Maltese
Overview
An ancient Mediterranean lapdog prized for over two thousand years, the Maltese was bred solely as a companion, draped in a long, silky, low-shedding white coat. Gentle, affectionate and lively. It suits owners — flats included — happy to commit to daily grooming, gentle handling, and the dental care small toy breeds need.
Temperament & family fit
In general, a Maltese is fine with sensible, older children and generally fine with other dogs. They tend to be a moderate barker, and as a guide they are manageable for committed beginners. As with any dog, early socialisation, reward-based training and supervision around young children make all the difference.
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Maltese typically needs around 30 minutes (gentle, broken into shorter walks) of exercise a day (roughly 30–45 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk, some play and a little training usually keeps them content; mental stimulation matters as much as the distance covered. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Coat upkeep is daily / professional and shedding is minimal. Plan on frequent brushing — often several times a week — plus regular trips to a professional groomer to keep the coat free of mats. Whatever the coat, check ears, nails and teeth as part of a regular routine.
Feeding considerations
Like any dog, a Maltese should get most of its nutrition from a complete, balanced dog food appropriate for its size and life stage. Portions scale with body weight and activity, so a toy breed will eat relatively little compared with other breeds — follow the food’s feeding guide and your vet’s advice, and weigh portions to avoid creeping weight gain. Treats — including fruit and veg — should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.
Pros & cons
Pros
- +Affectionate, gentle and very low-shedding
- +A perfect lap-sized companion for flats
Things to consider
- –Long coat needs daily grooming
- –Can be vocal and clingy, and prone to dental issues
Is a Maltese right for you?
On space, a Maltese is flat-friendly — they can adapt to a flat as long as they get their daily exercise and company. For experience level, they are manageable for committed beginners. First-time owners can absolutely succeed, but should be ready for consistent training, exercise and (ideally) some support.
Kit that suits a Maltese
Size-appropriate everyday essentials:
Helpful tools
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
Are Malteses good with children?
Fine with sensible, older children. As a general guide, Malteses tend to be fine with sensible, older children. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a Maltese need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Maltese needs around 30 minutes (gentle, broken into shorter walks) of exercise a day (30–45 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk plus some play and training usually keeps them happy. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Malteses shed a lot?
Minimal shedding. Coat upkeep is daily / professional — plan on frequent brushing and regular trips to a groomer.
Are Malteses easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Manageable for committed beginners. Malteses are best for owners ready to commit to consistent training and plenty of activity. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Malteses bark a lot?
Moderate barker. They are usually fairly easy-going about barking, though any dog will bark if bored or under-exercised.
Are Malteses good with other dogs?
Generally fine with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Malteses suit flats or smaller homes?
Flat-friendly. A Maltese can adapt to flat living as long as it gets its daily exercise and company.