Apartment fit
The Maltese is one of the easier apartment breeds if grooming, barking, and house-training are consistent.
ToySmallCentral Mediterranean
Maltese
Weight
4-7 lb
Height
7-9 in
Lifespan
12-15 yrs
Coat
Single Long
The Maltese is a tiny Mediterranean companion dog with a long white silky coat, lively affectionate temperament, and high grooming and dental-care needs.
Tiny Mediterranean toy companionLong white silky low-shedding coatHigh grooming and dental-care needsGood apartment potential
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
Maltese Dog
AffectionateLivelyPlayfulAlertGentleBright
Weight
4-7 lb
Height
7-9 in
Lifespan
12-15 yrs
Coat
Single Long
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
Moderate
Barking
Moderate
Drooling
Low
Shedding
Low
Grooming
5/5
First-time owner
Yes
Overview
The Maltese is an ancient toy companion breed from the central Mediterranean. FCI and AKC standards describe a very small dog with a long white coat, lively carriage, and affectionate companion temperament. The breed is prized for elegance and companionship, not working drive.
This is a toy breed, not a large non-sporting dog. The coat is long, straight, and silky, usually pure white, with light ivory or pale lemon shading permitted in some standards. Shedding is low, but grooming is high: brushing, bathing, face cleaning, tear-stain management, and dental care are routine.
Maltese can suit apartments and first-time owners, but fragile size, barking, house-training consistency, dental disease, and coat care need planning. Responsible breeders should discuss patellas, heart, liver shunt, dental health, eyes, and hypoglycemia risk in tiny puppies.
Temperament & Personality
AffectionateLivelyPlayfulAlertGentleBright
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a affectionate, lively, playful companion, with daily rhythms shaped by moderate energy, moderate barking, and low drooling.
Coat type
Single
Coat length
Long
Shedding
Low
Colors
White, White with light ivory, White with pale lemon shading
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly4/5
Good with Kids3/5
Good with Dogs4/5
Good with Strangers4/5
Apartment Friendly5/5
Exercise Needs2/5
Grooming Needs5/5
Trainability3/5
Good fit if you want
- A family-friendly companion
- A home-friendly apartment match
- A more forgiving first ownership experience
Plan ahead for
- 2/5 exercise needs
- low shedding and coat upkeep
- moderate barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- apartment homes
- owners wanting a tiny companion
- prepared first-time owners
- people who can maintain grooming and dental care
Not ideal for
- rough play homes
- owners wanting no grooming
- people who dislike alert barking
- homes that leave a toy dog alone all day
Common challenges
- dental disease
- tear staining
- coat matting
- house-training consistency
- fragility
Barking & behavior
Maltese can alert bark. Quiet cues and not over-rewarding demand barking help.
Training style
Use gentle rewards and consistent routines. Handling and grooming cooperation should start early.
Grooming & shedding
Low shedding comes with high coat care. Decide early between a full coat and an easier pet trim.
Care Guide
Exercise
Most Maltese need short daily walks, indoor play, and training games. Avoid rough exercise or jumps that can injure a tiny dog.
Grooming
Brush a long coat daily or keep a regular pet trim. Clean the face, maintain dental care, trim nails, and check ears.
Training
Use gentle reward-based training for house manners, quiet cues, handling, and confidence. Consistency is important with house-training.
Nutrition
Feed measured toy-breed meals. Tiny puppies may need careful feeding schedules to avoid low blood sugar; ask a veterinarian for guidance.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
Moderate
Barking level
Moderate
Drooling level
Low
Watchdog ability
3/5
Guard dog ability
1/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather2/5
Heat tolerance3/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Dental diseasePatellar luxationHeart diseaseLiver shuntEye irritationHypoglycemia in puppies
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Maltese a toy breed?
Yes. The Maltese is a very small toy companion breed.
Does the Maltese shed?
The Maltese is low-shedding, but its long coat needs frequent brushing or regular trimming.
What color is a Maltese?
The standard color is white, with light ivory or pale lemon shading tolerated in some standards.
Is the Maltese good for apartments?
Yes. It is usually very apartment-friendly when barking, grooming, and house-training are handled.
Is the Maltese good with children?
It can be good with gentle children, but rough handling can injure a tiny dog.
Does the Maltese need a lot of grooming?
Yes. Long coats need daily brushing, and shorter pet trims still need regular grooming and face care.
What health issues should Maltese owners ask about?
Ask about dental disease, patellas, heart health, liver shunt, eyes, and hypoglycemia risk in tiny puppies.
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