Maltese doggies are the very embodiment of toy dog breed appeal. For centuries, they have been the accessory dog of choice for royalty from old, European dynasties. And why not? What’s not to love about these doggies with their sweet personalities and cute, little faces?
The best part is that you get to enjoy their loveable awesomeness for a very long time as they have a very long lifespan.
On average, Maltese dogs live for 12 to 15 years. However, they have been known to exceed this living up to 20 years old like a Maltese from the Sunshine Coast known as Zac. These doggies live relatively healthy lives as long as they are well-taken care of and free from hereditary illnesses.
However, they are not completely free of health issues as we shall take a look at later. But first, let’s find out what it is about these dogs that gives them such a long life.
Maltese dogs live for 12 to 15 years.
This is to be expected as most dogs in the same size category have lifespans in the same range. For some perspective on just how impressive this lifespan is, 12 to 15 dog years corresponds to about 54 to 76 human years. Here are some of the main reasons why these doggies live for so long.
Typically small dog breeds usually live longer. There are many theories to support this including the belief that metabolic activity in smaller pooches leaves their cells healthier for longer.
Whatever the case, Maltese doggies definitely benefit from their small build. However, this is not always the case.
Teacup Maltese doggies actually have a bit of a shorter lifespan with some dying as early as 10 years of age. This is due to a combination of both dwarfism-related health issues and their vulnerability to suffering serious trauma.
Another reason why standard-sized Maltese dogs live such long lives is the fact that most of the very few health issues associated with the breed are actually not usually life-threatening. As you will see shortly, they mainly affect the quality of life and are otherwise unproblematic.
There are several dog breeds out there that are more prone to some genetic issues than others. This is not the case with Malteses. Dogs in this breed that do have health issues usually do not reproduce which further contributes to the overall healthy nature of the dogs.
As earlier alluded to, Malteses have very long lives but they are not entirely free of diseases. If you are interested in owning one of these doggies, here are a few of the key health issues you may have to deal with at some point in time.
Maltese dogs have a very high metabolism. They are very active and easily burn through whatever calories they consume. They are therefore very likely to develop hypoglycemia especially after playing too much.
This is one of the main reasons why Maltese dogs shake so much. Serious cases could also result in loss of consciousness.
Not all Malteses are firecrackers. There are some that, if allowed to, can very easily settle into couch potato personalities. With their ravenous appetite and the reduced activity levels in these cases, packing on weight is pretty much inevitable.
This is a condition where the hip socket does not form properly. The result is an unstable joint prone to developing arthritis.
This is another common joint issue that Maltese dogs have to deal with. It is characterized by looseness of the patella bone in the knee joint. This affects the dog’s mobility and gait and is generally very uncomfortable for the pooch.
Cataracts are among the health issues that almost always affect older Maltese dogs. They may affect one or both eyes and need to be dealt with as early as possible.
Maltese dogs are also prone to developing skin issues. These are usually triggered by allergic reactions to things like pollen, some foods, parasites, and chemicals in grooming products.
Maltese dogs are generally low maintenance dogs.
However, it is very easy to drop the ball and have an unhappy dog in your home. In order to avoid this, here are some of the most important care tips for you to follow.
What your doggies eat makes the world of a difference. Malteses in particular need enough energy to keep them strong and healthy without crossing the line to obesity. For the right portions and balance for your Maltese, we recommend you try Pet Plate.
They use your dog’s personal details to customize the ideal meal plan for a healthy pooch. The best part is that the food is actually tasty and made with the best possible ingredients.
Simply click the banner below to shop now!
Never heard of Pet Plate? Not sure what it has to offer and why it is worth $4 million dollars of funding?
We researched and reviewed Pet Plate so that you don’t have to.
Learn more >
8 of the best healthiest dog foods to invest for the future of your pooch’s health.
REVEAL by clicking here >
In addition to the healthy diet, you should give your Maltese supplements to make up for any important micronutrients or compounds that aren’t present or in adequate amounts in the main diet.
Your Maltese pooch would particularly benefit from Doggie Dailies Glucosamine. This contains bone-friendly compounds that promote development, functioning, and healing of bones and cartilage for healthier joints.
SPOTLIGHT: 7 of the Absolute BEST glucosamine supplements for your dogs to keep their joint problems at bay.
