A happy Maltese Dog walking down a path

Maltese Insurance, Care and Health Advice

Maltese dogs may be small, but they have big personalities. With elegant, silky white hair and a spirited nature, they’ve been the lapdogs of the rich and fashionable for centuries.

Incredibly affectionate, loyal and loving, the Maltese breed makes the perfect addition to any family home. While Maltese dogs love curling up on their owner’s lap and being pampered, they’re also very playful and active. 
If you’re looking for an intelligent and lively dog with a big heart, the Maltese breed could be the perfect fit. 

Maltese Facts

Dog breed type icon
Type
Toy
Dog breed lifespan icon
Lifespan
12 - 15 years
Dog breed size icon
Size
Small
Dog breed weight icon
Weight
3 - 4 kg
Dog breed height icon
Height
20 - 25 cm
Dog breed temperament icon
Temperament
Affectionate, fearless, gentle
Dog breed exercise icon
Exercise
30 mins per day
Dog breed grooming icon
Grooming
High maintenance

Is a Maltese Right for Me?

Due to their small size, Maltese dogs only need a small amount of exercise, most of which they get from running around inside. This makes the breed ideal for smaller homes or apartments.

Maltese dogs are also a great fit for children, with enough energy to keep up with the fun and games while also being gentle-natured enough to enjoy cuddling afterwards. However, Maltese dogs’ tiny bodies mean they can easily get hurt around smaller children, so supervision is essential.

Maltese dogs can become agitated when left alone for long periods of time. To deal with dog separation anxiety with your new Maltese puppy, check out our guide. 

A cute Maltese puppy lying in the grass

What Are Maltese Puppies Like?

Maltese puppies are lively and curious. They’re quick on their feet and love to run around their home and garden. They’re not afraid to use their voice and will need to be trained to prevent unwanted barking.

They are notoriously difficult to house train but once you have that mastered, the rest of their training will be easy.

As much as you may want to keep your puppy close and in your arms, it is best to allow them to walk on their own four feet. It’s important that they get the exercise they need to keep them fit and healthy. 

A long-haired Maltese dog with its tongue out

Life with a Maltese

The temperament of a Maltese dog is largely influenced by how they’re raised – so make sure they get the affection they need while knowing you’re in charge. Loyal to the core, they quickly get protective over their owners or whoever they’re pampered by.

Affectionate and kind, Maltese dogs love snuggling on your lap and having lots of cuddles. Their lively personality means they love playing games with the whole family. 

Caring for Your Maltese

As with most small dogs, you’ll need to carefully monitor the weight of your Maltese dog. Even just a few pounds can make all the difference to their health. Maltese dogs can be picky eaters, tending to eat small portions throughout the day rather than all in the same sitting.

To avoid this, try to stick to one brand of food they enjoy and don’t feed them scraps from the table or straight from your hand – they’ll soon accept this as the only way to eat. 

The long, glossy white coat of Maltese dogs requires plenty of maintenance. To keep them looking at their best, they need regular grooming, especially if they're long haired. Brush their coat every day to avoid it becoming matted – and use a hairdryer to keep it looking silky.

As they're a pure white dog, keeping their coat clean can be a task, but a bath every 1 - 2 weeks or so should do the trick.

Intelligent, energetic and confident, a Maltese pup loves learning tricks and picks up training like second nature. They are eager to please so work best with positive reinforcements, and excel at agility courses and obedience training. Keep the treats and praises flowing and they’ll be ready for Crufts in no time.

Maltese dogs don’t require a great deal of exercise – around 30 minutes per day is usually enough. As well as going for walks, they also benefit from playing in the garden or indoors.

Maltese Insurance

Once you’ve picked out your little Maltese and are ready to bring them home, then it’s time to start thinking about dog insurance. Those paws may be little, but you should still think about protecting them from bumps, bruises and any illnesses they may suffer from.

