When you are thinking about getting a dog to add to your family, choosing the breed to get is not an easy choice. For those who have never owned a Maltese, they may wonder if this is a good dog for their family. Bringing a pet home is an important decision, so it is important to know all that you can about the type of dog that you are considering before you go out and purchase one.
You want to make sure that a maltese will fit well with your household and that you will be able to provide the dog with the proper amount of care that it requires. This article will provide you with information about the Maltese breed to help you determine if it is the right breed of dog for your needs. These dogs are amazing, but they may not be the right choice for everyone. Read on to learn more.
1. Size
One of the reasons that people consider getting a maltese puppy is because of their small size. Out of the 21 types of toy sized dog breeds, the maltese is one of the tiniest. Even as an adult, he will be smaller or the same size as a puppy of some of the other breeds. The average size of a full grown maltese dog is just under seven pounds.
Those that are used in shows are typically between four to six pounds. The weight range for pets is three to eight pounds. The dogs only reach a height of about eight to ten inches. They are similar to other toy dog breeds such as the Chihuahua, Papillon, or Pomeranian. These tiny dogs are quite adorable and are fun to be around. However, there are some pros and cons of owning a tiny dog that need to be considered.
2. Perfect for Small Homes
One of the benefits of choosing a small dog such as a Maltese is that they do not take up much room. There is no need for a large yard and the cost of feeding one of these tiny pups is quite low. It is also easy to take a maltese with you in when you are out running errands. There are some great carry slings available that are perfect for toting your pal around with you.
They do need exercise, but walking them a short distance at a brisk pace is quite easy. You will find that these pups are quite energetic and playful, but because they are so tiny they can wear themselves out even if you do not have a lot of room in your home for them to run around in. So if you own a small home or live in an apartment, a maltese may be the perfect choice.
3. Injuries
When it comes to dog breeds, as mentioned the Maltese is one of the smallest. The small size of this breed of dog means that it is prone to being accidentally injured. A small fall can cause big injuries to this type of pup. In addition, care must be taken to not step on these small dogs. A simple step on one of these pups can cause them great injury.
A home that has toddlers may not be ideal for this type of dog unless the parents have the time and patience to teach appropriate care to their toddlers and to provide close supervision at all times. When you own a maltese they can truly bring you great joys. However, you also must remember that they are quite tiny and very fragile, so you must be willing to provide them with the proper care and attention that they require.
4. Less Shedding
Maltese dogs have a single coat of hair. They do not have fur. A dog with a coat that offers this texture provides some advantages and disadvantages. The advantage of the Maltese breed’s coat is that there is very minimal shedding to deal with. While they do shed, because all dogs do, the re-growth cycles for hair are minimal, which means that they are less noticeable.
In addition, since the dogs have a single coat of hair, any allergies that you may associate with dogs may be less severe around this breed. It is important to keep in mind that there is not a dog that is 100 percent hypoallergenic as many people are allergic to the proteins found in the saliva of the dog, which is present in all breeds of dogs. Dander is another allergen and is found with any dog that has hair, including the Maltese. However, it is much less with this breed.
5. Hair Styles
Another great thing about owning a Maltese is that these dogs are a breed that can have many different hair styles. Other breeds have limited amounts of hair styles because their fur may not grow long or a close shave can damage the coat. The maltese breed can easily go from having a short puppy coat to a long show coat. You can even give the dog a close shave as the coat will then grow back.
The possibilities for different hairstyles are really endless as there is so much you can do with their coat of hair. The hair is silky and soft to the touch, which makes this a great dog to cuddle. If you are looking for a way to express your dog’s personality, a fun haircut may be the perfect choice. Their coat of hair is similar to humans, so it is easy to manipulate into any style that you decide on.
6. Skin Issues
Since the Maltese breed has a one layer coat that is silky, the dogs tend to become chilled easily. This is easy to fix by simply putting a cute sweater or shirt on the dog. In addition, since the coat does not offer the dog much protection, skin issues are quite common. Dry skin is one most common skin problems that the Maltese breed of dog suffers from.
One of the ways to rectify this issue is to use high quality dog shampoos when bathing the dog. It is also important to use high quality coat products on their hair. Adding humidity to the home during the winter months is also important to help keep their skin from drying out. Make sure that you keep a close eye on your dog’s fur and skin to ensure that they remain happy and comfortable while in your care.
7. Coloring
Most often the Maltese breed will have a coat that is solid white. However, there are some pups that will have a small touch of light tan or lemon coloring around the ears. This small amount of coloring is permissible in the show ring. While a white coat is wonderful in many different ways, there are also some challenges to consider. In order for a white dog to stay white, it is important to maintain their coat.
Urine and debris from the outside can quickly cause stains on the coat of hair. It is common for these dogs to develop tear stains around the eye area. These are rust colored stains caused by the liquid coming from the eyes. Using low quality shampoos and hair treatments can remove the shine from their coat. If you are going to adopt a Maltese puppy, you need to be ready to take good care of their fur to keep it shiny and healthy.
8. Personality
When it comes to canines, the Maltese offers a wonderful personality. This makes it a great family pet. These dogs are often very happy, playful, and active. At times the Maltese breed may be a bit shy. However, unlike some of the other breeds of toy dogs that often become nervous when taken into a new situation, the Maltese will typically adjust well to any situation that they are taken into.
These dogs are very easy going and are often very content as long as their owner remains with them. This means that you can take your maltese pup just about anywhere that you want to go as they will be quite happy as long as they are by your side. If you are looking for a companion to take along with you, the Maltese will help to make all of your trips that much better as they will be happy to tag along.
9. Long Life Span
When it comes to breeds of dogs, the Maltese have a relatively long life span when compared to others. If they are taken care of they can live to be about twelve to fifteen years old. These dogs are quite sweet and cute. They are adorable and have a very pretty coat of fur. Just being around one of these pups can make you feel better as they love to be right in the middle of the action and right next to the humans that they love.
They are perfect companions for single people who are looking for a friend or a family that has the time and attention to train and engage in different activities with the dog or puppy. If you devote your time to your Maltese puppy, you will end up being greatly rewarded for many years to come.
10. “Teacup” Maltese
When it comes to the Maltese breed there are some people that will advertise that they have a “teacup” version of this breed. The breeders state that the dog will stay under four pounds. This sounds great as you picture a tiny little dog that you can basically hold in one hand. However, you should stay away from any breeder offering a teacup Maltese.
The reason for this is because these dogs are being illegally created and bred. In addition, these smaller than average dogs come with a whole host of health issues. Most of these smaller than normal dogs will become very sick, especially if they have not been properly bred and then cared for after. It is simply best to stay away from any breeder that offers a teacup version of the Maltese breed. The Maltese is a fun and cute little dog on its own and this form of breeding is simply not good.
