Maltese
Height
7-9 inches
Weight
under 7 pounds
Life Expectancy
12-15 years
Size
Toy
About the Maltese
People are often drawn to the Maltese for its charming, gentle, and playful mix wrapped in a toy-size toy frame. They fit best when family households that want a dog involved in everyday home life can plan around daily exercise and mental work instead of treating the breed like a plug-and-play match.
The Good
- Easy-to-carry size gives owners more flexibility with space and setup
- High-drive personality is a great match for active owners who want a do-something dog
- Often appeals to families that want a dog involved in everyday home life
The Bad
- You need real time for movement and mental work, not just quick potty walks
- This is not a set-it-and-forget-it breed match for the average owner
- Owners still need a plan for boundaries, routines, and socialization from day one
Is this dog right for you?
Best match for...
Similar breeds to check out
Browse all breeds
Chihuahua
Toy • Toy • High energy
The Chihuahua is a toy-size toy breed that tends to come across as charming, graceful, and sassy once it settles in. They usually make the most sense for active households and owners who are realistic about daily exercise and mental work and coat upkeep and grooming.
Toy Poodle
Toy • Toy • High energy
Toy Poodles are tiny dogs with outsized brains, springy energy, and a strong habit of staying tuned in to their people. They fit homes that want a highly trainable companion in a very small body and do not mind regular grooming, daily mental stimulation, and the alert barking that can come with a bright toy breed.
Yorkshire Terrier
Toy • Toy • High energy
Yorkshire Terriers are tiny dogs with full-size terrier confidence and a habit of taking themselves extremely seriously. They work well for people who want a portable companion with spark, sass, and time for coat maintenance.
Pomeranian
Toy • Toy • Medium energy
People are often drawn to the Pomeranian for its bold, inquisitive, and lively mix wrapped in a toy-size toy frame. They fit best when households looking for a breed with a clear lifestyle fit can plan around coat upkeep and grooming and noise management instead of treating the breed like a plug-and-play match.