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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+10
Dogs
# The Maltese: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Italy
A small elegant, affectionate and lively companion with a long silky white coat.
Size SmallLife expectancy 12–15 yearsBudget ≈ €75/monthPuppy €800 – €1,500
[Find a breeder 33](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maltese) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=maltese)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Excellent
Daily exercise needs Moderate
Apartment living Excellent
First-time owners Excellent
Other pets Very good
Tolerance of being alone Limited
Guarding instinct Limited
Strengths and weaknesses
- Very affectionate: He seeks closeness with his family and is generous with cuddles.
- Suitable for apartment living: His small size and calm temperament make life in an urban environment easier.
- Intelligent: He learns quickly and progresses well with positive and consistent training.
- Sociable: He generally gets along well with other dogs and other animals.
- Does not tolerate being alone well: Prolonged absences can cause anxiety and undesirable behaviors.
- Demanding coat: Its very long coat requires careful brushing every day.
- Oral and dental fragility: Its teeth and gums require regular hygiene and attentive monitoring.
- Sensitivity to cold: It tolerates humidity and low temperatures poorly.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- People often at home: He thrives with available owners who appreciate a very close dog.
- Apartment living: He adapts well to small spaces if his exercise needs are met.
- Families with respectful children: He makes a playful and gentle companion when interactions remain calm.
- First-time owners: His training is accessible with consistency and early socialization.
Not recommended for
- Often absent households: He does not cope well with prolonged solitude and needs frequent contact.
- People with little time for grooming: The daily care of his long coat cannot be neglected.
- Very young children without supervision: Rough handling can bother him or injure him.
- Permanent outdoor living: His need for closeness and his sensitivity to cold make this lifestyle unsuitable.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
23 cmMaltese
- Height at the withers
- 20–25 cm
- Weight
- 3–4 kg
- Coat
- Long, silky, dense
- FCI group
- 9
- Origin
- Italy
- Grooming
- High-maintenance coat
## Photos and videos
See the Maltese in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The Maltese Bichon belongs to a very ancient breed, known since Antiquity. Aristotle mentioned small dogs called "canes melitenses". Its name would be linked to the Phoenician term "màlat", meaning refuge or port, rather than to the island of Malta. Its ancestors lived around the ports of the central Mediterranean and on ships, where they hunted rodents. Highly appreciated by Roman ladies, then depicted in works by Rubens and then by Goya, it gradually established itself as a toy and companion dog. The FCI has recognized the breed since 1955 under number 65.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Maltese Bichon is a small elegant dog with a proud head carriage. Its body, narrow and elongated, rests on muscular limbs with a robust bone structure. The head is fairly broad, with a flat skull, small very dark round eyes and drooping triangular ears, set high and abundantly covered with hair. Its white coat, sometimes pale ivory, is made up of very long, dense, shiny, straight and silky hair, which can exceed the height at the withers. The tail is short and drooping.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Playful, gentle and very affectionate, the Maltese Bichon forms a close bond with its owner. Intelligent, lively and not very independent, it readily seeks cuddles and the closeness of its family. It copes poorly with prolonged absences and may be sensitive after a long period of solitude. Not very inclined to guarding, it generally appreciates other dogs and other animals. It is well suited to respectful children, but its small size means that rough handling should be avoided.
Affectionate Intelligent Sociable
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
Pleasant to live with in the city as well as in the countryside, the Maltese Bichon adapts particularly well to apartment living, provided it enjoys regular outings, games and daily interactions. It likes walks and can take part in various activities suited to its size. Its family must be available, as it seeks human presence a lot and tolerates solitude with difficulty. Its coat also requires a daily care routine.
Training
## Training and socialization
Training must start early, with clear, consistent and caring rules, in order to avoid capricious behavior or excessive dependence. Very intelligent, the Bichon Maltese learns easily, even if its obedience can be uneven. In particular, it must be taught gradually to stay alone for short periods. Positive reinforcement, short sessions and suitable rewards give good results.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Maltese
The purchase price varies according to the quality of the breeding, the pedigree, conformity to the standard, the lineage, the age and the intended purpose of the dog. You must add to the initial budget the health, food and grooming expenses linked to its long coat.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/maltese/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
Despite its small size, the Maltese Bichon is generally robust and rarely falls ill. Particular attention must nevertheless be paid to its eyes, its teeth, its gums, its kneecaps and its trachea. Regular preventive care, good oral hygiene and veterinary follow-up help to preserve its quality of life over the long term.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/maltese/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The Maltese Bichon needs a complete, digestible diet adapted to small-sized dogs. The ration must take into account its age, its weight and its activity in order to support its vitality while preventing overweight.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/maltese/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
In Antiquity, Aristotle already mentioned a small dog named "canes melitenses". The Bichon Maltese also appears in paintings by Rubens and Goya. More recently, Bernadette Chirac received a Bichon Maltese named Sumo from her grandson Martin. Jacques Chirac then received from Michel Drucker a female dog of the same breed, named Sumette.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Maltese
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the Maltese suitable for apartment living?
Yes, it adapts very well to apartment living if it gets walks, playtime, and sufficient daily companionship.
### Can the Maltese be left alone?
It has difficulty tolerating prolonged absences. Gradual training to be alone from a very young age is essential.
### Is the Maltese hypoallergenic?
It is generally considered hypoallergenic and sheds little, but no breed guarantees a complete absence of allergic reactions.
### What grooming does its coat require?
Its long coat must be brushed every day, with regular cleaning of the eyes, ears, and teeth, as well as suitable baths.
## Find a Maltese breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Maltese breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
[Maltese breeders in Hauts-de-France5](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maltese/hauts-de-france) [Maltese breeders in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes5](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maltese/auvergne-rhone-alpes) [Maltese breeders in Nouvelle-Aquitaine4](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maltese/nouvelle-aquitaine) [Maltese breeders in Occitanie4](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maltese/occitanie) [Maltese breeders in Pays de la Loire3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maltese/pays-de-la-loire) [Maltese breeders in Île-de-France3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maltese/ile-de-france)
### Maltese breeders by country
[125 breeders of Maltese in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maltese/italy) [72 breeders of Maltese in Spain](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maltese/spain) [69 breeders of Maltese in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maltese/germany) [33 breeders of Maltese in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maltese) [20 breeders of Maltese in the United Kingdom](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maltese/united-kingdom) [7 breeders of Maltese in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maltese/austria) [7 breeders of Maltese in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maltese/denmark) [5 breeders of Maltese in the Netherlands](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maltese/netherlands) [3 breeders of Maltese in Finland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maltese/finland) [2 breeders of Maltese in Croatia](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maltese/croatia)
[All breeders of Maltese in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maltese)
## Ready to welcome a Maltese?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-maltese)
## Compare Maltese with other breeds
- [Maltese vs. Shih Tzu](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare/maltese-vs-shih-tzu)
## Discover other breeds
[Bolognese
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/bolognese)
[Bichon Frise
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/bichon-frise)
[Havanese
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/havanese)
[Cavalier King Charles
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/cavalier-king-charles)
[Coton de Tulear
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/coton-de-tulear)
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