• A Maltese often has watery eyes. This can be due to medial entropion, which means that the eyelids turn inward. Hair will therefore settle on the cornea itself. It feels like having debris in the eye, which can be bothersome for the dog. Over time, such hairs can cause damage to the cornea itself.

The coat of a Maltese varies depending on whether it is a family and companion dog or a show dog. In general, it is silky and smooth, but the length varies. A long-haired Maltese, which is most often seen in show dogs, looks very different compared to a short-haired Maltese. Both varieties require coat care and maintenance, but long-haired Maltese in particular require thorough grooming. If the coat is not brushed regularly, the coat will become tangled and matted. Remember to use a good shampoo and conditioner when washing your dog.

Psst! Did you know that this is a very hypoallergenic dog? It doesn't shed.

It is important to balance the diet of your Maltese. You must also consider which dog food is best suited to your Maltese based on their activity level and lifestyle. Precisely because a Maltese can be both an active family dog ​​and a show dog, the diet should reflect this. If you are unsure about which dog food your Maltese should have, you can contact your veterinarian. A-Vet has a small animal clinic in Larvik that is happy to answer your questions.