Maltese Breed Guide: Silky, Sweet and Surprisingly Bold

Reviewed by Dr. Jamshed Bilal, DVM

Few dogs in the world combine ancient heritage, breathtaking beauty, and genuine fearlessness in such a small package as the Maltese. With their cloud-white silky coats, dark expressive eyes, and outsized confidence, these charming little dogs have captivated royalty, artists, and ordinary dog lovers for more than two thousand years. If you are considering adding a Maltese to your home, understanding what truly makes this breed tick — beyond the glamorous exterior — will help you decide whether this elegant companion is the right fit for your life.

Maltese Breed History and Overview

The Maltese is one of the oldest known toy breeds in the world, with a history that stretches back at least two thousand years into the ancient Mediterranean world. References to small white dogs resembling the Maltese appear in ancient Greek and Roman texts, and it is widely believed that the breed originated on or near the island of Malta, from which it takes its name — though some historians suggest origins in Sicily or other parts of the central Mediterranean. Whatever its precise geographic birthplace, the Maltese was unquestionably a pampered companion breed from the very beginning, cherished by aristocratic women in ancient Greece and Rome who valued its delicate beauty and devoted temperament.

By the time of the Renaissance, the Maltese had become an established favourite among European nobility, appearing in portraits alongside queens, countesses, and ladies of high social standing. The breed's reputation as a symbol of luxury and refinement persisted through the centuries. In the nineteenth century, breeders in Britain worked to standardise the type, and the Maltese was among the early breeds recognised by the American Kennel Club when it was founded. Today, the AKC classifies the Maltese within the Toy Group, where it sits alongside other diminutive companion breeds.

In terms of physical characteristics, the Maltese is a compact, well-balanced small dog typically weighing between two and four kilograms and standing no more than twenty to twenty-five centimetres at the shoulder. The defining feature is the long, straight, silky white coat that, when grown to its full length, sweeps the ground like a bridal train. The face is gentle and expressive, with round dark eyes and a black nose that contrasts sharply against the white coat. Despite their delicate appearance, the body beneath that magnificent coat is surprisingly sturdy and well-muscled for such a small dog. The Maltese consistently ranks among the most popular toy breeds in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, and the breed's combination of elegance and personality continues to attract devoted fans worldwide.

Personality and Temperament

Anyone who has ever lived with a Maltese will quickly confirm that there is nothing small about this breed's personality. The Maltese is affectionate, playful, and deeply devoted to its family, forming intensely close bonds with the people it loves. They thrive on human company and are happiest when they are involved in family activities, whether that means sitting on your lap while you work, accompanying you on errands, or simply following you from room to room. Maltese do not enjoy being left alone for extended periods, and dogs that spend too much time in isolation can develop separation anxiety — a condition that manifests as excessive barking, destructive behaviour, and visible distress.

What surprises many first-time Maltese owners is the breed's boldness. Despite weighing just a few kilograms, a Maltese will not hesitate to stand its ground, voice its opinion loudly, or investigate anything unfamiliar with absolute confidence. They are alert and observant, making surprisingly effective watchdogs who will announce the arrival of any visitor with considerable enthusiasm. This feisty side of the Maltese temperament is part of what makes the breed so characterful and entertaining, but it also means that the bold little dog does not always recognise its own physical limitations — which is why supervision around much larger dogs and small children is important.

The Maltese can also be stubborn. This is a breed that has centuries of experience charming humans into giving it exactly what it wants, and they are not above using that considerable charm to avoid doing things they would rather not do. This stubbornness does not mean the Maltese is unintelligent — quite the opposite. It means that they are clever enough to work out what they can get away with. Consistent, patient training from early puppyhood is essential to prevent small dog syndrome, a pattern of behaviours in which a small dog is allowed to make its own rules because its owners find its defiance more amusing than concerning.

The Maltese Coat — Grooming Reality

The Maltese coat is genuinely one of the most beautiful of any dog breed — long, straight, and extraordinarily silky to the touch, with a pure white colour that requires consistent maintenance to keep looking its best. Unlike most breeds, the Maltese has a single-layer coat with no woolly undercoat, which means it sheds very little and does not produce the same seasonal volume of loose fur that double-coated breeds do. However, the absence of an undercoat does not mean the Maltese coat is low maintenance — in many respects, it is the opposite.

Kept in its full traditional length, the Maltese coat demands daily brushing to prevent tangles and matting. The fine, silky texture is prone to forming tight mats at the root, particularly behind the ears, in the armpits, and around the collar area. Once a mat forms close to the skin, it must either be carefully worked out with a detangling spray or, in severe cases, clipped out entirely. Regular bathing — typically once every one to two weeks — is necessary to maintain coat cleanliness, and conditioning treatments are important to keep the hair supple and manageable. Many owners also apply a light coat oil or detangling spray between baths to make daily brushing easier.

