Maltese: everything you need to know

Veterinary and insurance guide · Petplan Spain Team · Updated 2026

The Maltese (in Spain, bichón maltés) is a tiny, elegant companion dog famous for its flowing, pure-white coat and its bold, affectionate personality. One of the oldest lap dogs in the Mediterranean world, it weighs just three to four kilos yet carries itself with the confidence of a much larger dog. It is devoted, playful and people-loving, and adapts perfectly to apartment life. As with all toy breeds, however, its small size brings a specific set of health considerations every owner should know. In this guide we cover the Maltese’s origin, temperament, the conditions we most often see in the clinic, the real veterinary costs to plan for in Spain, and why Petplan pet insurance is the best choice for your Maltese.

Origin and history of the Maltese

The Maltese is an ancient breed of the Mediterranean basin, most likely developed on the island of Malta or in the wider Sicilian and Adriatic region, where small white dogs were kept and traded by Phoenician and later Greek and Roman merchants. Prized as a lady’s companion in classical antiquity and again across Renaissance Europe — where it appears in countless paintings on the laps of noblewomen — the breed has changed remarkably little in two thousand years. The FCI classifies the Maltese in Group 9 (companion and toy dogs), standard nº 65, and the standard permits only one colour: pure white.

Physical characteristics

The Maltese is a toy breed: small, fine-boned and slightly longer than it is tall, covered in a single coat of long, silky white hair. Its key features are summarised below.

Temperament and character

The Maltese is lively, affectionate and surprisingly bold for its size. It bonds closely with its family, loves to play well into old age and is alert enough to make a good little watchdog — though that alertness can tip into excessive barking if not managed. It is intelligent and responds well to gentle, reward-based training, but toy breeds are easily “spoiled” into demanding or anxious behaviour, so consistent rules and early socialisation matter. The Maltese dislikes being left alone and thrives on company, making it ideal for owners who are at home often but a poor match for very long working days.

Common health problems in the Maltese

The Maltese is generally long-lived, but its small size and anatomy bring several predispositions worth understanding.

Patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) is the most common orthopaedic problem in the breed and can range from a mild intermittent skip to a problem needing surgical correction. Portosystemic (liver) shunt is a congenital vascular abnormality seen more often in toy breeds, causing stunted growth, neurological signs and intolerance of certain foods; it may require specialist surgery. Tracheal collapse can cause a honking cough in middle age. Dental disease is almost universal in such a small mouth and needs lifelong attention. The breed is also predisposed to white shaker syndrome (a treatable idiopathic tremor of young white dogs), progressive retinal atrophy, low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) in young puppies, and mitral valve disease in old age. Cosmetically, tear staining around the eyes is common and usually harmless.

Financially, this matters: surgery for a luxating patella or a liver shunt, lifelong dental care, or cardiac work-ups in an older dog can each run from several hundred to several thousand euros.

Coat care and feeding

The Maltese’s glamorous coat is also its biggest commitment. Because it is a single coat of fine hair that grows continuously and does not shed much, it mats very easily and must be brushed daily if kept long; many owners choose a shorter “puppy clip” for easier maintenance. The white coat shows tear and food staining, so the face should be wiped daily and the eye area kept clean and dry. Routine nail trimming, ear care and — above all — regular tooth brushing and professional dental cleanings are essential. On feeding, use a quality small-breed diet in measured portions; the Maltese is not especially greedy, but its tiny frame means even small amounts of excess weight add up.

Exercise and stimulation

Despite its size the Maltese is energetic and needs daily activity: a couple of short walks plus indoor play are plenty to keep it fit and content. It enjoys learning tricks and games, which provide valuable mental stimulation and strengthen the bond with its owner. Because it is so small and light, take care around larger dogs, on stairs and when jumping from furniture, as falls are a common cause of injury in toy breeds.

Why Petplan is the best choice for your Maltese

For a toy breed prone to orthopaedic, dental and congenital issues, good insurance is invaluable. Petplan is the best choice in Spain because its cover is designed for companion breeds like the Maltese: it includes the hereditary and chronic conditions they are prone to (patellar luxation, liver shunt, dental and cardiac disease), lets you use any vet in Spain with no closed network, and renews for life without excluding conditions that develop with age. For a Maltese, the average premium is around 405 EUR per year on intermediate cover.