> Find out more
Play time is very important for two main reasons. The first is that it helps prevent obesity in the vulnerable dog breed. The second is that it helps give them a physical and mental outlet to avoid frustration and destructive behavior. Two sessions of 30 minutes each should get the job done
As a toy dog breed, Maltese pooches are very likely to get injured accidentally. If you must let them outside, make sure to accompany them if there is no fence to keep them off the street.
One of the best things about owning a Maltese dog is the fact that these pooches are hypoallergenic. Contrary to popular beliefs, this does not mean that the doggies do not shed at all. They do. However, they shed very minimally which makes caring for them in terms of grooming much easier than with other dog breeds.
To show you just how easy it can be, here are some important grooming tips for your Maltese.
Yes, we have mentioned that Maltese dogs do not shed much. However, this does not mean that you do not have to brush their fur.
Due to the long nature of their coat, it is still prone to developing knots and getting matted up if not brushed on a regular basis. Fortunately for you, you do not really have to do this very often. In fact, once or twice a week should be more than enough.
Another great thing about Malteses is that they do not tend to stink as long as everything is ok in terms of their general and coat health. You can therefore get away with washing them once every 6 to 8 months.
If your pooch happens to have skin irritation, we recommend you use pet wipes whenever they have flare-ups. Lavender Pet Grooming Wipes are ideal in this case as the lavender has a soothing effect on the skin
SPOTLIGHT: Can’t get your dog to sit still while you wipe off dirt on it? Have you ever thought that the kind of dog wipes you use matters? Check out our list of 11 BEST dog wipes that are soothing on the touch to provide a pleasing experience for your dogs during these short grooming sessions.
Click here to have a look at the full list!
You should also invest in the dog’s dental hygiene as a way to prevent dental cavities and gum diseases. Hard chew toys do a great job by mechanically removing plaque from the surface of the teeth.
Maltese dogs have been very popular companion pets for a very long time. Despite the fact that they are incredibly cute, it is their personalities that shine more than anything else and makes them such awesome pet options. Here are some of the traits you have to look forward to.
Maltese dogs are quite docile and this is one of the main reasons why they make for such awesome family pets. Even when scared, suspicious, or irritated, they will not make an unnecessary fuss.
Malteses are real goofballs and love to play with their favorite humans. They can and will make a game out of anything from following you around and play-attacking you, to wrestling that random, throw cushion on your couch.
These doggies also happen to get along very well with everyone including strangers. This makes them perfect if you tend to entertain a lot in your home. The Maltese will just be happy to make more friends.
Malteses really enjoy human company. They just take it a tad bit too far and can actually very easily and accurately be described as clingy and needy. This is not the type of dog you leave alone all day long as they may develop separation anxiety. If you must leave, get them a pet sitter or another dog for company.
Maltese doggies may be small but they pack quite a punch. They actually make for great watchdogs as they are fearless, alert, and very vocal. However, their general friendliness towards strangers may make this a bit more difficult than it needs to be.
What Is The Longest Living Maltese? The longest living Maltese was a male pooch named Zac who lived up to the age of 20 years old. This is about 96 human years for a dog of that size. The pooch lived a relatively healthy life only suffering dental and skin issues and died of old age.
What’s The Average Lifespan Of A Dog? The average lifespan of a dog is 10 to 13 years. Larger and giant dog breeds live for fewer years with some giant breeds having lifespans as short as 6 years. Small dog breeds on the other hand live for longer with lifespans up to 15 or even 18 years on the higher end of the range. We have a page that collates the life expectancy of different dog breeds right here.
Which Breed Of Dog Lives The Longest? Dachshunds are widely considered the longest living dogs. They have an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years and are quite healthy save for a few joint issues. Other dogs with very long lifespans include:
Pete Decker is the Lead Editor at The Goody Pet. He is a passionate wildlife educator and loves to share his experiences on pets. During his free time, you can find him cozying around his 2 adorable Labradors (Tobi & Kobi).
Rate This Article
(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
Loading...
Dogs bark at people because in many cases, they are not accustomed to being around strangers other than their families. Dogs also have keen observation skills, meaning that they can read human body language well enough to sense suspicion or threat based on a person’s actions and bark in response.
One of the most common reasons your dog tilts its head is to see better. Expert study analyzed how the snout of your furry friends can hinder depth perception which is why your four-legged furry friends tilt their heads. Your dog may also tilt its head as a sign of empathy or in order to hear better.
Yes, thanks to their super sharp sense of smell, there are specially trained dogs that are capable of sniffing out and detecting the presence of cancerous cells in humans. These dogs often react by constantly sniffing at parts of the body potentially affected by the cancer.
