Information About Maltese Puppies

Maltese dogs are one of the more popular breeds of family pets, particularly for homes that favor a smaller sized dog. They are most recognizable by their beautiful soft white coat that is punctuated by their sparkly black eyes that tell of their playful and cheerful character.

Companionship

Maltese puppies are wonderful companions and do well in a wide variety of environments, from small apartments to larger homes with plenty of space. Officially in the toy group, they are small dogs that have relatively few health concerns and offer plenty of charm, playfulness and character. Though they can sometimes be mischievous, Maltese dogs by nature are quite gentle and affectionate, seeking their owner's love and companionship more than anything else. There will be moments when they will want to be in the center of family activity, for example at an outing in a park, but they will also be perfectly content snuggling next to you on the couch while you watch television.

History

The Maltese breed's exact origin is not known, but they are assumed to be one of the oldest of purebred dog breeds. Given their name, it is generally accepted that the breed likely had their origin in the Mediterranean region near Malta or Italy as they most likely share some ancestry with spaniel and/or poodle breeds. There is some iconography or artwork from ancient Egypt that suggest the Maltese breed existed there as well.

Coat and Allergies

The gorgeous silky white coat of the Maltese is ideal for allergy sufferers because it is hypallergenic. They do not have a double coat, and they do not shed. However, their coat does require regular brushing to keep it from becoming dirty and tangled. Some owners prefer to give their Maltese a short haircut to keep from having to maintain the coat so often. Like fellow small breeds the Shih Tzu or Cavalier King Charles, Maltese commonly have an tear-staining problem in which their eyes tear up excessively and discolor the fur around the eyes. This can be avoided by keeping your dog healthy with regular checkups and keeping him or her clean at all times.

Puppies

Maltese puppies are not the brightest dogs in the bunch, but they do benefit from early obedience training. Basic commands like sit, stay, come and no are all easy for the Maltese to comprehend with time and guidance. A fully-grown Maltese will be about 8 to 10 pounds.

A Maltese puppy can be expensive to buy with an average price at least $800. Maltese mixes like the Malti-poo or the Malshi (Maltese and Shih Tzu) will be even more expensive, costing well over $1000. An ideal option would be look for a Maltese puppy or dog at a rescue.