Maltese
Silky-coated aristocrat — hypoallergenic and quiet enough for the tightest apartment.
Traits at a glance
Cost calculator
Training tips for a Maltese
Practical, breed-specific advice tuned to a Maltese's temperament, energy and trainability.
House-Training Consistency
Take your Maltese outside every 2-3 hours and immediately after meals, using a firm "no" if you catch them mid-accident indoors, then promptly redirect outside. Small bladders mean frequent trips and zero tolerance for indoor elimination—consistency and timing are everything.
Early Socialisation Essential
Expose your Maltese to various people, dogs, and environments during the critical 8-16 week window to prevent the timid or yappy tendencies this breed can develop. Gentle but insistent handling during unfamiliar situations teaches confidence without coddling fearfulness.
Moderate Exercise Daily
Two 15-20 minute walks plus short indoor play sessions meet their moderate energy needs, while puzzle toys and scent games prevent boredom-related barking. Don't underestimate their need for mental work despite their small size.
Manage Nuisance Barking
Interrupt alert barking with a calm, well-timed verbal correction or brief lead check, then redirect to a quiet behaviour before rewarding the silence. Maltese bark at movement and sound, so teach a "quiet" cue early and enforce it consistently.
Gentle But Clear Leadership
This sensitive breed responds best to calm, matter-of-fact guidance—use clear markers for correct behaviour and immediate, proportionate corrections for unwanted actions. Avoid harsh methods, but don't fall into the trap of treating them like fragile ornaments; they need boundaries like any dog.
Training guides for a Maltese
Expert-written guides picked for a Maltese's temperament and needs.
How dogs actually learn: the four quadrants explained
Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and everything in between — a clear, honest look at operant conditioning and when each tool is the right call.
Separation anxiety: a realistic rehab plan
Barking, destruction and toileting when you leave? Here's how to tell true separation anxiety from boredom — and how to actually fix it.
Health & nutrition for a Maltese
What to watch for, how to feed, and how to keep a Maltese in top shape — tuned to this breed's size and build.
Common health concerns
- •Maltese are prone to dental disease due to crowded teeth in small jaws, so monitor for tartar buildup, bad breath, and tooth loss starting early.
- •Watch for luxating patellas (slipping kneecaps) which cause limping or bunny-hopping; maintain healthy weight to reduce joint stress.
- •This breed can develop tear staining and eye irritation, so check eyes daily for redness, discharge, or excessive tearing.
- •Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is common in toy breeds, especially puppies; watch for weakness, trembling, or disorientation between meals.
Feeding & nutrition
- •Feed a biologically-appropriate raw diet with 2-3% of body weight daily (roughly 60-100g for a 4-7 lb Maltese), divided into two meals to prevent hypoglycemia.
- •Prioritize raw muscle meat like chicken, turkey, or rabbit (80%), raw meaty bones such as chicken necks or wings for natural dental cleaning (10%), and organ meat including liver and kidney (10%).
- •Raw meaty bones are especially critical for this breed to combat dental disease naturally, scraping teeth clean while providing calcium and mental stimulation.
- •If convenience absolutely requires kibble, choose a high-quality, grain-free small-breed formula and feed approximately ¼ to ½ cup daily, though raw remains vastly superior for dental and overall health.
Exercise & weight
- •Provide 20-30 minutes of daily exercise split into short walks and indoor play sessions to match their moderate energy level without overexertion.
- •Indoor games like fetch, hide-and-seek, and puzzle toys work well for this apartment-friendly breed and prevent boredom-related behaviours.
- •Avoid high-impact jumping or rough play that could injure delicate knees and joints, especially given their predisposition to patellar luxation.
- •Keep exercise consistent to maintain healthy weight, as even slight obesity significantly increases risk of joint problems in toy breeds.
Educational guidance only — not veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed vet for your dog's specific health needs.
Ready to meet a Maltese?
Search animal shelters and rescues across Australia — and consider bringing a certified trainer to your first meet-and-greet.