An Aristocratic History

Maltese dogs were often kept by nobility in different societies as lap dogs. At first the Maltese was bred to help control rodent problems in households, but eventually that changed and they were merely sought after pets. Maltese dogs were bred to be companions, so they need lots of human company. The dogs were chosen as pets by the wealthy and nobility alike. Famous royals that owned Maltese dogs include Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria, Josephine Bonaparte and Marie Antoinette. Even today Maltese dogs are seen as a status symbol. Many entertainment stars like Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth and music mogul Sean Combs own Maltese.

Are Maltese hard to take care of?

Maltese puppies can be very energetic, racing about and chasing their tails. Maltese dogs can be playful but don’t require the kind of hard exercise that a large breed dog would. They are quite happy in apartments or small homes, anywhere they can be with their people. Their devoted nature makes them great pets, although not all Maltese are appropriate pets if you have small children in the house. They do require regular grooming to take care of their long overcoat. Despite their long overcoat Maltese dogs have no undercoat and rarely shed. Maltese are called hypoallergenic dogs. The biggest need the Maltese has is the need for human companionship. Maltese should not be left alone for long periods of time. Because of their small size and minimal exercise needs Maltese are a great dog for apartment or city dwellers. They rarely bark, and are generally content as long as they have human companionship.

Finding A Maltese Breeder

It’s easy to find Maltese breeders with puppies and sometimes with older Maltese dogs for sale. If you are looking for a Maltese puppy you should find other Maltese owners in your area and ask them where they got their puppies. Happy owners should be willing to refer you to their breeder. Some breeders may have teacup Maltese puppies for sale. Teacup Maltese are tinier versions of Maltese dogs and may have more health problems because of inbreeding. If you are buying a teacup Maltese you should ask for all available information about the puppies’ parents to see if there are any genetic problems in the puppy’s bloodline. You can also adopt a Maltese from a Maltese rescue. Maltese commonly are abandoned once their “cuteness” factor wears off. Adopting from a rescue can give one of these people-oriented dogs a new leash on life!