Maltese: Temperament, Care & Lifespan
Learn about Maltese temperament, grooming demands, barking, dental health, and whether this low-shedding toy breed suits apartment living or first-time owners.
Updated
Stats at a Glance
- Size
- Small
- Energy
- Low to Moderate
- Shedding
- Low
- Trainability
- Moderate
- Apartment
- Yesi
- Grooming
- Highi
- Barking
- Moderate to High
- Exercise
- Short walks + indoor play
- With Kids
- Older kids onlyi
- Best with older kids
- With Dogs
- Ofteni
- With socialization
- With Cats
- Ofteni
- Low prey drive; gentle
- Origin
- Malta
Trait Score Snapshot
The Maltese is a small companion dog with a silky white coat, a lively personality, and a place among the oldest toy breeds still widely recognized today. This guide covers Maltese temperament, size, exercise needs, grooming requirements, health considerations, and apartment suitability.
Beneath the elegant appearance is a confident, sometimes bold dog that forms close bonds with its owners. That attachment comes with real considerations — they can be vocal, sensitive to being alone, and stubborn during training — which requires consistent handling from early on.
This guide is informational and not veterinary advice. Consult a licensed veterinarian for medical concerns.
Bottom line: A Maltese is a strong fit for apartment dwellers and close-companion seekers who can commit to regular grooming and consistent barking training; it is a weaker fit for busy households, frequent travelers, or homes with young children.
Size & lifespan
Most adult Maltese weigh under 7 pounds and stand 7–9 inches tall at the shoulder.
Maltese typically live 12–15 years. With attentive care and routine veterinary visits, lifespans at the higher end of this range are common. For a comparison of breeds known for longevity, see Longer-Lifespan Dogs.
As one of the smallest toy breeds, Maltese fit within the Best Small Dogs guide for small-breed comparisons.
History & origin
The Maltese is one of the oldest toy breeds on record, with a history that arguably spans over 2,000 years. Ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian writings reference small white dogs associated with the island of Malta and the broader Mediterranean region. The breed was a favorite among aristocrats and royalty for centuries, valued as a companion rather than a working dog.
The modern Maltese was standardized in the 19th century and gained wide popularity in the United States through the 20th century. It has consistently ranked among the most popular toy breeds due to its compact size, low-shedding coat, and affectionate nature.
Lifestyle fit
- Apartment Living: Excellent fit — compact, low exercise needs, barking caveat applies
- First-Time Owners: Moderate fit — easy to manage in size, but grooming demands and barking require commitment
- Families with Kids: Caution with young children — best in homes with older, calmer kids due to small size
- Active Households: Limited fit — better suited to moderate or low-activity households
- Low-Energy Homes: Good fit
- Seniors: Often a good fit — loyal, compact, and low-exercise, though grooming commitment is significant
Quick take: Is a Maltese right for you?
Pros
- Low-shedding coat — practical for apartments and shared living spaces
- Compact size well-suited to smaller homes or city living
- Forms close companion bonds with their owners
- Long lifespan for a toy breed — commonly 12–15 years
- Adaptable to quieter, lower-activity households
Cons
- High-maintenance coat requiring daily brushing or regular professional trims
- Vocal by nature — barking management is a consistent ownership responsibility
- House-training takes longer than most breeds; small bladder and cold sensitivity are factors
- Not well-suited to homes with toddlers or unpredictable handling
- Prone to separation anxiety without gradual independence training
Best for
- Apartment or city dwellers
- Owners who can commit to regular grooming or professional trims
- Single-person or couple households
- People home frequently who want a close companion
Not ideal for
- Homes with toddlers or very young children
- Owners who want a low-maintenance coat
- Very active lifestyles requiring an athletic dog
- Owners frequently away for long stretches
What living with a Maltese is actually like
Day-to-day life with a Maltese centers heavily on grooming and companionship. Expect to budget real time — daily brushing for a long coat, or regular professional trims for a shorter cut — and a dog that prefers to be near you most of the time. Maltese are not independently entertaining; they want involvement. They will respond to movement and sound with alert barks, follow you between rooms, and settle most easily when close contact is available. For owners who want a devoted companion and can commit to the grooming routine, that closeness is a genuine strength. For busier households, frequent travelers, or homes with young children, the combination of fragility, vocal tendencies, and attachment needs creates real friction day to day.
