Maltese

The Maltese is a long-lived toy breed, typically reaching around 12–15 years and often longer with good care. Small dogs generally outlive larger ones, and many Maltese stay bright and active well into their teens. Genetics set the range, but keeping your dog at a healthy weight, staying on top of dental care, providing gentle daily exercise and routine veterinary checks all help yours reach the upper end. Buying from a responsible Kennel Club Assured Breeder also reduces the risk of inherited problems.

Yes. The Maltese has a single, long, silky white coat that grows continuously and has no undercoat, so it needs daily brushing to prevent mats and tangles, plus regular bathing and either a full-length show coat or a shorter, lower-maintenance pet clip from a groomer every few weeks. They also need daily eye care to manage tear staining, regular nail trims, ear checks and frequent tooth brushing. It is a fairly demanding grooming commitment, so factor in the time and the cost of professional grooming.

Maltese make wonderful companions and can be lovely family dogs for the right household. They are affectionate, playful and people-focused, and tend to bond closely with their owners. The main caution is their tiny, fragile size: they can be easily injured by rough or unpredictable handling, so they suit homes with older, gentle children or careful adults rather than busy households with toddlers. With early socialisation and consistent, kind training they are devoted, characterful little dogs.

In the UK a well-bred Maltese puppy from a Kennel Club Assured Breeder usually costs several hundred to over a thousand pounds, depending on the breeder and lines. The larger figure is the lifetime cost: across 12–15 years, food, insurance, regular professional grooming, dental care, vaccinations, parasite control and vet bills add up to a meaningful monthly commitment. As a small breed they eat little, but their grooming and dental needs make running costs higher than many people expect.

No dog is truly hypoallergenic, but the Maltese is often considered a good choice for some allergy sufferers because it has a single, hair-like coat with no undercoat and sheds very little. Allergens come mainly from dander, saliva and urine rather than hair itself, so reactions are still possible. If someone in your home has allergies, spend time with the breed before committing, keep up regular grooming and cleaning, and speak to a doctor about managing symptoms.

As a toy breed, Maltese are prone to dental disease because of their small, crowded mouths, and to patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps). They can also be affected by collapsing trachea, which is why a harness is far safer than a collar, and by liver shunts (portosystemic shunts) and a neurological condition sometimes called white shaker syndrome. Tear staining is common and usually cosmetic. Buying from a health-focused breeder, keeping teeth clean and protecting their delicate frame all help reduce the risks.

A well-fitted harness is strongly recommended for Maltese. Like many toy breeds they can be prone to a collapsing trachea, and pressure on the throat from a collar — especially if the dog pulls or lunges — can aggravate the windpipe and trigger coughing. A harness spreads the pressure across the chest and shoulders instead. Keep a collar for ID tag and microchip details, which are a legal requirement, but attach the lead to a harness for walks.

Maltese are small but lively and enjoy daily activity. Around 30 minutes of exercise a day, split into shorter walks plus play and training, suits most adults, though many happily do more. They are sensitive to heat and cold given their size and single coat, so avoid the hottest part of the day in summer and consider a coat in cold, wet weather. Mental stimulation through games, training and gentle enrichment matters just as much as physical exercise for this bright little breed.

Reddish-brown tear stains under the eyes are very common in Maltese because of their white coat and facial structure, which can mean tears overflow onto the fur. The staining is caused by pigments in the tears and is usually cosmetic rather than harmful. Gentle daily cleaning around the eyes, keeping the hair trimmed away from them and using fresh water can help. However, sudden, heavy or one-sided tearing, or any redness or discomfort, should be checked by a vet, as it can signal a blocked duct, infection or eye problem.

Maltese can be vocal. They are alert little dogs that often bark to announce visitors or anything unusual, and some develop a barking habit if bored, anxious or insufficiently exercised. Early socialisation, consistent training, plenty of mental stimulation and not rewarding attention-seeking barking all help keep it in proportion. They can also be prone to separation-related distress because they bond so closely with their people, so gradual training to be left alone is important to prevent excessive barking.

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.

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.

Minimal shedding. Coat upkeep is daily / professional — plan on frequent brushing and regular trips to a groomer.

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.

Moderate barker. They are usually fairly easy-going about barking, though any dog will bark if bored or under-exercised.

Generally fine with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.

Flat-friendly. A Maltese can adapt to flat living as long as it gets its daily exercise and company.