Will adding Maltese Puppies to your family be the right choice for you?

Adding Maltese puppies to your family is a great idea if you are looking for a loyal companion who loves to cuddle and snuggle up. These small, adorable pooches need a fair amount of grooming, so if you want a pup to pamper, this may be the right choice for you. Maltese pups can be a little stand offish with strangers and might act tough with other dogs.

This means you need to give them socialization from a young age. They don’t need a huge amount of exercise but will definitely love you to go for a nice quiet walk with them.

What size will an adorable Maltese puppy reach when fully grown?

Maltese are a very small sized dog and apart of the “Toy” group of dogs. They generally grow up to be between 23-25cms (9-10 inches) tall. The head of a fully grown Maltese would only reach the mid to high shin area of an adult whilst the back will sit roughly at your low to mid shin area.

How heavy will a Maltese be?

These little pups typically weigh between about 4-10 pounds (1.8 to 4.5kgs) and this range would be a healthy weight for your Maltese.

You may also want to know that these pups can be picky eaters at times.

What Colors do Maltese tend to be?

You’ll find Maltese puppies only come in pure white. Any other markings or colorings are not usually seen.

How long is the Coat of a Maltese?

Your Maltese dog will most likely have a very long, silky straight coat. Commonly these pooches have their hair so long that it touches the ground.

You can have it shorter if you prefer however it is important to have this long hair if you want to present your dog at competitive dog shows.

If you’re keeping these dogs purely as a pet then it is probably better to have their coat groomed professionally (around every 6 weeks). A shorter coat will be easier for you to maintain, definitely a good idea if you don’t have much time for grooming. Unlike many other breeds, the Maltese does not have an under layer to their coat.

How long will I need to spend Grooming my Maltese?

You will want to give theses pooches a good brush everyday otherwise their coats become tangled, especially if you prefer to keep their coats long. If you choose to have them regularly clipped then less grooming is required between clips but they will always benefit from a good shampoo.

One great thing about these little dogs is that their long elegant coat doesn’t shed, which can be great if someone in your family suffers from allergies. Also great if you don’t enjoy running around with a vacuum cleaner everyday!

You may have noticed some Maltese dogs can have the problem of dark staining underneath their eyes. Unfortunately it is very common with this breed as their tear ducts may not always function optimally for the amount of water their eyes produce.

It is important you stay aware of your dog’s eyes as keeping them clean is ideal.

Do Maltese puppies have a long lifespan?

Maltese puppies will typically live to be 12-15 years of age. It is possible to have your pup reach an older age than this, especially if you take good care of them and ensure their nutritional and exercise needs are met.

What sort of Temperament will a Maltese have?

Maltese dogs have an affectionate nature and can be quite playful with you. They will love getting your attention and will usually curl up in your lap when they get tired. They may have tendencies to be wary or even aggressive with small children or other dogs. This can be minimized if your children socialize and treat them well. Some also have a territorial nature and may become a bit over-protective of you.

How much Exercise will my Maltese need?

Maltese puppies won’t require a large amount of exercise so this can be great if you only enjoy going on short walks.

Taking them on a quick daily walk and keeping them entertained indoors will be enough to keep these pups happy. Playing and teaching them new tricks will also be a great way to bond with your Maltese pup.

When at the park, you may want to keep them on the lead as they can make great escape artists. Often running down the street or attempting to prove their toughness in front of other dogs with barking.

Am I the Ideal owner for a Maltese?

You’ll find these little dogs sometimes act a lot bigger and tougher then they really are. Your typical small dog syndrome. This usually happens around large dogs or certain people (maybe a certain sex or size). A family situation is great if your children are older. They can be beautiful cuddly dogs that will love your pampering. They will adore you if you spoil them. They will definitely return the favor, showing you lots of love and devotion.

Maltese puppies are intelligent little pooches that you’ll find are willing to learn new tricks. They can even be a good watchdog for your family as they will always let you know when someone’s at the door.

A Maltese puppy can be suitable if you live in an apartment or a house, as long as you provide them daily play session and get them out for a walk.