The Maltese is a small dog breed that is known for their silky, white coat. As a companion breed, they also tend to have a loving and affectionate demeanor. Here are a few more interesting facts about the Maltese:

1. The Maltese is one of the oldest toy breeds.
2. They were popular with nobles.
3. The breed almost disappeared.
4. The Maltese has been beloved throughout history.
5. Maltese are super cuddly and affectionate.
6. They can be a good fit for children.
7. Puppy training classes can be a good idea.
8. The Maltese has hair, not fur.

1. The Maltese is One of the Oldest Toy Breeds

The Maltese is an ancient dog breed that can be traced back to ancient Greece over 2,000 years ago; almost 3,000 years ago! This has them showing up among Greeks, Romans, Phoenicians, and Egyptians, among other cultures and empires. This also makes them one of the oldest toy dog breeds that we know of today. They are also related to other toy breeds like the Havanese and the Bichon Frise.

2. They Were Popular With Nobles

Throughout history, the Maltese and other small companion breeds were used as symbols of status and royalty. They were often popular with the nobility of the past, as well as royals in the modern era.

Akin to the “purse dog” trends of the early 2000s, small dogs were used as fashion statements in ancient history, too. Historical records show Roman noblewomen using the Maltese as a status symbol and fashion statement. Hopefully, this also resulted in good care for the dogs involved.

Thankfully, although the Maltese is still a popular companion breed today and may sometimes be making a fashion statement (whether by being with their owner or by wearing clothes or accessories themselves), they are, first and foremost, a beloved companion instead of an object or item.

3. The Breed Almost Disappeared

Europe’s Dark Ages almost wiped out the Maltese, but the breed was saved from extinction by Chinese breeders. However, they would face another near-extinction after that. The race to make tiny dogs is not a new concept, but it almost took out the Maltese and several other small dog breeds.

Back in the 17th and 18th centuries, there were attempts to make the Maltese into a “tea-cup”-sized breed. What wasn’t considered at the time, and as attempts continued, was that there are big responsibilities that come with caring for tiny dogs, and they are extremely vulnerable. Due to a lack of veterinary care, knowledge, and experience needed to care for such tiny dogs, especially as puppies, this attempt to create an even smaller toy breed almost caused the Maltese to disappear completely.

British dog breeders are credited with saving the breed this time around and are credited with creating the lines that led to the modern Maltese we know today. They are still one of the smallest dog breeds, but not to the detriment of their health. Although the Maltese is a breed that has been around for a long time, it wasn’t until the latter half of the 19th century that they first came to the United States.

4. The Maltese Has Been Beloved Throughout History

Other royal historical figures who have owned Maltese include Marie Antoinette, Mary Queen of Scots, and Queen Elizabeth I. Even Hollywood royalty were fans of the breed. Elizabeth Taylor loved the Maltese and had several throughout her life, in addition to other animals.

She often traveled with all of them, including to studios, events, and more. It’s even rumored that Saint Paul was given a Maltese after his ship wrecked in Malta. According to the legend, he healed Publius’s father. As a Roman governor at the time, Publius is purported to have thanked St. Paul by gifting him a Maltese.

5. Maltese Are Super Cuddly and Affectionate

The Maltese is a true companion breed, which is why they are one of the most popular dog breeds. They are incredibly loving and affectionate dogs. They love nothing more than cuddling and getting attention and affection from their favorite humans.

These little dogs also thrive on being the center of attention. They do tend to be initially reserved around strangers. However, because they love attention and making friends, they tend to warm up quickly once they are introduced.

6. They Can Be a Good Fit For Children

As long as children are loving and gentle with them, a Maltese will get along with them well and will often love having a playmate. However, any interactions between young kids and puppies should be closely supervised, and children should be taught how to carefully handle a dog. The Maltese is a small dog breed that is even tinier as a puppy, which means they can be easily injured by accidental rough play, trips, or falls.

7. Puppy Training Classes Can Be a Good Idea

A first-time dog owner may not need puppy training classes with a Maltese. These little dogs are eager to please and are intelligent, so they are motivated to and do tend to pick up on things quickly.

At the same time, they are incredibly sensitive, and training them requires patience. Because of this, it’s generally recommended for first-time dog owners to enroll in puppy training classes to build a strong foundation from the start.

Regardless of whether you need them for help with training, puppy training classes can be a good idea. Not only do they build your skills as a trainer, but they also help reinforce the training you do at home and help keep it consistent. These are key benefits of puppy training classes. Some classes may even host puppy play sessions and other events for even more socialization opportunities.

In addition, these classes can help strengthen the bond you have with your Maltese puppy. Because these dogs are so loving, affectionate, and tend to be quite sensitive, a strong bond is important. Plus, puppy training classes are a great opportunity to socialize a puppy as well.

8. The Maltese Has Hair, Not Fur

It’s easy to refer to all hair on animals as fur, but there is a difference between hair and fur on dogs. Most non-shedding breeds, including the Maltese, have hair, not fur. Sure, the cellular base of both is keratin, but the texture and how you care for it are different. Dogs with hair need more regular grooming because their hair tangles more easily and will continue to grow to an undetermined length (UDL).

Essentially, like a lot of human hair, it will keep growing until it is cut. This also means it tends to shed less overall and also produces less dander than fur. This can make dog breeds with hair a good option for anyone who has allergies or sensitivities to pet dander, even if they are some of the fluffiest dog breeds.

However, less shedding does not mean less maintenance. In the case of the Maltese, daily brushing to remove tangles and prevent mats is essential, in addition to professional grooming every 4-6 weeks. If your Maltese will have a shorter puppy cut, then you may be able to extend grooming sessions to every 6-8 weeks.

Is a Maltese Puppy Right For You?

These are just a few facts about the Maltese. A Maltese can be a great fit for single owners or families who can give them the attention and affection they crave every day as an involved member of the family and a valued companion. If this small dog breed seems like a good fit for you, learn more about them, and then check out the available Maltese puppies. You could end up finding the perfect addition to your family!