Connect with responsible Maltese breeders and find the ideal breeding partner for your ancient companion
Understanding your Maltese's ancient heritage and toy breed needs is essential for responsible breeding
Male: 4-7 lbs
Female: 4-7 lbs
Male: 7-9 inches
Female: 7-9 inches
12-15 years
Long-lived breed
Gentle, Playful
Fearless attitude
One of oldest toy breeds, dating back 2,000+ years. Bred by royalty in Malta. Aristocratic bearing despite tiny size.
Single coat with hair, not fur. Less dander makes them better for allergies. No undercoat means they feel cold easily.
Think they're much larger than they are. Will challenge big dogs. Need protection from their own bravery. Not aware of size.
Standard requires pure white coat. Light tan or lemon on ears acceptable. Any other color indicates crossbreeding.
Maltese face typical toy breed challenges requiring careful health screening and size considerations
Extremely common in Maltese. OFA patella evaluation MANDATORY. Can require surgery costing $1,500-4,000 per knee. Both parents must have normal patellas.
Tiny mouths with crowded teeth. Need dental cleanings every 6-12 months. Many lose teeth by middle age. Educate buyers on dental care.
Genetic test available. Causes blindness. Test all breeding stock. Two carriers should never be bred together.
Portosystemic shunt more common in toy breeds. Bile acid test recommended. Can be fatal without surgery. Check family history.
Generalized tremor syndrome specific to small white dogs. Usually appears by age 2. Treatable but requires lifelong medication.
Toy breed puppies prone to low blood sugar. Can be fatal. Puppies need frequent meals. Educate buyers on prevention.
Excessive tearing common. Causes reddish-brown staining. Check for blocked tear ducts. Daily face cleaning required.
Windpipe cartilage weakens causing honking cough. Use harnesses, not collars. More common in middle age.
Maltese have SEVERE dental disease issues due to tiny mouths with crowded teeth. Most Maltese have periodontal disease by age 2. Bacteria from dental disease damages heart, kidneys, and liver. Many Maltese lose most teeth by middle age. Professional cleanings every 6-12 months are ESSENTIAL - budget $300-800 per cleaning. Daily tooth brushing is mandatory, not optional. Educate ALL buyers about dental care or their dog will suffer. Poor dental health shortens lifespan significantly.
There is NO such thing as "Teacup" Maltese - it's a marketing term for undersized dogs. Breeding for extreme small size (under 4 lbs) is UNETHICAL and causes: Hypoglycemia (can be fatal), organ failure, bone fragility, shorter lifespan, inability to regulate temperature, and higher anesthesia risks. Standard Maltese are already tiny at 4-7 lbs. Never breed females under 4 lbs - pregnancy is too dangerous. Educate buyers that smaller is NOT better - it's unhealthy.
Follow these essential guidelines for responsible Maltese breeding
Male Maltese
1.5 to 8 years
Female Maltese
2 to 7 years
Small breeds mature earlier but wait for complete health testing. Maltese can breed successfully into older age if healthy.
Maltese face several health challenges despite being an ancient breed. Patellar luxation is extremely common.
Females: Maximum once per year, 3-4 litters lifetime
Skip at least one heat cycle between litters
Tiny dogs can have difficult pregnancies. C-sections more common in very small females
Connect with verified Maltese owners for safe and ethical breeding
Maltese
Maltese
Maltese
Maltese
Maltese
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Maltese × Miniature Poodle
Maltese
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