Tear staining is one of the most persistent cosmetic challenges of Maltese ownership. The breed is prone to excessive eye discharge that, against the white coat, creates reddish-brown staining beneath the eyes. This staining can be managed with daily cleaning of the eye area using a soft damp cloth or tear-stain wipes, keeping the hair around the eyes trimmed short to prevent it from irritating the eye surface, and ensuring the dog is fed a high-quality diet. Persistent staining may sometimes indicate an underlying issue such as blocked tear ducts or eye irritation and warrants veterinary attention.

The vast majority of pet owners find that maintaining a full show coat is simply not practical alongside a busy daily life, and this is why the puppy cut has become the most popular styling choice for pet Maltese. The puppy cut clips the coat to a short, uniform length all over the body — typically two to five centimetres — which dramatically reduces brushing frequency, eliminates most matting problems, and makes the dog considerably easier to keep clean. Even in a puppy cut, a Maltese will require professional grooming every six to eight weeks to maintain the trim, and owners should budget accordingly. Professional grooming appointments for a Maltese can range from forty to one hundred pounds or more per session depending on location and coat condition.

Exercise Needs

The Maltese has low to moderate exercise requirements, which makes the breed genuinely well-suited to apartment living and to owners who cannot commit to the long, vigorous daily exercise sessions demanded by larger working or sporting breeds. A Maltese will typically be content with two short walks per day — each around fifteen to twenty minutes — combined with indoor play sessions and opportunities to explore and sniff. Despite their low exercise demands, the Maltese is a surprisingly energetic and playful little dog that enjoys a good game of fetch, chasing a toy, or tumbling around the garden with its family.

Mental stimulation is equally important for this intelligent breed. Maltese dogs that are physically exercised but intellectually unstimulated can become bored, which often manifests as barking, attention-seeking behaviour, or mild destructiveness. Short training sessions, puzzle feeders, and interactive toys all help to keep the Maltese's sharp mind engaged. Because of their small size, they should always be exercised in safe, secure environments — off-lead exercise in open, unfenced areas carries the risk of encounters with larger dogs, birds of prey, or other hazards that can pose a genuine threat to a dog of this size. Their exercise needs can easily be met within an urban environment, which contributes to the breed's enduring popularity with city dwellers.

Common Health Problems

The Maltese is generally a healthy breed with a long lifespan, but like all pedigree dogs it is predisposed to certain health conditions that prospective owners should be aware of. Luxating patella — a condition in which the kneecap slips out of its normal position — is common in many small breeds including the Maltese. Mild cases may cause only occasional lameness or a characteristic skipping gait, while severe cases can cause persistent pain and may require surgical correction. Regular veterinary check-ups will help catch this condition early and monitor its progression.

Dental disease is arguably the most significant and widespread health problem in the Maltese, as it is across most small and toy breeds. Small dogs have the same number of adult teeth as large dogs but considerably less jaw space to accommodate them, leading to crowding, tartar accumulation, and gum disease from a very early age. Left untreated, dental disease progresses to painful tooth root infections, tooth loss, and systemic inflammation that can affect the heart, kidneys, and liver. Daily tooth brushing is the single most effective preventive measure, and Maltese owners who commit to this from puppyhood can significantly reduce the frequency and cost of professional dental cleanings under anaesthetic. For more information on keeping your dog's teeth healthy, see the dog dental care guide.

Tracheal collapse is a condition in which the cartilage rings supporting the trachea weaken and flatten, causing the airway to partially collapse. It is particularly common in small and toy breeds and typically presents as a distinctive honking cough that worsens with excitement, pulling on the lead, or exposure to heat and humidity. Using a harness rather than a collar for all walks is strongly recommended for Maltese, as collar pressure on the neck can trigger and worsen tracheal collapse symptoms. Mild cases are often managed medically, while severe cases may require surgical intervention.

White Dog Shaker Syndrome, also known as Generalised Tremor Syndrome, is a neurological condition that disproportionately affects white-coated breeds including the Maltese. It causes full-body tremors that typically appear in young adult dogs between six months and three years of age and can vary from mild to severe. The underlying cause is not fully understood, but the condition generally responds well to corticosteroid treatment. Finally, hypoglycaemia — low blood sugar — is a concern particularly in Maltese puppies and very small adults. Young Maltese puppies are especially vulnerable and must be fed small meals frequently throughout the day to maintain stable blood glucose levels. Signs of hypoglycaemia include weakness, disorientation, trembling, and in severe cases, seizures or loss of consciousness, all of which require immediate veterinary attention.

Training a Maltese

The Maltese is an intelligent dog that is perfectly capable of learning a wide range of commands, tricks, and behavioural expectations — but this intelligence comes packaged with an independent streak and a willingness to test boundaries that can frustrate owners who are not prepared for it. The key to successful Maltese training is positive reinforcement. This is a breed that responds beautifully to praise, treats, play, and affection as rewards, and shuts down entirely under harsh correction or punishment-based methods. Shouting, physical correction, or expressing frustration during training sessions will undermine trust and make the Maltese less willing to engage — not more.

