Meet the Maltese
The Maltese is one of the oldest companion breeds in the world, a small white dog that has charmed Mediterranean households for thousands of years. Bred in the region around Malta, it was prized purely as a lap dog and a comfort to its people, never as a working or hunting animal. That long history shows in the modern Maltese: a glamorous, flowing white coat, dark expressive eyes, and a personality built entirely around being close to its humans.
Despite the fancy show-ring image, a well-bred Maltese is a sturdy little character at heart, weighing under 7 pounds and standing only 7 to 9 inches tall. They carry themselves with a confident, bouncy gait and surprising boldness for their size. As with any breed, individuals vary, and a thoughtful breeder or a reputable rescue can tell you far more about a particular dog’s temperament than the breed label alone.
Personality & temperament
Maltese are gentle, affectionate, and genuinely people-loving. They tend to bond closely with their household and want to be wherever you are, on the couch, at your desk, or following you from room to room. They are also lively and playful well into their senior years, with a curious, mischievous streak that keeps them entertaining.
Two traits deserve honest mention. First, Maltese can be barky. They are alert and quick to announce visitors, noises, or anything out of the ordinary, and that vocal habit can grow if it goes unmanaged. Second, they strongly dislike being left alone. A Maltese left isolated for long stretches may develop anxiety, destructive habits, or excessive barking. If your routine involves long days away, read up on separation anxiety in dogs before bringing one home, and plan for company, daycare, or a sitter.
Early, gentle socialization and positive-reinforcement training help enormously. Maltese are smart and food-motivated, so they learn quickly, but their small size means owners sometimes skip training “because they’re cute.” Don’t. A well-mannered Maltese is a much happier companion.
Living with a Maltese
This is close to a perfect apartment dog. Exercise needs are modest: a couple of short walks and some indoor play usually satisfy a healthy adult. They don’t need a yard, and they’re sensitive to heat and cold given their size, so they’re well suited to indoor life.
Their biggest practical challenge is fragility. At under 7 pounds, a Maltese can be injured by a jump off the sofa, a misjudged step, or rough handling. Homes with very young children or larger, boisterous dogs need to manage interactions carefully. Teach children to sit and let the dog come to them rather than chasing or carrying it.
One specific equipment note: always walk a Maltese on a harness, never a neck collar. Like many toy breeds, they are prone to a collapsing trachea, and pressure on the throat can trigger coughing or worse. A well-fitted harness protects the windpipe and gives you better control.
Grooming & care
The silky white single coat is the Maltese’s signature, and it is also the single biggest commitment you’re signing up for. Because the coat is low-shedding and grows long, it mats easily without daily brushing. Many owners opt for a short “puppy clip” from a groomer, which keeps the coat manageable and still looks adorable while cutting daily brushing time.
Tear staining is common: the reddish-brown marks below the eyes that show up vividly against white fur. Gentle daily face cleaning, fresh water, and a vet check to rule out blocked tear ducts or irritation all help keep it under control.
Two routine tasks matter more in this breed than in many others. Dental care is critical, because toy breeds crowd a full set of teeth into a tiny jaw and are highly prone to periodontal disease; daily tooth brushing and professional cleanings are worth the effort, as covered in our guide to dog dental care. Nail care is also easy to neglect on a small, lightly exercised dog, so keep a regular schedule using our walkthrough on how to trim dog nails.
Health
Maltese are generally long-lived, often reaching 12 to 15 years, but the breed carries some recognized health risks worth knowing about. The most common is periodontal disease, driven by their small mouths; left unmanaged, it affects comfort, eating, and overall health.
Orthopedically, luxating patella (a slipping kneecap) appears in many toy breeds and ranges from mild to surgical. Collapsing trachea is another concern, which is why the harness recommendation isn’t optional. Portosystemic liver shunt, an abnormal blood vessel that bypasses the liver, occurs more often in small breeds and can be screened for. White shaker syndrome, a tremor disorder seen in small white dogs, usually responds well to veterinary treatment. And because puppies are so tiny, hypoglycemia (a dangerous drop in blood sugar) is a real risk in the first months, managed with frequent meals and quick veterinary attention.
The best protection is choosing health-tested parents. Responsible breeders screen for patella and cardiac issues and are transparent about their lines; databases from the OFA and guidance from the Merck Veterinary Manual are good reference points. Adoption is also a wonderful route, and a good rescue will share what they know about a dog’s health and history.
Is a Maltese right for you?
A Maltese is an outstanding choice if you want a deeply affectionate, low-shedding lap dog and you’re honest about the trade-offs. The flip side of that devotion is that they don’t do well left alone all day, and the flip side of that gorgeous coat is real, ongoing grooming. Add in non-negotiable dental care and careful handling for a fragile little body, and you have a clear picture.
Commit to the grooming, the dental routine, and the companionship they crave, and a Maltese will reward you with one of the most loving, loyal small-dog relationships you can find. As always, individual dogs vary, so meet a few, ask breeders or rescues plenty of questions, and choose the dog whose temperament fits your life.