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Should You Get a Maltese?
Overview
What kind of toy dog should you get? There are many choices such as the fluffy Pomeranian or the hyper and tiny Chihuahua; however the Maltese has always been in the top 10 most popular toy dogs.
Why get a Maltese? What is this breed like? Would this dog be the one for you? Learn about the appearance, personality and needs of the Maltese. This cute little white fur ball may be just the right pet for you.
The amazingly cute appearance of the Maltese is hard to resist
Appearance
Some compare the Maltese to a Shih Tzu. The 2 dogs may look similar because they both can have the "Show Dog" look of long, flowing hair that reaches the floor, giving the dog a very elegant appearance. They can also both have the "Family Cut" or "Puppy Cut" which keeps their fur short giving them an adorable look of a puppy no matter what the age. However, the Shih Tzu is much larger at 9 to 16 pounds (4.08 to 7.25kg) and the Maltese is a very small dog at 4 to 6 pounds (1.81 to 2.72 kg).
What does a Maltese look like when they are a puppy and also when they are an adult dog? With the "Puppy Cut", this dog will always look like a puppy. This is one of the most wonderful aspects to choosing to have a Maltese as your toy dog. With just about every Maltese under 7 pounds (3.17 kg) as a top adult weight, this breed is perfect if you wish to have a small but sturdy dog who will always look as cute as a button.
All purebred Maltese dogs are white; some are a darker white which is called ivory. With a cute little nose, shiny dark eyes and soft fur, this breed (when groomed properly) always looks picture perfect.
If the thought of keeping up the long "Show Dog" look sounds overwhelming, not to worry! Just about 1/2 of all Maltese owners choose to keep their dog's fur short and simple. For those of you who want a little dog that you can add a bit of pizazz to with doggie clothes, the Maltese is perfect. This little breed generally loves to wear dog clothes. Once thought of as just a choice of appearance, dog clothes are now becoming very popular as not only a way to make your little dog look cute, but also as protection. It is has been clinically studied that dog clothing protects small breeds from the sun (which can give sunburns on the tummy, paws and nose) and unpleasant weather conditions (such as keeping your Maltese dry from the rain).
Other Reasons to Choose a Maltese
If you are still not sure of what kind of toy dog to get, there are plenty of more reasons why the Maltese is the perfect pet:
Some compare the Maltese to a Shih Tzu. The 2 dogs may look similar because they both can have the "Show Dog" look of long, flowing hair that reaches the floor, giving the dog a very elegant appearance. They can also both have the "Family Cut" or "Puppy Cut" which keeps their fur short giving them an adorable look of a puppy no matter what the age. However, the Shih Tzu is much larger at 9 to 16 pounds (4.08 to 7.25kg) and the Maltese is a very small dog at 4 to 6 pounds (1.81 to 2.72 kg).
What does a Maltese look like when they are a puppy and also when they are an adult dog? With the "Puppy Cut", this dog will always look like a puppy. This is one of the most wonderful aspects to choosing to have a Maltese as your toy dog. With just about every Maltese under 7 pounds (3.17 kg) as a top adult weight, this breed is perfect if you wish to have a small but sturdy dog who will always look as cute as a button.
All purebred Maltese dogs are white; some are a darker white which is called ivory. With a cute little nose, shiny dark eyes and soft fur, this breed (when groomed properly) always looks picture perfect.
If the thought of keeping up the long "Show Dog" look sounds overwhelming, not to worry! Just about 1/2 of all Maltese owners choose to keep their dog's fur short and simple. For those of you who want a little dog that you can add a bit of pizazz to with doggie clothes, the Maltese is perfect. This little breed generally loves to wear dog clothes. Once thought of as just a choice of appearance, dog clothes are now becoming very popular as not only a way to make your little dog look cute, but also as protection. It is has been clinically studied that dog clothing protects small breeds from the sun (which can give sunburns on the tummy, paws and nose) and unpleasant weather conditions (such as keeping your Maltese dry from the rain).
Other Reasons to Choose a Maltese
If you are still not sure of what kind of toy dog to get, there are plenty of more reasons why the Maltese is the perfect pet:
- This breed is a wonderful family pet with a great personality and is also a perfect dog for a single person who wants a close companion. Their general personality is happy, playful and loyal.
- The size of the Maltese dog makes it easy to take him or her with you just about anywhere. If you are traveling, their crate will be small and easy to bring along. Unlike a Chihuahua which tends to become very nervous in new situations and shows this by shaking, the Maltese is easy going and generally very content as long as they are with their owner
- The size of your home is not important. The Maltese is very happy living in a small apartment or a huge home. Their size and intelligence allows and owner to choose to litter train this breed. This dog can be taught to eliminate just as a cat does, in a litter box. This makes for easy mornings in cold weather; when an owner does not need to shovel a path in the snow just to allow the dog outside!
- The life span of a Maltese is very long compared to some other breeds. If great care is given to this breed, the dog will live 18 years, even longer in some cases. One of the most important health elements is to keep the Maltese away from hot and/or damp weather. Unlike the Boxer, who is prone to tumors or other breeds with predispositions to certain diseases, the Maltese is generally a very healthy breed.
