Maltese Puppies for Sale

About the Maltese Breed

The Maltese is a small toy breed known for its long, white silky coat and gentle, affectionate personality. One of the oldest toy breeds, Maltese have been cherished companions for centuries. They are playful, loving, and deeply devoted to their families.

Whether you're looking for a teacup maltese, a black maltese, or a traditional white maltese, understanding the breed's characteristics and care requirements is essential for responsible ownership. Maltese are best suited for households that can provide regular grooming, training, and daily interaction.

Key Facts About Maltese:

• Breed Group: Toy
• Origin: Mediterranean (Malta)
• Recognized Colors: White (primarily), cream, black (rare)
• Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
• AKC Classification: Toy Group
• Known For: Long white silky coat, gentle affectionate nature

Maltese Temperament & Personality

Maltese are gentle, affectionate, and playful companions. They are known for their loving nature, intelligence, and close attachment to their families. Despite their small size, they have a lively and charming personality.

Early socialization is encouraged to support confidence and positive behavior. Maltese thrive on human interaction and enjoy being involved in household activities. They are sensitive and respond best to gentle, positive training methods.

Common Temperament Traits:

• Affection: Form strong bonds with family members and love cuddling.
• Gentleness: Known for their gentle, loving nature.
• Playfulness: Remain playful and energetic well into adulthood.
• Intelligence: Quick learners with a desire to please.
• Sensitivity: Respond best to positive, gentle training methods.

Individual temperament varies. Socialization, training and individual experience influence behavior. No temperament guarantee is provided.

Maltese Size & Weight

Maltese are a small toy breed. Typical adult weight generally falls within a range of 4 to 7 pounds. Adult size depends on genetics, parent size, development, nutrition, and health. No exact adult weight can be guaranteed.

The term "teacup maltese" is not an official classification for the Maltese breed. Extreme smallness is not a health or quality advantage and should not be promoted as such. Reputable breeders prioritize health over size extremes.

• Height: Typically 8 to 10 inches at the shoulder
• Weight Range: 4 to 7 pounds
• Growth Timeline: Most Maltese reach full size by 12-15 months

Maltese Exercise Needs

Maltese need regular moderate activity to stay healthy and happy. Suitable activities include short walks, indoor play, training games, food puzzles, and supervised outdoor play.

Mental stimulation is important for this intelligent breed. Exercise should be adjusted for age, weather, and individual health. Young puppies should not be overexerted.

• Daily Exercise: 20-30 minutes of moderate activity
• Indoor Play: Fetch, puzzle toys, and training games
• Outdoor Time: Short walks and supervised play in a secure area
• Mental Stimulation: Training sessions and enrichment activities

Maltese Training

Maltese are intelligent and capable of learning with positive reinforcement. Training should emphasize consistency, early socialization, house-training routines, grooming handling, and calm independence.

Small size should not excuse unwanted behavior. Harsh methods are not recommended. Short, engaging sessions work best for this sensitive breed.

• Positive Reinforcement: Use treats, praise, and play as rewards
• Socialization: Expose to new people, places, and animals early
• House Training: Consistent schedule and supervision
• Grooming Handling: Regularly handle paws, ears, and mouth for grooming
• Calm Independence: Train for comfortable time alone

Maltese Grooming & Coat Care

Maltese have a long, silky white coat that requires regular maintenance. Care includes frequent brushing, combing, tangle and mat prevention, bathing, thorough drying, coat trimming, ear checks, nail trimming, dental care, and eye-area cleaning where needed.

A shorter companion trim may simplify coat management but does not eliminate grooming. Professional grooming is recommended. Tear staining is common in white coats and requires regular cleaning.

• Brushing: Daily or every other day to prevent tangles
• Professional Grooming: Every 4-6 weeks for trimming
• Bathing: Every 2-3 weeks or as needed
• Dental Care: Regular teeth brushing and dental chews
• Eye Care: Regular cleaning to prevent tear staining

Maltese Coat & Shedding

The Maltese has a long, silky white coat that grows continuously and requires regular trimming. They are considered low-shedding, but not completely non-shedding. People with allergies may react to dander, saliva, and environmental allergens carried in the coat.

The breed standard color is white, though cream shades may appear. Black maltese are not recognized as purebred Maltese. Color is not proof of health or quality.

• Coat Type: Long, silky, white, continuously growing
• Shedding Level: Low, but not zero
• Color Variations: White (primarily), cream
• Allergy Status: Not completely hypoallergenic

Maltese Family & Child Suitability

Maltese may suit households prepared for regular grooming, training, daily interaction, moderate exercise, dental care, safe handling, and routine veterinary care.

Interactions with children require adult supervision. Children should be taught gentle interaction, no unsafe lifting, no pulling of coat, ears or tail, no rough chasing, and respect for resting and eating areas.

Maltese & Other Pets

Maltese can often live with other pets when properly introduced. Considerations include early socialization, gradual introductions, size differences, resource management, supervision, individual temperament, and safe retreat spaces.

Play with much larger dogs should be supervised. Their small size requires careful management around larger animals.

• Dogs: Usually get along with proper socialization
• Cats: Can coexist with careful introductions
• Larger Dogs: Always supervise to prevent accidental injury
• Small Pets: Supervision recommended

Maltese Apartment Suitability

Maltese often adapt very well to apartment living. Suitability depends on daily exercise, indoor enrichment, house-training, barking management, and social interaction.

They are generally quiet and well-suited for apartment life, but proper training and attention are still required.

• Apartment Friendly: Yes, excellent for apartment living
• Barking Management: Early training is helpful
• Exercise Needs: Can be met with indoor play and short walks
• Social Interaction: Essential to prevent separation anxiety

Feeding a Maltese Puppy

Proper nutrition is essential for Maltese puppies to support healthy growth and development. A high-quality small-breed puppy food is recommended, with feeding amounts based on age, weight, and activity level.

• Puppy Food: Small-breed puppy formula with balanced nutrition
• Meal Schedule: 3-4 small meals daily for puppies under 6 months
• Portion Control: Follow feeding guidelines on food packaging
• Water: Fresh, clean water should always be available
• Treats: Use for training but avoid overfeeding

Consult your veterinarian for specific feeding recommendations for your puppy.

Maltese Health Considerations

Potential health topics to discuss with a veterinarian include dental health, kneecap or joint concerns, eye health, skin and coat health, weight management, and low blood sugar risk in very young or unusually small puppies.

Symptoms such as weakness, limping, eye discomfort, persistent scratching, or appetite changes require veterinary assessment. This information is provided for general educational purposes and does not replace professional veterinary advice.

• Dental Disease: Regular brushing and dental check-ups recommended
• Luxating Patella: Kneecap condition common in small breeds
• Eye Conditions: Regular eye exams recommended
• Skin Allergies: Watch for itching and skin irritation
• Hypoglycemia: Risk in very young or small puppies

Responsible Maltese Ownership

Responsible ownership of a Maltese includes regular grooming, dental care, training, socialization, daily interaction, exercise, mental stimulation, safe handling, routine veterinary care, and gradual independence training.

Owners should budget for grooming, veterinary care, food, training, supplies, and emergency expenses. Constant carrying that limits movement and training is discouraged.

• Regular Grooming: Professional grooming every 4-6 weeks
• Dental Care: Daily brushing and professional cleanings
• Training: Positive reinforcement and socialization
• Safety: Protection from falls and larger animals
• Weight Management: Prevent obesity with proper diet and exercise
• Mental Stimulation: Puzzle toys and training games

Available Maltese Puppies for Sale

Browse our current teacup maltese and maltese puppies for sale. Each puppy includes health information, personality traits, and delivery or pickup options. Prices range from $900 to $1,200 depending on lineage, coat quality, and individual characteristics.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maltese

Common questions about teacup maltese and maltese puppies, care, training, and ownership.

Related Breeds

If you like Maltese, you may also be interested in these related small breeds: