Maltese
Maltese: does it suit you?
11 quick questions, the same ones this page answers. After each answer you see what the breed needs, and at the end whether it fits your life.
Maltese: a good fit for you
Maltese: could work, with compromises
Maltese: probably not the right dog for you
Your answers match what the breed needs.
Most of your answers fit. Check the points below before you decide.
Some of your answers don't fit what the breed needs. The points below show where.
What to think about
What fits
A better match for your answers:
None of the 42 breeds on this site fits your answers better.
The Maltese is a companion and toy dog whose FCI standard gives its origin as the Central Mediterranean Area, with Italy as patron country.[1] Its ancestors lived in the region’s ports and maritime cities, where they hunted the mice and rats in harbour warehouses and ships’ holds.[1] In the words of the standard it is lively, affectionate, very calm and very intelligent.[1]
- Size
- Toy
- Weight
- 3–4 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
Maltese: origin and history
The name does not mean that the breed comes from Malta, the FCI standard explains: it derives from the Semitic word ‘màlat’, meaning refuge or harbour, a root found in several maritime place names, including Malta.[1] A list of dogs from Aristotle’s time (384–322 BC) mentions a breed of little dogs called ‘canes melitenses’ in Latin.[1] It was a favourite companion of Roman matrons, and Renaissance painters showed it beside the ladies of their day.[1]
In 1805 a Knight of Malta wrote of a breed of dogs with long silky hair, and an 1833 portrait in the Royal Library of Malta shows one very like the modern Maltese.[2] Shown as the ‘Maltese Lion Dog’ at New York’s first Westminster show in 1877, the breed was recognised by the AKC in 1888.[3] The FCI classifies the Maltese in Group 9 (Companion and Toy Dogs), Section 1 (Bichons and related breeds).[1]
Fact sheet
Character and needs
Rated on a scale from very low to very high.
- Exercise needslow
- Trainabilitymoderate
- Grooming needsvery high
- Sheddingvery low
- Barkingmoderate
- Good with kidsmoderate
- Good with other dogshigh
- Good with catshigh
- Apartment-friendlyvery high
- Copes with being alonelow
- Watchdog instinctlow
- Good for first-time ownershigh
- Affectionvery high
Maltese: questions and answers
Is it a good dog for first-time owners?
Yes. It rates 4 out of 5 for first-time owners. Training takes patience and consistency (3 out of 5 for trainability).
How long can it be left alone?
2 to 3 hours, once the dog is an adult and has learned to be alone step by step. These dogs are very attached to their people and often struggle on their own (2 out of 5 for coping alone). More than 6 hours at a stretch isn't fair on any dog; plan for a dog sitter or daycare. Puppies need company: start with a few minutes and build up.
How much exercise does it need?
About 1 hour a day, spread over several walks. Relaxed walks are enough, and the dog is happy to doze at home for the rest of the day.
How long does it live?
12–15 years is the typical life expectancy. That is about the average of the 42 breeds on this site (12.6 years). Breed-typical health risks: dental problems.
How big does it get?
20–25 cm at the withers and 3–4 kg. Size class: toy.
Is it a good family dog?
Best with older children. It rates 3 out of 5 with children. The small body is easily hurt in rough play, so toddlers need supervision. With other dogs it rates 4 out of 5, with cats 4 out of 5. Never leave young children alone with any dog.
Does it shed a lot?
Very little: 1 out of 5 for shedding. The low-shedding coat is often better tolerated by people with allergies, but no dog is allergen-free. The coat keeps growing: brush it every day and have it trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks.
Male or female?
21–25 cm at the withers for males and 20–23 cm for females, according to the breed standard. Character differences between the sexes are smaller than between individual dogs; upbringing matters more. Unspayed females come into heat about twice a year, and unneutered males can be restless around them.
Maltese or Maltipoo?
