Maltese
Puppy
Fully Grown
Maltese love everybody and anything. They could burst from curiosity when out and about and want to say hello to everyone they meet.
Jumping up to lick your face is a must for this breed. Their friendliness will make even a non-dog lover turn into a huge fan!
Maltese are a very clingy breed and separation from their human (or any human) is something they don't appreciate. If left alone, they often start whining to inform the world about their misery. They prefer to be with somebody 24/7 and if it can't be you, anybody will do. So if you are working long hours or you go away a lot, this breed is not for you.
Maltese might be small but they still require more exercise than one thinks. Daily one-hour outings are important and we recommend taking different routes each day so their desire to smell new things can be pleased.
| Weight: | 3-4 kg |
| Health risk: | Medium |
| Life expectancy: | 12-15 years |
| Coat: | Long |
| Grooming intensity: | High |
| Monthly cost (food): | Low |
| Trainability: | Medium |
| Activity level: | Medium |
There are many sources to get your Maltese from. Considering the number of homeless dogs without a future, we strongly encourage you to consider rescuing a dog. Your local shelter or rescue organisation can be a helpful place to start, or try contacting your local or national breed club or a reputable breeder and asking if they have pets available for rehoming. Many rescue organisations have active Facebook pages, which can also be a good place to enquire.
Here are some links that could be useful for finding a Maltese to adopt:
To help your rescued Maltese to settle into your home, our Rescue Dog Guide gives you tips and advice on bringing your rescue dog home.
If you decide you’d prefer to get your Maltese from a breeder, the following guides will help you to find a responsible breeder:
The following organisations will be able to help you find breeders in your state in Australia. They will also be able to connect you with your local breed clubs, which are always a great source of information in regards to finding good breeders and rescue organisations.
