The Maltese has been a treasured companion dog for more than 2,000 years.
Vital Stats
Height: 8 to 10 inches at shoulder
Weight: No more than 7 pounds
Coat: long and silky
Life span: 12 to 15 years or more
Summary
Gentle and fearless, the Maltese greets everyone as a friend. His glamorous white coat gives him a look of haughty nobility, but looks can be deceiving.
This is a sprightly, vigorous dog who excels not only as a companion but also as a therapy dog and competitor in such dog sports as agility, obedience, rally, and tracking. But most of all, he loves to be with his people. Full Maltese profile on DogTime.com
| Affectionate with family: |  (5.0 / 5) |
| Good for new owners: | (5.0 / 5) |
| Dog friendly: |  (4.0 / 5) |
| Playfulness: | (4.0 / 5) |
| Tendency to bark or howl: | (4.0 / 5) |
| Easy to groom: | (4.0 / 5) |
| Potential for weight gain: |  (3.0 / 5) |
| Watchdog ability: | (3.0 / 5) |
| Vigor: | (3.0 / 5) |
| Need for exercise: |  (2.0 / 5) |
| Drooling potential: | (2.0 / 5) |
| Wanderlust: |  (1.0 / 5) |
| Cold tolerance: | (1.0 / 5) |
| Average: |  (3.2 / 5) |
