Small and playful, the Maltese is one of the dogs that is most successful among Brazilians, mainly because of its small size. Easily recognized by its long, white fur, the Maltese dog breed is very popular not only because of its appearance, but also because of its docile and affectionate temperament. In addition, this is a dog with several other attributes:when it comes to the Maltese, intelligent personality is another aspect that stands out.

However, as they are full of energy, small furry dogs of this breed may require regular walks and more attention. How about getting to know the Maltese a little more? Characteristics, origin, personality, care, health, curiosities ... we have gathered in an article everything about Maltese that you need to know. Get ready to fall even more in love with this small dog breed!

Maltese dog x-ray

• Origin : Island of Malta
• Group : Pet dogs
• Coat : smooth, long and soft, without curls
• Colors : white (or at most ivory)
• Personality : docile, sociable, fun, affectionate and a little genial
• Height : 25 to 30 cm
• Weight : 4.5 to 8 kg
• Life expectancy : 12 to 15 years

The origin of the Maltese comes from the Island of Malta

There is a lot of speculation about the origin of certain dog breeds. In the case of the Maltese, there are theories that believe that the little dog appeared in Ancient Egypt, but the truth is that the breed as it is known today originated on the island of Malta, located in the Mediterranean Sea. Its ancestors lived in ports and maritime cities hunting small rodents, such as rats and mice, which were then hunted.were hiding in warehouses and ships (which you can tell from the dog's excellent nose).

Also known as Bichon Maltese, it is believed that the breed began to be used as a bargaining chip by sailors, which would explain how the pet arrived in America and Europe. It is worth mentioning that the dog was not so small at the beginning: the "giant" Maltese was a possibility, but after crossing with other breeds, its size decreased until it reached its current stature. The American Kennel Clubofficially recognized the Maltese in 1888, when the breed became part of dog shows and competitions. However, the worldwide popularization of the mini Maltese only happened after the 1950s.

Maltese: physical characteristics are not limited to white coat

Although the completely white coat is one of the most striking Maltese characteristics, there are other aspects of this little dog that do not go unnoticed. The shape of the breed's head, for example, is something that draws attention: the Maltese dog has a slightly longer face than the muzzle, and its entire body follows the more elongated shape. With dark eyes that stand out in the dark.With a light coat, the Maltese is always on the lookout for everything and is also distinguished by its long ears, thick tail and short paws.

The colors of the Maltese dog are not varied. In fact, the only accepted standard is the pure white coat, but slightly ivory tones are allowed. Do not confuse it with a brown Maltese or with any other dark color, as this does not meet the breed standards. Maltese dog must be white, with smooth, long, soft and shiny hair, without the presence of curls. In addition, thecoat is usually longer in the head region.

And what is the size of an adult Maltese? The height of the dog varies between 20 and 25 cm; and the weight varies from 3 to 4 kg. For those who wonder about the types of Maltese, dog of the breed has no variations in size, so there is no such thing as a large Maltese. With regard to the "miniature Maltese", "mini Maltese", "toy Maltese", "dwarf Maltese" or "micro Maltese", size is the same, and these nomenclatures,although very popular, are not officially recognized.

Maltese: breed personality is marked by diplomacy, kindness and intelligence

• Coexistence:

Of the small dog breeds, the Maltese is one of the most popular, and there's no shortage of reasons why. Think of a fun-loving pooch who can't do without his guardian's affection: that's the Maltese! There's no doubt that this dog loves to be the center of attention, which is why he goes to great lengths to express his charisma. With his playful, cheerful and uninhibited manner, the Maltese's personality is one of the best in the world!The Maltese will please anyone who loves a more "given" pet.

The only warning is that, because of the need to interact with humans, the ideal is to avoid leaving the Maltese alone for long periods. Extremely docile and attached to the family, the Maltese can suffer from "separation anxiety", which is when the pet misses the guardian very much when left alone. In this case, the ideal is to accustom the puppy from an early age to these absent moments - but nothing toFor the Maltese, family is something super important, so it's good to give back all that affection in return!

