The Maltese is gentle, affectionate, intelligent, responsive and trusting. A good family dog, Maltese are lively, playful, vigorous, and they generally enjoys learning tricks.
Once a Maltese has had his fill of exercise, he will tend to be able to relax and feel fine in the house. But, without this sort of energy expenditure, restless behavior can develop. This can manifest as excessive barking, pacing, destructive chewing, and a general disobedience.
Maltese, breed of toy dog named for the island of Malta, where it may have originated more than 2,500 years ago. Delicate in appearance but usually vigorous, healthy, affectionate, and lively, the Maltese was once the valued pet of the wealthy and aristocratic.
They are typically gentle, loving, obedient, affectionate, intelligent, and trusting. They are also fun, lively, and very playful even as they age. They adore humans and like to be very close to them—either right underfoot, cozy in your arms, or cuddling in your lap.
The Maltese is an enchanting companion dog and they will happily live in a family; however, they bond closely to one person and are too small and gentle for noisy families with young and boisterous children.
Maltese enjoy a regular walk or playing outside. They often remain playful well into old age. Because they are active indoors and don't require a great deal of exercise, it doesn't take a lot of effort to keep them in good shape.
Overview. Though the Maltese may receive a pretty bad rep for being an excessive barker, in many cases this is no more so than the typical toy sized dog.
Just as humans stare into the eyes of someone they adore, dogs will stare at their owners to express affection. In fact, mutual staring between humans and dogs releases oxytocin, known as the love hormone. This chemical plays an important role in bonding and boosts feelings of love and trust.
When you are petting your dog, and he puts his paw on your arm or leg, it is kind of like petting you back. While most dogs can't do an actual stroking action, laying their paw on you is a sign of affection, closeness and trust This is his way of creating a special bond with you.
Disciplining a Maltese, or any dog, should focus on positive reinforcement and gentle, consistent training methods rather than harsh discipline or punishment. Positive reinforcement involves rewarding desired behaviors with treats, praise, and affection.
If your dog follows you everywhere then it's a sign that they trust and love you and that you make them feel safe. Following you very closely can be a sign that they're bored, they want something, they're feeling scared or are just being nosy.
You may take your Maltese out for even longer walks or to any sort of event in which there will be a lot of walking; however, you will want to plan for a break every 20 minutes or so for your puppy or dog to rest (preferably in the shade if it is hot out), and to have plenty of water to re-hydrate.
Maltese enjoy frolicking around the back yard and taking medium-length walks with their owners. They are house dogs, however, and shouldn't be left alone outside for any length of time.
How much exercise does a Maltese need? Even though they are a toy breed, Maltese are lively dogs that love to play. To give them a chance to burn off all their energy and maintain a healthy lifestyle, you should walk your Maltese for around 30 minutes per day.
They're likely to develop separation anxiety and other behavior disorders if they don't get a sufficient amount of love and attention. If this isn't an issue for you, then this dog is perfect. They're very adaptable dogs who aim to please. They'll settle into their new home as long as they're the center of attention.
Living conditions for the Maltese
They are a very playful breed that can get bored if they do not get physically and mentally stimulated so it's important you take them on their daily walks and give them plenty of opportunities for playtime.
Senior Maltese dogs gradually start requiring more sleep and this need usually increases each year that they age. This is typically noticed by the time a Maltese reaches the 10-year mark. By the teens, older dogs may be sleeping several extra hours a day, in the 15 to 18 hour-a-day range.
Though their demeanor is relatively mild, pet owners can rely on their innate watch-dog mentality. Similarly, Maltese are one of the most loyal toy breeds—attaching themselves to their owner both on the couch and the street.
Maltese don't require much in the way of exercise, with up to half an hour a day usually sufficient. However, they will enjoy playing games in addition to this.