| The Maltese is seen as a ball of hair. Glamorous, | | | | they can be quite active and playful, but they are |
| difficult and dainty. The Greeks put up tombs for their | | | | happy with some outside play and a regular walk for |
| dogs and a model was found in Egypt as well. | | | | exercise. |
| They've been an aristocrat for 28 centuries, with | | | | The smaller size means watching to insure your |
| documentations of the breed as early as 40 A.D. | | | | Maltese does not get too overweight. Balance the |
| These have long been household pets for people with | | | | food with exercise always! With small dogs just a |
| means. They were healthy and although small in size | | | | couple pounds can be enough to affect their health |
| large in temperament. They have a long beautiful coat | | | | and shorten their lifespan. |
| that is hard to overlook when groomed right. | | | | Dental care is also important either with teeth cleaning |
| By the standard the Maltese is less than 7 pounds with | | | | by a vet or with natural methods of chewing toys and |
| a preference of 4-6 pounds if the quality is there. | | | | bones. Keeping the plaque and bacteria down helps |
| They'll possess a smooth gait with an impression of | | | | eliminate not only dental issues but can lead to heart |
| fast movement. He projects fearlessness with | | | | and kidney disease. |
| affection. Lively, playful, vigorous describe this breed. | | | | A Maltese is a true companion. They want to be with |
| This is a companion breed that takes regular grooming | | | | you whether it's sitting near you as you watch |
| to keep tangle free especially after playing in puddles! | | | | television or going for a walk. They like to be with their |
| His coat should be straight, not curly or wavy and his | | | | owners and can be playful for most of his life with |
| body is slightly longer than he is tall. This is a hardy | | | | good care, living well into their teens. |
| companion that is fine boned but not exactly dainty. | | | | Although the Maltese do not shed seasonally like many |
| They do need regular maintenance and grooming to | | | | breeds do they do shed, which is another reason for |
| keep the coat beautiful. Even among pet dogs, which | | | | regular grooming. While sunshine and fresh air is good |
| can be trimmed to have a shorter coat than show | | | | it's important to remember, especially with dog thefts |
| dogs, daily brushing helps keep the coat in good | | | | on the rise, that the Maltese is a friendly breed that |
| condition. | | | | loves people. This makes a huge target for a thief. |
| In a home environment the Maltese is typically active | | | | Also worth watching - their bone structure makes |
| and playful with a devoted nature. They generally trust | | | | them physically not a dog for roughhousing with |
| people and are very intelligent. Like most smart dogs | | | | children or larger dogs. They are apt to play full on and, |
| they are good at learning things and indeed need to | | | | as such, apt to sustain injuries that are serious. |
| learn. A balanced attitude is needed to keep the | | | | A crate is highly recommended for any puppy but |
| Maltese eager to learn and yet disciplined to not learn | | | | especially small dogs like a Maltese. This allows a safe |
| the wrong things. | | | | place to be should you travel and it's also a place that |
| This is generally a healthy breed but not without issues. | | | | he can retreat too during holidays and other times |
| Good routine preventative care is essential but there | | | | when the household is "too busy" for his comfort. |
| are issues that can arise even with that. "Reverse | | | | Additionally if there should ever be emergency |
| sneezing" is apt to happen when excited, eating or | | | | evacuation orders, a Maltese comfortable in his crate |
| drinking or during exercises. Although relatively | | | | is much less stressed and much safer than a loose |
| common in the breed it is not something that gathers | | | | dog. |
| serious concern. | | | | A happy, outgoing Maltese is a product of a |
| However one thing that appears the same can be a | | | | commitment by the breeder and owner. The breeder |
| collapsed trachea. This is a condition that seems to | | | | selects the healthiest, best animals to increase the |
| affect certain breeds of dogs leading some to believe | | | | chances of quality animals rather than just producing |
| it is genetic in origin. The dog may cough or 'honk' and | | | | puppies. The breeder cannot control things for life - |
| if very light pressure is placed on the throat causes a | | | | when you purchase a puppy you pay for a companion |
| reaction it can be a collapsed trachea. X-rays can | | | | and assume the responsibility for his training. |
| confirm the condition as well as an endoscope. While | | | | Expose them to as many things as possible and be |
| doing x-rays it is worth taking chest shots to check for | | | | consistent. Maltese are small and fluffy - the "cute" |
| heart disease at the same time. There are treatments | | | | factor is in full motion and it's important to be attentive |
| available but they don't always work. Use extreme | | | | to having discipline in place. Teaching boundaries and |
| caution in corrective jerks during training to prevent | | | | manners insures that your dog won't be a training |
| damaging the trachea or lunging at the leash. | | | | problem that results in so many dogs being dumped at |
| Liver shunts also affect the Maltese and should be | | | | shelters. Many breeders have a standing offer to |
| considered especially if under a year old. Typical signs | | | | always take the dog back should you not be able to |
| can be a puppy that doesn't thrive despite good | | | | keep them and it's important to honor this agreement if |
| nutrition. Poor weight gain, weakness, depression and | | | | it is in place. |
| an apathetic attitude are indications of the disease | | | | Like other dogs with white hair on the face, tear stains |
| early on. Other signs are weakness, seizures, excess | | | | can be noticeable on Maltese. This might be from the |
| salivation, vomiting, poor appetite, bladder stones, | | | | water, allergies, infections or blocked tear ducts. |
| blindness and balance problems. Lab work including | | | | This is an ideal dog for adults who are committed to a |
| x-rays, ultrasound and radioisotopes can verify this | | | | pet that is just as committed to them. They are a fairly |
| genetic disorder which requires surgery. | | | | active breed but not so much so that it's a marathon |
| Skin allergies, separation anxiety, car anxiety and retinal | | | | to exercise them! With a good balance of love and |
| atrophy can all affect the Maltese also. | | | | discipline this is a breed that takes up permanent |
| This is a good apartment or house dog due to a | | | | residence in your heart. Choose an individual wisely |
| sometimes low tolerance for damp weather. Inside | | | | and prepare for a wonderful pet in a Maltese. |