The Maltese is a breed of dog in the toy group, typically well-known for its silky white hair. Most owners however give their dogs the short “puppy cut” for easy grooming. The Maltese breed is descended from dogs originating from Central Mediterranean area. This breed has been known originally as “the ancient dog of Malta”, the “Roman Ladies’ Dog”, the “Maltese Lion Dog”, and the “Bichon” amongst other names.  Eventually in the 19^th century, The Kennel Club decided on the name “Maltese”.

The Maltese dog is characterized by its slightly rounded heads, and long silky hair. The hair is straight and bright and pure white in colour, which is their trademark. Their drop ears and very dark eyes give Maltese their expressive look. With exposure to sunlight, their noses can fade and become pink or light brownish in colour. Interesting, with more exposure to the sun, it will become black again. Maltese have long and silky pure white coat, and they lack an undercoat. Although there are instances of pale orange shades or cream colour, these are considered as not desirable.

Maltese are meant to be cuddly companion dogs, and are really passionate. They flourish on abundance of love and attention.  These dogs are highly lively and playful, right from the time they are little to the time they are much older. They have relatively high energy level and their playful behaviour remain fairly constant. It is always good to socialise them from young to reduce the incidences of having them snapping at other dogs or young children.  The breed works very well in the house and prefers more enclosed spaces and thus is ideal for urban dwellers. However, Maltese may also suffer from separation anxiety which potential owners should be aware of. Based on a research project carried out in Australia, the results stated that owners are more likely to abandon their Maltese, citing the tendency of Maltese’s constant barking as a reason.

Similar to their relatives the Poodle and the Bichon Frise, the Maltese are regarded to be hypoallergenic. This allows people who are allergic to dogs to own one and not be subjected to any allergic reactions. Maltese have no undercoat, and thus have very little shedding if cared for properly. They have to have daily cleaning to prevent the chances of tear-staining. They are also required to have frequent grooming to prevent the coats from matting. Most owners prefer to keep their Maltese clipped in a “puppy cut”, which gives the dog really short trim. Others will have their Maltese’s long fur wrapped to keep from matting and breaking off, for showing.  “Tear staining” is a potential problem for this breed if not taken care properly.  If the face is kept dry and cleaned daily, the staining can be reduced.  There are also products in the market that owners can purchase to prevent tear stains.

Maltese are prone to reverse sneezing, which sounds rather like a snorting or gagging sound. This usually happens when the dog is over excited, play, or allergies. Owners should take measures to calm their Maltese down.  Should there be excessive reverse sneezing, it is always good to have the dog checked by a veterinarian.