¶Table of Contents
¶Quick Facts
The Maltese is a small companion dog suited to someone who wants a close, alert companion and has plenty of time for coat care. The breed may enjoy long walks and play as much as quiet time on a lap. Its small size does not mean that it simply wants to be carried, although it does call for gentle handling.
- Origin and home country: the central Mediterranean and Italy
- Breed group: Group 9, companion and toy dogs
- Size: males 21–25 cm and females 20–23 cm at the withers
- Weight: 3–4 kg under the breed standard
- Coat: long, straight, white and silky, with no undercoat
- A good match for: someone seeking a lively little companion who is ready for regular coat, dental and general care
A Maltese can suit a first-time owner, but a newcomer must still be prepared to learn about grooming and work on time alone, house training and everyday manners from the outset. Before choosing the breed, ask yourself whether you genuinely want to care for its coat almost every day for many years.
¶Appearance & Coat
The Maltese is a small, elegant dog whose body is longer than it is tall. A full show coat falls long and straight down the body. The breed standard describes a dense, glossy, silky coat without an undercoat. It should be pure white, although a slight ivory shade is permitted.
A long Maltese coat needs combing and brushing every day, or at least every other day, to stop small tangles developing into mats. The white coat also needs regular bathing, but the right interval depends on coat length, daily life and how dirty the dog gets. Work through the coat methodically down to the skin, paying particular attention to areas where friction readily causes knots.
Many pet Maltese are clipped shorter than the show ideal. A shorter coat may make grooming quicker, but it does not remove the need to check the skin, eyes, ears, nails and teeth. Ask the breeder to demonstrate how the individual dog's coat should be combed, washed and dried. Gradually teach the puppy to stand still, accept handling and allow its paws, mouth and face to be examined. This makes routine care less stressful for both dog and owner.
The Maltese is sometimes described as allergy-friendly because it has no undercoat. That is misleading: no dog is free of allergens, which are found mainly in the skin and saliva. Reactions also differ between individual dogs, including those of the same breed. Anyone with an allergy should therefore seek advice about their own circumstances from a healthcare professional rather than relying on a breed name or coat type.
¶Temperament & Personality
The breed ideal is a lively, affectionate, calm and intelligent companion. Many Maltese pay close attention to their owner, enjoy learning small tasks and readily alternate between activity and quiet company. They are engaged companions, not ornaments without needs of their own.
A breed description cannot guarantee how an individual dog will react to strangers, other dogs or unfamiliar places. A Swedish breed-club owner survey covered 247 dogs and recorded varied social responses. Only 13 Maltese had completed Sweden's official Behaviour and Personality Assessment during the period reported, too few to draw firm conclusions about the breed as a whole.
Do not assume that every Maltese will be quiet, welcoming to everyone or automatically easy around other animals. Ask the breeder how the puppy's parents behave in daily life: with visitors, when meeting other dogs, when handled, around noise and when resting. Calm exposure to different people and settings, together with clear routines, is more useful than broad labels such as ‘barky’ or ‘always friendly’.
¶Training & Exercise
The Maltese needs physical activity and mental engagement every day, but the same number of minutes will not suit every dog. A healthy adult may enjoy longer walks, scent games, trick training and play. Adjust pace and distance to age, fitness, weather and recovery. Build a puppy's exercise up gradually. If a dog becomes stiff, lame or unusually tired, reduce the load; persistent signs should be assessed by a vet.
When teaching something new, finish while the dog is still able to concentrate rather than following a fixed session length. Reward the behaviour you want and practise useful everyday skills: recall, walking on a lead, relaxing in a designated place, accepting handling and settling after alerting you to something.
House training is a learning process, not a test of the breed's intelligence or stubbornness. Take the puppy out frequently, especially after sleep, food and play, and reward success. Time alone must also be introduced gradually once the puppy feels secure at home. A young puppy cannot be left alone, and an adult dog's ability will depend on its training and temperament. Start with very brief, uneventful separations and increase them only while the dog remains relaxed.
¶Health
The Maltese is generally described as a healthy breed, although patellar luxation and umbilical hernia can occur. Patellar luxation means that the kneecap can move out of its normal position; lameness or a recurring skipping step warrants veterinary assessment.
The Swedish breed club's breeding strategy records 40 registered patella examinations in 2012–2021. This is a small, selected sample and does not show how common the condition is across all Maltese. Instead, ask the breeder to show any official patella results for the parents and discuss knee problems or umbilical hernias among close relatives. The Maltese has no breed-specific compulsory health examination under the Swedish Kennel Club's special registration rules for 2026. A voluntary result can still provide useful information; voluntary does not mean unimportant.
Watery eyes and staining beneath them, often called tear staining, were reported for many dogs in the breed club's owner survey. The survey report describes the staining as cosmetic while noting that its cause has not been established. The colour alone is therefore not a diagnosis. Keep the area clean and dry, but seek veterinary advice if the eye becomes red, the dog squints or rubs it, or there is discharge or another clear new change.
Check the eyes, movement, skin and mouth regularly. Introduce tooth brushing while the dog is young, keeping all handling calm and predictable. A long list of possible small-dog conditions is less informative than documented results, the dog's own signs and what is actually known about the health of close relatives.
¶History & Origins
The Maltese name does not prove that the breed comes from the island of Malta. The official standard gives the central Mediterranean as its place of origin and Italy as its home country. It links the name to a Semitic word for harbour or refuge, found in several place names around the Mediterranean.
Ancestors of the breed lived in ports and coastal towns, where they hunted rats and mice in warehouses and ships' holds. Small dogs called canes melitenses were mentioned in Aristotle's time. Similar dogs later became valued companions in ancient Rome and appear beside fashionable figures in Renaissance paintings. The breed's history therefore includes both practical work in ports and a long role as a companion.
The first documented Maltese in Sweden was a female imported from England in 1910 and shown in Stockholm in 1911. Today's breed is primarily a companion dog, although individual dogs may also enjoy activities such as obedience, tracking or agility at a suitable level.
¶Living with the Breed
A Maltese can live happily in a flat if given walks, mental activity, company and training around everyday sounds. A compact home does not lessen these daily needs, and a small dog should not spend its day being carried. It needs opportunities to walk, sniff, choose where to rest and use its body safely.
Adult supervision matters around children. At only 3–4 kg, the dog is safer when play takes place at floor level, lifting is gentle and it has a bed where it will not be disturbed. Children should leave the dog alone while it is eating or sleeping. Whether a Maltese gets along with other dogs, cats or small pets depends on the individual, previous experience and careful introductions; breed alone cannot provide a guarantee.
Make an honest assessment of daily life before buying:
- Can someone groom the dog almost every day and start tooth brushing and handling practice straight away?
- How do the parents behave with visitors, other dogs, rest and brief separations?
- Are official patella results available, and what does the breeder know about knees, umbilical hernias and eye problems in the family?
- Can you see the registration documents and meet the mother in her usual surroundings?
- Can you arrange care while the puppy is still too young to be left alone?
The Maltese is best suited to someone who appreciates its blend of affection, liveliness and willingness to learn, while accepting the extensive care and individual variation behind its elegant white appearance.
¶Characteristics
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Breed Type | Purebred |
| Aggressiveness | 2/5 |
| Child Friendly | 3/5 |
| Energy | 2/5 |
| Hair Shedding | 1/5 |
| Health | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 |
| Grooming Needs | 3/5 |
| Learning Ability | 3/5 |
| Barking Level | 3/5 |
| Height | 20 – 25 cm |
| Weight | 3 – 4 kg |
| Life Expectancy | 12 – 15 years |
¶Maltese price
Here you can see typical asking prices for Maltese in Sweden over the last 12 months.
The calculation is based on valid Get a Pet listings from the last 12 months, including active and expired listings. These are asking prices, not confirmed sale prices.
¶Frequently Asked Questions
Are Maltese good family dogs and how do they behave around children?
They are generally affectionate, people oriented companion dogs that often bond closely to their family. They can live with respectful, gentle children but their small, fragile body means they are easily injured by rough play, so supervision and clear rules are essential.
How much grooming does a Maltese really need and can they keep a long show coat as a pet?
The long, silky coat tangles quickly and needs daily brushing plus regular baths to stay clean and comfortable. Many pet owners choose a shorter “puppy cut” to reduce maintenance, as keeping a full show coat in good condition is time consuming and requires very consistent care.
Do Maltese shed and are they a good choice for people with allergies?
They shed very little and have hair rather than typical dog fur, which often makes them more tolerable for some allergy sufferers. However no dog is completely hypoallergenic, so spending time with the breed before committing is important for anyone with significant allergies.
What health problems are Maltese most prone to?
Common concerns include dental disease, luxating patellas, collapsed trachea, and eye issues such as tear staining and dry eye. Some lines are also predisposed to liver shunts and heart problems, so responsible breeding and regular veterinary checkups are important throughout their life.
How much exercise does a Maltese need and is a daily walk enough?
They are a small companion breed with moderate energy that usually does well with a couple of short walks and indoor play each day. Mental stimulation and time with their owner are just as important as physical activity, and they do not require intense or prolonged exercise sessions.
Can a Maltese be left alone during the workday or do they get separation anxiety?
They often form very strong attachments and can be prone to separation anxiety if left alone for long periods on a regular basis. Gradual training, enrichment toys, and arranging for midday company or breaks can help, but this breed generally suits households where someone is home more often.
Are Maltese easy to house train compared to other small dogs?
House training can take longer than with some larger breeds, partly because of their tiny bladder and sensitivity to weather. Consistent schedules, frequent outdoor trips, and positive reinforcement are key, and some owners successfully use indoor potty pads as part of their routine.
Why do some Maltese have heavy tear staining and can it be reduced?
Reddish-brown staining under the eyes is common and can be related to eye shape, shallow tear ducts, allergies, or low-grade irritation. Gentle daily cleaning, keeping facial hair trimmed, addressing allergies, and veterinary evaluation for underlying issues often help reduce but may not eliminate staining.
Is a Maltese a good choice for apartment living or first-time owners?
Their small size, modest exercise needs, and typically quiet indoors demeanor make them well suited to apartments. They can be a good option for first-time owners who are prepared to handle significant grooming, gentle training, and the social needs of a very people-focused dog.
How cold tolerant are Maltese and do they need special care in winter?
With a single, fine coat and low body weight, they tend to feel the cold quickly and can become chilled outdoors. Short walks in very cold weather, warm indoor bedding, and a well-fitting coat or sweater outside help keep them comfortable and safe.¶Comparisons with other breeds
Compare Maltese with other breeds and see the differences in temperament, activity level, and care to make a confident choice. Show all comparisons
