Perky Little Maltese
“A Maltese doesn’t occupy just your home, but also the warmest corners of your heart.”
Perky little Maltese
Who We Are
At perky little Maltese, we offer practical, real-life tips and training advice to help you care for your pet. We help over 10 users each month find the pet they need to provide the best possible life for them both. Our team includes trainers, Registered Vet Technicians (RVTs) and Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVMs), produce the most beautiful puppies and provide valuable insights honed from years of hands-on experience. We are also wholly committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Maltese Breed Info
The Maltese is a small, white, long-haired dog known for their playful and affectionate personality. They are originally from the Mediterranean island of Malta, and have been prized companions for centuries. Maltese dogs are full of energy, but they require only occasional exercise to keep them healthy and happy. A short walk or playtime in the yard is usually enough to satisfy their needs. They are also relatively low-maintenance dogs, and their long hair only needs to be brushed a few times a week.
Maltese dogs are very intelligent and trainable. They are eager to please their owners, and can learn basic commands quickly. They are also very good with children, and make loving and loyal companions. But most of all, they love to be with their people. Even novice pet parents and apartment dwellers will find the Maltese to be excellent furry family members. These features make these loving dogs strong contenders for any future pet parents on the search for Maltese puppies.
This Is a Truly Ancient Dog Breed
The history of the Maltese likely dates back to the Phoenicians, who brought the dog to Malta. The Greeks of the fourth and fifth century B.C. immortalized the breed in their art, while Aristotle described the Maltese as “perfectly proportioned.”
They’ve Been AKC-Recognized For Over a Century
The Maltese was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888. The breed’s parent club, the American Maltese Association, was formed in 1961, more than 50 years after the first major Maltese specialty club was organized in America. In 1969, the American Maltese Association became an AKC member club and the breed’s official parent club.
Maltese Make Good Watchdogs
They’re extremely alert and can spring into action if they perceive a threat to their owners. But it’s important to train your Maltese not to be overprotective because they can have a tendency to bark excessively and could even bite someone they think presents a danger.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Maltese
Maltese are a zesty, bold, and very people-oriented breed that loves to be the star of the show. They’re a little less hyperactive than you’d expect and love to please you more than anything. Maltese bond closely with their families and don’t like strangers, which you’ll learn from their fierce bark. They’re big dogs in small bodies but with such tail-wagging swagger that you can’t help but find them irresistible.
Maltese are naturally eager to please and have an amicable, if gregarious, charm that can win just about anyone over. They’re smarter than they let on and sometimes have a wicked sense of humor that’ll keep you on your toes. Despite all that, Maltese will go where you go. They’re happy to be a couch potato snuggled up on the couch or trot alongside you on some light walks.
“The Maltese sisters MASHA & TASHA -puppies live in New York with me and my sister, who share the love of music. I am a flute aficionado, while Nina is enamored of the violin. Star struck, the little Maltese darlings often join their talented moms in rehearsals, creating squeaky-voiced melodies all their own! Ana and Nina.”
Quick Facts
- Origin: Malta
- Size: Small
- Breed Group: Toy
- Lifespan: 12-15 years
- Coat: Long, silky, and straight white coat (though some may have slight lemon or tan markings)
- Temperament: Gentle, affectionate, playful, and alert
- Exercise Needs: Moderate exercise requirements, daily short walks and indoor playtime are suitable
- Training: Intelligent and eager to please, but can be a bit stubborn; consistent, positive reinforcement training works well
- Grooming: High-maintenance coat that requires daily brushing and regular professional grooming
- Health: Generally healthy, but may be prone to dental issues due to their small size, as well as certain genetic conditions like luxating patella.
- The Maltese has long been favored by pet owners. Even Aristotle wrote about a dog some believe to be a distant ancestor of the breed.
- Elizabeth Taylor, one of the biggest stars of classic cinema, loved toy-sized dogs and was often photographed with them. One of her most famous dogs was a Maltese named Sugar.
- Popular Maltese Mixes include the Maltese Poodle (Maltipoo), Maltese Shih Tzu, and the Maltese Yorkie (Morkie).
