Maltese

A Maltese is a small breed of white dog belonging to the toy group. The Maltese does not shed and is covered from head to foot with a mantle of long, silky, white hair. They are very lovable and often get along well with other dogs.

 Height 'n Weight

Height: 7-9 inches (21-25cm.)

Weight: 4-7 lbs. standards

 Temperament 

The Maltese is spirited, lively and playful. Gentle, loving, trusting and devoted to its master. Highly intelligent. Good at learning tricks if he feels sufficiently rewarded. Bold and quick to sound the alarm in case of suspicious noises. It is a classical companion dog; graceful and lovable.

 Exercise needs

Maltese need a daily walk.  Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs, however, as with all breeds, play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs who do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe open area off lead, such as a large fenced in yard. They remain playful well into old age. They are very active indoors.

 Trainability

The key to success in training your Maltese is understanding the psychology of your pet - i.e. how its mind works, and then incorporating that with proven training techniques and a few training aids.
Remember, your Maltese is not a human and therefore does not think or react as a human would. Also, your pet does not verbally communicate with humans and you
should not think that it does.

 Nutrition & Diet

The more closely you meet those needs within the diet, the better the chance of maintaining your Maltese's health. It is important you feed a diet with a correct amount, not excess amounts of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Your veterinarian will help you to determine your pet's nutritional needs. Always consult with your veterinarian about any diet you decide to feed your Maltese.

 Living conditions

The Maltese is a good dog for apartment life. They are very active indoors and will do okay without a yard.

 Life expectancy

About 15 or more years. It may live as long as 18, but it is important to keep it out of the damp.

 Origin

It was developed in Italy with the addition of miniature spaniel and poodle blood.