Maltese Puppies: Small dog. Makes a great apartment dog. Playful, lively, trusting & gentle family pet. Children friendly pet & gets along with other pets. Search our vast selection of Maltese puppies for sale from our superb Maltese dog breeders!

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Maltese puppies to adults make a great apartment dog. If your looking for a small dog for a smaller home and are looking for a pet that's full of love, spirited and playful, the Maltese dog is an ideal choice. Hardy and compact, this is a breed that loves to play outdoors but most of all is devoted to his or her owner. Although small in stature, Maltese puppies are a great "alarm" as these Maltese dogs are quick to alert to noises that are suspicious or unfamiliar. While this breed can be prone to behavior problems or small dog syndrome, this can be avoided with proper training. If your family is ready to buy a dog that's adorable, trusting and a great companion, consider the Maltese.

History
Known throughout its history as a Maltese Lion Dog, Terrier, Spaniel, Poodle, Melita Dog and other names, the Maltese dog is a toy breed which is the most ancient of all in this group in all of Europe. While many assume the breed originated in Malta because of its name, it's actually thought that the breed is originally from another island found off the coast of Yugoslavia in the Adriatic sea. However, most authorities have the idea that Phoenician sailors exported the breed from the island of Malta as long ago as 1500 B.C. At that time, Malta was a popular trading port.

It is strongly believed that the spitz family of dogs is where the Maltese orginially descended, a breed which originated from Swiss Lake dwellers. It is also thought that the Maltese was selectively bred by the Swiss Lake dwellers to obtain its small "toy-like" size. During Ancient Greek times, ladies fell in love with the Maltese, one reason it quickly became known as the Roman Ladies' Dog. The exact origin of the Maltese has long been speculated upon; some evidence suggests that it could have even originated in Asia and is related to the Tibetan Terrier. The Maltese is thought to have made its way to Europe and then migrated with nomadic tribes through the Middle East.

While the exact origin of the Maltese is somewhat a mystery, it is known that the breed has been referenced in Ancient Roman and Greek literature. In fact, Aristotle first mentioned the Maltese by its then-name Melitaei Catelli in writings around 370 B.C., as he compares the dog to a Mustelidae, from Latin mustela or weasel. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, many breeders continued to improve the breed by making it smaller; it almost disappeared during this time and was crossbred with small breeds including miniature Spaniels and Poodles. Historians claim that there were up to nine Maltese dog breeds during the early 19th century.

Appearance
Like other dogs in the toy breeds, Maltese puppies grow into a tiny staturem with a bundle of fur that generally stands about 8 to 10 inches high at the shoulder and weighs between 4 and 8 pounds as an adult.

A true Maltese is white in color, with fur that is straight, silky and flows to the floor. There is no undercoat as with some other breeds. In fact, the hair is so long and straight that when your pet walks, he or she can appear to be floating. While the coat is normally pure white, some have ears that are light tan or lemon in color.

Round, dark eyes give Maltese puppies their irresistible look; eyes are usually darkly rimmed. The nose is black, and the muzzle slightly tapered. Though fine-boned, this breed is sturdy and usually a bit longer than tall. Ears that are heavily feathered set close to the head and are pendant shaped.

Temperament
Highly intelligent, the Maltese is playful and lively, a highly spirited dog that loves nothing better than learning new tricks and being devoted to its master. Trusting and gentle, this breed makes an ideal family pet, although it can be snappish if your pet develops Small Dog Syndrome, which sometimes occurs when a small dog believes he is the pack leader or "boss," even of adults. As long as you let him or her know that you are the pack leader and train your pet early on, he or she should get along great with both children and other pets.

While you do want to give your pet love and attention, avoid over doing it as he may become unstable or even jealous of other pets or humans. In short, don't treat your pet like a baby, but treat him or her like the intelligent dog he or she is. Other than the jealousy or tendency to want to be the boss, the Maltese is lovable, loyal and loves nothing better than jumping in a puddle of water of dashing around to see what else he or she can get into.

Proper Environment
It really makes little difference whether you live in a spacious home with a fenced-in backyard or a small apartment; the Maltese dog is happy wherever you are, and since they don't require a great deal of exercise, almost any environment works. However, you will want to keep your pet indoors for the most part, as this breed is extremely sensitive to the outdoor environment. The ideal temperature for outdoor play is between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

One thing you do want to keep in mind is that your pet is much like a small child, and you should "child-proof" your home just as you would for your toddler. He is a curious breed, and will put nearly anything in his mouth.

Take your pet on daily walks when possible, but be aware of other dogs in the area, particularly those that are larger. Keep your distance, and be sure your Maltese is on a leash; the biggest threat may come about when your female dog is in heat.

Health
While responsible breeders work to ensure the standards by which their dogs are bred reduce the likelihood of inherited health problems, some still occur on occasion. Patellar luxation (a condition of the knee cap), collapsing trachea and portosystemic shunts (abnormal connection between the portal vein and systemic circulation in the liver) are some of the conditions you should be aware of with the Maltese.

Grooming
If kept in full coat, your pet should be thoroughly brushed at least every other day. A detangler comb or metal pin brush with rounded, smooth bristles is ideal for brushing. Consider trimming the hair around the anus to prevent blockage from debris, or clean the area when necessary.

Depending on the length of the coat, give your puppy a bath about twice each month, using a quality shampoo and conditioner. Additionally, clip the hair from the bottom of the feet to keep your pet clean and neat in appearance. It's also recommended that you brush your pet's teeth when you bathe him or her. Clipping hair away from the eyes will help reduce tearing; keep his or her face clean and dry. Check the ears frequently to ensure they are clean and free from infection.

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