--- title: "Maltese Breed Profile" url: "https://mybreedpick.com/dog-breeds/maltese/" type: "Dog breed profile" author: "Kayla Mulkey" site: "mybreedpick.com" modified: "2026-09-13T14:24:25+00:00" last_reviewed: "2026-09-13" --- # Maltese Breed Profile > A gentle, playful, genuinely sweet-natured lap dog that suits quiet homes and attentive owners — provided you accept a daily coat commitment and a breed that does not handle being left alone. ## Quick facts - Lifespan: 12–15 years - Weight: 3–7 lb - Height: 7–9 in - Origin: Malta / Central Mediterranean ## Attribute scores Editorial judgments on a 1–5 scale. A higher number means more of the named trait, not better. - Energy: 3/5 - Grooming: 5/5 - Shedding: 1/5 - Trainability: 3/5 - Friendliness: 5/5 - Apartment suitability: 5/5 - Kid friendliness: 3/5 - Pet friendliness: 4/5 - First-time owner suitability: 4/5 - Vocalization: 4/5 ## Traits - Breed group: Toy - Size: Small (10-25 lbs) - Coat: Long - Energy level: Moderate - Lifestyle fit: Apartment-Friendly ## Overview The Maltese is a small companion dog — under seven pounds, ideally four to six, standing roughly seven to nine inches — beneath a long, straight, pure white coat that reaches the floor when kept at show length. The coat is the breed's signature and its central practical fact. It is a single coat with no undercoat, which has two consequences: shedding is minimal, and the silky texture mats readily if it is not maintained. Low shedding and low maintenance are not the same thing, and the Maltese is the clearest example of the difference. Temperamentally the breed is gentle, affectionate and surprisingly playful. Maltese are lively rather than fragile in personality — bold for their size, curious, and quick to engage — while being physically delicate enough to need protecting from rough handling. They are companion dogs with no working history whatsoever, bred for millennia to sit with people, and they behave accordingly. A Maltese wants to be with you, ideally on you. Here is the honest headline. This is an excellent choice for an attentive owner in a quiet household who will either brush daily or keep the coat clipped short. It is a poor choice for someone out of the house all day, because the breed's attachment is genuine and separation-related distress is common. The temperament asks little; the coat and the company requirement ask a lot. ## Breed Origin & History The Maltese is among the oldest of the toy breeds, associated with the central Mediterranean and the island of Malta, and small white lap dogs of this type are documented in Greek and Roman sources. The breed has been a luxury companion animal for something like two thousand years, which is an unusually consistent purpose. That history explains the temperament. The Maltese has never herded, hunted, guarded or retrieved. Every generation was selected for companionship, appearance and an agreeable disposition, which is why the breed is so uniformly people-focused and so entirely unsuited to being alone. The breed reached Britain and later North America through the usual routes of fashionable animals, and it has remained continuously popular since. The American Maltese Association is the AKC parent club, formed in 1961 from the merger of two earlier Maltese clubs and admitted as an AKC member club on 10 June 1969. The association ratified a revised breed standard in 1963, which the AKC approved the same year, and it continues to maintain the standard, run national specialties and operate breed rescue. The existence of an active parent club rescue is worth noting for a practical reason: Maltese turn up in rescue regularly, often surrendered by owners who underestimated the coat or the dog's need for company. An adult from rescue with a known temperament is a legitimate option. ## Temperament & Personality Maltese are affectionate, gentle and playful. They bond closely with their households and are typically happiest in physical contact — on a lap, against a leg, under a blanket. They are more spirited than their appearance suggests. Maltese play enthusiastically, take an interest in what is happening, and are often described as fearless relative to their size. They are not passive ornaments. They are moderately trainable and respond well to reward-based methods. Two common frustrations are worth naming: housetraining is frequently slow, as with most toy breeds, and many Maltese are readily vocal — alerting at the door, at noises, at passing dogs. Both are trainable but need consistent early work rather than tolerance followed by complaint. With strangers they are usually friendly rather than reserved, and they generally get on with other dogs and cats. With children they do best in homes with older, gentle ones. At four to six pounds the breed is genuinely fragile, and an accidental drop or a knock from a toddler can cause real injury. The significant caveat is solitude. This is a breed developed over two thousand years for constant human company, and separation-related distress is among the