Temperament & personality
Maltese are lively, affectionate, and confident for their size.
Companion-oriented and people-focused
Maltese form strong bonds with their owners and generally want to be near people much of the time. This closeness is one of their most appealing traits, but it also means they are not well-suited to spending extended time alone without appropriate preparation.
Alert and vocal
Like many toy breeds, Maltese are quick to notice changes in their environment and are fast to vocalize. This alertness can make them effective watchdogs in a compact package, but it also means barking management is a meaningful part of ownership.
Bold personality in a small frame
Maltese often carry themselves with more confidence than their size would suggest. They may act boldly around larger dogs and can be reserved with strangers. Early and consistent socialization is important to prevent excessive wariness, defensive behavior, or shyness.
Exercise needs
Maltese are low-to-moderate in energy and do well with short daily walks and indoor play. Their small size means exercise needs are modest compared to most breeds, but they still benefit from regular activity and mental stimulation.
A typical routine might include:
- One or two short walks per day
- Indoor play sessions
- Mental stimulation through training or puzzle toys
Cold sensitivity
Like most small, low-body-fat dogs, Maltese are sensitive to cold. A coat or sweater during winter walks is practical in cooler climates.
Avoid overexertion
Sessions should remain moderate — short bursts of activity suit this breed better than sustained high-intensity exercise.
For other low-exercise breeds: Low-Energy Dog Breeds
Shedding & grooming
Do Maltese shed?
Maltese are considered a low-shedding breed. Their single-layer silky coat lacks a dense undercoat, which significantly reduces loose hair on furniture and clothing compared to double-coated breeds. They are sometimes described as hypoallergenic, though no dog breed is truly allergen-free — individual reactions vary. For a broader comparison of low-shedding breeds and allergy considerations, see Low-Shedding & Allergy-Friendly Dogs.
Grooming routine
The Maltese coat is one of the most high-maintenance in the toy group. The long, silky coat requires frequent attention to prevent tangles and mats.
- Long coat (show or traditional length): Daily brushing is necessary to prevent matting; professional grooming every 4–6 weeks recommended
- Puppy cut or short trim: Significantly reduces daily brushing demands; popular with pet owners who prefer lower-maintenance upkeep
- Regular nail trimming
- Ear cleaning — hair in the ear canal can trap moisture
- Dental care is especially important; toy breeds are prone to dental disease and tooth crowding
Grooming is the highest practical time and cost investment for Maltese owners.
Training & behavior
Trainability
Maltese are intelligent and can learn commands readily when motivated with positive reinforcement. However, they can be willful and resistant to repeated drills. Short, engaging sessions with food or toy rewards work better than long repetitive training blocks.
Barking
Barking is the most common behavior complaint from Maltese owners. They vocalize in response to strangers, unfamiliar sounds, and perceived territory. Early desensitization training and a reliable "quiet" cue are important to establish before habits solidify.
Socialization
Early exposure to a range of people, environments, and other animals significantly reduces the likelihood of defensive or reactive behavior. Maltese that are over-protected or under-socialized as puppies tend to develop more fear-based behaviors as adults.
Despite their small size, Maltese are among the most people-oriented breeds. See Best Dogs for Companionship for a full comparison of affectionate companion breeds.
House-training note
Many owners find toy breeds, including the Maltese, harder to house-train than larger dogs. Their small bladder and sensitivity to cold weather can complicate outdoor training. Consistency, a tight schedule, and crate training significantly improve outcomes.
Are Maltese good with kids?
Maltese can be affectionate with children, but their small size makes them vulnerable to accidental injury from rough or unpredictable handling. They generally do better in households with calm, older children who understand how to interact with a small dog.
In homes with toddlers or very young children, constant supervision is necessary, and some individual dogs may become defensive when startled or mishandled.
- Teach children to approach the dog calmly and avoid picking them up without guidance
- Supervise all interactions between dogs and children
- Do not allow a child to hold or carry the dog unsupported
For more information: Best Dogs for Families
Maltese are generally gentle with cats and other small household pets when introductions are gradual. For breeds suited to multi-pet homes, see Best Dogs With Cats.
