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Maltese
📍 Origin
Italy
📏 Size
Small
Lifespan
12–15 years
🐾 Coat Length
Short to Long

Maltese

Dog Breed Guide
Personality:
The Maltese is a tiny dog breed with big personality.
About:

The Maltese, with its silky white coat and affectionate personality, is a small breed known for its charm and devotion, making it a delightful companion for those seeking a loving lapdog with a touch of elegance.

Temperament Attributes
Affectionate
Friendly
Independent
Intelligence
Energy Level
Adaptability
Watchdog Ability:
Coat Colors 🎨
Pure whitelight tan or lemon
Weather Tolerance 🌤
☀️ Hot Weather — 28/10❄️ Cold Weather — 0/10

Diet

Feed your Maltese high-quality, small-breed-specific kibble rich in protein and omega fatty acids, and ensure regular, small meals throughout the day to prevent hypoglycemia. Always consult your vet for dietary advice tailored to your dog's specific needs.

Maltese Diet Essentials

Maltese Puppy Diet Essentials

Daily Requirement:

  • A Maltese puppy typically requires around 55-75 calories per pound of body weight per day.

Nutritional Balance:

  • Look for dog foods that provide a balanced diet of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals specifically formulated for puppies.

Life Stage Specific:

  • Choose a puppy-specific formula to support their growth and development needs.

Special Dietary Needs:

  • Maltese puppies may have sensitive stomachs, so consider foods with limited ingredients or formulas designed for sensitive digestion.

Trusted Brands:

  • Royal Canin, Purina Pro Plan, Hill's Science Diet, Pedigree, Farmina N&D.

Frequently asked questions about Maltese

Quick answers sourced from our breed reference data.

Where do Maltese dogs originate from?

The Maltese breed originated from Italy.

How big do Malteses get and how long do they live?

Malteses are a small-sized dog and typically live 12–15 years.

What is the temperament of a Maltese?

Malteses are commonly described as the maltese is a tiny dog breed with big personality.

Are Malteses good for families and first-time owners?

Based on temperament scores in our breed database, Malteses are well-suited to family environments. Always meet the individual dog before bringing one home — personality varies within any breed.

What coat type and colours do Malteses have?

Malteses have a short to long coat in colours including Pure white, light tan or lemon.

What climate do Malteses tolerate?

Malteses typically tolerate hot weather up to 28°C and cold weather up to 0°C. Adjust shelter, exercise, and grooming for your local climate.

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