Daily life
They usually want to be where you are
A lot of Maltese dogs feel happiest when they can stay near their people, sit in the same room, and stay woven into normal home life instead of being treated like a background pet.
Height
7-9 inches
Weight
under 7 pounds
Life Expectancy
12-15 years
Size
Toy
What Maltese are like
Maltese dogs are tiny companion dogs known for a gentle, affectionate temperament and a long silky white coat that sheds less than many breeds but still needs regular upkeep. They often fit people who want a very close house dog that can handle apartment-sized living, but the breed is not effortless. Brushing, dental care, house-training patience, and careful handling all matter more than the size suggests.
Is the Maltese right for your home?
Best match for...
A home that wants a tiny affectionate companion, enjoys close day-to-day company, and can stay on top of brushing, dental care, gentle handling, and calm routines.
Apartments
Gentle homes
Close companionship
If you are comparing other small companion breeds, start with the Havanese, Shih Tzu, and Bichon Frise, then use the breed compare tool to line up the tradeoffs side by side.
What daily life feels like
Daily life
Coat care becomes part of the schedule
A shorter pet trim can make life easier, but even then the coat needs frequent brushing and cleanup. Longer coats ask for much more upkeep, and excessive tear staining is worth a vet conversation instead of a guess.
Daily life
Exercise is real, but not huge
Most Maltese dogs do not need marathon outings, but they still need daily walks, indoor play, and light mental work because boredom can show up fast in a bright little companion breed. Their exercise needs are usually satisfied with everyday walks and play rather than hard endurance work.
Daily life
Alone time is often the harder part
The bigger day-to-day challenge is often emotional rather than athletic. Many Maltese dogs handle short outings well but do best when the household does not regularly disappear for long stretches.
Training and handling
Training
House training takes consistency
Tiny dogs often get too much freedom too early, and Maltese dogs can get unreliable fast if bathroom routines keep changing. Scheduled potty breaks, repetition, and calm supervision matter here.
Training
Positive training works better than force
The breed is often bright and eager to engage, but it usually responds better to short upbeat sessions than to frustration or babying. Early socialization and calm rules help keep the charm from turning into noise or pushiness.
Training
Protect the tiny body
A Maltese can be bold enough to jump off furniture or race into bigger-dog situations that the body cannot safely handle, so gentle handling, safe landings, and careful supervision matter every day.
Health and cost
Plan for it
Dental care matters early
Like many toy breeds, Maltese dogs can run into dental disease if routine brushing and cleanings slide. Teeth are not a small optional extra here just because the dog is small.
Plan for it
Luxating patella is a real small-dog issue
A slipping kneecap is one of the common orthopedic conversations in toy breeds, so any hopping, skipping, or recurring hind-leg weirdness deserves a real vet check instead of a wait-and-see guess.
Plan for it
Breeder screening should cover heart and liver questions too
Responsible sourcing is not just about coat or size. Good breeder conversations should cover kneecap checks, heart screening such as PDA, and bile-acid testing for congenital liver issues like shunts.
Plan for it
A long life means a long care budget
Many Maltese dogs live 12 to 15 years, which is great news if the household is prepared for years of grooming, vet care, dental work, and the everyday cost of keeping a tiny companion healthy.
Did you know?
The breed name is linked to Malta
The Maltese name is tied to the Mediterranean island of Malta, which is part of why the breed is often described as an old toy companion with long European roots.
The classic look is long, straight, and white
When people picture a Maltese, they usually picture the breed's long white coat. That striking look is part of the breed identity, even though many family pets wear a shorter trim.
Most pet Maltese wear shorter trims
The floor-length show coat is real, but everyday family dogs often live in a shorter easier trim that still needs upkeep without turning grooming into an extreme project.
Companion work is the real job here
The Maltese is best understood as a stay-close companion dog rather than a breed built for hard outdoor work, which helps explain why affection, routine, and people-time shape daily life so much.
Helpful next steps
If you are still narrowing the field, read the Havanese, Shih Tzu, and Bichon Frise guides, compare them directly in the breed compare tool, then take the match quiz or try the breed mixer for a broader fit check.
Breeds similar to the Maltese
Browse all breeds
Havanese
Toy • Small • Medium energy
People are often drawn to the Havanese for its funny, intelligent, and outgoing mix wrapped in a small toy frame. They fit best when family households that want a dog involved in everyday home life can plan around coat upkeep and grooming and noise management instead of treating the breed like a plug-and-play match.
Shih Tzu
Toy • Small • Medium energy
Shih Tzus are compact companion dogs bred to stay close to their people, not to power through all-day activity. They usually fit homes that want an affectionate, adaptable small dog and are ready for regular grooming, gentle daily exercise, and extra care around eyes, teeth, and hot weather.
Bichon Frise
Non-Sporting • Small • High energy
Bichon Frises typically pair curious, peppy, and playful traits with the presence of a small non-sporting dog. They are often strongest fits for family households that want a dog involved in everyday home life, especially when the household can stay on top of daily exercise, mental work, and coat upkeep.
Breed Traits
Energy Level3/5
Trainability3/5
Health Concerns2/5
Barking Tendency3/5
Good with Kids3/5
Good with Dogs4/5