Maltese are perfect for apartment living and are affectionate and lovable little companion dogs. Owners have a few problems with toilet training, and Maltese are notoriously picky eaters.

Maltese were initially bred to be the perfect companion, loving, faithful, and always by their owner's side, and nothing has changed over the years since.

However, Maltese have a lively and outgoing personality, and they're not behind the door for intelligence, either.

The Maltese are a favorite of hybrid dog breeders, and Maltese mixes are some of the most popular and highly sought-after "designer dogs."

I'm sure you're familiar with some of these crossbreeds, Maltipoo (Maltese Poodle mix), Morkie (Maltese Yorkshire Terrier mix), Malshi
(Maltese Shih Tzu mix), and others.

Maltese History

Maltese dogs are a very ancient breed, and dogs of the Bichon variety have lived around the Mediterranean Sea for centuries. Dog historians claim the dog was originally from Malta, an island situated off the south coast of Sicily, brought there by the Phoenicians in 1000 BC.

Onboard the ships of Phoenician traders, Maltese probably had to work for their food by catching and killing rats and mice.

However, once on the island of Malta, they were bred purely as ladies’ companion dogs. The British took the Maltese back to England and, by the middle of the 19th century, became a popular companion dog in both the UK and America.

Today the AKC (American Kennel Club) ranks the Maltese as number 37 out of the top 200 most popular dogs in the United States.

Maltese Personality

Maltese Characteristics

Personality:
● Lively, playful, peaceful, responsive, affectionate, and loyal

Size:
● Tiny (7-8 inches, 4-12 lbs)

Lifespan:
● 12 to 15 years

Coat color:
● White

Grooming:
● Extensive

Exercise:
● Light

Maltese are brilliant and have a sweet and gentle disposition; they love to play games and crack doggy puzzles.

Maltese are only tiny, so they don't need much exercise; however, they should go outside at least a couple of times each day for a short walk; most of their energy can burn off running and playing inside.

Depending on which Maltese you have, you can find them either confident and outgoing, friendly to strangers and other pets, or they can be a little anxious and wary of new people and situations.

Breeders play a role in the genes your Maltese inherits, but you're responsible for socializing your puppy properly as the owner. Owners bear some responsibility for how their Maltese develops.

A spoiled Maltese will become anxious and insecure or develop an unpleasant nature, just like any spoiled child.

Maltese respond well to training and enjoy obedience classes. From there, you can enter them into competitive categories for agility and obedience.

However, they are a nightmare to potty train and can take a long time, but patience, persistence, and consistency are your watchwords when you're trying to housebreak a Maltese.

As you would undoubtedly expect from what's already been discussed, Maltese hate to be left alone at home, they get separation anxiety very badly if you go out for too long without them.

In fact, unless you spend almost all your time at home, or you can take your Maltese with you, I would suggest you choose a different dog breed.

Maltese Grooming

Maltese are not heavy shedding dogs and don’t have an undercoat. But the beautiful white color hair takes a bit of looking after. You’ll need to brush him every day because their light hair easily mats.

In addition, pure white coloring like the Maltese easily and quickly gets dirty, so you’ll need to bathe him reasonably regularly.

One good thing about their coat is they don’t have that doggy smell so much, so if you’re not overly worried about their paws getting a bit dirty and off-white, you can leave the bath for a couple of months.

Alternatively, you can opt for a puppy cut or a very short hairstyle, but you’ll have to take him to the groomers every eight to ten weeks, or you could learn how to use the doggy trimmer yourself.

Final Thoughts

If you're looking for the ultimate companion/lapdog, you cannot go far wrong with a Maltese. They are such loyal and lovable tiny dogs it's hard not to love them. However, try not to forsake the socialization and obedience training part of owning a Maltese.

You'll never regret it, and you'll bring up an incredible, charming, and beautifully mannered Maltese.

#chihulife​ #dogs​ #maltese

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