If you’re after a loyal companion, then look no further. A Maltese is the perfect pet for you.

Easy to get along with, playful and mild-mannered, Maltese Terriers are the epitome of a companion dog. Small and fragile, this toy dog breed is trusting and devoted to its owner and makes a perfect lapdog. Maltese Terriers are highly intelligent and excel in competitive obedience, agility and learning tricks, but you will need to keep up your training schedule. They are not easy to house-train break and have a tendency to bark a lot if not trained well. In fact, their noisy, vocal habits have made them one of the most surrendered breeds in Australia.

Maltese Terriers are not ideal for a home with small children as due to their size they can get easily injured, but they do well with other pets if socialised early. You might find your favourite pair of bed socks chewed up when you come home from work. That’s because Maltese Terriers exhibit abnormal chewing patterns when they suffer from separation anxiety, so give them the mental and physical activity they need to keep them healthy and happy. They live for 13-15 years.

Fun fact: The Maltese Terrier breed is around 2800 years old

and has had many names, including Roman Ladies’ dog and Shock dog.

Their compact size makes them ideal for urban living. They are very active indoors and do not need a yard to romp about. However, a daily walk is strongly recommended. They remain playful well into their old age. They are prone to chills and do not do well in extremely hot weather either. In fact, your Maltese is quite content just lazing around the house.

Famed for the straight, silky white hair that forms their coat, it takes some maintenance to keep a Maltese Terrier looking clean and dry. Daily combing and brushing, along with weekly baths, are essential or their long luxurious coat will mat. Be gentle when grooming as their coat is very soft. If you aren’t up to grooming daily, clip the coat just long enough to keep your buddy warm.

Clean their eyes daily to prevent staining, as well as their ears, pulling out any hair from inside the canal. Ideally tie the hair on top of their head into a top knot. Maltese Terriers don’t grow very big, standing around 22cms on average. A Maltese Terrier sheds little or no hair.

Scheduled six monthly health check visits with your vet are important to ensure that your dog is healthy and happy throughout all life stages. Maltese Terriers are prone to sunburn as well as teeth and eye problems. Together with your vet, you can determine and maintain a preventative health care program based on the individual needs of your canine companion.