Author: Richard Cussons

The Maltese is a small Toy dog that stands no more than 10 inches at the shoulders. He weighs between 6 – 9 pounds and is covered in a long mantle of white, straight silky fur. Maltese are extremely sweet and loveable little dogs that have been apart of aristocracy for more than 28 centuries. This breed was celebrated by the Greeks, Italians and, of course, residents of Malta.

Even though the breed is now adored by both the rich and everyday people, he still holds true to his natural traits of devotion, love and trust towards his owner. The gentle temperament of the Maltese and his spirited nature is what continues to win the hearts of so many.

That being said, they should not be overly pampered as this can ruin their ideal temperament traits and make the dog extremely overprotective of their owner, and jealous of others that spend time with their master. Furthermore, they will be hard to control if he is allowed to walk over his family. Like all dogs, he must be taught his place in your home. He requires proper socialization and basic obedience training.

Maltese are the perfect size for apartments and are happy living in close quarters with their owner. They do require sufficient exercise, but they are rather active indoors. Therefore, a few short walks per day and play time should suffice.

This breed is easier to love than he is to care for. This is because his silky white coat requires daily care, as does his eyes. This breed is susceptible to tear stain, a condition that causes the dog to have watery eyes that form goopy discharge at the corner of the eyes. It also causes the hair under the Maltese’s eye to turn a deep rusted red color. Keeping their hair out of their eyes, by tying it up on their head if it is long, and by wiping up the buildup, helps keep tear stain under control.

Maltese dogs do not shed, but their coat easily mats and becomes dirty. This means anyone who owns a Maltese must be prepared to purchase grooming supplies such as combs, a brush, and dog shampoo. All of these items are a regular part of Maltese care.

If the dog does not have his hair clipped short (which requires daily combing), and his hair is left long so that it trials on the floor, his coat will require brushing a few times per day. Furthermore, he should have a bath once a month to keep his coat a pristine white. The coat should also be clipped regularly.

Maltese usually live to be 15 years of age. In rare cases, they have even been known to live as long as 18 years. They are prone to sunburn, kidney stones, tooth, eye, and knee problems. These dogs also tend to shake. This could be because the dog has the chills or is experiencing a condition known as White Dog Shaker Syndrome.

The Maltese loves his family, tolerates well mannered children and does not mind other house pets. He is a superb family companion and a true sweetheart among dogs.

Post edited by: hedvig, at: 2009/06/01 04:41

Author: Cory Willins

Man’s best friend comes in all shapes and sizes from massive Great Danes to microscopic Teacup Chihuahuas. It pays to be educated about the breed of dog you’re considering. Here are some things to take into account about the Maltese.

The Maltese is a member of the toy class, usually weighing between three and 10 pounds. Its most prominent characteristic is its long, flowing white hair with no undercoat. Because the Maltese don’t have fur like other breeds, it will lose hair the way humans do instead of shedding like most dogs. Perhaps the most interesting and unique characteristic of the breed is its color-changing nose. The nose can change from coal black to a light brownish color or even pink depending on the amount of sunlight the animal is exposed to. The nose of a female Maltese may change color when she goes onto heat.

Because Maltese don’t shed if properly and regularly groomed, they make good pets for people who suffer with allergies.

The breed’s temperament lends itself to companionship. The Maltese is happiest when in the company of family and friends being lavished with affection. Like most small breeds, they are energetic and given to sudden bouts of activity, but their small size makes them a good option for apartment dwellers. Maltese are very smart. Their high intellect makes them easy to train and quick at picking up new tricks.

Maltese are generally good natured and playful, but like any pack-oriented animal, they might not do well with small children or strangers. They are very territorial and likely to be protective of the family unit.

Like anything else with hair, a Maltese must be regularly groomed to prevent matting. Some caretakers find a way around the chore by keeping their dogs in what is known as a “puppy cut” or a “teddy bear cut,” where the hair is kept short, about a half an inch, all over the body. This style is certainly less fuss and may be more comfortable for the dog, but it’s not acceptable for a show dog.

Maltese are relatively healthy dogs, usually unburdened with the afflictions of other pure breeds. However, luxating patella, white dog shaker syndrome and progressive retinal atrophy are common in Maltese that do develop problems. Luxating patella is a condition in which the kneecap slips out of place. White dog shaker syndrome is a sudden onset of tremors, sometimes full seizures, that troubles only white dogs. Progressive retinal atrophy is just what it sounds like. It will eventually result in blindness for which there is no cure.

In keeping with the designer breed trend, Maltese are often bred with other breeds, such as poodles, to emphasize their sweet nature and intelligence.

Post edited by: hedvig, at: 2009/06/01 04:42