• Socialization:

Sociable and gentle, the Maltese adapts easily to living with children and other pets, making him a good learner. Therefore, the socialization of the puppy does not require major concerns if he is a Maltese - similar breeds, such as Poodle and Bichon Frisé, are also like that. This is because one of the characteristics of Maltese that stands out is its diplomacy, as well as the easy adaptation to different environments.However, one tip is to make sure you invest in socializing your Maltese puppies, just in case.

• Training:

As not everything is flowers, the mini Maltese puppy can sometimes be quite stubborn and determined. Therefore, it is essential to invest in good training from puppyhood to maintain a good relationship between the pet and the family. The training will not take much effort, since the mini Maltese is super intelligent and does not have much difficulty learning obedience commands. This is even wellimportant to curb dog barking : Maltese breed can bark frequently and end up annoying the neighbors . To facilitate the training process, bet on positive reinforcement and rewards!

Maltese x Shih Tzu and other breeds: know the differences

For those looking for a small dog breed, Maltese is always one of the options to think about. However, it is also often confused with other breeds such as the Shih Tzu, Poodle, Lhasa Apso or Bichon Frisé. The differences, however, are quite evident to those who have a closer look or live with the Maltese mini breed dogs.

Compared to the Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso, the mini Maltese is considered the smallest of the dogs and always has a smooth white coat with a darker outline around the eyes. The Shih Tzu and Lhasa, on the other hand, have varying colorations.

As for the Bichon Frisé, Poodle and miniature Maltese, coat characteristics are the main difference. While the Bichon Frisé and the Poodle have denser and curly-looking hair, the mini Maltese dog has thinner, smoother and straighter hair, without being curly.

One crossbreed that has been winning the hearts of owners is that of a Maltese with Poodle. In this case, the Poodle mixed with Maltese gives rise to what we call Maltipoo, one of the most unusual mixtures of dog breeds.

Maltese, Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, Bichon Frisé and Poodle dog photos to differentiate

5 curiosities about the Maltese mini breed

1) The small and adorable Maltese was one of the great darlings of royalty! Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary of Scots were fans of the breed.

2) The world of celebrities also could not resist the charms of the Maltese: dog breed is successful among several celebrities who own a copy, such as Bruna Marquezine, Claudia Leitte, Halle Berry and Miley Cyrus.

3) A Maltese dog has now entered the Guinness Book of Records. His name was Lucky and he earned the title of "Most Photographed Animal with Celebrities." He was recognized after being photographed with 363 public figures, including Bill Clinton, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.

4) Several painters have depicted Maltese mini dogs in their paintings, such as Joshua Reynolds and Francisco Goya.

5) The toy Maltese was incredibly adored by the Egyptians! There is even a statue depicting the breed in the city of Fayum in Egypt. It is believed that these little dogs were seen as deities, just like cats.

Maltese puppy: how to take care and what to expect from the dog?

If this is already a small dog, Maltese puppy is even smaller! Therefore, it is necessary to take care of the puppy in the first months of life. The environment should be as comfortable as possible to receive the pet, with bed, toys, drinking fountain, feeder and everything else he needs. The mini Maltese puppy is very cute and quiet, but remember that it is not enough just to think about the price of a puppy,other expenses are also part of this adaptation and must be taken into account.

One of the most important Maltese care at this early stage is with their health. Puppy vaccinations are indicated after 45 days of life, as well as deworming. It is important to complete the vaccination schedule without delay and pay attention to the intervals of doses to ward off dangerous diseases and keep the puppy healthy. After that, it is already possible to take the first walks with your Maltese puppy and givestart socialization (which he loves) and other types of training.

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Questions and answers about the Maltese

1) What is the price of a Maltese?

Maltese puppies can cost up to R$ 5,000, depending on the kennel. The price, in general, starts from R$ 1,500, and will vary according to some characteristics of the pet, such as sex and genetic lineage.

