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The Maltese Information Center
The Wonderful Maltese
The Maltese is a small white dog in the toy group, and is named after the island of Malta in the central Mediterranean Sea.
His stature is tiny at under 7 pounds and just 8 to 10 inches in height. The coat is white, a single layer, and able to grow long to floor length. Eyes are dark and the points (nose, lips, paw pads, and eye rims) are black.
This breed was recognized by the AKC in 1888, and is a popular canine family member. Small, friendly, and loving, the Maltese ranks in the top 30 most popular breeds.
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New Right Now:
Maltese Humping Issues - Why both male and female Maltese dogs may hump other dogs, inanimate objects, or even people. This new article includes all possible reasons why dogs may do this and exact training steps to stop humping behavior.
Recent Articles:
How to Help a Bored Maltese Stay Busy - This is a wonderful article with creative, fun ways to help keep a Maltese occupied. Includes 6 activities to go together and 6 activities for independent play. Is applicable to Maltese of all ages.
Maltese Dos and Don'ts - A super-helpful list of the 5 most important dos and the 5 most vital don'ts for this amazing toy breed. This is for Maltese of all ages. How many are you following?
Maltese Dogs and Emotional Stress - Signs a Maltese is stressed, top triggers, health consequences, and 20 things you can do right now to help your Maltese feel better.
Maltese Itching Issues
- Effective tips to quickly resolve any sort of itching. Even if you have no idea what is causing the itch, you can offer immediate relief.
Maltese Sleep Issues and Info
- An interesting look at sleep requirements for each life stage, helpful solutions to sleep problems, and how to create an ideal sleeping area for your little guy or gal.
When a Maltese Eats Feces
- This is known as coprophagia. If your Maltese does this, it should be addressed right away. See the top 10 tips that really work to immediately stop this behavior.
Homemade Food for Maltese
- There are many reasons why switching to home cooked meals can be a great idea. Read about commercial dog food vs home cooking.
Maltese Feeding Guidelines
- Updated
- New, updated information regarding grain vs grain-free foods and the latest list of recommendations.
Maltese Dry Skin
- This is a common issue with breeds that have hair (not fur) like the Maltese, and can be long-lasting or spiral into worse problems if it is not addressed. Read why this happens and how to quickly remedy this.
Maltese Picky Eaters
- If you are stressed out trying to please a super-finicky eater, these 7 steps can turn things around.
Best Shampoos and Coat Products for a Maltese
- Updated
- New shampoos to keep the coat white, and a more organized list of specialty coat products to fix itching and other skin issues.
Maltese Bad Smells and Odd Odors
- If your Maltese doesn't smell as nice as you'd wish, this article is for you. Covers the top reasons a dog may develop an unpleasant odor and easy steps to keep your little guy or gal smelling fresh and clean.
Why Maltese Eat Grass and How to Stop It
- If your little guy or gal loves to chow down on grass, it's important to know the negative consequences. Also read the top 4 reasons why dogs do this and the 5 steps to quickly stopping this behavior.
Supplements for Maltese
- Have you wondered if your Maltese puppy or dog could benefit from a supplement? Though not all canine family members need these, there are quite a few instances when a certain supplement can be quite helpful. Read about the 6 most important dietary supplements that may apply to your Maltese.
Maltese Collars vs Harnesses
- The important information you need to know about collars and how these can affect your little one's health and well-being. Recommended harnesses for Maltese of all sizes and ages.
Vaccinations for Maltese Puppies and Dogs
- Covers vaccinations schedules, if adult boosters or non-core vaccines are really necessary, the question of yearly shots, and what sort of reactions can happen.
Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Protection
- No doubt you know that it’s important to protect your Maltese puppy or dog from parasites and insects including heartworms, fleas, and ticks. However, choosing safe products can seem daunting. This article covers how to choose the best products with the least chance of adverse side effects.
Maltese Bad Breath
- If your little guy or gal has stinky breath, learn the top 5 reasons for this and exact remedies to prevent halitosis and keep the breath fresh and clean.
Maltese Arthritis
- Starting with adults age 6, take preventative measures. And for all adult Maltese, learn about this disease that affects 80% of all canines age 8 and up.
When a Maltese Licks or Chews at the Paws
- A helpful article that covers all acute and chronic reasons, along with exact remedies.
Training a Maltese that Dislikes People While Out on Walks
- If your puppy or dog barks at or otherwise reacts negatively to people along the walking route, this article is for you.
The 5 Best Types of Toys for Maltese
- All toys are not created equal; these 5 types can fix teething woes, boredom, chewing urges, issues with being home alone, and creating a stronger bond with your puppy or dog.
Caring for a Senior Maltese
- A great article for owners with Maltese getting close to or over 8 years old.
The Best Treats for a Maltese
- Taking a look at what to avoid at all costs, and some truly wonderful options for an extra boost of nutrition and a well-deserved reward.
Traveling with a Maltese
- Helpful tips when taking a long car ride or bringing your Maltese onto an airplane with you.
Points of Interest
- A carving on a ceramic urn, dating back to 500 BC depicts a dog that looks very similar to a Maltese. This was found in the ancient city of Vulci, in Northern Italy.
- Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, mentioned this breed, 'Melitaei Catelli' in 370 BC. He compared the Maltese to a mustelid, which is a family of animals that includes ferrets and minks.
