Maltese

Maltese come from the island of Malta in the Mediterranean and are one of the oldest breeds in existence. There is a record of Maltese dogs mentioned as early as 300 B.C., and Greek art depicts Maltese-like dogs from the 5th century onwards. There is evidence that the Greeks even erected tombs to honor Maltese dogs. 

The dogs were exported and made their way around Europe and Asia, but the core population stayed isolated on the island, allowing for the dog to develop into the distinctive breed we know today with long, silky, striking white hair. 

Maltese became a favored lap dog among British aristocrats in the 1500s and continued their association with the aristocracy for many centuries. They were brought to America in the late 1800s and are now one of the most popular small dog breeds. 

Maltese dogs make great pets for first-time owners, so long as you enjoy grooming. These cotton balls are surprisingly active for their size, enjoying robust daily walks and obedience and trick training. They make good family dogs so long as younger children understand that they are not toys despite looking like one.

Maltese like daily exercise. They love brain games and will enthusiastically accompany their owners wherever they go, whether that’s just to the bathroom or to dinner at a restaurant.

Malteses are pint-sized. They don’t need a ton of space to get by so long as they have plenty of access to the outdoors for walks and potty time.

Maltese will need to be introduced to grooming as early as possible because they will spend a lot of time being brushed and detangled—and helping them enjoy it will make it a much more rewarding process for you both. Regular grooming will keep the long, silky, supple coat tangle-free and shiny. If neglected, mats can form quickly and become painful for the little dog.

Maltese are hardly couch potatoes despite loving lounging around with their owners. They are intelligent dogs that love learning, especially tricks and games. They should be trained on a leash and to come when called, especially since they have strong instincts to chase everything from squirrels to your neighbor’s cat.

Beautiful, agile, and very adaptable, Maltese make great family pets for families that have no children or children who understand that these little dogs aren’t toys to play with on a whim. They are small, gentle dogs. Chaotic family life might be disturbing to them if they are not socialized and trained properly.

The cost of a Maltese from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.