Breed Specific: The Sweet Maltese

Pikes Peak Vet wants you to know about your Maltese’s lifestyle and other needs!

Maltese are charming lap dogs known for their long silky hair, but they can be equally cute trimmed short. They are affectionate make adaptable companions who enjoy making new friends. As they are fairly fragile, they are not recommended for small children. They make alert watchdogs with a tendency to bark as they can be wary of strangers. Maltese love to show their stuff on the agility course, but also love to patrol their domain from a comfy lap or couch. They can have a stubborn streak, so using rewards-based training is very helpful.

Males and Females – Height: up to 10 inches            Weight: 7 pounds or less

Feeding/Treats/Weight: Discuss an appropriate diet with your veterinarian. Some Maltese are prone to weight gain, so watch their calorie consumption. Treats make great training aids, but take care to give them in moderation. Human food should be given sparingly if at all. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

Grooming: Maltese do not have an undercoat. Their coat hangs long, flat, and silky over the sides of the body almost, if not quite, to the ground. The long head-hair may be tied up in a topknot or it may be left hanging. Because they are in the category of dogs who don’t shed, they should be trimmed regularly. Brush them once or twice a week to keep their silky fur free of mats. If they don’t wear down naturally, trim their nails  at least once a month. Brush teeth daily to prevent tartar build-up and periodontal disease as Maltese are prone to dental issues.

Exercise: Maltese make great apartment dogs as they get plenty of exercise just following their owners around. They tend to be prone to the zoomies, during which they race around the house

Training: As with any puppy, start socializing your Maltese early with a variety of people and settings. Obedience classes will help with their mischievious and naughty streak. Because they form strong bonds with their owners, they can be prone to separation anxiety. Work with your trainer from the beginning to help keep them from being anxious when you leave.

Thank you to the AKC’s webpage, https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/maltese/, dog-obedience-training-review.com and Every Dog by Nancy Hajeski for much of this information.

Over the Maltese’s 11-13 expected years, you and your vet will create a health plan to evaluate and catch any conditions that may arise.

HEALTH CONCERNS

• Knee issues
• Liver shunt
• Eye issues
• Low blood sugar
• Dental issues
• Respiratory complaints
• Intolerance of extremes of temperature in either direction.

PPVC’S HEALTH PLAN FOR YOUR MALTESE

Pikes Peak Vet has the goal of healthy longevity for your pet.

Wellness Exams and Vaccinations

• Every 6-12 months, as advised by your veterinarian, until age 6, including a full physical exam and routine bloodwork
• Pets age faster than us and tend to hide symptoms. At age 6, we recommend routine exams and bloodwork every 6 months to catch anything unexpected before it gets too firm a hold.

Other Exams and Screenings

• Joint x-rays
• Diagnostics for liver issues
• Regular eye exams
• Dental checks and regular dental cleanings
• Chest x-rays

Reach out for more information by phone or text, 719-475-1747, or through our Pikes Peak Vet app!