Biggest difference: exercise needs (low vs. moderate).
| Maltese | Maltipoo | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Toy | Toy–small |
| Weight | 3–4 kg | 2–7 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15 years | 12–15 years |
| Coat | Long | Curly |
| Exercise needs | Low | Moderate |
| Trainability | Moderate | High |
| Grooming needs | Very high | High |
| Watchdog instinct | Low | Very low |
Who it suits
A good fit if you…
- prefer relaxed walks to long hikes
- live in an apartment
- are getting your first dog
- have a cat
- want a dog that sheds very little
- want a cuddly companion
Maltese: the downsides
Every breed has a flip side. Before you decide, check that you can live with these:
- Struggles when left alone
- 2 to 3 hours at most. If you work away from home, plan for a dog sitter or daycare from the start.
- High-maintenance coat
- 5 out of 5 for grooming. The coat keeps growing: brush it every day and have it trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks.
- A long commitment
- 12–15 years of daily walks, vet visits and holidays planned around a dog.
Maltese: puppy price and monthly costs
£1,110 for a puppy from a breeder in the UK (Wamiz UK, 2025). From £69 a month in running costs in the UK (PDSA, 2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, other costs.
| Country | Puppy from a breeder | Running costs per month |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £1,110 [4] | from £69 [5] |
| United States | $600 – $2,000 [6] | $116 [7] |
| Canada | no data | CA$367 [8] |
| Australia | A$3,000–6,500 [9] | A$210 [10] |
| New Zealand | no data | NZ$100 [11] |
- Set-up costs at the start: £415 – £560 for basic equipment, first vaccinations, wormers and neutering (PDSA, 2024).
- Dog licence in Northern Ireland: £12.50 a year; England, Scotland and Wales have none (nidirect, 2026).
- Dog licence in the US: $5 – $20 a year, set by the city or county (American Kennel Club, 2021).
- Dog licence in Canada: CA$25–60 a year in Toronto, less for a neutered dog (City of Toronto, 2026).
- Dog registration with the council in Australia: A$20–200 a year, depending on the council and whether the dog is desexed (Mozo, 2026).
- Dog registration with the council in New Zealand: NZ$78–182 a year in Auckland, depending on the dog (PetMall NZ, citing Auckland Council, 2026).
- Groomer: £39 – £85 per visit, every 6 to 8 weeks (Asda Money).
- Puppies far below these prices often come without health checks or papers.
Health
Breed-typical health risks
- Dental problems [18]
- Small jaws build up tartar quickly. Regular brushing helps.
Health tests for the parent dogs
4 health tests appear in the breeding rules for the breed.
- No health test is required for breeding in the UK (The Royal Kennel Club); the table shows what is recommended.
- Needed for a CHIC number in the US (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals): kneecap check and heart exam.
- No health test is required for breeding in New Zealand (Dogs New Zealand); the table shows what is recommended.
| Test | United Kingdom [2] | United States [19] | New Zealand [20] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kneecap checkPatella luxation | not in the rules | Required | Recommended |
| Eye examInherited eye disease, by a certified vet ophthalmologist | Recommended | not in the rules | Recommended |
| Heart examInherited heart disease, by a cardiologist | not in the rules | Required | not in the rules |
| Liver shunt testPortosystemic shunt (bile acid test) | not in the rules | Recommended | not in the rules |
● Required. ○ Recommended: advised, not required. – Not in the rules. The clubs and their rules are in the source list.
United Kingdom: the Royal Kennel Club’s Health Standard requires no test, so every test is ○ recommended.
United States: ● means the test is needed for a CHIC number from the OFA; taking part in CHIC is voluntary.
New Zealand: the kennel club lists these tests as advice and requires none, so every test is ○ recommended.
What to ask the breeder
- Certificates for both parents: kneecap check and heart exam. A claim that the parents are “health tested” is not enough.
- To see the puppies with their mother, at the breeder’s home.
- The pedigree papers (United Kingdom: Royal Kennel Club registration certificate; Canada: CKC certificate of registration; Australia: Dogs Australia pedigree, issued by the state body; New Zealand: Dogs NZ certificate of registration). [21] [22] [23] [24]
- 8 weeks: the youngest age at which a puppy may leave its mother in the UK, in Canada (Quebec), and in Australia (New South Wales). [25] [26] [27]
- Advice on buying a puppy: The Royal Kennel Club, The Canadian Kennel Club, Dogs Australia, and Dogs New Zealand. [28] [29] [30] [31]
No dog is completely allergen-free. If someone in your home has an allergy, spend time with the breed before you decide.
Similar breeds
Sources
- FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale): Breed standard No. 65: Maltese (2015)
- The Royal Kennel Club: Maltese
- American Kennel Club: Maltese Dog Breed Information
- Wamiz UK: Maltese dog breed: Temperament, price, puppy, health issues, origin (2025)
- PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, UK veterinary charity): The cost of owning a dog (2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, other costs.
- PetMD: Maltese Dog Breed Health and Care (2024)
- ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021). Covers food, vet visits, preventive medicine, insurance, toys and treats, boarding, dog licence, grooming supplies.
- Pets Plus Us (Canadian pet insurer; figures from OVMA 2024 Cost of Care research): HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGY? (EN-DOG_PPU_Cost-of-Care_Aug2024_v3.pdf) (2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, dog tax, accessories.
- Lyka: Maltese breed insights: care, personality & expert tips (2025)
- Animal Medicines Australia (survey by Sweeney Research/SNR): Pets in Australia: A national survey of pets and people (Pet Ownership Study 2025) (2025). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, parasite treatment, vet medicines, supplements, grooming, training, accessories, dog walking, boarding, transport, memberships, alternative healthcare.
- Companion Animals New Zealand (NZ Companion Animal Council): Companion Animals in New Zealand 2016 (section 6.3 Dogs, Fig 50) (2016). Covers food, vet visits, dog tax, boarding, equipment, grooming, healthcare products, insurance, training, other costs.
- nidirect (official government website for Northern Ireland): Dog licensing and microchipping (2026)
- American Kennel Club: Are You Financially Prepared for a Puppy? Explore Costs of Owning a Dog (2021)
- City of Toronto: Pet Licensing Fees (2026)
- Mozo: How much does it cost to own a dog or cat in Australia? 2026 (2026)
- PetMall NZ, citing Auckland Council: Auckland Dog Registration 2026–27: Late Fees Now Apply — Full Fee Table (2026)
- Asda Money (Asda Pet Insurance, administered by Insurance Factory Ltd): Dog Grooming Costs - Average UK Costs
- Journal of Small Animal Practice (Jemmett A.A. et al., Waltham Petcare Science Institute): Risk assessment of canine periodontal disease: insights from owner-reported health questionnaires (2026)
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA): CHIC Program Requirements: Maltese
- Dogs New Zealand: Accredited Breeder Health Tests for the MALTESE (former Accredited Breeders Scheme test list)
- The Royal Kennel Club: What should the breeder give me?
- The Canadian Kennel Club: By-Laws (incl. Code of Ethics (2025)
- Dogs Australia: Getting a Dog: Importance of Pedigree Papers
- Dogs New Zealand (New Zealand Kennel Club Inc.): Registration Regulations (Section 4, Reg. 24: Litter Registration Limitations (2026)
- UK Government (legislation.gov.uk): The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/486), Schedule 6 (breeding dogs) and Schedule 3 (selling animals as pets) (2018)
- Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ): Guide d'application du Règlement sur le bien-être et la sécurité des animaux domestiques de compagnie et des équidés (reproduces CQLR c. B-3.1, r. 0.1, art. 36) (2023)
- NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), State of New South Wales (fact sheet hosted by Dogs NSW): New laws for dog breeders in NSW (fact sheet on the 2024-25 amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 and Companion Animals Act 1998) (2025)
- The Royal Kennel Club: Questions for the breeder
- The Canadian Kennel Club: Finding an Accountable Breeder
- Dogs Australia: Getting a Dog: Choosing a Breeder
- Dogs New Zealand: How do you go about purchasing a pedigree pure bred dog?
Breeding rules, health sources and breed standards checked October 8, 2026.
Prices as published by the sources; collected October 8, 2026.
Breed traits describe typical tendencies. Every dog is an individual, shaped by genes, upbringing and training.