Toy dogs are little darlings. And if they are playful, gentle, charming, and elegant like the Maltese terrier, then they are irresistible. I’ve owned a Maltese terrier for a while now and learned fascinating and little known facts about these adorable tiny dogs.
Maltese terriers are a crossbreed of the Maltese dog and any of the breeds in the terrier group. That means their puppies are born with the affectionate temperament of the Maltese and the confidence of the terrier. Besides, they have the elegant coat of the Maltese spiced up with terrier colors.
If you are thinking of getting a Maltese terrier, you should know a few facts about this hybrid dog. First, the Yorkshire terrier and the Maltese are some of the most common parents of Maltese terriers nicknamed Markie.
Maltese terriers are also low-care dogs without the huge appetite of large breeds or the heavy shedding of double-coat breeds. Keep reading to find interesting details about these and other facts.
People often ask if a Maltese is a terrier. Whereas the purebred Maltese has nothing to do with terriers, the Maltese terrier mix is a half-Terrier half-Maltese dog.
That means the Maltese terrier is a dog whose parents are a Maltese and a Terrier. It could be a Maltese and a Yorkshire terrier or a Maltese and a Cairn terrier, but the resulting pup has the personality traits and the physical features of both parents.
We’ll tell you about the temperament inherited by the Maltese terriers from their parents later. But first, we tell you some of the physical features of the Maltese terrier that make them look like their parents.
Toy breeds are dogs with a height that does not exceed 12″ and weighs around 5-12 pounds. Considering their height and weight, Maltese terriers fit perfectly among the toy dogs just like the Maltese and some terrier breeds.
Average height of maltese terriers:
Average weight of maltese terriers:
The Maltese terrier has long, soft, straight, and flowing hair covering their jacket. Whereas the typical purebred Maltese has white long hair covering their body to the ground, the Maltese terrier usually blends the Maltese and Terriers colors and can be found in white, brown, tan, black, or a mix of these colors.
Maltese terriers have floppy ears, dark round eyes, and a dark nose. These features stand out on their tiny face that is proportionate to their body.
Like their parents, Maltese terriers have a long lifespan ranging between 10 and 15 years.
But like all dogs, a long life for the Maltese terrier depends on the quality of care that is given to them especially when it comes to feeding, exercise, and health care.
We’ll tell you how to feed the Maltese terrier in the next section. But when it comes to health, it’s important to know that, even though hybrid dogs are considered healthier than their parents due to the vast gene pool, they can still be prone to health problems common in their parents.
Some of the health problems common among Maltese terriers include:
A progressive disease common among small-size breeds that leads to difficulty in swallowing, and respiratory problems like frequent coughing. It’s often symptomized by a honking sound.
As with other tiny breeds, Maltese terriers are predisposed to eye problems such as:
Reverse sneezing is a condition that results from the inflammation or irritation of the nasal or sinus passages, making your tiny pup sneeze from the rear side of the nose. It is not a serious condition and comes and goes, but it can be irritating for your furry friend.
The Maltese terrier is a low-care dog. But that does not mean you don’t need to take good care of your tiny furry friend. Good care for the Maltese terrier means proper attention to the following:
A Maltese terrier may not have the appetite of a large-size dog, but they still need a healthy diet. An ideal diet for the Maltese terrier should follow dietary guidelines for high-energy toy breeds.
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While Maltese terriers do not require a lot of exercise, a short morning and evening walk plus a few short sessions of indoor play are ideal for your tiny pup. This, together with a healthy diet will keep overweight at bay, which is a tendency among toy dogs.
As with all dogs, sticking to the regular vet visits will keep your dog up to date with the necessary routine checkups and help detect any health problems on time.
Good grooming is also an important aspect of your dog’s care. Look out for details on good grooming later in the article.
Maltese terriers carry the rich combination of their Terrier and Maltese parents’ personalities as can be seen from the following traits.
From their Maltese parents, Maltese terriers have inherited a loving, affectionate, and trusting temperament. This makes them excellent family dogs who get along with their owners and other toy dogs.
Even though not necessarily jealous, the closeness of the Maltese terrier to their owner may sometimes turn clingy. They love being cuddled and sitting on their owner’s warm lap and will always want to go anywhere their owner goes. This explains their tendency to suffer from separation anxiety and become destructive when left alone for long.
Because they have inherited the intelligence, energy, and confidence of their Terrier parents, Maltese terriers are easy to train and will pick commands rather quickly. Positive reinforcement with treats, praises, and play works best when training the tiny Maltese terriers, and not forceful training.
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However, they also have a sense of independence and can be stubborn, requiring you to set the boundaries early in life. They can be hard to housebreak considering their tiny size, which often lets them get away with breaking the house rules.
The Maltese-Terrier personality often makes the Maltese terriers be described as “tiny with the huge confidence of a dog”. They can be vocal, barking a lot to announce strangers and marking their territory. But Maltese terriers are generally calm and non-aggressive dogs.
You’ll find different ideas about the level of shedding among the Maltese terriers. Some think they are moderate shedders while others consider them low to no shedding dogs like their hypoallergenic parents.
Whichever way, the Maltese require good grooming that should focus on their hair, eyes and ears, teeth, and paws. Here are some good grooming tips for your Maltese terrier.
Because of their long hair, the Maltese terrier coat will easily tangle. This requires daily brushing to straighten the hair and keep mats from forming.
A good deshedding tool should be part of your pet’s daily grooming kit. We recommend the FURminator Deshedding Tool. This stainless steel tool safely reaches to your dog’s coat to remove any loose hair without harming your pet’s skin. You’ll appreciate its comfortable ergonomic handle and its automatic Furejector at the touch of a button.
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Because of their hair’s length, the bright coat colors, and the playful nature of the Maltese terrier, their coat is bound to get dirty easily.
Use the best dog shampoo to bathe your pet every month. Maltese terriers have delicate skin which should be protected from harsh shampoos. The Paws & Pals 5-In-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo is an optimal choice that will help detangle any mats while conditioning your dog’s hair to stay clean and shiny. Besides, it also has anti-itch, anti-odor, and moisturizing properties.
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To counter some of the eye issues discussed earlier like the tear stains, wipe your pet’s eyes regularly with a damp cloth. Also, check and clean their ears of any dirt or pests.
Your pet’s nails should be clipped to avoid any discomfort while walking or running and their little teeth brushed regularly.
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How Much Is A Maltese Terrier Mix? Just like their Terrier and Maltese parents, Maltese terriers have a high price tag, averaging around $2,500-$3,500. Prices will vary depending on the breeder, coat color, and the terrier parent among others. To be on the safe side about your pet’s health, always buy your hybrid Maltese terrier from a registered breeder.
How Do I Know If My Maltese Is Purebred? The typical way of telling whether your Maltese is purebred is by checking the dog’s pedigree in a studbook of a national breed club such as the AKC. If you want your own verification, you can also have a DNA test done. Check our well-researched suggestions for the best DNA test kits.
What Does Terrier Mix Mean? Terrier Mix can mean two things: 1) A puppy that is the result of breeding any of the breeds in the terrier group with another different breed or 2) a puppy that results from breeding two different terrier breeds (less common). Because of the vast variety of terrier breeds, terrier mixes come in a wide range of coat colors and temperaments.
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).
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