Training sessions should be short — typically five to ten minutes — and frequent, with plenty of variety to hold the Maltese's attention. This breed bores easily with repetition and will simply disengage if sessions become monotonous. Socialisation from a young age is critically important. Maltese puppies should be exposed to a wide range of people, sounds, environments, and — with careful supervision — other dogs and animals, so that they grow into confident, well-adjusted adults rather than anxious or reactive ones. Puppy classes provide an excellent foundation and an opportunity for early, structured socialisation in a controlled environment. House training is one area where many new Maltese owners encounter difficulty. Small breeds can be notoriously slow to become reliably house trained, and consistency, a strict routine, and patience are essential. Crate training, used positively and never punitively, can be a very effective tool for toilet training a Maltese puppy. For guidance on introducing a new dog to your home, see the new dog owner checklist.

Is a Maltese Right for You?

The Maltese is a wonderful companion dog for the right owner, but it is not the right breed for everyone, and being honest about that upfront prevents heartbreak for both the dog and the family. This is a breed that needs company. A Maltese left alone for eight or more hours per day while its owner works full-time will be unhappy, anxious, and likely destructive or excessively vocal. If your lifestyle involves long periods away from home, you will need to make alternative arrangements — a dog walker, doggy daycare, or a companion animal — before the Maltese can truly thrive in your home.

The grooming commitment is real and ongoing. Even if you opt for the practical puppy cut, regular professional grooming appointments are a financial and logistical commitment that should be factored into your decision. The Maltese suits apartment life very well, provided the dog is given adequate daily exercise and stimulation, and their modest physical size means that even very small homes can accommodate them comfortably. They are better suited to households with older, gentle children or adult-only households than to families with very young toddlers who cannot yet be counted on to handle a fragile small dog safely. For those who can meet their need for companionship, grooming care, and consistent training, the Maltese rewards its owners with extraordinary devotion, endless charm, and a lively personality that makes every day more entertaining. Few breeds combine two thousand years of refined companionship genetics into such a small, beautiful, and spirited package.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Maltese dogs bark a lot?

Yes, Maltese dogs can be quite vocal and are known for being alert little dogs who will announce visitors, unfamiliar sounds, and anything they consider suspicious. Their bark is surprisingly sharp and persistent for such a small dog, which means they make effective watchdogs despite their diminutive size. Without consistent training from puppyhood, excessive barking can become a problematic habit. Fortunately, Maltese are intelligent enough to learn when barking is and is not appropriate with patient, positive reinforcement-based training — but owners should understand that managing vocalisation is part of the commitment of owning this breed.

Are Maltese dogs hypoallergenic?

No dog breed is truly hypoallergenic, but the Maltese is considered one of the better choices for people with mild dog allergies. They have a single-layer coat with no undercoat, which means they shed very little compared to double-coated breeds, and therefore distribute less dander and fur into the environment. Most dog allergies are triggered by the protein Can f 1 found in dog saliva, skin cells, and urine rather than the fur itself — which means even low-shedding dogs can cause reactions in highly sensitive individuals. Anyone with dog allergies who is considering a Maltese is strongly advised to spend time with the breed before committing, to assess their personal reaction.

How much grooming does a Maltese need?

If kept in a traditional full-length show coat, a Maltese requires daily brushing to prevent mats and tangles, plus regular bathing, coat conditioning, and meticulous tear stain management around the eyes. Most pet owners find this level of grooming extremely demanding and opt for the practical puppy cut, which keeps the coat trimmed to a short, manageable length requiring brushing only a few times per week and professional grooming every six to eight weeks. Regardless of coat length, regular nail trimming, ear cleaning, and especially dental care are essential components of Maltese grooming. Professional grooming costs for a Maltese can add up significantly over time, so prospective owners should factor this into their budget.

Are Maltese good with children?

Maltese can do well with children who are gentle, calm, and old enough to understand how to handle a very small dog respectfully, but they are generally not recommended as the ideal breed for families with very young children. Because of their tiny size — typically weighing between three and four kilograms — they are physically fragile and can be seriously injured by rough handling, accidental drops, or boisterous play. Maltese also tend to be sensitive and can become anxious or defensive if they feel overwhelmed by chaotic, unpredictable energy. Families with school-aged children who have been taught proper dog handling etiquette will generally have more success than those with toddlers or very young infants.

How long do Maltese dogs live?

The Maltese is a long-lived breed, with a typical lifespan of twelve to fifteen years, and many individuals reaching sixteen years or beyond with excellent care. As a small breed, the Maltese generally avoids many of the age-related health issues that affect larger dogs, though they are prone to their own set of breed-specific conditions including dental disease, luxating patellas, and tracheal collapse. Consistent veterinary care, a high-quality diet, regular dental hygiene, a healthy body weight, and plenty of mental and physical stimulation all contribute significantly to longevity and quality of life in the Maltese. Owners who commit to preventive health care often find themselves enjoying many wonderful years with their companion.

For further reading on keeping your dog healthy and happy, explore our complete dog care guide, our dedicated dog dental care guide, and the new dog owner checklist if you are preparing to welcome a Maltese into your home for the first time.

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Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for your pet's health and medical needs.