Maltese
- Apartment friendly
- Hypoallergenic
- Barely sheds
- Lots of grooming
- Barks a lot
The Maltese is a small, elegant breed with a long, silky coat. They have a round head with a short muzzle and large, black eyes with a gentle expression. The Maltese is an affectionate, happy breed that loves to be around its family and is known for its gentle and playful nature.
- Weight
- 4–7 lb (2–3 kg)
- Height at the shoulder
- 7–10 in (18–25 cm)
- Life span
- 12–14 years
- Exercise
- About 30 minutes a day
- Coat
- Long
- Origin
- Central Mediterranean, Italy (Ancient (pre-Roman))
Traits
Family and friends
- Children: OK with children
- Other dogs: OK with other dogs
- Strangers: Polite with strangers
Home and activity
- Energy: Moderately active
- Apartment living: Great in an apartment
- Barking: Barks often
- Training: Easy to train
Care
- Grooming: Lots of grooming
- Shedding: Barely sheds
- Drooling: Hardly drools
Temperament
Affectionate
Fearless
Gentle
Intelligent
Lively
Playful
Coat colours
Ivory (permitted but not preferred) and white
Males and females
| Measure | Males | Females |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 4–7 lb (2–3 kg) | 4–7 lb (2–3 kg) |
| Height | 8–10 in (20–25 cm) | 7–9 in (18–23 cm) |
Recognized by
American Kennel Club (AKC), Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), The Kennel Club (UK) (KC) and United Kennel Club (UKC)
Caring for a Maltese
Find pet services near you that suit this breed.
Breeds of a similar size
All toy breeds
Sources
- Official Standard of the Maltese (AKC) (opens in a new tab)
- Breed Standards: Maltese (United Kennel Club) (opens in a new tab)
- Maltese dog - Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)
Breed details from The Dog API (opens in a new tab).