Maltese Appearance

The Maltese is a petite pup with dark, friendly eyes and a small black nose that stand out against a backdrop of luscious, long locks of all-white fur. While they traditionally have a long, silky coat, some pet parents give these little dogs short haircuts for easier upkeep.

1. Ears

   The Maltese's feathery ears hang low and are covered with long hair. Although typically white, their ears might also have tan or lemon colors.

2. Eyes

   The Maltese dog's eyes are dark and friendly, with a gentle, round shape. Their eyes stand out against their all-white fur.

3. Nose

   They have a gumdrop-shaped black nose that stands out from their all-white coat.

4. Coat Length

   The Maltese breed's silky, single-layered coat is floor-length.

5. Coat Color

   The Maltese dog's coat is all-white. The ears may have a light tan or lemon color on them, but a completely white coat is standard.

6. Tail

   The Maltese breed's tail has a long, silky plume that is carried gracefully over the back. The tip of the tail rests on the side of the dog's back end.

How to Care for a Maltese

About the only thing high maintenance with a Maltese dog is their grooming needs (that silky coat does need a little extra TLC). Because of their small size and what they were bred to do (occupy your lap), they don’t have high exercise or training needs, although they still need some physical and mental enrichment, as with any dog. For the most part, this little pup is truly content as long as they’re with you.

Maltese Health

Your little Maltese can have a long lifespan (about 12 to 15 years), but as with any breed, they have unique health issues that can crop up. Keep an eye on these to give your dog the best life possible.

• Luxating Patella: Many small breeds encounter this issue, where a kneecap slips from its normal position. If your dog has a luxating patella, you might notice a little skip sometimes when they walk. Depending on the severity, your dog might not need any treatment or may need surgery.
• Portosystemic Shunt: This is also called a liver or hepatic shunt, and it occurs when blood vessels circumvent the liver, preventing it from clearing the blood of toxins. This is usually a congenital issue, and symptoms can include head pressing, poor growth or seizures. Often, surgery is the best treatment.
• Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA): This occurs when a blood vessel near the heart doesn’t completely close after birth, and it can lead to heart failure. The good news is that this condition can typically be surgically fixed with a high success rate. A heart murmur is often the first sign, and a veterinary cardiologist can confirm the condition with an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart).
• Granulomatous Meningoencephalitis (GME): GME is a complex brain condition that can lead to a variety of neurological issues. Symptoms may include blindness, seizures and behavior changes. Treatments often include steroids and chemotherapy, and their success levels vary. Dogs with GME should be treated aggressively and early.
• Tear Stains (Epiphora): Tear stains are caused by molecules that contain iron called porphyrin. All dogs produce porphyrin, but it’s more noticeable in white pups. Most tear staining isn’t a cause for concern, but if your pup is tearing up more than normal, it could be the result of an underlying health condition like allergies, corneal ulcers or other eye disease, in which case, you should contact your vet.
• Respiratory Issues: Some Maltese can develop one of two respiratory issues: a collapsed trachea or reverse sneezing, which have similar symptoms (often, your pup will sound like a duck quacking or goose honking). While often these can be managed with lifestyle changes such as weight management and harnesses instead of traditional neck collars, if you have any concerns about your pet’s breathing, please contact your veterinarian immediately.
• White Dog Shaker Syndrome: Some dogs may develop tremors around 1 to 2 years of age, varying in severity. It may worsen if they’re overly excited and disappear when they’re relaxed. Often the tremors resolve with prednisone treatment.
• Eye Diseases: In general, Maltese have lower incidents of eye issues. However, in some cases they may have progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), glaucoma or cataracts. All three can cause blindness, but only glaucoma and cataracts may be treated with surgery. There is no treatment for PRA. But never fear, a blind pup can still live a full, happy life.
• Dental Disease: Because pint-sized pups have less room for all their teeth, toy dog breeds like the Maltese can be more at risk for dental disease. Prevention is the best form of treatment; be sure to brush your pup’s teeth at least a few times a week (daily is best) and get them professionally cleaned once a year by your vet.
• Hypoglycemia: Breed standard Maltese are under 7 pounds. This puts them at risk for hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, since they have very little fat reserves. Symptoms may include lack of appetite, lack of energy, and even seizures. Feeding several small meals throughout the day may help prevent hypoglycemia, but if you suspect your pet has low blood sugar, they should be examined by a veterinarian immediately.