The Maltese is 2–3 kg of pure self-assurance wrapped in a floor-length white coat. They have spent thousands of years being adored by Mediterranean aristocrats and have not forgotten it. Understanding this context helps explain almost every behaviour you will encounter.
What Nobody Warns You About
Maltese suffer from dental disease at a remarkable rate — small jaw, same number of teeth as a Labrador, predictable result. By age three, many untreated Maltese have significant periodontal disease. Brush their teeth daily. Not weekly. Daily. This is the single most impactful health intervention you can make for this breed.
The coat looks magical in show photos. What those photos omit: the daily brushing, the monthly trimming, and the characteristic "tear staining" that turns the fur below their eyes rust-coloured without regular cleaning. Most owners eventually opt for a "puppy cut" — kept short, cleaned with a soft cloth around the eyes daily — and report a significant improvement in both their dog's comfort and their own sanity.
Separation Anxiety Is Not a Personality Quirk — It's a Health Issue
Maltese bond deeply to their primary person. Left alone for long periods, many develop genuine anxiety — not naughtiness, not spite, but distress. This matters because stress has documented negative effects on immune function and gut health, and because a Maltese in distress is also a very loud Maltese. Build alone time gradually from puppyhood. Consider a dog walker if your day is long. An anxious Maltese is an unhappy Maltese.
Common Health Conditions to Know
- Patellar luxation: The kneecap slips sideways intermittently. You'll notice a sudden three-legged skip then return to normal. Mild cases need monitoring; severe cases need surgery. Check breeding lines for history.
- Liver shunt (portosystemic shunt): A blood vessel anomaly that allows blood to bypass the liver. Can cause poor growth, neurological signs, excessive drinking. More common in small breeds. A vet check before 12 weeks of age can catch early signs.
- Heart disease: Mitral valve disease becomes increasingly common from middle age. Annual cardiac auscultation from age five is worthwhile.
- Hypoglycaemia: Small puppies are vulnerable to blood sugar crashes, especially when stressed or under-eating. Keep new puppies feeding regularly and avoid long gaps between meals under 16 weeks.
Exercise: Less Than You'd Think
Maltese are toy dogs with toy-dog exercise requirements. Two short walks daily plus indoor play covers it completely. They are emphatically not running partners, but they are excellent sofa companions, café dogs, and work-from-home companions — arguably their evolutionary role for the past two millennia.
Maltese Care Summary
- Brush teeth daily — this is not optional for long-term health.
- Clean around eyes daily to prevent tear staining and infection.
- Brush coat or keep clipped short — matting causes skin problems.
- Build alone time tolerance from puppyhood; this breed does not cope well with isolation.
- Annual vet checks with cardiac listening from age 5.
Track your Maltese's health calendar, vaccines, and dental schedule on the Woofio Maltese care page.