Maltese

Personality

Do not let the powder-puff appearance fool you. A Maltese is a lively, confident little dog with a big opinion of itself. The breed is affectionate, playful and devoted, and it is happiest when it is in your lap or following you from room to room.

Maltese are alert and will sound the alarm at visitors, passing dogs and any sudden noise, so barking needs to be guided from an early age. They are generally friendly once introduced, though some are reserved with strangers.

Because of their tiny size, they are fragile, and they do best with adults or considerate older children. A small dog can be hurt by a dropped hug or a rough game, and a dog that feels cornered may snap. Many Maltese also struggle if left alone for long periods. With company, gentle handling and a routine, the typical Maltese is a cheerful, clever and charming companion that is far tougher in spirit than in body. The AKC adds that they can be stubborn and willful but respond well to rewards-based training.

History

The Maltese is one of the oldest toy breeds in the world. The American Kennel Club notes that the island of Malta was a crossroads for ancient sailors and merchants, and it is likely the Phoenicians introduced the little white lapdog there. The Greeks of the fourth and fifth centuries B.C. depicted the Melitaie Dog on their ceramics, and Aristotle called it perfectly proportioned despite its small stature.

Aristocrats of the Roman Empire made the Maltese a status symbol and fashion statement, and a Roman matron was not fully dressed without one peeking out of her sleeve. According to the AKC, Chinese breeders later kept the breed from extinction during Europe's Dark Ages, crossing it with their native toy breeds and exporting a more refined dog back to Europe.

The Maltese was a fixture at dog shows from the beginning. At New York's first Westminster show in 1877 it was exhibited as the Maltese Lion Dog, and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1888. It joined the Toy Group and remains a popular pet and show-ring favorite, still doing the job it has done for thousands of years: keeping its people company.

Appearance, coat & colors

The Maltese is a small, compact toy dog with a strikingly glamorous coat. Adults stand about 7 to 9 in (18–23 cm) at the shoulder and, according to the AKC, weigh less than 7 lb (3.2 kg). The compact body moves with a smooth, effortless gait, giving a picture of free-flowing elegance and balance.

The coat is the breed's hallmark. It is long, straight and silky, hanging close to the ground on show dogs, with no undercoat. The color is pure white, though the breed standard says light tan or lemon on the ears is permissible but not desirable. Pet owners often choose a shorter trim for practicality.

The face is the breed's other signature: big, dark, expressive eyes and a black, gumdrop-shaped nose. The ears are drop ears covered in long hair. The tail is a long-haired plume carried gracefully over the back. Excessive tear staining below the eyes is worth a visit to the vet to find the cause.

Training

The Maltese is smart and eager to please, and it learns quickly with the right approach. Keep sessions short, upbeat and rewarding. Small treats, praise and play work far better than scolding, which can make a sensitive toy dog fearful or stubborn.

House training is the most common challenge. Small bladders and a dislike of bad weather mean you need a consistent schedule, frequent trips outside, and praise for success. Crate or pen training helps; see our crate training guide. Some owners have success with indoor potty options, but consistency is key.

Socialize early with different people, children, other dogs and everyday noises to reduce fearfulness and excessive barking. Teach a quiet cue and reward calm behavior. Avoid giving in to demanding behavior, because small dogs that are carried everywhere and never asked to follow rules may develop small-dog attitude problems. Practice being alone in short, gradual steps. Use a harness for walks, since neck pressure can harm delicate toy breeds.

Exercise

The AKC says Maltese are full of energy but require only occasional exercise to stay healthy and happy. A couple of short daily walks plus indoor play sessions usually meet the needs of a healthy adult. Games of fetch with a small toy, hide and seek, and chasing a soft toy in the living room are enough for many dogs.

That said, most Maltese enjoy a good romp and are more athletic than they look; the AKC notes they are game little athletes on the agility course. Keep mental stimulation going with puzzle toys and short training sessions. Our exercise guide can help you match activity to your dog.

Safety matters for a very small dog. Use a well-fitted harness rather than a collar, avoid letting your dog jump from furniture or arms, and keep a close eye in places where larger dogs could be a danger. Dress the dog for cold, wet weather, because the thin, single coat gives little insulation, and avoid midday heat. Watch for coughing or fatigue, and mention them to your vet.

Grooming

Grooming is the biggest commitment of Maltese ownership. A full-length coat needs gentle brushing and combing to the skin every day to prevent mats and tangles, and sometimes twice a day. Use a pin brush and a fine-toothed metal comb, working in sections. Lightly misting the coat helps avoid breakage. The AKC also recommends regular baths and coat conditioning.

