Gentle, enthusiastic, and very active inside, a Maltese is a bright, curious, and playful dog who enjoys clever games that allows him to exercise his intelligence. Bred as a companion animal, he is gentle, devoted to their master, needs time with family, and does best when paired with someone who loves to spend time with their dog. If he is to live in a family with children, he is best with older, well behaved, children who are both careful and gentle. If subjected to inconsiderate children, he may be snappish with them.

He usually does well with other well-behaved animals and, although he may not believe so, he must be protected from larger dogs who might consider him a delicacy or harm him unintentionally. With some lines more outgoing than others, most are cautiously respectful of strangers and, although generally quiet, they make exceptional watchdogs. But with their diminutive size, they should not be expected nor allowed to offer protective services.

Less active outside than in, their exercise needs are minimal. A romp in the yard, a trip back and forth to the mailbox, and a couple of play sessions are all that is needed. But he doesn’t like to be left alone for extended periods or on a regular basis. If fenced, inspect the fence on a regular basis to make sure there is nowhere for him to wriggle through. One of the smallest of the toy breeds, he is fragile, a jump from your arms can result in a broken leg.

The Maltese is easily recognized by its long, flat, silky, dazzling white coat hanging to the ground from a part that runs down the center of his back. He is a tiny dog, weighing on the average 4-7 pounds and a compact body with a length and height of 7-8 inches. Over-sized individuals are sturdier and their consideration as a pet should not be dismissed.

Their coat should be pure white although some tend toward light ivory. His tail drapes over his back and his long, luxurious, flowing coat sheds minimally. On the move at a trot, a Maltese appears to float over the ground. But that gorgeous show coat does not come without daily effort. Most pet owners decide to clip them to reduce the grooming effort. They do fairly well in cool temperatures but are increasingly uncomfortable as the temperature rises.

Maltese pups are naturally cautious. To prevent excessive shyness from developing, provide them with early and extensive exposure to new people, sounds, things, and situations.

The Maltese is a breed that reflects their treatment. Treat him as helpless and he will become insecure, overly dependent, bratty and yappy. Treat him as the intelligent, capable little dog he is and he will strut self-confidently through life as if he owns the world. Although as a breed they are not yappy, some individuals must learn to control their barking.

Easy to train, many Maltese excel in competitive obedience and agility. They are attentive and happily respond to positive, gentle training techniques. But they are notoriously difficult to housetrain. Consistent crate training, dog doors, and indoor potty pads are helpful, although for some the task is never fully completed successfully.