The Maltese is one of the oldest and most recognizable toy breeds, cherished for thousands of years as an affectionate lap dog and devoted companion. At 8 weeks old, Maltese puppies are remarkably tiny, typically weighing just 1 to 2 pounds. They are delicate, bright-eyed little dogs with soft, white puppy coats that will eventually grow into the long, silky adult coat the breed is known for. Because of their extremely small size, Maltese puppies require extra care and attention during the first few months to prevent injury and health complications.

Between 3 and 6 months, Maltese puppies grow slowly and steadily. They may gain only a few ounces per week during this phase, which is normal for such a tiny breed. By 6 months, most Maltese puppies weigh between 2.5 and 4.5 pounds. Their adult teeth come in between 4 and 6 months, and because the Maltese has a very small jaw, retained baby teeth are a common issue. If you notice an adult tooth erupting alongside a baby tooth that has not fallen out, schedule a veterinary appointment, as retained baby teeth can cause alignment problems, overcrowding, and increased risk of dental disease.

Maltese puppies reach their adult size relatively early compared to larger breeds. Most are fully grown by 10 to 12 months, reaching a height of 7 to 9 inches at the shoulder and a weight of 4 to 7 pounds. The AKC Maltese breed standard specifies a weight of under 7 pounds, with 4 to 6 pounds preferred for show dogs. Some Maltese may be slightly larger or smaller than the standard, and this is perfectly healthy as long as the dog maintains good body condition and overall health.

Due to their tiny size, Maltese puppies are vulnerable to hypoglycemia, a dangerous drop in blood sugar that can cause weakness, trembling, disorientation, seizures, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness. Hypoglycemia is most common in very young puppies under 4 months of age and in puppies that skip meals, over-exercise, or become stressed. Prevent hypoglycemia by feeding frequent, small meals throughout the day, keeping your puppy warm, and having a sugar source like Nutri-Cal gel or corn syrup on hand for emergencies. If your puppy shows signs of hypoglycemia, rub a small amount of sugar solution on their gums and seek veterinary attention immediately. As your Maltese matures and grows, the risk of hypoglycemia decreases, but maintaining regular meal times remains important throughout their life.

The Maltese coat is one of the most striking features of the breed, and also one of the most demanding in terms of grooming requirements. Unlike most dogs, Maltese have a single-layer coat of long, silky hair rather than fur. This means they do not shed in the traditional sense, which makes them a popular choice for people with allergies. However, the hair grows continuously, much like human hair, and requires daily attention to prevent tangling, matting, and staining. If you are not prepared for a significant daily grooming commitment, you may want to consider keeping your Maltese in a shorter trim.

For owners who want to maintain the full, flowing coat, daily brushing is non-negotiable. Use a soft-bristled pin brush or a stainless steel comb to work through the entire coat every day. Start from the ends of the hair and work upward toward the skin to gently remove any tangles without pulling. Spritz the coat lightly with a leave-in conditioner or detangling spray before brushing to reduce static and make the process smoother. Pay close attention to high-friction areas where mats form most easily, including behind the ears, under the front legs, between the hind legs, and around the collar area.

Many Maltese owners opt for a shorter trim, often called a 'puppy cut,' which keeps the hair at 1 to 2 inches all over the body. This dramatically reduces daily grooming time while keeping your dog comfortable and adorable. Whether you maintain a long or short coat, professional grooming appointments every 4 to 6 weeks are recommended for bathing, trimming, and overall coat maintenance. Between professional visits, bathe your Maltese at home every 1 to 2 weeks using a whitening or brightening shampoo formulated for white coats. Rinse thoroughly, as shampoo residue can cause skin irritation and yellowing.

Tear staining is a common cosmetic concern in Maltese and appears as reddish-brown discoloration beneath the eyes. Tear stains are caused by a pigment called porphyrin found in tears, saliva, and urine. To minimize tear staining, keep the facial hair clean and dry by wiping beneath the eyes daily with a damp cotton pad or a specialized tear stain wipe. Ensure your puppy's eyes are free of hair irritation by keeping the topknot tied up or the facial hair trimmed short. Some owners find that using filtered or bottled water instead of tap water reduces staining, as minerals in tap water can contribute to discoloration. If tear staining is excessive or accompanied by eye discharge, redness, or squinting, consult your veterinarian to rule out blocked tear ducts, eye infections, or allergies that may be contributing to the problem.

Feeding a Maltese puppy requires special attention because of their extremely small size and fast metabolism. Toy breed puppies burn calories at a higher rate relative to their body weight than larger breeds, and they have very limited energy reserves. This means that consistent, frequent feeding is essential to prevent hypoglycemia and support healthy development. Choose a high-quality toy or small-breed puppy formula that is calorically dense and formulated with small kibble that tiny mouths can comfortably chew and swallow.

From 8 to 12 weeks, feed your Maltese puppy four small meals per day, spaced evenly throughout the waking hours. Some breeders recommend free-feeding (leaving food available at all times) during this period to ensure the puppy always has access to calories when needed. Between 3 and 6 months, you can transition to three meals per day, though you should monitor your puppy closely for any signs of low blood sugar and increase meal frequency if needed. After 6 months, two to three meals per day is generally appropriate. Even as adults, some Maltese do better on three small meals rather than two larger ones.

Portion sizes for Maltese puppies are remarkably small. A young Maltese puppy may eat only 1/4 to 1/3 cup of food per day total, divided among their meals. It is easy to overfeed such a small dog, and even a small amount of excess weight is significant on a frame that is meant to carry only 4 to 7 pounds. Monitor your puppy's body condition carefully. You should be able to feel the ribs easily, and there should be a visible waist when viewed from above. Adjust portions based on your puppy's individual growth rate, activity level, and body condition, and consult your veterinarian for personalized feeding recommendations.