At Everypaw, we have Lifetime Dog Insurance with a range of cover to choose from. So, when it comes to your Maltese’s insurance, you’ll find something that’s right for both of you. Plus there's the extra peace of mind with Petcall, our 24/7 vet helpline that are there to support with your Maltese's care and health.

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Common Maltese Health Problems by Vetstream

Maltese dogs are relatively healthy, but there are a few health conditions that you should keep an eye out for. Regular vet health checks will help to spot symptoms and treat them from an early stage. There are also some preventative measures you can take to prevent some of the conditions from happening.

Gingivitis is a painful gum disease that makes eating food difficult for your dog and gives them bad breath. It is caused by a build-up of plaque that leads to infection in the gums. A vet can remove the plaque, but to do so your dog will need to be under general anaesthetic. Some teeth will need removing if they are in bad condition.

Gingivitis can be prevented by brushing your dog’s teeth on a daily basis with a dog toothbrush and toothpaste – do not use human toothpaste as it is toxic to dogs.

A luxating patella is when the kneecap is unstable and jumps out of the groove that it is supposed to sit in. This will make it difficult for your dog to move and will cause them pain. You will notice that they will hop and avoid using the affected leg; they will also struggle to jump.

This condition is inherited, with some dogs being born with a too shallow groove or a ligament that is attached in the wrong place. Weight and exercise also play a part in this condition, with overweight and over-exercised dogs being more at risk.

To treat a luxating patella, it can be realigned with surgery and physiotherapy, with restricted exercise for 8 weeks. Overweight dogs will need to lose weight so will be given a diet plan to follow.

Deafness can be caused by ear infections, growths or it can be inherited. It is common in white fur dogs – some are born with it and others lose their hearing as they get older.

Dogs suffering from hearing loss will not respond as much to noises, such as fireworks, the preparation of their food, or their owner calling them.

Unfortunately, there is no treatment for deafness, but affected dogs can still live a long happy life. It is possible to train dogs with hand signals, but you will need to be careful letting them off lead. If they cannot see your hand signals, they won’t respond to them, which can make recall difficult.
 

Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), mainly seen in puppies, is when there is a sudden drop in blood glucose levels. This can cause the dog to be lethargic, tremble, appear disorientated, or collapse. It can also cause seizures. These signs are most evident after exercise, shortly after waking up, and usually 2-6 hours after eating.

Treatment involves increasing glucose levels by giving food or injections. This must be done immediately to prevent further health problems. Your vet will be able to advise you on how to manage this condition through diet and exercise.  

Quick Maltese Q&A

A small breed of dog in the toy group, the Maltese is named after its supposed origins, on the Mediterranean island of Malta. Their white long silky fur and intelligence make them regulars at Crufts and other dog shows. 

The average Maltese lives between 12-15 years – however, the oldest Maltese lived to the age of 20. As with any breed, with a healthy, happy lifestyle, your Maltese could live well into their teenage years.

A Maltese tends to stop growing between 6-8 months of age, and should be fully grown by their first birthday. Some may take longer depending on their lineage.

Maltese dogs don’t have an undercoat and shed little to nothing at all. However, their hair does need regular upkeep to keep it clean and healthy. They should also be bathed regularly.

No, but they are one of the breeds least likely to trigger allergies. The fact they rarely shed means that they produce less dander overall. Dander is the main trigger for allergy sufferers.

Maltese dogs are known for their gentle, playful, and affectionate temperament. They are highly social, enjoy being around people, and thrive on attention and companionship. Maltese are intelligent and responsive, making them easy to train. Despite their small size, they have a lively and fearless personality, often displaying a charming and outgoing nature. Their friendly disposition makes them great companions for families and individuals.

That’s All You Need to Know About Maltese Dogs

This small bundle of joy has all the great characteristics you could want in a dog. Their excitement and enthusiasm is infectious and their desire to cuddle will warm your heart. They may be high maintenance when it comes to grooming but this can be a relaxing bonding moment between you and your Maltese.

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

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