| The Maltese Terrier is one of the many breeds related | | | | are spirited and playful, and they need lots of personal |
| to the Bichon Frise, and it is one of the older of the | | | | attention. They can be shy with strangers, but they are |
| breeds of European toy dogs. It is a compact and | | | | also very protective of their home and their family. |
| small dog, with long, silky white hair. You will need to | | | | They are better suited to live with adults rather than |
| brush your Maltese every day, to keep his long hair | | | | children, if only because they desire to be the child of |
| from becoming matted. You must take care to be | | | | the family. |
| very gentle with his hair. | | | | The Maltese Terrier is good with children but not if the |
| The origin of the Maltese Terrier is near the Isle of | | | | children are overly rough or abusive. They don't mix |
| Malta, in Europe. The life expectancy of the breed is | | | | well with other animals, since they like to be the center |
| between nine and eleven years. The color must be | | | | of attention. They make a great dog for elderly |
| white, per American Kennel Club standards. The coat | | | | persons who have plenty of time to devote to them. |
| type is very long, with a silky texture, and straight hair. | | | | They are fairly quiet, unless they feel someone is |
| The average size of the Maltese Terrier is between | | | | infringing on their territory or threatening their owners. |
| eight and ten inches, again, set as standard by the | | | | Then they may bark, and may even bite if provoked. |
| American Kennel Club. Their average weight is from | | | | Their grooming needs are very time-consuming, but |
| four to six pounds. Maltese are generally hardy dogs, | | | | this will not be a chore for you if you have the time to |
| although they can suffer from eye ailments and | | | | devote to your Maltese. They should be shampooed |
| staining of the fur from tear runoff. | | | | every week, and you must brush them every day. |
| The lovely Maltese needs only moderate room for | | | | Pay special attention to the eyes, and keep them |
| exercise. Since he is so small, he can get plenty of | | | | clean, or the tears will stain their white fur. |
| exercise in an apartment or a small yard. These dogs | | | | |