If you have a Maltese puppy, you’ll need to feed them between three and four times a day. They have small tummies so shouldn’t be fed a big meal at once. As your Maltese puppy grows, slowly decrease the number of meals to two a day.

You should continue feeding your puppy the same food as the breeder. If you decide to change their diet, you’ll need to do it slowly while your dog adjusts. 

Maltese dogs can be fussy eaters and generally prefer wet food to dry. Either type of food is fine, but make sure your dog is getting the correct nutrition in their diet. Speak to your vet if you’re unsure.

Maltese grooming needs are high due to their very long and heavy coat that easily tangles and becomes matted. To stop this from happening, you’ll have to brush your dog daily. Regular haircuts will also be needed – and you can keep their fur short if you want. If you’re unsure how to trim your dog’s coat, you can take them to a professional dog groomer.

Their adult coat will start coming in from around 10 to 14 months. It’s important to try to get your dog used to being brushed and washed from a young age. Reward them with treats so that they learn that being groomed is a good thing.

The Maltese is a small, lively breed but they’re not particularly active. This means they don’t need much exercise. A 30 minute walk every day will keep your dog fit and happy. You should also give your dog toys to play with to keep them entertained.

Small dogs that don’t get much exercise can become overweight easily. So, it’s important to make sure your dog has the chance to run around and play outside. If you notice your dog is putting on weight, increase the number of daily walks or slightly reduce the amount of food you give them.

Maltese puppies are easier to housetrain than most toy breeds. If you start with puppy toilet training your dog will learn to listen to you. This will make other commands easier to teach. The number one training tip is to reward your dog for positive behaviour.

They are alert and will bark at any unfamiliar noise. This makes them great watchdogs, but the barking should be managed through training.

While no dog is completely hypoallergenic, the Maltese is considered one of more hypoallergenic breeds as it doesn’t shed much fur.

However, allergies are related to the dog’s saliva and skin that is shed, not their fur. So, it’s possible for any dog breed to cause allergic reactions.

Due to their small size, Maltese dogs have relatively low exercise needs – around 30 minutes a day. Short daily walks or exercise in the garden is usually enough.

Yes, Maltese dogs can be prone to bark. But they bark no more than other toy breeds. The good news is, you may be able to train them out of it using a distract and reward method.

You can expect your dog to live between 12 and 15 years. But their life expectancy can be affected by health issues and a poor diet – an overweight Maltese is more prone to health problems and a shortened lifespan. So, make sure you aren’t overfeeding your dog.

A teacup Maltese is a miniature Maltese. They only weigh about 2 kg and are 10cm tall. You’ll only ever see a white teacup Maltese dog. Other colours will have been crossed with another breed. Teacup breeds are more prone to health conditions – particularly heart defects and respiratory problems.