The Maltese Dog Breed: Buyers Guide

Having a loyal and lovely pet sounds nice. We have a variety of pets more so in the dog family, but Maltese Dog Breed exceeds them all as a cool breed of dogs in the toy group. Compilation of different thoughts indicates that this breed of dog originated in South-Central Europe from dogs of Spitz type, although the name Maltese given to this breed of dog has no connection at all with the Island of Malta. These dogs are the best breed for kids with allergies and are ideal for an apartment lifestyle. 

This elegant toy dog breed is well famed for its silky cool white hair covering its body. The thick and straight coat falls to the floor. Many people consider this breed as hypoallergenic, and therefore suitable for those with allergies.

Maltese dogs are loving, and many people long to cuddle these dogs. They do well as companion dogs and are eligible for spending many hours with their people. There many things that you should put into consideration when planning to take Maltese dog as your pet. Let’s go through something that you need to put into account;

What you need to Know When buying Maltese Dog

What is the Size of Maltese Dog?

It is crucial to know about the size of Maltese Dog both when a puppy and an adult is an essential aspect, as this will help you in identifying whether your Maltese is growing at a healthy rate.

A full-grown Maltese dog weighs less than 3.17 kg, implying that their weight varies from 3.12 kg and below. Most of Maltese adult dogs will weigh between 3 to 7 Ibs. When it comes to the height of Maltese Dogs, there is no standard height for this breed. However, most male Maltese will be 21 to 25 cm 9 (8 to 10 inches). Most female Maltese dogs tend to have slightly smaller bone structure; hence their size ranges from 8 to 9 inches. Some of these dogs can have an increase in height to a possible height of 27.94 cm (11 inches)

How Much Food Will Your Maltese Need?

Healthy feeding of Maltese dogs will result in a healthy lifestyle. Poor nutrition may result in stomach upset or even allergic reactions. Most of the Dog breed will prefer to eat wet food to dry food, but dry food is encouraged.

Dry kibble is the best for these dogs, although a little bit of wet food of the same type is recommended. If you opt for wet food for your dog, be equally sure to follow all the recommended dental care tips. Feed your Maltese Dog with a warm meal as it is excellent for them.

What are the Characteristics Portrayed by Maltese Dog? 

The Maltese Dog is generally happy, eager, and very active. It is the right breed to go for if you require a pet that will keep you busy. 

An increase in the maturity of the dogs leads to a reduction of sleeping hours. The puppy sleeps typically for around 19 to 20 hours, inclusive of naps and overnight, while an adult Maltese sleeps for approximately 12 to 14 hours inclusive of naps and overnight. 

The puppies are always hyper, demanding, and always in playful moods, but as he matures up, he calms down and becomes less hyper though still active and very alert. Enough exercise for Maltese enables him to relax. 

Without enough exercise, Maltese will be restless as manifested in excessive barking, and general disobedience will also be observed as a result of inadequate activities.

How Do You Keep Your Maltese Dog Healthy?

Allergies are some of the most common health conditions affecting the dogs, and the Maltese are no exception. 

Common Allergies That Affect the Maltese Dogs

Food Allergy

Some Maltese dogs are entirely allergic to certain types of food.

Contact Allergy 

This type of allergy is a result of the elements or surfaces the Maltese come into contact with.

Environmental Allergy 

Airborne elements and pollen mainly cause this type of energy. 

How Do You Know That Your Dog Has an Allergy?

 Some of the top signs to show that your Maltese Dog is suffering from allergy include;

• Itching 
• Irritated skin or rashes
• Thinning hair
• Eye, nose or ear issues
• Wheezing and breathing issues 

How to Keep Your Dogs Safe from Allergies

• Skip early morning jogging on high pollen days
• Wipe the coat down with a quality canine wipe every time you come back in the house
• Clean your Maltese paws when you bring him back in the house
• Use HEPA filters in case you have central air

How Do You Groom Your Maltese Dog?

As vital as grooming is to beings, so it is to pets more so the Maltese dog breed. However, having the right tools and having a well-prepared schedule will make grooming to be relatively easy. Also, the regular grooming of a Maltese puppy increases the bonding experience.

Brushing depends on the length of the coat and should be done at least every three days.  Bath the devery three weeks unless a circumstance calls for more frequent baths. Wipe the dog’s face for 2 to 3 times per day and trim its nails every 5 or 6 weeks, depending on the growth rate.

Also, clean the ears bi-weekly, and brush the Maltese’s dog daily. 

.

How Long Does it Take for a Maltese Dog to Grow?

The newborn Maltese puppies are expected to gain in weight and size every day. Most improvement in growth rate is evident in the first six months. The remaining three months for the Maltese to hit nine months adjustment in weight is small. Nutrition and health of the Maltese affect its growth rate either positively or negatively.

