Maltese

Temperament:

Playful, Active, Intelligent
Size: Small
Height: 20-25 cm
Weight: 3-4 kg
Lifespan: 18 years
Coat: Longhair
Colors: White
FCI Group: Companion and Toy Dogs

The Maltese is a very old breed of dog. Its traces can be traced back four thousand years to the empire of the ancient Egyptian pharaohs. Often ridiculed today as a lap dog, there is much more to this little bundle of energy than its cute appearance initially suggests. The Maltese is a sincere and very dignified little dog that is uncomplicated and lovable to handle.

Maltese
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Characteristics

The Maltese is easily recognizable by its long, silky and pure white coat. The dark-rimmed eyes and the black button nose give it its typical appearance. Cream or greyish colors are rare. Shades of yellow do occur, but are not desired according to the breed standard. If the coat is not trimmed, it grows smoothly down to the ground.

With a shoulder height of 20 to 25 cm, the Maltese belongs to the dwarf dog breeds. The breeding standard stipulates that the body length must exceed the height at the withers. The weight is 4 to 5 kg.

However, the Maltese is not just a lap dog. It is active, loves exercise and lots of short walks. Its sociable nature and manageable size make it an ideal companion for older people. Once a day, the Maltese really wants to let off steam. Long walks with the opportunity to run free, dog playgroups or extended playtime at home are ideal for this.

The Maltese is considered to be very intelligent, eager to learn and affectionate. Dog sports such as agility, dog dancing or tracking are possible with him. The hunting instinct in open terrain is moderately pronounced. He loves to playfully lay out small tracks and follow them. Hidden toys or treats can make him happy.

The Maltese is also suitable as a city and single dog. It has a centuries-long history as a companion dog and forms very close bonds. It should not be left to its own devices for too long. Boredom and loneliness can make a Maltese aggressive. If you have little time for your dog, a second caregiver is a good solution. Dog sitters are suitable for this or you can share your dog with a loving person.

The Maltese has a very high life expectancy. The average is 18 years, occasionally they even live to be over 20 years old.

Coat care:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Shedding:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Energy level:

Little
Medium
High

Trainability:

Little
Medium
Good

Children suitable:

Less
With supervision
Perfect

The right food

When choosing food, make sure that it contains high-quality ingredients, is balanced and meets your dog's requirements. Age, size or weight, activity and health status play an important role. You should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of food.

Treats should only be fed in moderation and deducted from the basic diet to avoid obesity.

Puppies can be fed 4-6 times a day. The number of meals should be gradually reduced to 2 per day until the dog is fully grown. A rest period should be observed after meals.

Fresh drinking water should be available at all times.

Health & Care

Due to its long coat, the Maltese is a little more time-consuming to groom. However, brushing and trimming should not be a chore, but fun for both of you. If you don't want your dog to have floor-length fur, you will need to trim him regularly or take him to the groomer.

Comb your Maltese's coat well on a regular basis. Grooming removes dirt, plant debris and other foreign objects. These foreign objects can quickly lead to tangles if the coat is worn for a long time. Long fur also tends to become matted in the armpits and at other movement points. A coat care spray can help in these areas. These care products make the hair easy to comb and impregnate it against dirt.

The best coat care is also a healthy and balanced diet. You can quickly tell from your dog's coat whether it is sufficiently supplied with vitamins and vital substances. If it is nice and silky and falls loose, everything is fine. A deficiency is indicated by a greasy or dull and matted coat.

The Maltese's facial and head hair also requires special attention. Hair on the head and face can fall into the eyes and irritate them. Maltese are prone to tearing. You should remove these regularly, as the remains of the tear fluid leave unsightly reddish-brown stains in the coat.

You can get help with grooming your dog's facial hair at the dog grooming salon. They can also show you how to style your dog yourself. Nice hair clips are suitable for taming facial hair.

Suitable accessories

You will need accessories in small sizes for your Maltese. Normally, all standard products for small dogs should also fit your Maltese. You can take your Maltese directly to almost every store to try them on. If you order accessories online, you should make sure that you have convenient exchange and return options.

Instead of a collar, Maltese dogs will also gratefully accept a smart harness that takes some of the strain off their neck. With harnesses, always make sure that the width of the chest part can also be adjusted. A slightly tighter harness is safer at the vet or when traveling.

You should buy suitable brushes, combs or even a soft grooming glove for grooming your dog. Maltese dogs occasionally need to have their claws trimmed. You can also do this yourself. Special safety scissors are available from pet supply stores at reasonable prices.

Other accessories that are part of every dog's basic equipment: dog basket or dog mat as a place to retreat, water and food bowl, tick tweezers, mild dog shampoo, dog toothbrush and cream, transport box for transportation in the car and a first aid kit. It's best to ask your vet what should be in the first aid kit.

Maltese history

Origin & History

The name of the breed suggests that the dogs originate from the Mediterranean island of Malta. This is not necessarily the case. Rather, the name "Maltese" is derived from the Semitic word "malat" for harbor or place of refuge. The ancestors of today's Maltese lived in the harbor and coastal towns around the central Mediterranean. Certainly also on Malta, but not exclusively. Their task in the port facilities was to track down rats and mice. They kept the warehouses clean and spread the word via the shipping and trade routes.

To this day, traveling is in the Maltese's blood. He can easily be taken on longer vacation trips. He would rather accompany his master and mistress than have to do without his human in a kennel.

In the 4th century BC, the Greek naturalist Aristotle described the "canes malitenses".

The history of the Maltese probably goes back much further. In the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II (1301 to 1225 BC) there were dog statues made of natural stone that were very similar to the Maltese.

Much later, in ancient Rome, the small white dogs emerged as popular companions for the noble ladies of society. The famous Roman poet Strabon sang about the pride of the animals and the beauty of their owners.

The Maltese was to consolidate its status as a dog of high society over the centuries. Famous works of art from the Renaissance show this breed at the side of fine gentlemen and ladies. Today, the Maltese is found in many breeding lines all over the world.