Toy group

Maltese

An ancient, silky white lap dog — gentle, playful and devoted.

Maltese are tiny toy dogs with a flowing white coat and a sweet, lively personality. They are affectionate companions for adults and older children, with significant grooming and dental care needs.

Height
7–9 in18–23 cm
Weight
4–7 lb2–3 kg
Life expectancy
12–15 years
Size
Toy
Group
Toy
Origin
Malta (Mediterranean)

Coat: Long, silky, straight single coat; low shedding. Colours: White.

At a glance

Exercise Requirement2.0 / 5
20-30 min gentle walk2+ hours intense stamina
Indoor "Off-Switch"4.0 / 5
Restless / constantly searching for actionInstantly curls up and relaxes indoors
Trainability3.5 / 5
Strong independent thinkerEager biddable student
Mental Stimulation2.5 / 5
Content with routineNeeds a job or creates mischief
Affection Level5.0 / 5
Polite distanceConstant lap snuggler
Stranger Friendliness3.5 / 5
Naturally aloof / watchfulGreets every stranger as best friend
Child Patience & Safety3.0 / 5
Prefers quiet adultsRemarkably sturdy & patient
Other Dog Friendliness4.0 / 5
Strong solo-dog preferenceLoves pack play and multi-dog homes
Prey Drive1.5 / 5
Ignores crittersHigh pursuit instinct / fence chaser
Vocalization & Barking3.5 / 5
Nearly mute / quietWatchful alarm barker or howler
Shedding Level1.0 / 5
Minimal to non-sheddingHeavy year-round fur shedding
Grooming Burden4.5 / 5
Wash & wear coatDaily brushing + salon visits
Drool Tendency1.0 / 5
Dry-mouthedRequires dedicated slobber towels
Apartment Suitability5.0 / 5
Needs acreage or private runThrives in urban elevator apartments
Beginner Friendliness4.0 / 5
Demands experienced handlerIdeal forgiving companion for first-timers
Owner Demand Level2.5 / 5
Very forgiving for novicesRequires skilled firm handling

Ratings describe typical dogs of the breed on a 1–5 scale. Individual dogs vary with lines, upbringing and training.

Temperament

Maltese are gentle, playful and fearless for their size. They are devoted to their families and love to be held and pampered.

They can be vocal and sometimes protective of their people. Because they are so small, they are easily injured by rough play.

Living with a Maltese

Exercise

About 20–30 minutes of short walks and indoor play daily. They enjoy games of fetch in the hallway as much as outdoor walks.

Grooming

A long coat needs daily brushing; many owners keep a short “puppy cut”. Clean around the eyes daily and brush teeth daily.

Training

Bright and eager; positive training works well. House-training may take patience.

Kids & other pets

Best with adults or gentle, older children. Usually good with other pets.

Time alone

Maltese prefer company and may bark or become anxious when left alone for long periods.

Home fit

Adapts well to apartments and smaller homes when daily needs are met.

Is a Maltese right for you?

Take the Breed Fit quiz to see how a Maltese matches your home, schedule and tolerance for shedding, barking and exercise — or find out which breed matches your personality with Dogsona.

Take the Breed Fit quizTry Dogsona →

Health

With good breeding and care, a Maltese typically lives 12–15 years. These are the conditions most associated with the breed — not a prediction for any individual dog.

  • Patellar luxation

    Loose kneecaps are common in toy breeds.

  • Dental disease

    Crowded teeth need daily brushing and regular professional cleaning.

  • Portosystemic shunt

    A congenital liver blood-vessel defect; bile acid testing can detect it.

  • White dog shaker syndrome

    An inflammatory condition causing body-wide tremors, treatable with medication.

  • Tracheal collapse

    Weak windpipe cartilage causes a honking cough; use a harness.

Ask a breeder for

  • Patella evaluation
  • Eye examination
  • Cardiac examination
  • Liver function (bile acid) testing

Sources: OFA CHIC breed requirements: Maltese; American Maltese Association. This is general information, not veterinary advice — talk to your vet about your own dog.

Cost to own

After the first year, expect roughly $900–$1,800 a year for food, routine vet care, preventives, insurance and supplies (US estimate).

  • Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks adds roughly $500–$900 a year.
  • Pet insurance for a puppy typically runs $30–$60 a month; premiums rise with age and breed risk.
See the full first-year cost breakdown →

History

Maltese are one of the oldest toy breeds, known in the Mediterranean for over 2,000 years. They were favourites of Greek and Roman nobility and appear on ancient pottery.

The AKC recognised the Maltese in 1888. The breed remains one of the most popular toy dogs.

Did you know?

  • Maltese have been lap dogs for more than 2,000 years.
  • Their coat is hair rather than fur, with no undercoat.
  • Tear staining around the eyes is common and needs daily cleaning.

Library guides for Maltese owners

Similar breeds

Frequently asked questions

Are Maltese hypoallergenic?
No dog is truly hypoallergenic, but Maltese shed very little.
Are Maltese good with kids?
Better with gentle, older children; they are fragile.
Do Maltese bark a lot?
They can be vocal; training helps.