Grooming
The Maltese is renowned for its gorgeous, long, perfectly white coat that never stops growing. And with a stunning coat like that, comes some effort in maintaining it. If you opt to keep your Maltese with long hair, grooming will include daily or bi-daily hair brushing and regular baths. The famous puppy-cut Maltese look requires one or two weekly brushes and a bath every 2 months.
To keep your Maltese looking and feeling their best, it is recommended to brush their teeth as often as possible and make sure their nails are clipped short so as not to cause discomfort.
Because they are a pure white breed, the Maltese may develop tear stains, which can be hard to remove once they form. It is best to wipe their eyes regularly with a damp cloth, daily, if possible, to avoid tear stains.
Exercise Needs
Although they are quite small, Maltese dogs have plenty of spunk and energy to spend. They enjoy running and chasing their favorite toys and are also fond of going on family adventures in the great outdoors. For most Maltese, two daily walks will suffice to help them burn energy and get in their exercise. Some tend to be more active or hyperactive and will require up to an hour of daily walks and exercise.
Health
The Maltese is one of the healthiest little dogs, having very few health problems for their owners to worry about. They typically live long, prosperous lives without running into any health concerns. Among their most common health issues are vision issues during their senior years, dental issues such as tartar build-up and gum disease, and allergies.
To make sure they thrive and are happy, healthy dogs, it is recommended to visit the vet regularly for check-ups.
Lifespan
As a healthy dog breed that is rarely known to suffer from serious health problems, the Maltese has one of the biggest lifespans among small dogs. The average life expectancy for these dogs is between 12 and 15 years, however, there are quite a few that live well past that number. The oldest Maltese to have ever lived reached the beautiful age of 20 years.
Providing your Maltese with a good diet that consists of healthy and high-quality dog food, and making sure they are exercised daily, can increase their lifespan up to 18 years. Regular vet checks are also recommended to make sure they remain healthy throughout their lives.
Training
With their high intelligence and eager-to-please personalities, the Maltese are one of the easiest puppies to train. Not only are they incredibly fond of the attention that comes with training, but they are also quite passionate about learning.
When training Maltese puppies, it’s best to use positive reinforcement and reward-based methods. They love treats and will do most of the work themselves if they are properly motivated. Their training sessions should also include games they love and praise. Learning through play will work best and will be the most fun for both you and your puppy.
Although they are fond of attention and would prefer not to be parted from their owners, Maltese dogs aren’t known to suffer from separation anxiety. They do well on their own when left alone for a few hours. If you are unsure that your puppy will be ok alone, it's best to practice leaving them alone while they are still young puppies.