How Good Will a Maltese Be With Kids: An Expert, Honest Guide for Families
As a veterinarian and lifelong dog devotee, I‘ve had the pleasure of working with many magnificent Maltese over the years. These cheerful, charismatic toy dogs are consistently a favorite among my clients with kids, and it‘s easy to see why. With their gentle personalities, portable size, and affectionate nature, Maltese can make the ultimate child-friendly companion.
If you‘re considering adding a Maltese to your family crew, you‘re probably wondering what it‘s really like to have one of these pint-sized charmers with children in the home. While every dog is an individual, Maltese do have some breed traits that tend to make them especially agreeable with respectful, well-behaved kids. Let‘s explore more about the mighty Maltese and how to help them thrive in a family setting.
Maltese History: Petite Pups With a Legacy of Love
Maltese are an ancient toy breed thought to originate from the Island of Malta in the Mediterranean. For centuries, they have been treasured as devoted companion dogs to humans of all ages. Aristotle even mentioned the sweet, petite pups in his writings as early as 370 BC!
It‘s easy to imagine how Maltese came to be so beloved. With their silky white coats, soulful eyes, and bubbly personalities, these little dogs are as adorable as they are transportable. But Maltese aren‘t just a pretty face – they also tend to be extremely people-oriented, intuitive, and eager to please. This winning combination has made them a prized partner to kids and adults alike throughout history.
Today, Maltese rank as the 37th most popular dog breed in the United States according to the American Kennel Club. These smart, vivacious toy pups continue to charm modern families with their larger-than-life personalities in petite, portable packages. For many dog lovers, it‘s simply impossible to resist a Maltese!
Maltese 101: Small in Size, Big in Personality
If you‘ve never met a Maltese before, you might be surprised by just how tiny and cute they are in person. Here are some fast facts about Maltese physical characteristics:
| Trait | Description |
|---|---|
| Height | 7-9 inches at the shoulder |
| Weight | Under 7 pounds (usually 4-6 lbs) |
| Coat | Long, silky, pure white hair that hangs to the ground |
| Shedding | Low shedding, but requires regular brushing |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years on average |
In addition to their darling looks, Maltese tend to have lively, curious personalities. They are quick learners and love to stay close to their favorite people. Maltese often seem to forget that they‘re small dogs – they have a bold, courageous streak that makes them fun and feisty playmates!
As you might expect from a toy breed, Maltese don‘t need a ton of exercise. A few short walks and some daily playtime are usually enough to meet their physical needs. Maltese are adaptable to many living situations so long as they get plenty of human interaction and opportunities for activity.
It‘s important to note that Maltese are companion dogs through and through. They do not enjoy spending long periods alone and may develop separation anxiety if left by themselves too often. Maltese also have a tendency to bark at noises and strangers, which is a trait to consider if you live in close quarters like an apartment. The good news is that both of these potential issues can usually be improved with consistent, positive training.
Why Maltese and Kids Can Be the Perfect Match
So what is it about Maltese that makes them such a great fit for children? As a vet, I always tell my clients that the Maltese personality is pretty much custom-built for family life. Most Maltese are:
- Extremely affectionate and people-oriented
- Gentle and patient with respectful handling
- Eager to please and responsive to training
- Playful and energetic without being overly rambunctious
- Adaptable to a variety of living situations and schedules
- Small enough to easily fit in laps and cars for on-the-go bonding
Maltese tend to absolutely adore their humans, kids included. They are known for their sweet, tolerant demeanors and love nothing more than being the center of attention. You can expect a Maltese to happily trail along on family adventures, romp in the backyard with kids, and snuggle up close during storytime or movie nights.
Of course, no dog is perfect, and Maltese do have a few quirks to keep in mind. As mentioned above, they can be quite barky if not trained out of the habit early. Maltese are also prone to suffering from separation anxiety if left alone too frequently or for too long.
Lastly, Maltese are not naturally wary of strangers and may need to be taught some boundaries when it comes to jumping up on new people. A well-trained Maltese will have excellent house manners, but it does take consistent positive reinforcement to help them learn the ropes.
How to Set Your Maltese Up for Success With Kids
The key to a harmonious relationship between any dog and child is proper training, socialization, and supervision. Maltese have some natural kid-friendly traits, but they still need to be set up for success through appropriate boundaries and guidance. Here are my top tips for helping your Maltese thrive with children in the home:
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Start socialization early. Gentle, positive exposure to kids from puppyhood will help your Maltese gain confidence and learn how to interact politely. Look for "puppy kindergarten" classes that include safe child interaction.
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Teach kids respectful dog etiquette. Show children how to pet and play with a Maltese using gentle hands and calm voices. No pulling fur/ears/tail, chasing, cornering, or bothering a sleeping/eating dog. Supervise all interactions between kids and dogs.
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Use positive training methods. Maltese respond best to upbeat, reward-based training. Teach basic cues like sit, down, come, stay, and leave it so your dog understands what‘s expected. Make training a fun bonding experience for the whole family!
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Give your Maltese breaks. Everyone needs alone time, including dogs. Make sure your Maltese has a quiet, kid-free retreat and adequate nap times throughout the day. Crates, baby gates, and closed doors can all help define these safe puppy zones.
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Provide plenty of outlets for play. Bored Maltese can get into mischief, so keep your pup busy with interactive toys, food puzzles, and family play sessions. A tired dog is a good dog!
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Stay on top of grooming. Maltese need regular coat brushing and occasional baths to stay clean and healthy. Get kids involved in gentle grooming tasks to teach responsibility and strengthen the human-canine bond.
With intentional training and care, Maltese can absolutely blossom in a family home with kids. Many of my clients report that their Maltese is the first one to greet children in the morning and the last to leave their side at night. The love between a well-raised Maltese and their pint-sized humans is truly a special thing!
Maltese Health and Wellness
As a veterinarian, I would be remiss not to touch on some key Maltese health considerations. While Maltese are generally a long-lived, robust toy breed, there are some hereditary issues to watch for. According to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, the most common Maltese health problems include:
| Health Issue | Typical Onset | Symptoms | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patellar Luxation | Juvenile/Adult | Limping, "skipping" gait | Surgery, pain management |
| Heart Murmur | Congenital/Adult | Coughing, exercise intolerance | Medication, monitoring |
| White Dog Shaker Syndrome | Adult | Full body tremors, poor coordination | Lifelong medication |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy | Adult | Night blindness progressing to total vision loss | No treatment, lifestyle adjustments |
The best way to stack the deck in favor of a healthy Maltese is to work with a reputable breeder or rescue organization. Responsible Maltese breeders perform extensive health testing on parent dogs to minimize the risk of hereditary issues being passed to puppies.
Once your Maltese is home, you can protect their health by keeping up with preventive vet care like vaccines, parasite control, dental cleanings, and annual exams. Feeding a high-quality diet appropriate for toy breeds, maintaining a lean body condition, and providing plenty of mental and physical exercise will also help your Maltese live their best life.
If you do notice any concerning symptoms in your Maltese like limping, coughing, tremors, squinting, or behavior changes, don‘t hesitate to contact your veterinarian right away. With prompt diagnosis and treatment, many Maltese health issues can be successfully managed for a full, happy life.
Is a Maltese Right for Your Family?
Only you can decide if a magnificent Maltese is the right match for your unique family situation. From my experience as a vet and dog lover, Maltese can be absolutely wonderful companions for gentle, respectful children. Their portable size, affectionate nature, and people-oriented personalities tend to be a great fit for households with kids.
However, no two dogs (or families!) are exactly alike. If you think a Maltese might be a good option for your crew, I recommend meeting several adult dogs and puppies in person before making a decision. Observe how they interact with your children and ask their owners/breeders lots of questions about their experiences.
You can also reach out to Maltese rescue organizations to learn more about the breed and potentially adopt an adult dog that has already been evaluated with kids. Contacting your veterinarian and local force-free dog trainer for their professional input is always a smart move as well.
Ultimately, the key to success with any dog and child pairing is laying a strong foundation of positive socialization, training, and realistic expectations. If you‘re willing to put in the time and effort to thoughtfully raise your Maltese and kids together, you will be richly rewarded with a loyal, loving, laughter-filled family dynamic.
Here‘s to the mighty Maltese – proof that the best things really do come in small packages!