Many pet owners choose a short puppy clip, which cuts the daily work to a few brushing sessions a week. Regular professional grooming is common either way. The breed sheds very little, and many people with allergies find it tolerable, but no dog is truly allergen-free.

Wipe the face daily to reduce tear staining, and keep hair out of the eyes with a topknot or a trim. Check the ears weekly and remove excess hair, wax and debris as your groomer or vet recommends. Dental care is vital because toy breeds are prone to dental disease; the AKC suggests brushing the teeth each time you brush the coat, and our tooth-brushing guide shows how. Maltese nails grow fast, so trim them regularly.

Feeding

Maltese are tiny, so portions are small, but they still need a balanced complete diet suited to their life stage. Kibble sized for toy dogs is easier to chew. Most adults do well on two or three small meals daily. Our dog food calculator can estimate daily calorie needs.

Feed young puppies regular meals as your vet advises, never skip them, and contact your vet immediately if a puppy seems weak, shaky or collapses.

Weight control matters. The AKC notes that some Maltese are prone to getting overweight, and a pound of extra weight is a large percentage of a tiny dog's body. Count treats as part of daily calories, keeping them to around 10 percent, and use tiny pieces. Check the ribs and waist regularly with our overweight guide.

Some Maltese are picky eaters. Avoid feeding table scraps, which encourage fussiness and may be unsafe. Talk with your vet before changing diets or using supplements, and keep fresh water available at all times.

Health

The AKC calls the Maltese a healthy breed with few health issues that usually lives well into the double digits, and lists 12 to 15 years. Dental disease is the most common concern in toy breeds, so regular brushing and professional cleanings matter. Luxating patella, where the kneecap slips out of place, is a known risk in the breed, and the parent club's health program includes patella and heart screening, the latter mainly to rule out patent ductus arteriosus.

Congenital liver conditions such as liver shunt and microvascular dysplasia can occur, which is why the parent club recommends bile acid testing, especially for puppies. Microvascular dysplasia is often silent. Maltese can also develop granulomatous or necrotizing meningoencephalitis, inflammatory brain diseases for which no screening test exists. Old-age heart murmurs and cataracts are also noted.

Seek prompt help if your dog has trouble breathing, collapses, has seizures or any neurological signs. Ask your vet about screening and how often your dog should have heart checks. Maintain dental care and keep weight in check to give your Maltese the best chance of a healthy life.

Health conditions to know about

• Dental disease — Very common in toy breeds; regular brushing and cleanings are needed.
• Luxating patella — The kneecap slips out of place, causing skipping or lameness.
• Patent ductus arteriosus — A congenital heart anomaly the parent club screens for.
• Liver shunt and microvascular dysplasia — Congenital liver conditions found with a bile acid blood test.
• Meningoencephalitis (GME and NME) — Inflammatory brain diseases reported in the breed; no screening test is available.
• Cataracts and heart murmurs in old age — Age-related changes noted by the parent club.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Patella evaluation
• Cardiac exam
• Serum bile acid test

Read more: luxating patella.

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 25, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Maltese

The Maltese is a natural apartment dog. It is small, modest in its exercise needs, and content to live in any size of home, provided it has company. A yard is not necessary, though safe outdoor time is enjoyable.

Expect the dog to want to be involved in everything you do. It is not ideal for people who are away for long hours, and separation distress is a common complaint. Pet cameras and gradual training can help; a sitter or daycare may be needed.

With children, supervision is crucial. A toy dog can be injured by rough play, and very young kids may not understand how to be gentle. The breed usually gets along with other pets, though some are bossy with larger dogs.

Protect your dog from cold, rain and heat, and keep it safe around bigger dogs. Provide a small bed, stairs or a ramp for furniture, and a playpen for safe space. The AKC calls Maltese alert watchdogs, and barking can annoy neighbors, so training is worthwhile in shared buildings.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Maltese puppy prices vary widely, and tiny dogs often sell for high prices. Be wary of sellers advertising teacup or micro-sized Maltese. Extremely small puppies are often the product of irresponsible breeding, and healthy Maltese are small already.

A responsible breeder will health test parents for patella and heart problems, bile acid test the puppies for liver issues as the parent club recommends, let you meet the mother and raise puppies in a clean home environment. Toy puppies need plenty of time with their mother and littermates, so avoid sellers who release them very young. They will provide a written contract and take back a dog at any age.

Rescue is a great option. Maltese and small-breed rescues often have adults whose personalities and coats are already established, and some arrive matted and in need of care, which makes grooming a first-week priority. Whatever route you choose, plan an early vet visit and see our puppy first week checklist. Budget for lifelong grooming and dental care, which are significant parts of the cost.