Maltese Dogs have been bred as companion animals since time immemorial. They were popular in Ancient Rome and were often given as gifts to important people such as nobility and emperors. They can also be traced back to the island of Malta where they were bred by the Knights of Malta in order to protect their home.

Today, Maltese are great family dogs. They enjoy being around humans and are even-tempered creatures. They can be playful with children and adults, but their instincts make them wary around strangers. Maltese dogs are energetic and love to be with people, even if they are very small in size. They will also often follow their owners around the house, no matter where they go.

Read on to know everything about the Maltese personality traits.

General Personality/Temperament

The Maltese is a small, white, fluffy dog that is very popular in the United States. They have affectionate and gentle personalities. They are great with children and other animals. They are also very intelligent dogs and can be trained to do tricks or obey commands.

A typical day in the life of a Maltese would involve playing with their family, going on walks around the neighborhood, or playing with their favorite toy. Maltese typically get along with other breeds and dogs of all sizes. They are typically content in a home environment but may be prone to boredom.

A Maltese that is true to the breed will like being the center of attention, and as an additional bonus, these dogs enjoy being cuddled and hugged. Maltese, like many little dogs, are companion dogs, which means they want to spend time with their owner rather than being left alone for lengthy periods of time. It is not necessary to engage them in strenuous exercise; a daily stroll and occasional fun would suffice.

Another of the Maltese’s family-friendly characteristics is that it is usually allergy-free. Although many individuals believe they are allergic to canine hair or fur, the problem is frequently the dog’s dander. Dander is similar to dandruff in that it is dry skin that flakes off and gets airborne, causing an allergic reaction. Although no dog is totally allergen-free (or hypoallergenic), several breeds do reduce sneezing and watery eyes in allergy sufferers. Because the Maltese create less dander than most other dog breeds, there are fewer allergies in the air.

Are Maltese Dogs Good With Children?

When deciding whether or not a Maltese would be a suitable fit for your family, take into account the age of your children and their level of rambunctiousness. Breeders frequently refuse to sell a Maltese puppy to a family with little children because the pups are so small and delicate that a rough play by a small child might injure the pup.

The Maltese, naturally, has a calm disposition despite their fragile appearance. Maltese are regarded as the gentlest of the smallest dogs. They have a lively attitude and fluffy-white-lapdog demeanor. As such, they’re considered a good companion for children, particularly older children who know how to manage them.

Remember you should always supervise any interaction between your dog and your children for their own safety, especially if your pup is tiny like Maltese.

Are Maltese Good With Other Dogs?

Generally, Maltese are good with other dogs. When there are other canines nearby, their playful side shines through, and despite their little stature, they have no trouble keeping up with larger dogs.

Nevertheless, you must be very careful when selecting canine playmates for your Maltese. They are prone to injury because of their small stature, and they might be scared of loud, bigger dogs. When a dog twice their size approaches, they are bound to be terrified, especially if the dog is energetic.

Early socialization can help with this. Regularly introduce your Maltese to a range of other dogs. The more dogs your Maltese meets, the less likely they will be afraid of new dogs when they approach.

Also, you should never mix a Maltese with another breed that comes from a lineage of pursuing prey animals. Maltese can appear to be prey animals because of their small stature. In breeds like medium to big terriers, sighthounds, herding breeds, and northern (spitz) breeds like Alaskan Malamutes and Akitas, this might elicit innate herding and chasing behavior.

Maltese With Cats and Other Pets

Maltese dogs are good with cats and other pets in general. They are very gentle and friendly, but they may require some training to get used to the new animal in their home.

Is Maltese Aggressive?

When properly socialized and trained, most Maltese are not aggressive. These dogs can be yappy around strangers, their barking does not usually turn aggressive. They may appear hostile from afar, yet when approached closely, they become friendly.

However, all dog breeds have the potential to be aggressive, especially if they have not been properly socialized.

In the case of Maltese, even if you don’t mean to, it’s easy for these canines to be intimidated because of their size. Although these little pups are fearless and more courageous than they look, they can still feel threatened by other pets bigger than them.

When the Maltese feel threatened, they generally bark, snarl and bite.

Conclusion

Maltese dogs are the perfect family pet. They are one of the most popular breeds in the world and they have a long history of being man’s best friend. Maltese dogs are intelligent, loyal, and friendly to both people and other animals. They are one of the few breeds that can adapt to living in any home environment, although you must be careful of bringing in one of these pups if you have small children at home.

Thank you for reading the article.

Here are other articles on Maltese if you’re interested to know more about the breed.

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