How to Train a Maltese Puppy

Training is a very vital aspect and a must-do one when dealing with Maltese dogs. At a particular given time, you will need them to take some command and respond to them. Having that they are very active, you will have to do a lot to control them. Suggestions from experts indicate that down command should be done first to Maltese dogs.

What are the Distinct Characters of a Maltese Dog?

How Does a Maltese Dog Relate with Other Dogs?

Are you planning to raise Maltese dog with other dogs?  The dog is friendly and does not mind being around other dogs, although every dog has its personality hence essential to identify your dog’s characters. In the presence of other dogs, however, it will always fight for its resting spaces and attention and be treated as desired.

Does a Maltese Dog Bark Excessively? 

Most people describe this calm dog as a ‘yapper.’ These dogs don’t bark extremely compared to other dogs of their equal size and energy. In most cases, a Maltese dog will bark in the extreme when you fail to give it the attention. 

Another thing that will make it bark in the extreme is when you fail to subject it to enough exercise as the way its body requires. Proper training from an early age can adjust the behavior of abnormal barking at a very high rate. Give your Maltese puppy quiet training to shape it.

Which is the Best Food to Feed Maltese Dogs with?

The market will always provide you with very many food varieties of your pup. But out of all the types given, only a few meet the nutrition standards of your Maltese puppy.  Ensure to find dog food that richly supports the healthy growth of your pup with the required nutrients.

Nutrition also includes regular exercise to your pup to cub development of unwanted behaviors that might be hard to cub once developed.

What Temperament Does Your Maltese Have?

 It’s hard to know or to tell the kind of temperament your Maltese pup possesses unless you follow its background. Some of the traits the puppy portrays result from genes, and it’s hard to change them. Before purchasing a Maltase dog, it’s always good to find its background. Things like aggression will highly depend on the bloodline of your pup. 

Are Maltese Dogs Friendly?

Generally, Maltese dogs are considered to be an amiable breed. According to the vet’s report, these dogs are calm, attractive, docile, and friendly to both adults and small kids. Maltese dogs live very well with kids having that they are very active. They are, however, only friendly to familiar people, and the presence of strangers makes it bark more frequently. 

How do You Train Your Maltese Puppy?

Responding to give commands or instructions is of significant benefit. The very best time to start training your Maltese is when it’s still a pup. Start giving a few commands at a time and increase on them gradually as your puppy grows. Responding to command will highly depend on how well you have given your dog training. Below are ways to lead to successful training to your Maltese;

Teach the Puppy its Name

Naming is essential when you are training your pup. Once your puppy knows its name, it will be a bit easier to take other commands as you give it. 

For your pup to have faster masterly of the name, ensure you call its name every time you are feeding it or rewarding as this helps the puppy to identify and familiarize with the name. Also, use exciting-sounding language when calling your pup.

Housebreak the Puppy

Training your Maltese pup to use a potty prevents any mess. It isn’t an easy thing to do as it requires a lot of patience. For easy training, ensure that you first identify an area and set it aside for your pup to go and poop. Ensure that you take your puppy to that area every 2 to 3 hours after feeding.

Every time your pup does it well, ensure you reward him as this gets him motivated. This training may take 1 to 4 months for a successful result.

Crate Training Your Maltese Puppy

Having your pup in a crate looks cruel, but sometimes the dog has to be in there. Ensure you have a spacious and clean box to use. Also, ensure that you don’t put your pup in the crate for too long.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Maltese Colitis?

This is a condition that leads to the colon of your Maltese becoming swollen. It leads to diarrhea and other complications like stomach upset.

What Type of Hairstyle Can a Maltese Have? 

Generally, Maltese dogs usually have long hair. But the hairstyle depends on you as you can decide to shave your Maltese or leave the hair to grow long to the floor.

Why is My Maltese Dog Barking Excessively?

Extreme barking from Maltese may be a sign of it needing particular care.  Ensure that you give the required attention. 

Sometimes, the barking may be a sign of anxiety, attention-seeking, frustration, or illness.

If your Maltese is a pup, subject it to training, and with time it will adjust; however, If the dog is an adult, that may be one of its traits, but there are ways through which you can cub that. Crate training and use of bark collars are an effective method to reduce barking. The collars may, however, inflict pain on the dog and should be used less frequently. 

How Much Does My Maltese Need to Eat?

Having that this breed of dog is of small size, the ratio of food that it may need may surprise you. About half a cup of dog food, twice a day, is enough to feed your Maltese dog. 

Conclusion

In need of having a pet of choice. Maltese dogs are the best to go for. Cool, friendly, attractive, and adaptive breed of dog. When well trained, you will enjoy having Maltese as your pen. Maltese’s lifespan is 12 to 15 years. Adapt Maltese for a lively and active pet