Are Maltese good for apartments?
Maltese are among the best-suited breeds for apartment living. Their size, minimal exercise requirements, and low shedding make them highly practical in small spaces. The main caveat is barking — in buildings with thin walls or noise-sensitive neighbors, vocal behavior needs to be trained proactively.
Apartment living works well if:
- Barking is addressed from the start with consistent training
- Daily short walks are maintained
- The dog is not left alone for extended periods without desensitization preparation
For more apartment-friendly breeds: Best Dogs for Apartments
Adoption, rescue, and foster considerations
A common reason Maltese enter rescue is owner underestimation of grooming demands. The silky coat looks elegant in photos but requires consistent upkeep; owners who cannot commit to daily brushing or professional trims sometimes surrender after matting becomes severe or after ongoing grooming costs exceed expectations. Barking and separation-related behavior are other frequent contributors.
Adopting an adult Maltese can be a strong choice. Foster caregivers can typically tell you whether the dog manages time alone, how they respond to strangers, whether house-training is solid, and whether barking has been managed. That information is difficult to predict with a puppy and is genuinely useful when assessing fit for your household.
Searching for breed-specific Maltese rescue organizations is a good starting point; many operate regional networks and can help match dogs to appropriate homes.
Maltese mixes and small white companion dogs appear in shelter and rescue systems regularly. The grooming commitment and separation tendencies described here often carry through in similar mixes. If you are open to a small companion-type dog, this profile helps you identify what traits to look for and what questions to ask.
Common Maltese owner challenges
Grooming commitment
The Maltese coat is one of the most demanding in the toy group. Owners who keep the full long coat must commit to daily brushing or face matting that requires professional intervention. Many owners opt for a short "puppy cut" to reduce daily upkeep, which is a practical long-term solution but requires regular professional trims. Underestimating grooming time and cost is one of the most common Maltese ownership surprises.
Barking and separation sensitivity
Maltese are vocal by nature and can develop separation anxiety if not conditioned gradually to time alone. This combination of alert barking and distress vocalization when left alone can be challenging in apartment settings. Early independence training, desensitization to your departure, and mental enrichment when alone all help significantly.
House-training in a toy breed
Many owners find toy breeds harder to house-train, and Maltese are no exception. Small bladder capacity, cold sensitivity affecting outdoor willingness, and occasional stubbornness mean house-training timelines can extend longer than expected. Tight routines and crate training are most effective.
Health considerations
Common health considerations
- Patellar luxation — floating kneecap, common in small and toy breeds
- Portosystemic shunt (liver shunt) — a blood vessel abnormality that bypasses the liver; more prevalent in Maltese than in many other toy breeds; signs include stunted growth, vomiting, and neurological symptoms
- Dental disease — small jaw leads to tooth crowding; dental disease is among the most common health issues in toy breeds
- Heart conditions — mitral valve disease prevalence increases with age, as in many small breeds
Questions to ask your shelter or vet
- Any history of patellar luxation or limping?
- Has dental health been assessed recently?
- Any signs of poor growth, digestive issues, or neurological symptoms that could suggest a liver shunt?
- Up to date on preventative care?
Consult a veterinarian for medical advice specific to your dog.
Cost to own a Maltese
Estimated monthly range: $110–$270 for most owners.
Row ranges show common category costs; the total reflects more realistic monthly ownership, including small recurring supplies and misc. expenses not listed separately.
Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks is the primary ongoing cost. Tear staining care and dental health are secondary recurring costs — small and toy breeds generally need professional dental cleanings more frequently than average.
For a full methodology and breakdown by size: How Much Does a Dog Cost Per Month?
Want a personalized estimate? Use the Monthly Cost Calculator to customize by breed, size, grooming profile, and health risk.
Similar breeds to research
If you are drawn to a Maltese, consider these profiles:
- Yorkshire Terrier — similar silky coat and toy size; more vocal and terrier-assertive in temperament
- Shih Tzu — comparable companion energy and apartment suitability; similar grooming commitment, slightly sturdier build
- Chihuahua — also tiny and people-bonded; shorter coat, more reactive and territorial, much lower grooming cost
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel — quieter and more sociable; lower grooming intensity, but higher cardiac monitoring needs as the dog ages