9 Things To Know Before Getting A Maltese Puppy

Is a Maltese Right for You?

Before anything else — run through this checklist honestly. The Maltese is one of the most devoted breeds on the planet, but that devotion cuts both ways. The best owners aren't necessarily experienced dog people — they're just realistic.

5 Maltese Myths — Debunked

A lot of what people assume about Maltese dogs is wrong. Tap each myth to see the real story.

Fearless, Affectionate, and Surprisingly Bold

The Maltese personality is a paradox: they are among the most gentle and affectionate companions you'll ever meet, yet they carry a fearless confidence that defies their tiny frame. The AKC breed standard describes them as "gentle-mannered and affectionate, eager and sprightly in action, and, despite his size, possessed of the vigor needed for a satisfactory companion."

They form unbreakable bonds with their owners and become true shadows — following you room to room, sleeping against your leg, and monitoring your every move with an expression of absolute devotion. According to the American Temperament Test Society, 82.4% of Maltese pass the temperament test, a solid score reflecting their overall emotional stability.

How the Maltese Compares to Similar Breeds

Separation Anxiety: The Maltese Achilles Heel

The same intense love that makes the Maltese such an extraordinary companion creates its biggest challenge. A Maltese left alone doesn't just sit quietly waiting for you — it suffers. This isn't drama or bad behavior; it's what happens when a breed designed over millennia for close human contact is suddenly isolated.

How to Prevent and Manage It

Grooming: Beautiful Coat, Real Commitment

The Maltese's most iconic feature — its long, flowing, pure white coat — is also its most demanding care requirement. Unlike most dogs, the Maltese has hair rather than fur, with a single-layer coat (no undercoat) that grows continuously like human hair. This gives them their hypoallergenic quality, but also means the coat is extremely prone to tangling and matting if not maintained religiously.

Grooming Schedule at a Glance

Long Coat vs. Puppy Cut

Show Length (Long Coat)

• Daily brushing — line brush section by section
• Always spritz detangling spray before brushing (water tightens mats)
• Condition after every bath — mandatory, not optional
• Stunning to look at; significant time investment

Puppy Cut (Short Trim)

• Brushing every 3 days is sufficient
• Professional grooming every 4–6 weeks
• Dramatically reduces daily maintenance
• Most popular choice for pet (non-show) Maltese

Tear Staining: The Maltese Owner's Constant Battle

In a survey of 600 Maltese owners, 93% reported having a tear staining problem. Those reddish-brown marks under the eyes are caused by porphyrins — iron-containing molecules in tears — combined with bacteria and yeast that thrive in perpetually damp fur. On a pure white coat, any discoloration is impossible to ignore.

Maltese are especially susceptible because of their short muzzles, shallow eye sockets, and narrow tear ducts that can block drainage. This isn't vanity — chronic dampness under the eyes causes real skin irritation and discomfort.

Health: What Every Maltese Owner Must Know

The Maltese is generally a healthy breed with a lifespan of 12–15 years — about 25% above average for dogs overall. The oldest recorded Maltese lived to at least 20 years. However, several health conditions are more prevalent in this breed, and one in particular is a genuine emergency risk for puppies.

Health Issues by Prevalence

Other Conditions to Watch For

Training: Easy to Teach, Harder to Housebreak

Maltese are intelligent, eager to please, and genuinely enjoy learning. They respond beautifully to positive reinforcement — treats, praise, and play. Harsh corrections, yelling, or punitive methods will cause a Maltese to shut down or become fearful. Training sessions should be short (5–10 minutes), frequent, and always end on a positive note.

Their intelligence is a double-edged sword: Maltese learn bad habits just as quickly as good ones. If begging at the table gets results even once, that behavior is locked in. Consistency from every family member is non-negotiable.

Potty Training: The Real Challenge

Potty training is widely regarded as the most challenging aspect of Maltese ownership. Their tiny bladders physically cannot hold urine as long as larger breeds, and some dogs have a stubborn streak that adds real friction.

Socialization: The Key to a Confident Dog

The critical socialization window is 3–16 weeks of age. A Maltese puppy that meets a wide variety of people, dogs, environments, sounds, and situations during this window grows into a confident, friendly, adaptable adult. One that doesn't becomes the stereotypical anxious, yappy small dog. Early socialization is the most important thing you can do — more than any training command.

Exercise and Living Needs

The Maltese has moderate exercise needs — around 30 minutes of daily activity is sufficient, which can be split into two walks of 10–15 minutes each plus indoor playtime. They are energetic and playful, not couch potatoes. An under-exercised Maltese is a bored Maltese, and a bored Maltese invents its own entertainment.

Feeding and Nutrition

Maltese have specific nutritional needs driven by their tiny size and high metabolic rate. The AKC estimates they require approximately 40–50 calories per pound of body weight daily — a higher ratio than large breeds.

What It Actually Costs to Own a Maltese

Maltese are a meaningful financial commitment. Expect to spend $1,000–$3,000 from a reputable breeder for a pet-quality puppy, or $2,000–$5,000+ for show and champion lines. Adoption through rescue typically runs $100–$600. Be wary of prices under $800 with no health certs — that almost always means a puppy mill.

8,000 Years Old: The World's First Lap Dog

The Maltese is one of the most ancient dog breeds in recorded history, with origins estimated as far back as 6,000 B.C. Unlike hunting breeds or working dogs, the Maltese was designed entirely for companionship from the very beginning. That context explains everything about their temperament — the devotion, the separation anxiety, the need to be close. It's not a quirk; it's 8,000 years of selective breeding.

Puppy, Adult, or Rescue — and Where to Get One

This is the section most articles skip, and it's the one that matters most before you spend a cent. The difference between a well-bred Maltese and one from a puppy mill isn't just price — it's potentially thousands in vet bills, years of behavioral challenges, and a much shorter, harder life for the dog.

Compare Your Options

Breeder Red Flags vs. Green Flags

A reputable breeder will ask you as many questions as you ask them. That's the single best sign. Use this checklist when evaluating any Maltese breeder:

• ✓OFA cardiac evaluation and patellar luxation results for both parents
• ✓DNA testing available for PRA and GM2 Gangliosidosis
• ✓Allows facility visits and meeting the mother
• ✓Asks YOU questions before agreeing to sell
• ✓Member of the American Maltese Association
• ✓Provides health guarantee, vaccination records, registration papers
• ✓Has a waitlist — puppies are not always immediately available
• ✕Price under $800 with no health certificates provided
• ✕Ships puppies without meeting you
• ✕Multiple breeds / litters always in stock
• ✕Sells through pet stores or online-only platforms

The Bottom Line: Is a Maltese Worth It?

The Maltese has endured as a beloved companion for 8,000 years for good reason. Few breeds match its combination of devotion, intelligence, compact size, and genuinely low-shedding coat. But this ancient aristocrat comes with real demands. Here's the honest at-a-glance verdict:

Written by Sviatoslav Oleksiv · Founder & Editor

Sviatoslav Oleksiv founded The Pets and Love in 2019. A lifelong pet owner and Rhodesian Ridgeback enthusiast, he writes and edits our guides to help fellow pet parents give their animals the best care.

Every guide follows our editorial standards. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice — always consult a licensed veterinarian about your pet's health.