Dog Breeds

Maltese

• Size

  Toy

• Grooming Req.

  Considerable

• Excerise

  Moderate

• Locality

  Town/Country

• Lifespan

  Over 9 Years

• Feeding Costs

  Under £5 per week

• Appearance

  The Maltese is a dog belonging to the toy group that is covered from head to foot with a mantle of long, silky, pure white hair. Maltese have no undercoat, and have little to no shedding if cared for properly. Regular grooming is required to prevent their coats from matting. Avoiding foods treated with food colouring and serving distilled water will reduce tear staining. Some Maltese may have curly or woolly hair, but this is outside the standard.

• Characteristics

  They are highly intelligent and playful. They are very social and are happy and content being the centre of attention whether they are with their family or in the show ring. This endearing breed is bright, loving, and a deeply devoted companion. They can be very energetic and are relatively easy to train and enjoy a playful game of fetch. These intelligent dogs learn quickly and pick up new tricks and behaviours easily.

• Temperament

  The breed has a reputation for being good-natured, but may be intolerant of small children or other dogs. They can be protective of their owner and will bark or may bite if animals or people infringe on their territory or are perceived as a threat. They are among the gentlest mannered of all little dogs, yet they are lively and playful as well as vigorous. Because of their size, a Maltese puppy would not be a good choice for families with small children because they can be easily injured.

Oscar Recommends that customers should always consult with a nutritional advisor