Maltese

This is what you need to know about the Maltese dog

A Maltese is probably one of the cutest dogs you can imagine. In addition, it just gets even cuter when it welcomes you home with great enthusiasm. The Maltese adapts easily, and the only thing you as a dog owner need to be prepared for is the fur care, which can be demanding. A Maltese is extremely friendly towards strangers and therefore probably not the best guard dog, but on the other hand a really good family dog.

The origin and training needs of the Maltese

Although it sounds as if the Maltese originates from Malta, this is not the case. However, it is a dog breed that can be traced back several thousand years. Back then, the small and fast dog was used to keep the pest population down. It wasn't the cat, but the Maltese that kept mice and rats at bay. At one point it became extremely popular with the upper classes.

To this day, there are still many images of the upper class, where the Maltese is seen as a permanent part of the family. The dog however did not get the amount of training that we know it benefits from today. All dog breeds benefit from being trained both physically and mentally, and the Maltese is no exception.

Start training your Maltese with a positive attitude and you can easily get far. A Maltese temperament can be described as playful and eager to learn, and because it is so positive towards other people, it is also very cooperative. It is a good idea to start dog training with your Maltese puppy because when they are well motivated as puppies, it is easier for you to maintain the rules that you would like to implement in everyday interactions with your Maltese.

How big does a Maltese get?

As can be seen in many of the old paintings, a Maltese does not grow very large. This is probably also part of the reason why many aristocratic women found it suitable for their household. An adult Maltese is between 20 and 25 cm tall and rarely weighs more than 4 kg. If it lives healthily and sensibly with you, you can look forward to 12-15 years of solid friendship.

A Maltese's size categorizes it as a small dog. But even though it is quite small, it can look much bigger thanks to the amount of fur it can get.

Grooming a Maltese

It may come as a surprise, but a Maltese is actually an allergy-friendly dog. Although it can have really long fur, it doesn't shed much. The beautiful coat of the Maltese is incredibly soft. It just requires more care on your part.

The soft fur must be brushed daily and washed at regular intervals. If you let your Maltese grow a fine beard, it's a good idea to wash it after every meal. The beautiful white fur is not as thick as it looks. Therefore, a Maltese will easily get cold. In addition, it can also be sensitive to too much heat.

The Maltese is a social dog

If you are looking for a new best friend, you can safely start looking at a Maltese puppy. Already as a puppy, the Maltese is a very loving, but still lively dog that wants to be with its people. The Maltese is very often contact-seeking, but without being too forward. If you choose a Maltese puppy, be prepared that it will be a little like having a small child.

Although the Maltese adapts easily, it is clearly most comfortable in the company of other people. It can be alone for short periods at a time, but it is not a dog that is suitable for being alone at home all day. It is worth taking into consideration, depending on how your everyday life looks like, whether a sociable dog like the Maltese suits you.

Maltese health and care

It is not often that your Maltese will get ill. Generally speaking, the Maltese is a healthy and fit dog, and it is mainly only the fur that requires a little extra care. However, it is good advice to pay attention to the Maltese's teeth and eyes. The Maltese has a greater risk of developing inflammation of the eyes or infections of the tear ducts.

As with many of the small dog breeds, there is a greater risk of the Maltese developing dental problems. But you can easily help prevent this with good dog dental care, which you should start from when the dog is a puppy. In this way, it quickly gets used to regular dental care.

Make sure that the Maltese gets a healthy and balanced diet, which helps to strengthen the bones and keep the coat healthy and shiny. A walk a day is also always a good recommendation, so that your dog gets regular exercise.