Maltese
Toy Group · One of the World's Oldest Companion Breeds · Elegance in White
Under 7 lbsWeight
7–9"Height
12–15 yrsLifespan
WhiteColors
★★★★☆Family Dog
Toy Group · One of the World's Oldest Companion Breeds · Elegance in White
Watch this video for a quick overview of the Maltese — one of the oldest and most graceful companion dogs in history, beloved by royalty for over 2,000 years.
The Maltese is one of the oldest and most consistently bred companion dogs in history. For at least 2,800 years, small white dogs matching the Maltese description have been depicted in art and writing from ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt, and Asia. Aristotle referenced them. Roman noblewomen carried them in their sleeves. They have been prized by aristocracy across cultures and centuries.
The modern Maltese carries that heritage beautifully — they are silky-coated, elegant, and utterly devoted companions. Their pure white floor-length coat in show condition is one of the most stunning sights in the dog world. Most pet owners opt for a shorter "puppy cut" that's far more practical. Either way, the Maltese's gentle, playful personality makes them a joy to own.
Real Maltese — from flowing show coats to practical puppy cuts, showcasing the bright eyes and pure white coat of this ancient companion breed.
The Maltese is gentle, affectionate, and playful — a true companion dog that thrives on human contact. They are lively and spirited despite their small size, often showing the confident, bold streak that many toy breeds possess. They love to play and can be surprisingly energetic in short bursts before settling into lap dog mode.
Maltese are generally friendly with adults and older children but can be snappy if handled roughly or frightened — their small size makes them vulnerable to inadvertent injury from very young children. They do best with households where they can be treated gently. They are typically good with other small dogs and can coexist with cats.
Maltese have modest exercise needs that are easily met with a couple of short walks and indoor play. Their tiny size means they get a workout from activities that seem minimal to humans. They are well-suited to apartment living and are popular with urban dwellers. They should not be over-exercised — their small joints aren't built for strenuous activity.
The Maltese's long, silky white coat is beautiful but requires significant commitment to maintain. Their coat grows continuously (like human hair) and does not shed much, making them relatively allergy-friendly — but it will mat badly without regular brushing. Most pet owners choose a short puppy cut for practicality. The white coat shows staining around the eyes and mouth easily.
Maltese are intelligent and capable of learning a wide range of commands, but like many toy breeds, they can be stubborn and may take their own sweet time with housetraining. Consistent crate training makes a significant difference. Short, positive, food-reward sessions work best. Don't allow bad behavior just because they're small and cute — "small dog syndrome" is a training failure, not a breed trait.
Maltese are generally healthy with good longevity. Their main concerns are the typical small dog issues: dental disease (very common in all small breeds), patellar luxation, and tracheal collapse. Always use a harness instead of a collar. Regular dental care — including at-home brushing — is one of the most impactful things you can do for a Maltese's long-term health.
A Maltese is perfect for adults, seniors, couples, and families with older children who want a gentle, elegant, low-exercise companion. They thrive in apartments. Their grooming commitment is the main consideration. They're not ideal for families with rough young children, very active owners, or those who can't commit to regular grooming and dental care.
Maltese are tiny, elegant dogs — typically 4–7 lbs — with fast metabolisms and small stomachs. They need calorie-dense small-breed kibble split into multiple meals. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a real risk in puppies and very small adults, so never skip meals.
| Life Stage | Daily Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy (2–12 mo) | ¼ – ½ cup/day | 3–4 tiny meals/day; watch closely for hypoglycemia |
| Adult (1–10 yr) | ¼ – ½ cup/day | 2–3 meals/day; small-breed formula; measure carefully |
| Senior (10+ yr) | ¼ – ⅓ cup/day | Softer food if dental issues arise; reduce if less active |
Always provide fresh water. Keep treats to ≤10% of daily calories. Avoid chocolate, grapes, onions, and xylitol — all toxic to dogs.
| Expense | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Puppy from Breeder | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Monthly Food | $25 – $40 |
| Annual Vet Care | $400 – $900 |
| Professional Grooming | $50 – $90/visit (every 4–6 weeks) |
| Dental Cleanings | $200 – $400/year (Maltese are highly prone to dental disease) |
| Tear Stain Treatment | $10 – $30/month |
Adopt from a Maltese rescue for $100–$300. Their food costs are among the lowest of any breed. The biggest ongoing expenses are grooming and dental care — brushing teeth daily and learning basic home grooming can significantly cut annual costs.
The Maltese's silky white coat, gentle temperament, and tiny size make them one of the most popular toy breeds for designer crosses. Most Maltese mixes are low-shedding, affectionate, and perfectly suited to apartment living.
Parents: Maltese + Poodle
One of America's most beloved toy mixes — gentle, low-shedding, and endlessly affectionate. Perfect for seniors, singles, and apartment dwellers.
Parents: Maltese + Yorkshire Terrier
Tiny, spunky, and covered in silky hair. Gets the Yorkie's feistiness softened by the Maltese's sweet nature.
Parents: Maltese + Shih Tzu
Fluffy, calm, and deeply loving. Two ancient companion breeds combined into one adorable, low-energy lap dog.
Parents: Maltese + Bichon Frisé
Cloud-like and cheerful. Both parent breeds were bred purely for companionship — the result is a gentle, happy, powder-puff of a dog.
The Maltese is one of the oldest dog breeds in existence. Ancient Greeks and Romans adored them — Aristotle mentioned the breed around 370 BC, and Maltese dogs appear in Egyptian tombs, Greek ceramics, and Roman poetry.
For millennia, Maltese were exclusively owned by nobility and royalty. Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Elizabeth I, and Marie Antoinette all kept Maltese. Their association with wealth and status earned them the nickname "The Comforter of Kings."
Like Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese have hair rather than fur. It grows continuously and barely sheds, making them an excellent choice for allergy sufferers. The trade-off: without regular grooming, their coat mats severely.
Don't let the silk and white coat fool you — Maltese are surprisingly bold and have been known to take on much larger dogs. Ancient Romans called them "the fearless ones," and modern Maltese still carry that confident, stubborn streak.
Maltese have no undercoat and very little body fat, making them extremely sensitive to cold. Many owners dress them in sweaters during winter — not just for looks, but genuine protection against hypothermia on cold days.