Maltese

Group:

Group: Toy

Weight: 4-7 lbs

Height: 9-10 inches

History The Maltese is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world today. It is believed that they are originally from Malta. Statues of dogs very similar to the Maltese have also been found in Egyptian tombs. They date as far back as 3000 years ago. These dogs were very popular with the upper class ladies in ancient Greece and Rome. Recently these dogs have also become very popular as companions, and dogs suitable for apartments.

Characteristics

The Maltese brings a lot of joy and happiness to their owners. They are very clever dogs – lively and very fond playing. The Maltese love to socialise with other people and dogs. They are cheerful and comfortable being the centre of attention. The Maltese is a very charming breed of dogs. They are also very deeply devoted to their owners and families.

Temperament

This toy breed is very happy and playful. They possess a lot of personality. Being clever and wanting to please his owner, the Maltese is fairly easy to train. The Maltese should be socialised while they are still puppies in order to give them more confidence – this will also help them to overcome their wariness of strangers. The Maltese enjoys obedience training, and they do very well competitive obedience and agility competitions. This breed tends to bark a lot, and they can prove to be very difficult to housetrain. The Maltese love walks, but should be kept on a leash to ensure that bigger dogs can not attack them.

Care

Concerning grooming – the coats of these dogs should be brushed daily. It is also advised to have their coats every few months or so. Their eyes should also be checked, and the hair around their bottoms should be kept short to ensure good hygiene. In order to reduce the danger of infection, their ears should also be kept clean and dry. If they are groomed properly, these dogs will not shed much. For more detailed info, take a look at the Maltese Grooming page.

Training

The Maltese is difficult to housebreak, and therefore crate training is recommended. They do best if they are socialised fairly early. Training must never be done in a rough manner – but with enough gentleness and love. Consistency and reward are also important factors to consider regarding training. These dogs have great skills when it comes to performing tricks. The Maltese are by nature very obedient.