Maltese FAQ
General, factual information about living with a Maltese — temperament, size, grooming, feeding, training and health considerations. This page is educational and is not veterinary advice.
The Maltese is a companion breed known for being affectionate, people-oriented and playful. They generally prefer to be near their family, and many are alert and quick to notice visitors. Individual personalities vary from calm and cuddly to lively and outgoing.
The Maltese is a toy breed. Breed standards describe adults as typically under about 7 pounds, standing roughly 7 to 9 inches at the shoulder. Adult size varies by individual and cannot be predicted with certainty from a young puppy.
Maltese are generally considered a long-lived toy breed, commonly cited at around 12 to 15 years. Lifespan depends on genetics, routine veterinary care, nutrition, dental care and overall lifestyle.
Many Maltese do well in families when interactions are calm and supervised. Because they are small and fragile, children should be taught to sit on the floor when holding a Maltese and to avoid rough handling, sudden grabbing or carrying the dog on stairs.
Maltese often live comfortably with other dogs and cats when introductions are gradual and positive. Care is important around much larger or very energetic dogs, since accidental injury is a real risk for a toy breed.
Their exercise needs are modest. Short daily walks plus indoor play and enrichment usually suit an adult Maltese. Puppies should have shorter, more frequent play sessions with plenty of rest in between.
The Maltese has a single, long, silky coat that needs regular attention. A full-length coat generally requires daily brushing and combing, while many pet homes choose a shorter trim that is easier to maintain. Professional grooming every few weeks is common.
Maltese have a single coat and are often described as low-shedding, with loose hair tending to stay in the coat rather than around the home. Low shedding is not the same as hypoallergenic — no dog is truly non-allergenic.
Tear staining is the reddish-brown discoloration that can appear under the eyes of light-coated dogs when tears sit on the hair. Routine face washing, keeping the hair around the eyes trimmed and drying the area can help. Persistent or worsening eye discharge should be assessed by a veterinarian.
A pin brush, a fine steel comb, gentle dog shampoo and conditioner, blunt-tip facial scissors, nail clippers or a grinder, and a soft towel or dryer cover most routine care. Introducing tools gradually during puppyhood makes grooming easier for life.
Toy-breed puppies typically eat small, frequent meals of a complete puppy diet appropriate for small breeds. Free access to fresh water and consistent meal timing matter, and your veterinarian can advise on the right food, portions and feeding schedule for your puppy.
Small mouths and crowded teeth make dental care an important part of routine health maintenance in toy breeds. Regular tooth brushing, veterinarian-approved dental products and professional dental assessments are commonly recommended.
A quiet sleeping area, a safe playpen or crate, non-slip footing, appropriately sized toys, a lightweight harness and leash, and a calm daily routine of play, meals, training and rest.
Puppies progress from complete dependence on their mother to eating solid food, exploring, and learning from littermates. During this period they build early social skills, handling tolerance and confidence, which is why calm, gradual experiences matter so much.
Breed literature commonly discusses considerations such as patellar luxation, dental crowding, low blood sugar in very young toy-breed puppies, tracheal and heart conditions, portosystemic shunt and eye conditions. This is general educational information, not a diagnosis, prediction or guarantee about any individual dog.
Plan for an early wellness examination with your own veterinarian, a vaccination and parasite-prevention schedule they recommend, dental care, and ongoing annual visits. Your veterinarian is the right source of medical advice for your puppy.
We do not publish health guarantees, medical claims or testing results on this website. Any documentation that accompanies a puppy will be shared directly and in writing, and we encourage every family to have their own veterinarian examine their puppy.
Look for transparency, willingness to answer questions, clear written documentation, puppies raised in a clean home environment, and encouragement to involve your own veterinarian. A responsible breeder should also be available after your puppy comes home.
Registration with a recognized registry records a dog's pedigree and identity. It is a record of lineage rather than a measure of health or quality. Registration details for any Pearlbrook puppy will be stated plainly on that puppy's profile once confirmed.
Puppy-proof your home, choose a confined safe area, gather food, bowls, bedding, grooming tools and toys, select a veterinarian in advance, and plan the first days to be quiet and low-stimulation while your puppy settles in.
Our adoption process page outlines each step, from exploring available puppies through homecoming and continued support. Specific reservation, payment and travel details are confirmed directly with each family in writing.
The information on this page is general breed education. It is not a diagnosis, prediction or guarantee about any individual dog, and it does not replace advice from your own veterinarian. Questions about a specific puppy are best answered on that puppy's profile or by contacting us.
Contact Pearlbrook
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