Dog Breeds - Maltese

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The Maltese is a loving little dog that loves human companionship and can often become protective of its owner. Thought they are quite energetic, they do not require you to give them a lot of exercise as they are very active on their own indoors. They are a very playful breed and they do not lose this quality with age. This breed is not recommended for very young children as their size makes them fragile to rough play. They are great pets for older, more considerate children. Generally this breed does get along with other pets, however they should be supervised because the other pet is likely to be much bigger then them!

The Maltese has a single coat and sheds very minimally making it a hypo-allergenic breed. Their long outer coat does require extensive grooming to avoid matting, they should be brushed gently every day. Many owners choose to have their hair trimmed short in a style called the “puppy cut” which makes the grooming process less time consuming and gives the breed a puppy look. The brilliant white coat of the Maltese is prone to tear staining, which is dark staining around the eyes. They also get stains around their mouths from food. Their faces and eyes should be cleaned daily to try to keep staining minimal. The Maltese must be bathed regularly, and their ears should be cleaned often.