2) How to know if the Maltese is pure?

Color is one of the main aspects to define this. The white Maltese is the only possible one, although the ivory Maltese is also accepted. It also has an elongated face and body, as well as dark eyes and droopy ears. To be sure that the breed is pure, it is ideal to request the dog pedigree at the time of purchase.

3) Which is better: Shih Tzu or Maltese?

Both the Maltese and the Shih Tzu are friendly and loyal dogs. However, the former is more energetic and active, while the latter is calmer and quieter. To know which breed is best, it is important to assess what characteristics you are looking for in a pet.

4) How to raise a Maltese?

The Maltese puppy needs to be trained and socialized in the first months of life. Positive associations work well to encourage the puppy during training. To do this, use treats, affection and praise to your advantage. To complete, do not forget to provide an environment with everything the animal needs to have a good quality of life.

How to care for a Maltese dog? See the main care for the breed!

Bath: this is one of the most important care, and should happen at least once or twice a month. Do not forget to use specific products for pets!

Tosa: Whether it's a Poodle or a Maltese, grooming is necessary to maintain an impeccable appearance, so regular grooming at one-month intervals is a good way to keep him clean and tidy.

Brushing: it is necessary to maintain a daily brushing frequency with the Maltese mini. The pin brush or the stainless steel comb are the best allies to prevent the hairs from curling.

Nails: the very long claws can be annoying, so it is good to cut the Maltese dog's nails regularly, if they do not wear down naturally with walks and activities.

Teeth: it is good to brush your dog's teeth at least two or three times a week. This helps to keep unwanted problems such as tartar at bay.

Ears: when it comes to taking care of the Maltese mini dog's hygiene, it is worth checking the pet's ears to see if everything is right and cleaning at least once or twice a month.

More Maltese photos to fall in love with

Small dog breeds: Maltese are predisposed to some health problems

Even though the Maltese may look like a small, fragile dog, they are usually quite healthy if they are well cared for. However, as with most puppies, some conditions - such as heart complications, patellar luxation and canine obesity - are typical of the breed. Therefore, it is best to have your dog's health assessed regularly by a trusted veterinarian. Reinforcing thevaccinations is also important and should happen annually.

Another important point is that to prevent obesity in the mini adult Maltese, the ideal is to maintain good eating habits, with balanced meals combined with physical activities and daily play. The recommended daily amount of Maltese dog food is 1/4 to 1/2 cup of dry food, divided into two meals. With the right care, the breed's life expectancy can reach 15 years.years.

Is there such a thing as a mini Maltese? Here's the real story behind the name

Although known as a small dog, the Maltese is also classified as a toy breed. But does the micro Maltese exist? A quick search on the internet can show that many people sometimes refer to the breed as a "micro toy" Maltese or a "miniature" Maltese. Characteristics of the breed, however, are not different because of the name in any way.

Contrary to what many people believe, the term is not synonymous with smaller stature than the standard breed. In fact, the classification refers to a group of small dogs of which the Maltese is part. Therefore, it is a mistake to say that there is a Maltese mini or Maltese micro. Price is always the same, since they are dogs with a unique size and are part of the dog breeds that do not grow much.

How much does a Maltese cost? Price can reach R$ 5 thousand

If you've fallen in love and are thinking of getting a Maltese puppy, you must be wondering how much exactly a Maltese puppy costs, right? The truth is that, like other dog breeds, Maltese can have some variation in its price, but it is not usually very expensive. In general, the male costs between R $ 1,500 and R $ 2,500; and the female Maltese between R $ 2 thousand and R $ 3,500. In addition to gender, the pet's lineage is also important.another factor that can influence the price, so that dogs descended from champions are more expensive.

It is worth noting that if you have a preference for a pure Maltese, it is essential to look for a reliable dog kennel that has good references. If possible, make a few visits to the place to make sure they value the care of the parents and puppies they raise.