Pronunciation :
Mall-TEEZ

Plural :
Maltese (not Malteses)

Nickname :
Ancient Dog of Malta, Maltese Lion Dog, melita, Maltese Terrier, Bichon Maltaise.

Origin :
Malta.

History :
The first pictorial representation of an obviously Maltese dog dates back to +300B.C. in Egypt. Unlike the commonly held belief, it did not originate in Malta at all.

Breed Purpose :
Companion Dog.

Dog Group :
Toy.

General Appearance :
The Maltese is a toy dog covered from head to foot with a mantle of long, silky, white hair. He is gentle-mannered and affectionate, eager and sprightly in action, and, despite his size, possessed of the vigor needed for the satisfactory companion.

Height :
8-10" / 20.32-25.4 cm

Weight :
4-9 lbs / 1.81-4.08 kg

Lifespan :
15-17 years

Coat and Color :
The coat is single, that is, without undercoat. It hangs long, flat, and silky over the sides of the body almost, if not quite, to the ground. Color, pure white. Light tan or lemon on the ears is permissible, but not desirable.

Physical Traits :
Dainty, smart carriage, elegant.

Hair Type :
Long, profuse, silky, flat, luxurious, sheds little.

Temperament :
Lively, bright, sweet natured, fearless, gentle, eager, trusting, affectionate, responsive, hardy, lively, playful, good-tempered, sensitive, alert.

Health :
The Maltese is a comparatively healthy breed with few inherent problems. Some health concerns for the breed include luxating patella, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), and portosystemic liver shunt.

Exercise :
Maltese need a daily walk. Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs. They are very active indoors

Care :
The Maltese coat requires daily brushing and combing to prevent matting. The coat is extremely soft and silky, so gentle care is highly recommended. They need to be bathed or dry shampooed on a regular basis. The eyes need daily cleaning to prevent staining. It is also important to keep their ears clean and free from stray hair. They may be prone to eye problems, skin disorders, and respiratory problems. The Maltese do not do well in very hot climates or damp conditions. They may be finicky eaters and suffer indigestion. Dental hygiene is important to prevent tooth loss.

Ideal Environment :
The Maltese is well-suited to life in a small household or apartment.

Ideal For :
Family, Companionship other Pets .

Good With Kids ?
Yes, with supervision. too small and delicate for young children.

Dominance Level :
Submissive.

Energy Type :
Mixed.

Guard/Watch Dog Rating :
Average.

Recognition :
CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR