Toy companion Small size 3-4 kg

Maltese

A gentle toy lap dog that thrives on company but needs daily coat care and dislikes being left alone.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Small
Size
3-4 kg, 20-25 cm at the shoulder
Moderate
Activity
Lively indoors but small bursts satisfy it
Low
Alone-time tolerance
Very people-focused; struggles with long days alone
Moderate
Trainability
Bright but can be stubborn on housetraining
Very high
Coat care
Long white coat mats without daily brushing
Moderate
Fit with kids
Best with gentle, older children
Good
Other pets
Usually fine with other small pets
Moderate
Health burden
Obesity; Luxating Patella; Dental Disease

The Maltese typically weighs 3-4 kg, stands 20-25 cm, and lives 12-15 years.

Consider this breed if…

someone is home most of the day, or the dog can come along,
you enjoy grooming, or will keep the coat in a short pet trim,
you live in an apartment and want a quiet-footprint companion,
you want an affectionate dog that stays genuinely small.

Do not consider this breed if…

the household is empty 8+ hours a day,
you have toddlers - a 3 kg dog is easy to injure,
daily brushing or regular groomer visits feel like a chore,
you expect fast, easy housetraining; small bladders take patience.

A typical day with a Maltese

  1. 7:30 · Morning
    Short walk and breakfast; quick coat check
  2. 9:30 · Midmorning
    Follows you room to room, naps nearby
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Potty break and a few minutes of play
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Brushing session, 10-15 minutes, plus a treat game
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Walk around the block; lap time afterward
  6. 21:30 · Night
    Sleeps close to its people, ideally touching one

Temperament and training

Affection Very high
Independence Low
Trainability Moderate
Barking tendency High
Playfulness High
Prey drive Low
Common owner mistakes
Carrying it everywhere until it can't cope with the ground · Letting matting build up until the groomer must shave the coat · Skipping tooth brushing - dental disease starts young in this breed

Family and environment

Kids Conditional
Gentle older kids yes; too fragile for rough toddler play.
Dogs Good
Sociable, but protect it around large, boisterous dogs.
Cats Good
Similar size and low prey drive make cohabiting easy.
Apartment Ideal
Made for indoor life; manage alert barking with neighbors in mind.
House with a yard Suitable
Enjoys a safe yard; watch for gaps in fences and birds of prey.
City Ideal
Portable and adaptable; a classic city companion.
Countryside Manages
Fine as a house dog; the white coat and mud are a daily project.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Moderate

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Obesity Watch calorie intake and keep it lean
Luxating Patella Kneecap slips out of its groove; may need surgery
Dental Disease Routine brushing and cleanings help
Collapsing Trachea Use a harness rather than a neck collar

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Sturdier white companion, similar care level
Bichon Frise
A cheerful, low-shedding companion that suits apartments and families - just budget for frequent grooming and don't leave it alone for long.
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Slightly bigger, more playful, easier with kids
Havanese
A small, cheerful velcro companion that is easy in apartments and great with kids, but it dislikes long hours alone and its coat needs steady work.
View profile →
Close cousin with a similar cottony coat
Coton de Tulear
A cheerful, cottony-coated lapdog that lives for company - delightful for apartments but prone to separation distress if left alone.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Maltese cost?
Expect roughly $1,500-$3,000 from a reputable US breeder; beware of bargain "teacup" ads, which often signal poor breeding. Lifetime costs lean heavily on grooming - professional trims every 4-6 weeks for 12-15 years - plus dental cleanings, which most Maltese need repeatedly. Small dog, small food bill, but not a cheap dog overall.
Can a Maltese be left alone during a workday?
Not comfortably. This is a companion breed in the most literal sense, and regular 8+ hour stretches alone commonly produce barking, housetraining regression, and separation stress. It suits homes where someone is around most of the day or the dog travels along.
Is a Maltese hard to housetrain?
Harder than average, honestly. A tiny bladder, indoor living, and owners who miss early signals all work against you. With a consistent schedule and generous rewards most get there, but plan for months, not weeks, and expect setbacks in bad weather.
Do Maltese really need daily brushing?
In a long coat, yes - the silky white hair mats fast, and mats mean pain and shaving. Most pet owners choose a short "puppy cut" instead, which drops brushing to a few times a week plus groomer visits every 4-6 weeks. Either way, tear-stain cleaning around the eyes is a near-daily habit.