Breed Information for the Maltese
AKA: Baby Doll Face Maltese
We Specialize in Size Guaranteed Baby Doll Face Maltese.
-
Our Maltese come in 6 different sizes: Small Toys, Tiny Toys, Teacups, Tiny Teacups, Micro Tiny Teacups, & Mini Micro Tiny Teacups. "Tiny sizes are more delicate and not recommended for families with small children under 12 years of age"
-
If you are looking for a pure breed dog, you may love our Maltese.
-
Maltese are some of the most delicate puppies when they're young due to their stunning white fur, and baby soft pink skin. They are not rough and tumble puppies. They have a history of being​
Personality
The Maltese is an affectionate charming breed with a gentle manner. They are known to be happy, lively and playful. They easily adapt to new pets. The Maltese is easy to spoil! They love cuddling and enjoys being a lovable dog, spending several hours in their owners lap.​
Size
We carry Maltese puppies that will range from 2-12 pounds as fully grown adults. The smaller the puppy the more delicate and fragile they will be even through adulthood. When shopping for your forever companion consider a size that works well with your family for the next 15 years. See our Size Chart & Price List for more information.
​
​
​
Other breeders will offer low price regular and large toy sized Maltese that will grow to be between 15-25 pounds. Many are pure breed Maltese registered through the American Kennel Club (AKC). This is due to organizations and associations not being responsible for regulating teacup breeds.
We do not offer these larger sizes. However, if a small size is important to you don't settle for a low priced puppy that doesn't come with a written size size guarantee. 98% of teacup puppies sold are counterfeit teacups. This means they can grow to be 2-5 times the size you wanted and thought you were getting. See the Counterfeit Teacups page for more information.
Coat & Color Options
The Maltese is defined by their pure white, silky soft coat. The Maltese is only available in white. Their “drop coat” hair grows long and straight and drops on either side of their back. The Maltese is a hypoallergenic and non-shedding breed that will not leave fur on your clothes or furniture! If you are allergic to dogs, it is unlikely you will be allergic to the Maltese.
Grooming
The Maltese requires regular grooming. Sticking to a regular grooming schedule for your pet will help make their needs more manageable. Brushing your pet's hair every 1-3 days will help fight tangles and mats. As their hair continues to grow a full body groom is needed every 4 to 6 weeks. The shorter their hair is cut the longer it will last in-between grooms. Ask for a “Puppy Cut” to keep their hair short and manageable, but not shaved too short.
Maltese have very beautiful silky soft human-like hair and gentle skin that should be washed with a gentle shampoo. Maltese can be prone to dandruff on their skin. A pet shampoo that offers deep cleansing and moisture is a must! TropiClean Shampoo is a gentle shampoo that uses coconut oil and water to cleanse their coat and skin. Maltese all have beautiful white fur so to keep it white bathe your Maltese every week to keep them fresh and sparkling! TropiClean Whitening Shampoo uses awapuhi and blueberry help to naturally enhance their bright white coat. Their coat can be bathed every week to keep it bright and clean. Tropiclean Facial Cleanser is tearless cleanser that can be used to fight tear stains around eyes.
Health
The Maltese is known to be a fairly healthy breed. However, most small & teacups breeds do face health concerns related to their size.
​
One health condition to be aware of in a teacup dogs is Luxating Patella, or dislocating kneecap. Most puppies grow out of this, but a veterinarian can help monitor the condition as the puppy ages. A Luxating Patella may cause arthritis as they age in which surgery may be recommended.
Hypoglycemia is also common in small breed dogs. Hypoglycemia is caused by low-blood sugar and is usually the result of a lacking diet. Hypoglycemia is easily preventable by monitoring their feeding schedule. Small puppies should eat every 4 hours to prevent low-blood sugar. A high calorie supplement such as Nutri-Cal is also recommended for tiny puppies. Mix Nutrical in your puppy's water bowl to maintain strong blood sugar levels throughout the day.
Origin - History - Characteristics
The Maltese gets its name from the ancient island of “Malta” which is just south of Sicily. The little dog charmed its way into the hearts of many merchants, traders, and royalty. Aristocrats of the Roman Empire perfected the Maltese's role of status symbol and fashion statement. A Roman matron wasn't fully dressed without a 'Roman Ladies' Dog' peeking out of her sleeve or bosom. Even the crusty Emperor Claudius succumbed to the breed's charm. The Maltese was a persistent motif in Roman myths, poems, and fables in which the breed symbolized loyalty.
​
After the fall of Rome, it was Chinese breeders who kept the Maltese from extinction during Europe's Dark Ages. The Chinese made efficient crosses with their native toy breeds and exported a more refined Maltese back to Europe. With its immense charm and eye-catching looks, it comes as no surprise that the Maltese was a fixture at dog shows from the very beginning. At New York's first Westminster show, in 1877, the breed was exhibited as the Maltese Lion Dog due to their full, wild, and luxurious coats.
Training
Maltese are normally fairly easy to train, as they want your praise and attention. They will observe your traits and behaviors and learn what to do to get their desired reaction from you. To train a Maltese to listen, you will need **consistent rules**, dependable leadership/guidance, and a gentle hand. A Maltese relies on you to create a dependable routine in your household and out in the world.
​
Structure is a powerful way to help your dog be the perfect pet you always wanted. When your little dog can rely on a safe routine, and they know that you will take care of them, they begin to learn to calm down and stop overreacting or getting too excited. Yorkies as a breed, and especially those with behavior problems such as separation anxiety, fear, signs of aggression, and many more issues are greatly helped by giving them a consistent routine and commands so they always know what to expect.
​
Having clear and consistent rules is extremely important for dogs. Small dogs thrive on clarity. Consistent patterns and expectations create a sense of security and increase a sense of calm and build trust in dogs. Many unacceptable behaviors are reduced or eliminated by simply setting up consistent household rules that your dog can rely on, such as door manners, crate training and command training will build impulse control and help your Maltese's energy levels.
Don’t give them treats because they look cute or because you came home feeling guilty that you were gone all day. Give them treats for good behavior as a reward. They are people pleasers and will quickly learn what earns them a reward and will enjoy pleasing you and seeing you happy.
Diet & Nutrition
Monitor your Yorkie’s eating habits, especially during puppy stages. Offer your puppy food every 3 to 4 hours to help prevent low blood sugar. They should be eating roughly ¼ cup to ½ cup of dog food per day based on activity level and how much they weigh. A larger puppy will need more food on a daily basis than a smaller puppy.
A high-quality, small-bite size dry dog food is recommended to maintain their shiny coat, to protect their bones, keep their teeth clean, gentle on their digestive system, and keep them healthy overall. We recommend the brand Royal Canin in their Maltese formula X-Small bites dry dog food. The Maltese breed specific food has ingredients specifically tailored to keep their coats sparkling white. There is a Maltese puppy formula for puppies 8 weeks to 10 months old. Then, there is an adult Maltese formula for 10 months and beyond. A nutritional supplement, such as Nutrical, may also be needed in teacup and smaller sized puppies to prevent Hypoglycemia.