The Maltese looks made for photographs: brilliant white, silky hair and dark button eyes. That appearance is also the greatest source of misunderstanding. Choose one for their looks and you may overlook the gap between a groomed Maltese in a photo and the daily effort behind it. In temperament, this is an agreeable little dog who enjoys learning. In appearance, a full-time job.
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Maltese: the hard facts
- Origin: Mediterranean region, one of Europe’s oldest companion breeds; despite the name, not from Malta
- Size: Males 21 to 25 cm, females 20 to 23 cm, 3 to 4 kg
- Coat: Very long, silky, straight, pure white, without an undercoat
- Life expectancy: 12 to 15 years
- Temperament: Affectionate, lively, attentive, willing to learn and people-oriented
Temperament: small, attentive and surprisingly clever
The Maltese was bred purely as a companion for centuries, and it shows. They focus on people, read moods well and learn quickly with kind handling. Tricks, small tasks and dog sports such as rally obedience work better than many expect.
They are watchful and announce activity on the stairs. Whether that becomes constant barking depends on training in the first months rather than the breed. They are usually open to strangers and patient with children, provided the children understand that a three-kilo dog is not a toy.
Their main concern is closeness: they want to join in, always. Being alone is difficult and needs to be built up patiently from the start, otherwise separation-related stress develops. Our guide explains how: leaving your dog alone.
Five points that matter before buying
1. Coat care is daily work, not weekly
Maltese hair grows continuously, much like human hair, and has no undercoat. They therefore barely shed, but mat quickly. Keeping the full length means daily brushing, sometimes wrapping sections of hair and regular bathing. Most owners choose a short cut, which is sensible. Budget for a groomer every six to eight weeks and ongoing costs that can quickly run into four figures over a dog’s lifetime.
2. Tear staining is almost unavoidable
Rust-brown stains beneath the eyes develop when tears meet white hair. On a white dog, they show immediately. Causes can include narrow tear ducts, dental problems, allergies or simply anatomy. Gentle daily cleaning keeps it within bounds. Anyone expecting their Maltese to look permanently as immaculate as a breeder’s photos will be disappointed.
3. Teeth and kneecaps
As in all very small breeds, crowded teeth encourage tartar and early tooth loss. Baby teeth often fail to fall out on their own. Tooth brushing is basic care for this breed. Patellar luxation, a displaced kneecap, can range from an occasional skipping step to needing surgery. Other issues include liver shunts and an increased risk of low blood sugar in puppies.
4. Avoid teacup and mini offers
Names such as Teacup Maltese and Mini Maltese are sales terms rather than recognised varieties. Dogs considerably below the breed standard have disproportionately frequent health problems: fragile bones, heart problems, low blood sugar and shorter lives. A puppy from health-tested VDH breeding costs 1.400 to 2.000 euros. Anyone advertising extreme smallness is selling a health risk.
5. Small does not mean undemanding
A Maltese needs daily walks, mental activity and contact with other dogs. They are not a home accessory who can make do with a balcony. They need the same rules as a large dog too: picking them up whenever things become uncomfortable removes the chance to learn that they can cope.
Care: what they really need
- Daily grooming or a short cut. Either is fine; doing nothing is not.
- Routine eye care. Clean gently every day to keep tear stains under control.
- Dental care from the beginning. Establish tooth brushing as a normal habit in puppyhood.
- A harness rather than a collar. This protects the sensitive neck of very small dogs.
- Real contact with other dogs. They need to learn to interact on their own feet rather than being carried.
Who does the Maltese suit?
People in flats and cities who spend plenty of time at home and want an attentive, affectionate small dog. Older owners seeking a manageable companion, and families with children old enough to handle a little dog gently. Anyone who enjoys grooming themselves or budgets for it.
Less suitable for full-time workers without care arrangements, people wanting an easy-care dog or households with very young children. For a similarly small dog needing much less grooming, look at the short-haired Chihuahua.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Maltese suitable for people with allergies? They barely shed because their hair grows continuously instead of falling out in cycles. This reduces hair in the home, but does not remove allergens from saliva and skin flakes. There are no allergy-free dogs. Spend time with an adult Maltese before deciding.
How often do they need the groomer? Every six to eight weeks for a short cut; less often with long hair, but with daily work at home. An appointment costs 50 to 90 euros depending on the region.
Do they bark a lot? They are watchful and like to alert you. Whether this becomes constant barking depends almost entirely on whether alerting is rewarded or calmly brought to an end in the first months.
White fur in front of the camera
Pure white fur is the ultimate challenge: the dog disappears against a pale background, while direct sun blows out detail. Photograph them against a quiet, medium-dark background in soft window light rather than outdoors at midday. Watercolour makes the silky hair look especially lively because the style uses soft washes. Read more in our photo tips.
The best time for the photo is the day after a grooming appointment. With a digital portrait, you receive the preview within 24 hours on working days and the finished file after approval. Print it later in whatever format you want. The same design comes ready-printed among our dog portraits.
When you collect a Maltese puppy, the free Puppy Starter Pack helps you through the first days, from arrival to the first night.
Further reading
- Havanese: beginner-friendly does not mean undemanding: similarly affectionate, a little sturdier
- Yorkshire Terrier: three kilos of terrier, not an accessory: the same long hair, a very different temperament
- Teaching your dog to stay alone: the most important exercise for a companion dog