- Over the centuries, the Maltese has been known by several different names. Long ago, he was known as Canis Melitaeus. Throughout the 1700’s, Roman Ladies Dog, Maltese Lion Dog and Ancient Dog of Malta were all designations for this breed.
- Maltese dogs were not always white and could be found in many other solid and parti-colors. From 1902 until 1913, colored coats were accepted in show rings in the UK and up until 1950 in Australia.
- Maltese dogs used to be larger. In the 1700's breeders decided to focus on developing a smaller sized version.
Stats
Pronunciation:
Mall-TESE
Common Misspellings:
Malteze, Malltese, Maultese, Mallteese
Alternative Names:
Maltese Terrier, Bichon Maltiase
Breed Group:
Toy
Weight: Under 7 lbs. (3.17 kg) (4 - 6 lbs. preferred in show)
Height:
8 - 10 inches (20.32 - 25.4 cm), measured from floor to withers
Origin: Malta - A small island in the Mediterranean Sea
Date of Origin:
1400 BC or earlier
Patronage:
Italy
Ancient Names:
Maltese Lion Dog
Purpose:
Companion lap dog
Life Span: 12-14 years
Colors, Ancient Times:
All colors
Colors, Modern Day:
White | Tan or lemon markings on ears are permissible
Recognition:
AKC, CKC, FCI, UKC, KCGB, ANCK, NKC, NZCK, ACR, APRI
Date of recognition:
AKC:1888
Maturity:
Adult at the one year mark
Litter size:
2-5
Shedding:
Low
Traits:
Affectionate, sweet-natured, eager, alert, intelligent
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Is a Maltese Right for You?
The Maltese is known for his sparkling personality and ease of fitting into any family situation. Extremely dedicated to his owners, this toy breed dog makes a wonderful family companion for those looking for a small pet.
The breed does well in both single and multiple pet households. He gets along well with children; although due to his small size proper handling techniques and care methods must be taught.
While this is an indoor dog, he is active and can have high energy levels. Daily walks are recommended to help keep your Maltese happy and healthy.
The white coat requires upkeep in regard to baths, brushings, and trims. If you are new to this breed, read about the pros and cons of having a Maltese.
Most Popular Pages:
One of the hardest things to do is to leave the house when you know that your Maltese has trouble coping. When a dog has separation anxiety, being by himself brings about feelings of isolation that can be overwhelming.
This can be both physically and emotionally stressful for a dog. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help with this.
This breed can be very sensitive to the foods he eats, including many additives that can be found in both meals and traditional dog treats. Some ingredients can cause skin and coat issues, or upset stomach, among other things.
You'll want to choose your Maltese's food carefully to ensure proper nutrition, and offer flavors that are well-received.
There is a lot that goes into taking proper care of a Maltese puppy or dog. However, once you fall into a schedule, you'll find that it's not that difficult to stay on track for optimal health, happiness, and hygiene.
This article covers a great guideline to follow in regard to feeding, exercise, baths, grooming, setting up the right environment, and more.
Housebreaking a puppy is one of the most important aspects of any training that you will do. What you teach your Maltese, and how you go about doing it, will set up a foundation for life.This joint effort between the two of you does not need to be a stressful time.
If you prep for this and make sure that everyone in the household follows the guidelines, your Maltese will be sure to find success quickly.
Important Dental Care
More Care Related Articles
You'll want to be sure to cover all of the bases, for optimal health, happiness, comfort, and safety.
This is a very active breed, known for his high energy level.
If a Maltese does not receive enough exercise, pent-up energy can be redirected to other areas, such as chewing or barking.
This is a relatively healthy breed with an expected life span of 12 to 14 years.
However, as with any breed, there are some diseases and health conditions that the Maltese is prone to. This includes skin conditions, White Dog Shaker Syndrome, hip issues, and eye problems.
Over the years, coloring has been bred out of the bloodline.
While the most common color of this breed is solid white, there are some Maltese that have lemon or even a bit of tan on the ears and this is permissible in the AKC show ring.
While all dogs will be vocal once in a while, it will be time to step in if your Maltese is barking excessively.
With the right training, you can help your puppy or dog quiet down if he is barking at night, at visitors, or even at nothing at all.
Grooming Information
Unless you have your Maltese with a very short haircut, you'll find that hairs can tangle quickly; and no matter the coat length, it can tend to pick up debris quite easily, so you'll want to be sure to stick to a grooming schedule.
Solid white dogs do require a bit more care and attention to keep the coat looking pure white, clean, and shiny. Care must be given in regard to the timing of baths and any products that you use on the skin or coat.
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You May Also Like:
Maltese Appearance
- How the Maltese compares to other toy breeds in its class, regarding size, color, coat type, temperament and other qualities seen with canines.
Maltese Size
- A look at both weight and height for puppies and adult Maltese dogs and information on both under-sized and over-sized Maltese.
Maltese Allergies
- Allergies can develop at any age and there can be a wide range of symptoms including runny eyes, nasal discharge, itchy skin and more. Read about how to provide Immediate relief, and steps to resolve chronic allergies.
Maltese Questions
- A round-up of the most commonly asked questions about this breed, leading to more detailed articles that offer facts, stats, advice and recommendations.
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