There are many beloved and cherished dog breeds around the world today, and preference varies across the world between dog lovers and dog owners as to which dog is best to have as a pet. in general. One of those breeds that has definitely marked the hearts of many is that of the Maltese dog breed. Often seen in dog shows as one of the best competitors, the Maltese is known for its beautiful long white fur, its playful and affectionate personality, and many other characteristics and features that it presents in everyday life.
In this ‘ Pets Feed ‘ article, we are going to count the top 20 facts you may or may not know about the Maltese dog breed, and why it is still so popular among dog lovers and owners today. That said, let’s start our countdown:
1. Its original story
The Maltese dog breed is believed to originate from the small island of Malta, located in the Mediterranean Sea, although the majority of researchers often locate the origin of the breed somewhere in the central Mediterranean region of the world. This breed is one of the oldest breeds that exists today, as it has references that date back to around 500 BC. It was also stated that Aristotle was actually the first person to refer to the breed, and he called it Canis Melitaeus.
Since then, the breed itself has made its way around the world, even being part of many royal families and empires throughout its long history. Although the has experienced some changes throughout its history, it is certainly one of the cutest toy dog breeds in our society today.
2. It is often fearless
As we will see later in this article, the Maltese is a dog with an incredibly sweet personality. He is always on the move, always energetic and always eager to meet new people and discover new things.
This can be both a blessing and a curse, as it makes the breed fearless. This is why it is so important to keep a watchful eye on your puppy, as he will have no problem walking towards creatures, even if he risks potential danger or puts himself in danger. It is good to remember that, even with a fenced backyard, it is best to stay outside with your dog while he does his business or just exploring in the grass.
3. Usually does not lose hair
Suffering from allergies, you can take a huge sigh of relief, as the Maltese is one of the best dog breeds you can bring into your home if you are allergic to dandruff and dog fur. The Maltese, although wearing a long silky white coat in some cases, does not lose at all; Indeed, the breed does not have an undercoat under its long white hairs which cover its body, which makes the hairs of the Maltese less likely to spread throughout the house in general.
It can also help with grooming, although it’s best to brush or comb their fur at least once or twice a week to keep tangles and rumbling at bay. It is also good to bring them from time to time in a groomer to cut the hairs that form around the face, so that they can at least see where they are going, right? If you don’t want to spend the hassle of having to bring your Maltese to the groomer for a cut, you can easily trim their hair at home.
4. It is a powerful jumper
The Maltese is a breed that is not afraid and likes to explore and discover. This dog also has an intense energy which, combined with his agile physique, allows him to be an excellent jumper in general.
Although it looks small and delicate when just lying on the couch, this dog will do whatever it takes to jump and get where it wants to go. This can mean jumping from object to object, jumping off ledges or other high spaces, and jumping out of your reach and the comfort of your grip without any notice. It can also be useful to keep your special items and precious memories out of reach.
5. Puppy cut
Although there are many Maltese puppies around the world who keep their coats long and luscious (almost like skirts), especially those who often participate in dog shows, the majority of families choose to give their dog what the ‘the puppy cut is called.
This cut often includes a large cut or even a shave of your dog, so that its hairs measure an inch or less. When the fur is cut, some Maltese dogs may have curly white hairs, especially around the ears, but this is generally not common enough for the breed in general.
6. It has had many different names over the years
Although they are strictly known as the Maltese today, the dog breed itself has had its fair share of nicknames throughout its history as a dog breed. Among the names that have circulated over the generations, we can mention the Maltese lion dog, the Melitaie dog, the Maltese terrier, the sweet spaniel, the dog of Roman ladies and some others. These different nicknames, of course, have very different origins, but we are glad they shortened it to Maltese today.
7. It can easily get sunburned
It can pass right over your head most of the time, but our pets can also get sunburned during the hot summer months, just as easily as humans! This is especially prevalent with the Maltese dog breed, as it has light, pale skin under its shimmering white fur.
It is also a problem because the Maltese has no undercoat, as we mentioned earlier. This makes his coat thinner and his skin more visible to the sun when he spends a lot of time outside. So, if you do decide to bring one of these puppies into your home, be sure to practice safety when they are going to be outside for long periods of time.
8. It is excellent with children and other animals
It’s not a surprise with his sweet personality, but the Maltese is one of the best breeds when it comes to integration with children, large families and other pets. He i
s very sociable, as we have mentioned many times, making him a perfect playmate. Although he is often full of energy when he first meets new people, children or animals, this dog will eventually calm down and enjoy the company of everyone around him. You will have no fear of leaving your children or other pets unattended with a Maltese, that’s for sure.
9. It is one of the smallest dog breeds in the world
The Maltese is often popular in homes and for dog owners around the world due to its small size. The dog breed averages three kg when it matures, making it one of the best companion dogs you can have.
It is also easy to take with you, if you are in the “pocket dog” scenario, making it a very versatile toy breed to have in your home and with your family. Either way, there is no doubt that its small size and presence makes it compelling for so many dog lovers around the world.
10. It is often used as a therapy dog
The Maltese is a very affectionate breed, regardless of whether it is a stranger or his favorite human who enters the room. This affection, as well as its small size, its soft fur and its capacity to relax on the knees of everyone it meets, make it an excellent therapy dog.
It has been shown in various studies that holding and petting an animal, especially a dog, can help reduce stress, anxiety and can bring better feelings to an individual. This is why the Maltese, along with several other breeds of dogs, have been used to aid in the therapy of many people suffering from problems such as anxiety, depression and other harmful situations.
11. Smaller is not always better
This is more advice than anything else – If you are looking for a Maltese to bring home with your family, make sure you don’t use the term “cup of tea”, and for a variety of reasons. First of all, the term “cup of tea”, especially for a Maltese, is not really a true statement. If you find someone selling a Maltese “cup of tea”, this often refers to the litter box and a puppy that will probably not weigh more than two kg. Although it sounds cute and cuddly, this dog can also end up experiencing a multitude of health issues that he could potentially carry for the rest of his life.
This, as well as the commitment of its lifespan in general, can often be difficult for the family that is always on the move. That said, be sure to do your research when looking for the perfect Maltese puppy for your home.
12. It can often have tear stains
This is a problem that is often found in all Maltese dogs from time to time, although it can also be found on other dog breeds around the world. The “tear color” is a dark color that forms on the fur just below the tear ducts under the eyes. While this is not necessarily a problem, it can often be an eyesore for some owners, and is usually simply caused by over-watering the dog’s eyes or even simply by the size and production of their tear ducts in general.
If you find the tear spot on your Maltese dog, you can apply a topical solution or powder, which you will find in pet stores, which will help to lighten and remove the discoloration and coloration under the eyes.
13. Classification controversy
For several years now, there has been much debate between dog lovers and other dog lovers around the world as to whether the dog breed Maltese should be classified as a Terrier breed or a Spaniel breed.
Although a decision has never been entirely made, the Maltese actually shares quite a few similarities with that of the Spaniels. Because the decision has not been made and the debate is not quite over, the Maltese is simply listed as a toy breed or a toy dog, although it is fairly vague in nature.
14. It can be quite sensitive to dental problems
The most common dental problem that is often found in the Maltese dog breed is overdevelopment of the cavities in the mouth, which can lead to various infections and tooth loss as dogs age. This cavity development, of course, is accentuated when your dog’s teeth are not regularly maintained.
While this may seem like an unnecessary waste of time, it is important to thoroughly brush your dog’s teeth with a soft bristle brush and pet-friendly toothpaste on a regular basis each week in order to keep them safe and safe from infections.
15. Sometimes his nose can also change color
This is not the case for all breeds, but for the Maltese, which has a fairer and paler complexion under all this fur, it can sometimes have nose changes too. The most significant difference will be in color;
If your Maltese spends most of the time indoors, especially during the winter months when there is not much sun, you may notice that the coloration on his nose will become paler or a light brown color. It is not permanent, however, because once summer returns, and it is outdoors more often, its nose will resume its original dark brown / black color.
16. It can live long enough
Unlike some other dog breeds that exist in the world today, the Maltese dog breed is one that can often live for over a decade with proper care (its average lifespan ranges from twelve to ten- eight years!).
This means that it is important to make annual veterinary visits to have him checked, to get the necessary vaccines and any other care he may need. It is also important to always keep an eye on him. With its size and stature, keeping it outside unattended can lead to many potentially dangerous situations. That said, it is essential that you are ready for the commitment that accompanies this long-lasting dog and that you can give him the love, care and all the attention he deserves.
17. It often suffers from reverse sneezing
This is by no means a medical dilemma, but rather a unique quirk of the Maltese breed in general. The breed is often known to be more sensitive to something called “reverse sneeze”, where instead of a sneeze as we are used to, the dog will make a different sound (such as honking, gagging or even sniffing).
It is neither dangerous nor harmful to the dog, and often ends after about a minute in sneezing. Reverse sneezing can often be caused by your Maltese dog being overly excited during play, or even by other factors such as allergies. If you have concerns about reverse sneezing, you can contact your veterinarian, but this is often not a serious problem.
18. Not the best watchdog
Of course, this means the purest way, because the Maltese is well known for his incredible affection and personality. The breed itself is very sociable and will appeal to practically everyone with whom it comes into contact. Because of this affectionate personality, the Maltese is also an easy-to-train dog, as it is eager to please its owners and family members every second of the day.
If you want to train him and teach him a plethora of tricks, especially for those who want to integrate them into dog shows, you will want to start training at a young age and continue throughout his life. That said, he may not be the best dog to guard the door at night from a stranger or other potential hiding danger.
19. We can thank the Romans for its color
It has been stated that the Romans are in fact responsible for the pure white coat for which the breed is so known today. In the time of the Roman Empire, the color white was a sacred color and symbol for the Roman emperors, and because they kept these dogs as royal pets, they wanted them to also show this purity and this divinity through the coloring of their fur.
All we can do is thank the Romans for blessing us with one of the cutest and most beautiful dogs that exists today.
20. It needs to release his energy
As we have already mentioned, the dog breed Maltese is often a dog full of energy. In fact, it is often classified as having average energy, according to the American Kennel Club and its standards. That being said, it is always good to take out a Maltese at least once a day to exercise and also release some of this energy.
This can include a daily walk around the neighborhood, or even just running around the backyard for a little while each day as well. Either way, it’s important to make sure you can follow this Maltese dog before you decide to bring it home, as it will be a big part of your daily life.
Over the decades, it has been clear that the love and popularity of the Maltese dog breed is flawless. Many families are looking for this adorable, beautiful and all-around toy breed to bring into their homes; A dog that can be versatile enough to run crazy in the afternoon playing with the kids, cuddling on your lap after a long day, then take a spin in your purse when you go shopping.
Although the Maltese is a tough dog breed to beat among the rest, it can be quite a commitment, with its long lifespan, and in need of 24/7 attention. Either way, there is a lot to learn from having a Maltese dog in your home, and we are sure it will complement any family with a loving heart and warm personality. If you would like to learn more about the Maltese dog breed, you can find everything you need online, or you can also contact your local veterinarian or animal shelter.