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Malteses
The Maltese is a small dog which belongs to the toy group. Generally they will range in weight from 4 to 10 pounds and will stand no more than 9 inches high. It has a long, flowing coat that is white and silky but does not shed. Often their coat is referred to as being like carpet because it has a silky, shiny texture that grows to about 8 inches long. They carry their tail gracefully over their back in a thick plume. The breed originated on the island of Malta and is usually very lovable and gets along with other dogs easily. Expected life span for the Maltese is 15 to 20 years when taken care of properly.
Maltese puppies may have wavy or curling hair but as they mature they should grow out of this. Adult dogs will have a long, white coat that will reach to the ground. Off-white coats are acceptable but they are not preferred. It is accepted for Maltese puppies to have curly or wavy hair but it is not accepted in a mature dog. Even though they range in weight from 4 to 10 pounds, the preferred standard is 6 pounds or under.
Maltese puppies will often provide their owners with an abundance of energy. This can be especially aggravating if the house is accustomed to a calm atmosphere. Even though they are small in stature, they are large in their own minds. They usually come without fear and they think they can take on anything that comes along. They are usually very lively and playful and even after they are grown they still remain more active than other breeds.
The Maltese is usually very good with children. as with all pets you might want to consider introducing him/her to your family slowly to help in acclimating to the new environment. This small breed is suitable for small home or apartment living so when looking for a Maltese for sale or Maltese puppies for sale you can still have a small yard or space for this breed to be comfortable.
The Maltese does not require a lot of exercise since they are usually very active anyway, but it is always a good idea to provide extra exercise. They generally love people and enjoy being a lap dog whenever possible. They love to cuddle and desire a lot of attention so you would need to keep this in mind before getting one.
The Maltese can occasionally have stains under their eyes from tear but this can be minimized with daily cleaning. They tend to be hypoallergenic because of the fact they do not shed their coat. Daily brushing is helpful but not required because of their long coat and regular dog grooming will prevent them from getting mats in their coat. It is best to start this out when they are very young to get them accustomed to the grooming process.
Since they are members of the toy breeds, they may tend to be quite vocal. The Maltese can make a great guard dog but is not associated with constant dog barking but they are known to alert their master if anyone is around that should not be.
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