31 Aug Interesting Facts about the Maltese Dog Breed

There are so many pretty and cute dogs in the world that people like to have them. This funny and kind creatures are parts of all families. In this article, we will introduce one of the most popular dog breeds in recent years, Maltese. This breed has shown many dog ​​owners that choosing him as a pet dog was a good option. These types of dogs are very active and full of energy, and have a lot of mobility. Maltese are ranked high in agility, tracking skills, and obedience and are trusted by the family. They are very fond of their owner. In the continuation of this article, we will further introduce the Maltese dog breed and explain everything about them.

The appearance of the Maltese dog breed

Maltese dogs have gorgeous and uniform white outer coats. Their hair is long and luxurious, so they need a lot of grooming. Their outer skin is single-layered, and they don’t have an undercoat, so their hair doesn’t shed as much as many other breeds, making this dog an option for people who suffer from allergies. Maltese dogs play the role of puppies for most of their lives due to their tiny size, which is one of the reasons why these dogs are so popular with people worldwide. Their heads are round, and with a broad muzzle and a striking black nose, they make their way into other people’s hearts.

The eyes are oval-shaped and dark brown with black rims that add to their charm and sweetness. The Maltese’s ears are very long and hang close to the head, so the hair on them blends in with the dog’s coat on the shoulder. They have strong jaws with good teeth, with the upper teeth neatly placed on the lower ones. They have short, straight legs and sloping shoulders that add to their balanced appearance. In short, these dogs have tight and compact bodies. Their tails are fully feathered and multiply their beauty.

Features of the Maltese dog breed

Maltese is often mistakenly referred to as a terrier. It’s a misconception; because they don’t have a “terrier” mentality. They may look delicate and fragile with their long outer coat and slight build, but in reality, the Maltese are small yet determined and sturdy dogs. They aren’t cowards or afraid of anything. They can’t show their emotions too much and don’t have good intelligence in this field. Maltese quickly learn how to please their owners and families. As previously mentioned, the Maltese is very alert and intelligent and prides himself on having sweet and fun-loving nature.

They are lively and affectionate at the same time, which is why they attract the attention of many people. Even as Maltese gets older, their energy levels remain high, meaning these little dogs are lively and playful well into their golden years. They are fiercely independent, which is why the Maltese has consistently been a popular choice as a pet and companion dog in the UK and worldwide. This breed doesn’t like to be left alone, even for a short time. They suffer from separation anxiety, leading to unwanted behavior problems, including tantrums, barking, chewing on furniture, and scratching doors and floors. They are a good option for people who spend much time at home.

Intelligence and training capabilities of Maltese dog breed

Maltese dogs are a small and intelligent breed that likes to be around when everyone is together. This feature is due to their high talent and ability to train a lot. The problem is that because they are so beautiful and intelligent, they like to test the limits and boundaries to see how far they can get away with it, leading to them becoming overbearing and disobedient dogs. So it becomes more difficult to control and manage them. Need for early training is essential for them, and they should learn to socialize as early as possible. The key to successfully training a Maltese is always to be consistent, set boundaries, and be flexible yet firm in training.

Maltese dog breed training

One of the methods of training dogs is to reward them for every positive behavior and good work they do. In this way, they are encouraged to do that task or behavior again. Never punish your dog, and don’t treat him with anger; Because these behaviors make your dog afraid and anxious. Another thing that you should pay attention to is that you should be careful not to overdo it when feeding the Maltese dog and giving him a certain amount of food.

Sanitation and Health

The average life expectancy of Maltese is between 12 and 15 years. But you should take care of them well and use a suitable and quality diet for their age. Maltese are healthy little dogs, and unlike many other purebreds, they don’t seem to be affected by the common diseases of other dogs. However, they seem to suffer from “reverse sneezing.” These dogs appear to suffocate but recover quickly. So there’s usually no reason to worry if a Maltese has a reverse sneeze. Hereditary health problems that affect some Maltese include:

• Cataracts
• Entropion
• Abnormal increase in intra-articular fluid
• Dental Problems
• Hypoglycemia
• Liver Shunt
• Colitis
• Reverse Sneezing
• Collapsed Trachea
• White Dog Shaker Syndrome
• Luxating Patella
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
• Hereditary deafness
• Hypothyroidism

Grooming

• Maltese dogs shed very little.
• They have dark spots under their eyes that are more noticeable due to their white coverings. Cleaning black holes can be made using a clean, damp cloth, careful not to injure the dog’s eyes.
• Also, many white dogs leave urine stains on their outer coat, which can smell very bad if not cleaned regularly. Likewise, it’s important to brush each area over the dog’s coat gently. If the dog’s legs are stained, you can bathe them using special dog shampoo, ensuring they are thoroughly washed and dried afterward.
• The coat of the Maltese can get dirty very quickly due to its length and contact with the ground. So, you should take your dog to the bath at least once every two months.
• Their hair can easily get tangled due to its softness. So you should brush your dog’s coat daily and remove possible knots. You can use detangling or softening sprays to detangle your dog’s hair.
• Maltese have a short muzzle, and this causes tear stains to remain on their faces. The shedding of Maltese tears causes their hair to turn black, and you should clean under their eyes daily with wet tissue and lukewarm water. You can also use special detergents in pet shops to clean Maltese tears.
• It’s better to check your dog’s ears once a week. There are long hairs inside the ears of Maltese, and you should take them to a vet or dog groomer to trim them.
• You must constantly check their ears don’t smell bad. A foul smell can signify fungus or bacterial activity, etc.
• Maltese ears shouldn’t be red or sensitive. If so, it should be checked by a veterinarian.
• Nails should be trimmed regularly and about once or twice a month. Their nails hitting the ground shouldn’t be heard when walking. If you hear the dog’s nails dragging on the floor, it’s time to trim their nails.

Sport

These dogs may be small, but they have lively and energetic personalities. Therefore, giving them the right amount of daily exercise and mental stimulation is necessary to maintain their pleased and balanced character. These small dogs need to eliminate excess calories; otherwise, they may gain a lot of weight, which can negatively affect their health and hygiene.

Nutrition

 You can change your dog’s diet at the right time, but this should be done gradually over several weeks to ensure that the puppies don’t develop any physical problems. Puppies grow a lot during their first two years of life, so they must be fed a high-quality diet when they are young.

Older dogs are less energetic, but that doesn’t mean you can feed them a lower-quality diet. It’s better to provide an adult Maltese twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, making sure it’s good quality food that meets all their nutritional needs. It’s also important that dogs get the right amount of exercise to burn extra calories; otherwise, they may become overweight.

To wrap up

The Maltese dog is intelligent, beautiful, petite, loving, and funny. He’s also a perfect and fearless companion for humans. These small apartment dogs are considered one of the most popular breeds in the world, and with their white and shiny coat, they attract the attention of every human being. Apartment dogs of this breed are calm, polite, quiet, and obedient. To have a healthy and lively dog, you need to pay attention to nutrition, activity, health, grooming, etc. You can prevent the disease and have a healthy dog in this case. In all these steps, you can count on the specialized team of MishkaGrooming. Our experienced and precise groomers have carefully and accurately groomed your dogs so they count the moments for the next session.