Maltese at a glance
- Size
- Small
- Height
- 20–25 cm
- Weight
- 3–4 kg
- Life expectancy
- from 12 years
Typical for the breed, not a promise about any one dog. Not assessed yet: Training, Garden.
Is the Maltese right for you?
Like every breed, the Maltese is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:
May suit you if…
- You live in a flat or smaller home: the breed often adapts well.
- This would be your first dog and you are ready to learn.
- You would like a dog usually content with short daily walks.
- You have, or would like, another dog.
Consider another breed if…
- The dog would regularly be left alone for long working days.
- You have young children at home.
- You cannot commit to daily grooming.
How would the Maltese fit your lifestyle?
Choose a few details for a general, non-guaranteed view.
About the Maltese
The Maltese is an aristocratic-looking toy dog with dark eyes and a long, silky, pure white coat. Despite its size it is a fairly robust little dog, and it is usually sweet-natured, bright and very affectionate.
Key characteristics
General breed tendencies, not a prediction for an individual dog.
- Size
Small
A small dog.
- Exercise
Low
Usually content with short daily walks and play.
- Energy level
Moderate
Moderately energetic, with bursts of play.
- Grooming
Daily
The coat usually needs brushing every day.
- Shedding
Low
Tends to shed little, though every dog sheds some hair.
- Trainability
Not assessed yet
Our sources do not say enough yet.
- Good with children
Older children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
- Good with other dogs
Usually sociable
Usually sociable with other dogs.
- Good with cats
Varies
Varies with the individual dog.
- Suits first-time owners
Often
Often suits first-time owners.
- Barking / vocality
Barks sometimes
May bark at visitors or unfamiliar sounds.
- Time alone
Prefers company
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
Small white dogs with luxurious coats have been pampered pets in Mediterranean countries for centuries, and these dogs form the ancestry of the Maltese. They may have been taken to Malta by Phoenician traders. In 1805 a Knight of Malta wrote about dogs with long, silky hair, and the Royal Library of Malta holds an 1833 portrait of a dog very like the modern Maltese.
The Maltese became known as a lapdog of the nobility and often appeared in paintings. It grew in popularity through the 19th and 20th centuries and was first shown in England in 1859.
Maltese temperament
Well-bred, well-socialised Maltese are typically active, friendly, trusting and alert. They bond very closely with their owners, often one person in particular, and want to go everywhere with them. They do not cope well with being left alone.
They can be reserved with strangers, but with the right socialisation when young they learn to be confident and sociable. They are generally friendly with other dogs, and will bark to alert you to visitors or anything unusual.
Size and appearance
Maltese are small dogs. Adults typically stand 20–25 cm at the shoulder and weigh around 3–4 kg.
The coat is long and silky. Breed standard colours are white, white with black points, and white with lemon markings.
How much exercise does a Maltese need?
The Maltese does not need much exercise: up to half an hour a day is usually enough, although they are capable of more and enjoy games with their owners. They can be surprisingly game on walks, and the odd squirrel chase is not out of the question. Their small size and modest needs mean they can live happily in a flat.
Training a Maltese
The Maltese is far cleverer than many people think and usually enjoys learning tricks and games. Reward-based training and good socialisation help them become confident adults.
- Use reward-based methods and keep training fun.
- Socialise them well when young, as they can be reserved with strangers.
- Teach them to walk on a lead and harness.
- Train a reliable recall.
- Help them see grooming as a rewarding experience from puppyhood.
Maltese grooming
The long, silky coat needs grooming every day to keep it tangle-free. If it is neglected, mats form that become painful for the dog. Maltese shed very little.
Living with a Maltese
The Maltese can live happily in a family, but it is too small and gentle for noisy homes with young, boisterous children. It suits child-free homes or those with quiet, older children who understand that a small dog is not a toy. Whatever the breed, dogs and young children should never be left alone together, and an adult should supervise every interaction.
Children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
Other dogs
Usually sociable with other dogs.
Cats and small pets
Varies with the individual dog.
Flats and smaller homes
Often adapts to flats and smaller homes.
Being left alone
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
First-time owners
Often suits first-time owners.
Maltese health
Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.
The Maltese is described as a generally healthy breed, but some conditions are recognised in it. The Royal Kennel Club recommends eye testing under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme as part of best-practice health testing.
Patellar luxation
The kneecaps can slip temporarily out of place.
Portosystemic shunt
Abnormal blood circulation in which blood bypasses the liver and enters the general circulation.
Heart disease
The breed can be affected by heart disease, including mitral valve disease, where the heart valves become diseased and do not work properly.
Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia (CM/SM)
A painful neurological condition in which fluid-filled cavities develop in the spinal cord near the brain. A BVA/Kennel Club CM/SM health scheme is available.
Hydrocephalus
A build-up of fluid in the brain.
Eye conditions
Maltese can be affected by cataracts, which make the lens of the eye cloudy, and entropion, where the eyelids turn inwards.
Dental problems
Dental problems are among the conditions the breed is prone to, so ask a breeder about them.
What health checks should you ask about?
Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Maltese home, it is reasonable to ask about:
- Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
- Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
- Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
- Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.
How much does a Maltese cost to own?
There are two costs: bringing a Maltese home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.
Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically from 12 years, not just the first year.
Buying a Maltese
If you have decided the Maltese suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.
- Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
- Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
- Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
- Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.
Adopting a Maltese
Malteses do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.
Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.
Malteses looking for homes
Live from Mypetzilla, updated as pets are listed.
Find Maltese adverts for sale and for adoption on Mypetzilla now.
Similar breeds you may want to consider
Pekingese
Affectionate, charming, loyal, confident, clever, dignified, comical and determined.
View breed guideAustralian Silky Terrier
Friendly, active, alert, keen, spirited, clever, brave and bold.
View breed guide
Maltese FAQs
Is the Maltese good with children?
Usually better with older, calmer children. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Can the Maltese live in a flat?
Often adapts to flats and smaller homes. Exercise and company matter more than floor space.
How much exercise does the Maltese need?
Low: usually content with short daily walks. Puppies and older dogs need less structured exercise.
Does the Maltese shed?
Tends to shed little.
How much grooming does the Maltese need?
Typically: daily.
Can the Maltese be left alone?
Usually copes only with short periods alone. Build up time alone gradually.
Does the Maltese bark a lot?
Barks sometimes. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Is the Maltese good with cats?
Varies with the individual dog. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
How long does the Maltese live?
Typically from 12 years. Lifespan varies with genetics, weight, care and luck.
How big does the Maltese get?
Adults typically stand 20–25 cm at the shoulder and weigh 3–4 kg.