Maltese Dogs – A Model Dog!

Maltese dogs are small but bold and make excellent companion dogs.  A Maltese dog should be about 8-10 inches tall, somewhere between 6-8 pounds, and covered in long silky white hair that has no curls or kinks.  These dogs are great for apartment life, as they are very active indoors and don’t require a yard.  At the same time a Maltese will enjoy playing outside, but this breed has a liking for puddles, so be ready to bathe your dog upon returning home from a walk.

Though these dogs make great companions and are very gentle mannered and affectionate, the Maltese do have a tendency toward jealousy.  These puppies must not be overly pampered because they can become jealous of visitors or snappy toward inconsiderate children.  In order to keep the breed’s teeth strong and healthy, dog food should include regular doses of hard food, and when purchasing dog supplies, be sure to buy some biscuits.  This breed is prone to teeth problems.

Maltese also tend to be susceptible to extreme temperatures, easily becoming overheated or getting chilled.  They are prone to sunburn along the part line of their shining coat, and often, Maltese puppies develop skin, respiratory, and eye problems.  Because they do not do well in cold weather, dog training should include paper training to avoid walks in cold or damp weather.

Maltese live long lives, averaging a life span of over 15 years and often as many as 18 years.  Daily grooming is required, as is lots of attention and love.  These are very clingy dogs and require an owner that has plenty of time to spend with his or her dog.  Remember to keep the amount of attention in check, though, to avoid having an imbalanced pet – over attentive owners of Maltese tend to have issues with their dog’s behavior.  However, when properly cared for, this breed of dog is very sweet and totally worth the time and effort!

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