Discovering the Maltese Terrier: A Comprehensive Guide for Dog Lovers

By Sophie Kininmonth · 17 Jan 2026 (updated 21 Jul 2026) ·7 min read

Discovering the Maltese Terrier: A Comprehensive Guide for Dog Lovers

The Maltese is a toy companion dog with a long white silky coat, a bright and alert nature, and centuries of history as a lap dog rather than a working animal. It is small, affectionate, and well suited to apartments and quieter households. It is also a genuine grooming and dental commitment, and that is the part people tend to underestimate. A coat like this tangles the way hair tangles, and small breeds carry real dental risk. What follows covers size, temperament, training, grooming, diet, and the health issues seen in toy dogs, grounded in breed standards and veterinary guidance.

Quick Facts

The breed is often called a "Maltese Terrier" online, but the recognised name in major kennel-club standards is simply Maltese.¹

Size: Toy breed; height up to about 25 cm at the withers (breed standard).¹
Weight: Commonly around 2 to 4 kg for pet dogs (varies by line and condition).²
Coat: Long, straight, silky, white; single coat with no woolly undercoat.¹
Temperament: Lively, intelligent, alert; traditionally a companion dog.¹
Typical lifespan: Often 12 to 15 years with good preventive care.²
Exercise needs: Usually modest; short walks and play each day suit most individuals.³

History and Origin

The Maltese is an old Mediterranean companion breed, long associated with small lap dogs kept for company rather than work. The island of Malta is often referenced in the name and popular history, but what is most consistent across modern breed authorities is the dog's long-standing role as a human companion.¹

Appearance and Physical Characteristics

Maltese are small, fine-boned dogs. Breed standards describe a compact little animal with height not exceeding 25 cm at the withers.¹ Pet weights vary. Many adult Maltese kept as family pets sit roughly in the 2 to 4 kg range, though individuals can be smaller or larger depending on breeding lines, diet, and muscle tone.²

The classic coat is long, straight and silky, with no woolly undercoat.¹ That single coat often means less hair left around the house, but it does not make the breed "hypoallergenic". All dogs produce allergens, from dander, saliva, and urine, and some people still react even to low-shedding breeds.⁴

Temperament and Personality

A well-bred, well-socialised Maltese is bright and people-focused. Breed standards describe the temperament as sweet-tempered, lively, intelligent and alert.¹ They tend to live close to their humans, following room to room, choosing warm laps, and keeping an eye on household activity. That closeness is a strength, but it also means they do not thrive when left isolated for long stretches.

Maltese can live happily with children, but their small size changes the rules. Falls, squeezing, and rough handling can injure a toy dog quickly, so supervision and calm, gentle interaction matter more than the dog's friendliness. With other animals, early exposure and steady, quiet introductions go further than letting them sort it out. A small dog can be overwhelmed by a bouncy larger dog even when nobody means harm.

Is a Maltese Right for You?

A Maltese suits you if you want a small, indoor-oriented companion and you are honest about the daily coat and dental upkeep. This is not a low-maintenance dog you can leave to its own devices. A Maltese that is not brushed, handled gently, and kept on top of dental care can end up with painful mats, sore gums, and avoidable vet visits. They also do not cope well with long hours alone. If you are out of the house for most of the day and cannot commit to regular grooming, another breed will be a better fit.

Training and Exercise

Maltese are often quick to learn, especially with short sessions and consistent rewards. Keep cues simple, reward the behaviour you want, and end on success before the dog loses interest. Most do not need long-distance exercise, but they do need daily movement and something to think about. A short walk or two, plus indoor play and basic training games, suits the breed's size and energy for many households.³

Because they are alert, some individuals are prone to nuisance barking. Regular play, predictable routines, and teaching a calm "settle" can make the world feel less noisy.

Health and Lifespan

Maltese are often long-lived, with many sources placing the typical lifespan around 12 to 15 years.² Like most toy breeds, they have patterns of risk worth planning for early.

Dental disease. Small breeds are especially prone to dental disease. Brushing is widely recommended as the most effective at-home prevention, ideally daily, alongside regular veterinary checks.⁵ A few times a week is still meaningfully better than nothing, but consistency matters more than intensity. Start early with gentle lip lifts and a finger rub before you ever introduce a brush. Use pet toothpaste only, because human toothpaste can be harmful if swallowed.⁵ Ask your vet about professional cleans; some dogs need scaling and polishing over their lifetime even with home care.⁶

Patellar luxation. Slipping kneecaps are a common orthopaedic issue in small-breed dogs. The kneecap moves out of its normal groove and can show up as an intermittent skipping step or sudden hind-leg lameness.⁷ Mild cases may be managed conservatively; more severe cases can require surgery, and your vet will grade severity and advise options.⁷

Eye and skin sensitivity. Maltese can be prone to irritation around the eyes, especially if hair rubs or the face stays damp. Skin can also react to parasites, grooming products, or diet changes. These are not guaranteed problems, but they are common enough that gentle grooming and regular checks are part of sensible ownership.

Grooming and Care

A Maltese coat is beautiful because it behaves like hair, and like hair, it tangles. If you keep a long coat, daily brushing is usually needed to prevent mats forming close to the skin, the kind you do not see until they are tight.³ Many pet owners choose a shorter "puppy clip" for comfort and practicality. It does not remove grooming needs, but it makes them manageable.

Brush: gentle daily brushing for long coats; several times a week for shorter clips, and more if the dog swims or wears a harness.
Bathe: as needed with a mild dog shampoo; rinse thoroughly to avoid residue.
Eyes and face: keep hair out of the eyes with a topknot or trim, and wipe dampness away to reduce irritation.³
Nails: trim regularly; overlong nails change gait and can worsen discomfort.

Diet and Nutrition

Choose a complete and balanced diet appropriate for a small breed and your dog's life stage, whether puppy, adult, or senior. Toy dogs can gain weight quickly, and extra kilos place more load through small joints and potentially through already-wobbly kneecaps. Many Maltese do well on two measured meals a day. Treats count, so if you are training, use tiny rewards and reduce meal size slightly rather than adding calories on top.

Keep toxic foods well away from curious noses. Grapes, raisins, onions, and chocolate are classic hazards, and the risk is not theoretical.⁸

A Few Things Worth Knowing

Maltese generally suit apartment life, as long as they are not treated like ornaments. They still need daily movement, sniff time, and calm exposure to the wider world.
They need safe footing. Slippery floors, steep stairs, and high couches are an injury risk for small dogs; ramps, rugs, and a low bed prevent a lot of mishaps.
The single coat sheds less than double-coated breeds, but low shedding is not the same as allergy-free.⁴

The Bottom Line

The Maltese is a small companion dog with a very practical set of demands: coat care, dental care, gentle handling, and steady daily attention. Meet those needs and you usually get a dog that settles in close, bright-eyed, watchful, and quietly devoted.

References

Sophie Kininmonth

Dog lover and writer at My Pets Australia, sharing practical breed guides and care advice for Australian pet owners.