Treats should be tiny and low in calories, accounting for no more than 10 percent of daily caloric intake. Many standard dog treats are far too large and calorie-dense for a Maltese puppy. Break treats into pea-sized pieces for training sessions. Healthy treat options include small bits of cooked chicken, tiny pieces of cheese, and single blueberries. Avoid hard treats or chews that could pose a choking hazard to such a small puppy. The AKC nutrition resources provide helpful guidance on feeding toy breed puppies and managing their unique dietary needs. Always have fresh water available, and clean the water bowl daily to prevent bacterial growth.

Maltese puppies are intelligent, lively, and affectionate dogs that respond well to positive reinforcement training. However, their small size sometimes works against them in training because owners tend to be more permissive with small dogs than they would be with large breeds. Behaviors like jumping on people, barking excessively, and resource guarding are often tolerated or even encouraged in tiny puppies because they seem harmless or cute. But these behaviors become problematic habits in adult dogs and are much harder to correct later. Train your Maltese puppy with the same consistency and expectations you would apply to a large breed puppy.

Begin basic obedience training as soon as your Maltese puppy arrives home. Sit, down, stay, come, and leave it are foundational commands that provide structure and safety. Keep training sessions very short, about 3 to 5 minutes for young puppies, as tiny breeds have shorter attention spans and lower stamina than larger breeds. Use tiny, soft treats as rewards, and supplement with verbal praise and gentle petting. Maltese are sensitive dogs that do not respond well to harsh corrections or raised voices. If your puppy makes a mistake, simply redirect them to the correct behavior and reward when they comply.

Housetraining is often cited as one of the most challenging aspects of owning a Maltese, and small breeds in general have a reputation for being more difficult to housetrain than larger breeds. There are several reasons for this. First, tiny puppies have very small bladders and need to eliminate more frequently. Second, accidents in the house are tiny and may go unnoticed, inadvertently reinforcing indoor elimination. Third, owners of small dogs sometimes rely on indoor pee pads as a permanent solution rather than fully training to outdoor elimination. If your goal is outdoor housetraining, be prepared for a process that may take 4 to 8 months of consistent effort. Take your puppy outside to the same spot after every meal, nap, and play session. Praise and reward enthusiastically for outdoor elimination. Clean indoor accidents thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to remove scent markers.

Socialization is critically important for Maltese puppies because under-socialized toy breeds often develop fear-based behaviors including excessive barking, snapping, trembling, and avoidance of new people and situations. This is sometimes called 'small dog syndrome,' and it is almost entirely preventable with proper early socialization. During the critical window between 3 and 14 weeks of age, expose your puppy to a wide variety of people, dogs, environments, sounds, and surfaces. Carry your puppy to new places before they are fully vaccinated, allowing them to observe the world safely from your arms. Once vaccinations are complete, enroll in a puppy kindergarten class where your Maltese can interact with dogs of various sizes in a supervised setting. Teach children and visitors to handle your puppy gently and to sit on the floor during interactions rather than looming overhead. Building confidence through positive experiences creates a well-adjusted adult Maltese that is friendly, relaxed, and comfortable in a wide range of situations.

Maltese are generally a long-lived breed, with an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years, and some individuals living well into their late teens. However, they are predisposed to several health conditions that require proactive management and regular veterinary care. The most common and arguably most important health concern in Maltese is dental disease. Toy breeds are disproportionately affected by dental problems because their small jaws lead to crowded teeth, which creates tight spaces where plaque and bacteria accumulate rapidly. Without consistent dental care, Maltese can develop periodontal disease, tooth loss, and even systemic health problems as bacteria from the mouth enter the bloodstream.

Start dental hygiene early by getting your Maltese puppy accustomed to having their mouth handled and their teeth brushed. Begin by gently rubbing your finger along their gums, then graduate to a finger brush with dog-safe toothpaste, and eventually use a small soft-bristled toothbrush. Brush your puppy's teeth at least every other day, and ideally daily. Dental chews and water additives can supplement brushing but should not replace it. Most Maltese will need professional dental cleanings under anesthesia periodically throughout their lives. Your veterinarian will recommend a schedule based on the condition of your dog's teeth and gums. Early and consistent dental care can prevent painful infections and save your Maltese from losing teeth prematurely.

Luxating patella, a condition where the kneecap slides out of its normal position, is another common issue in Maltese and other toy breeds. Signs include intermittent hopping or skipping on one hind leg, sudden reluctance to bear weight on a leg, and occasionally a visible shift in the kneecap when you flex the knee. Mild cases may not require treatment, but moderate to severe luxation can cause pain, arthritis, and reduced mobility and may require surgical correction. Your veterinarian should evaluate your puppy's patellas during routine wellness exams. Maintaining a lean body weight reduces stress on the knee joints and can minimize the severity of patellar luxation.

Other health conditions to be aware of in Maltese include portosystemic liver shunt (a congenital blood vessel abnormality that prevents the liver from properly filtering toxins), collapsed trachea (which causes a characteristic honking cough, especially during excitement or when pulling against a collar), and white dog shaker syndrome (which causes generalized tremors and typically responds well to treatment). Always use a harness rather than a collar for leash walking to avoid putting pressure on the delicate tracheal structures. The AVMA pet care resources provide guidance on recognizing health problems in small breed dogs and knowing when to seek veterinary attention. Regular wellness examinations, blood work, and open communication with your veterinarian are your best tools for keeping your Maltese healthy and catching potential problems early when treatment is most effective.