MALTESE

Writings from 300 BCE mention Maltese-like dogs, an ancient breed of dog from the Mediterranean. The Maltese is a friendly dog breed that has no fear and is gentle with everyone. They appear haughty and noble due to their glamorous white coat, but appearances can be deceiving. This lively dog excels not only as a friend but also as a therapy dog and a competitor in dog sports like agility, obedience, rally, and tracking. But they cherish spending time with their community the most. These puppies will make wonderful furry family members, even for first-time pet parents and apartment dwellers.

The Maltese should thrive on a premium dog food. To prevent your Maltese from gaining weight, measure out his food and feed him twice daily rather than leaving food out all the time. Treats can be a valuable training aid, but giving them in excess can lead to obesity. Discover which foods fit the bill for canine consumption and which don't. If you have any worries about your dog's weight or diet, consult your veterinarian. Fresh water that is clean should always be accessible.

Ideal Meal Breakdown

Maltese have a lot of energy but only occasionally need to exercise to stay healthy and content. To keep them active, daily walks with their owner, running around in their fenced yard, or even inside, should be sufficient. Because his bones are still growing, you should hold off on taking a long walk with your Maltese puppy until he is 8 months old. When your puppy is old enough, let him play in your fenced yard at his own pace. Then, before starting a strict exercise regimen, take him to the vet for a checkup.

The Maltese's long, white coat is stunning and captivating. To avoid mats and tangles, it needs to be gently brushed and combed against the skin every day. To maintain the healthiest looking hair, Maltese should also take regular baths and condition their coats. They require routine nail trimming because their nails grow quickly. Every week, check their ears and clean out any accumulated wax, hair, and debris. Maltese should have their teeth brushed frequently, ideally every time their coat is brushed, as they are prone to dental disease as they age. A trip to the vet is advised to find a potential cause if the dog has excessive tear stains around the eyes.

The Maltese are extremely intelligent, and over the course of their many years spent living alongside humans, they have figured out how to get what they want from them. It's critical to maintain consistency in their training. Maltese are gifted athletes who are entertaining to compete with in dog sports like agility or obedience. Despite their tendency to be obstinate and determined, they respond well to constructive training techniques.

The Maltese is a breed of dog that has few health problems and typically lives well into double digits. Breeders who are responsible check their animals for heart anomalies like PDA and health issues like luxating patella (patent ductus arteriosus). Bile-acid testing for Maltese puppies is advised in order to rule out congenital liver conditions like liver shunt and microvascular dysplasia (MVD). Maltese have been known to contract encephalitis, according to reports (aka as GME). Like all toy breeds, Maltese require routine dental cleanings at the veterinarian in addition to daily tooth brushing with toothpaste made specifically for dogs.

With a history that dates back at least two millennia, the Maltese dog is one of the oldest toy breeds. This little dog was immortalised by poets, writers, and artists in the ancient great cultures of Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Even Aristotle made mention of them. Maltese-like dogs are depicted on Egyptian artefacts, which suggests that the ancient Egyptians valued them as much as the Greeks did when they built tombs for their Maltese dogs. Egyptians and many Europeans centuries later believed that Maltese were capable of curing illnesses, and they would put one on a sick person's pillow. One of its names, "The Comforter," was inspired by this. Many people think that the breed originated from Spitz- or Spaniel-type dogs on the island of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea. Some people think he was created in Italy, while others think he was created in Asia and contributed to the creation of many of the smaller Asian dogs. The Maltese was prosperous wherever he came from.