most common behavioral problems owners report. Building tolerance for short absences from puppyhood is core husbandry rather than optional advice. ## Is This Breed Right for You? The Maltese suits attentive owners in reasonably quiet homes. Specifically: people who work from home, retirees, or households where someone is usually present. Apartment and condo dwellers, given the small size and modest exercise needs. Owners with older children or none. Anyone who wants a genuinely affectionate lap dog with a lively personality. People prepared to brush daily or budget for grooming every four to six weeks. Allergy-sensitive households may find the low-shedding coat easier, though no dog is truly hypoallergenic. It also suits owners who want a small dog that travels well. Here is who should think twice. Anyone out of the house for long working days without a walker, daycare or a second person — this is the breed's clearest limitation. People unwilling to commit to the coat; a neglected Maltese coat mats to the skin and has to be shaved off, which is painful to reach and unpleasant to fix. Households with toddlers, on fragility grounds. Anyone in a noise-sensitive situation not prepared to train the alerting down. Owners wanting a robust dog for outdoor activity. And anyone buying on price should be cautious. Popular small white breeds attract volume breeding, and liver shunt and other inherited problems are expensive and heartbreaking. The parent club maintains a breeder list and runs rescue; both are better starting points than a classified ad. If you want a sweet, lively, genuinely companionable dog and you are around to enjoy it, the Maltese is hard to fault. ## Care & Exercise Needs Grooming is the defining commitment. A full-length coat needs daily brushing and combing right down to the skin — the silky single coat mats close to the body, particularly behind the ears, under the legs, around the collar and in the trousers. Professional grooming every four to six weeks is typical for a coat kept long. Most pet owners choose a short puppy clip, which reduces daily brushing to a few minutes. This is a sensible choice rather than a compromise, and a well-maintained short coat is far better for the dog than a neglected long one. Tear staining is common on a white coat. Daily gentle wiping of the area under the eyes, keeping the hair there trimmed, and addressing any underlying eye irritation with your veterinarian all help. Facial hair is often tied up or trimmed to keep it out of the eyes. Dental care is a priority — crowded teeth in a small jaw make periodontal disease near-universal without daily brushing. Exercise needs are modest: short walks and indoor play. Use a harness rather than a collar given the risk of tracheal collapse in small breeds. Training should be gentle, reward-based and started early. Build tolerance for being alone in small increments from the day the puppy arrives, well before you need it — this is the single most useful preventive thing an owner of this breed can do. ## Health Considerations Several conditions are documented in the breed, and two are worth particular attention. Portosystemic shunt — a liver shunt, where blood bypasses the liver and toxins are not properly filtered — appears at elevated rates in Maltese. Signs can include poor growth, disorientation or neurological episodes after eating, and vomiting. It is often diagnosed in young dogs and may be surgically correctable. It is a specific question worth asking any breeder about their lines. Generalized tremor syndrome, historically called white shaker dog syndrome, causes whole-body tremors and is reported notably in small white breeds including the Maltese. It typically appears in young adults and generally responds well to veterinary treatment. Patellar luxation is common, as across toy breeds, and ranges from mild to surgical. Tracheal collapse occurs and is the reason a harness is preferable to a collar. Dental crowding and periodontal disease are near-universal without daily care. Hypoglycemia is a risk in very young puppies. Patent ductus arteriosus and other cardiac conditions are reported, as are eye problems including progressive retinal atrophy. A healthy Maltese commonly lives 12 to 15 years. Ask breeders for patella, cardiac and eye documentation, and ask directly about liver shunt in the line. For any concern about your dog's coordination, tremors, breathing, knees or behavior after meals, consult your veterinarian rather than relying on general breed information. ## Recommended Gear Categories Grooming tools do the heavy lifting. A quality pin brush and a metal greyhound comb are the essential pair, and the comb is the honest test of whether you have reached the skin. A detangling spray reduces breakage in a silky coat, and small ties or clips keep facial hair out of the eyes if you maintain length. If you keep the coat clipped short, a soft slicker is usually sufficient. Tear-stain supplies belong in the daily routine: soft pet-safe wipes and something dry for afterwards, with a separate set reserved for the eye area. A lightweight harness is the correct walking equipment; keep the collar for tags. Because separation distress is the breed's main behavioral risk, enrichment is functional rather than decorative. Puzzle feeders, treat-dispensing toys and long-lasting chews give a dog something to do at the moment you leave, and a comfortable crate or pen introduced positively provides a secure place to settle. A camera is genuinely useful for learning what the dog actually does when alone. Dental supplies — a small toothbrush and veterinary toothpaste — matter as much here as the brush does. Pet stairs at the sofa reduce jumping impact on vulnerable knees, and a warm bed suits a dog with no undercoat. Your editor will add specific product recommendations with current pricing and details. ## Similar Breeds to Consider The Havanese is the closest alternative and arguably the better all-round choice for most households. It is similarly affectionate and people-focused with a comparable coat commitment, but it is sturdier at seven to thirteen pounds, more trainable, and better suited to families with younger children. The Bichon Frise shares the white coat and cheerful temperament with a curlier texture that is at least as demanding to maintain. It is somewhat more robust than the Maltese and often more outgoing. The Shih Tzu is the other common cross-shop — similar size and coat commitment, generally calmer and less prone to separation distress, but with a flat face that brings breathing and heat problems the Maltese does not have. The Yorkshire Terrier is comparable in size and coat type with a bolder, more terrier-ish temperament and more inclination to bark. For someone who wants the affection and small size without a demanding coat, the smooth Chihuahua or the Miniature Pinscher are the practical answers, accepting a very different and more reserved temperament. In short: choose the Maltese for a gentle, lively lap dog if you are home and will do the coat, the Havanese if you want the same temperament in something sturdier, the Bichon if you prefer its coat, and a smooth-coated toy breed if grooming time is your real constraint. ## Frequently asked questions ### Are Maltese hypoallergenic? No dog is, but the single coat with no undercoat sheds very little, which means less hair around the home and often fewer symptoms for some allergy sufferers. Dander and saliva still carry the proteins most people react to, so spend time with the breed before committing. ### How much grooming does a Maltese need? In full coat, daily brushing and combing to the skin plus professional grooming every four to six weeks. The silky single coat mats readily behind the ears, under the legs and in the trousers. Most owners keep it in a short puppy clip, which cuts daily work to a few minutes. ### Can a Maltese be left alone while I work? Not comfortably. The breed was developed over two thousand years as a constant companion, and separation-related distress is among the most common problems owners report. Build alone-time tolerance gradually from puppyhood and arrange company if you are out for long days. ### Why does my Maltese have tear stains? Common on a white coat and usually a mix of normal tearing, hair irritating the eye, and the pigment in tears showing against white fur. Keep the hair around the eyes trimmed, wipe and dry the area daily, and have persistent or worsening discharge checked by your veterinarian. ### Are Maltese good with children? Best with older, gentle children. At four to six pounds the breed is genuinely fragile, and an accidental drop or a knock from a toddler can cause real injury. The temperament is friendly; the physics are the problem. ### Do Maltese bark a lot? Many do. Alerting at the door, at noises and at passing dogs is common. It responds well to early training of a quiet cue and adequate stimulation, but it needs addressing before the habit becomes self-reinforcing. ### What is a liver shunt and why does it matter for Maltese? A portosystemic shunt is where blood bypasses the liver so toxins are not properly filtered. It appears at elevated rates in the breed, often shows in young dogs as poor growth or disorientation after eating, and may be surgically correctable. Ask breeders directly about it in their lines. ### What health problems are Maltese prone to? Liver shunt and generalized tremor syndrome are the two most breed-notable, alongside patellar luxation, tracheal collapse, dental disease, hypoglycemia in young puppies, and some cardiac and eye conditions. Ask for patella, cardiac and eye documentation on both parents. ## Sources - [AKC Maltese Breed Profile](https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/maltese/) - [American Maltese Association (AKC Parent Club)](https://www.americanmaltese.org/) --- Source: https://mybreedpick.com/dog-breeds/maltese/ Published by mybreedpick.com. Attribution with a link is requested. Health information is general and is not a substitute for veterinary advice.