The Maltese is a breed of dog that stands out for its small size and the amount of white fur it has all over its body. Although it is not only its physical appearance that is surprising, it also has a charming character that makes you want to cuddle it all the time.
You should know that it is a breed that adapts easily to coexistence with other pets, whether they are dogs or cats. Besides, it is always ready to play with the little ones in the house. Do you want to know what are the peculiarities of the breed? From Petplan we tell you.
Particularities of the Maltese poodle
Main characteristics
Both females and males can weigh between 1 and 3 kg. The most outstanding aspects of their physique are their naturally drooping ears and their long, straight, white hair.
The bichon has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years and is very energetic. They do not tend to drool, snore or dig, but they do tend to bark.
What makes them special?
Are you wondering what is so special about this dog? The answer is simply that white coat of fur that makes them look like a cuddly toy. We recommend that you tuck their hair back from their face if it is particularly long, so that their facial features are visible. In this respect, it is not eworthy that this breed has no undercoat, unlike the bichon frisé. This makes it easier to care for them.
Specific care of the Maltese poodle
The main daily care of this breed has to do with that white coat that characterises it so much and that makes it be defined as an elegant breed. In daily grooming, it is essential that you include cleaning the eyes, the tear ducts and everything around the muzzle, so that the white coat does not get dirty.
There is also a risk of dark patches near the eyes, which can become a problem in the end. This happens when the animal’s eyes produce too much water.
Main diseases
Generally speaking, it is a strong and robust dog, not very prone to diseases.
However, you should know that, like all dogs, it is more prone to a number of diseases.
Joint problems
To begin with, he has joint problems and, being of this size, they tend to be concentrated in the knees and kneecap. In order to avoid this, you should ideally keep them at a healthy weight so that they do not have to bear too much weight.
Conjunctivitis
It is also important to take care of his coat. Poor care can cause problems in the tear ducts, leading to conjunctivitis or irritation in milder cases.
Other diseases
This breed can also suffer from other diseases such as parvovirus, hepatitis, leptospirosis, tracheobronchitis and coronavirus, although none of these are breed specific. We must pay attention to these issues in order to give our Maltese the care it needs.
In short, if you want to adopt a Maltese, you should know that it is a very particular breed, which stands out for its long white coat and its floppy ears, as well as its friendliness and elegance.
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