Mary Allen
Anyone who has ever looked into the Maltese’s faithful beady black eyes has lost them. A lively, small companion dog envelops animal-loving people with its upbeat and cheerful disposition. The Maltese are adventurous, playful, and love children. He loves to mess around passionately – both with his own kind and with his family. Within its four walls, it is pleasant, alert, and affectionate.
Intelligent Enchantress of Noble Birth
The Maltese is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world, having been known since antiquity. It originally comes from the Mediterranean; but not from the island of Malta, as the name might suggest. The word “Maltese” most likely comes from the word “màlat”, which comes from the Semitic language family and means “port” or “refuge”. The ancestors of the little whirlwind lived in the Mediterranean ports like at home. There they roamed between ships and warehouses, always on the lookout for mice, rats, or other delicacies. Even in ancient Rome, the Maltese became the companion dog of noble ladies. During the Renaissance, smart dogs finally won the hearts of the nobility and have lived on big paws ever since.
Nature of the Maltese
The little white hairballs are curious, agile, happy, and alert. They prefer to accompany their owner wherever they go, and given their small size, this is rarely a problem. Enterprising and bold, the Maltese are always ready to play and need plenty of exercises: most of their brethren are always available for extended play, agility, or dog dancing. When the temperamental Maltese is completely exhausted, she prefers to lie next to her loved ones and enjoy being stroked. Small dogs are quite timid towards strangers at first. But once you get to know each other, that usually changes quickly. If the Maltese is not mentally and/or physically busy, he can become stubborn and “sassy”.
Training & Maintenance of Maltese
The Maltese are confident and intelligent. If he does not enjoy a good upbringing, he dances on his master’s nose. You must be assertive and consistent from an early age. With patience and calmness, you can teach your puppy the most important commands and rules because he is very diligent, willing to learn, and willing to cooperate. The better the Maltese are brought up, the easier it is to keep him in everyday life. Anyone who does not yet have experience with dogs should attend film school with their four-legged friend: under the guidance of a trainer, you will acquire the necessary training knowledge there and at the same time strengthen your relationship with your dog.
Early socialization with other dogs in dog parks or puppy groups is also recommended to make future dog encounters easier: if your Maltese is used to meeting other dogs, he will meet them confidently and with respect.
Care & Health of the Maltese
The soft, long coat of the Maltese needs regular grooming – ideally every day, otherwise it falls off quickly. Train your four-legged friend for a daily brushing ritual as a puppy. If the silky shiny fur is getting too long and hanging down to the ground, it’s time to call a groomer. This usually happens after two to three months. Above the eyes, the hair should be shortened or tied with an elastic band so that it does not fall into the eyes. Otherwise, it may lead to conjunctivitis.