Maltese Dog: Nutrition, education, character, training and much more about the Maltese Dog

By Roland Berger

Look into the sweet googly eyes of a Maltese every morning? Have a faithful companion who won't leave your side? Yes, it is wonderful to have a dog. However, there are moments when the Maltese will test your patience. There is so much to know when you become a dog mom or dog dad overnight.

This book will serve as your detailed guide to life with a four-legged friend. Learn all about the Maltese. Both the history and the attitude and peculiarities of the four-legged friend are not only incredibly interesting, but also worth knowing for dealing with it.

This guidebook will tell you what is important in the care and give you helpful tips on how to educate the Maltese and build a strong bond with him. This way, living with your family addition can be relaxed and bring joy to both you and the dog.

The content of the book is:
- The Maltese dog breed
- Dog training
- Health and nutrition
- The dog care
- Character, training and much more about the Maltese dog
- Many illustrations

If you want to know how to build a relaxed yet respectful relationship with your Maltese, this book with its many training tips is the ideal guide for you. Especially if you have no experience with dogs and the Maltese will be your first dog, this guidebook is a real must-have that will make living together easier.

Enjoy your time with the sweet Maltese!

• Language: English
• Publisher: XinXii
• Release date: Apr 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9783989110540

Book preview

Introductory

If you are thinking about getting a Maltese, you should know a few things about the dog breed. Having a dog, maybe even a puppy, besides the many joys it brings, also brings a lot of responsibility. You should only get a dog if you are willing to take care of it until it passes away. Maltese are faithful companions of man and well suited as family dogs.

The sweet four-legged friend needs a certain education, a lot of attention and love. If you can give all these factors, nothing will stand in the way of acquiring the dog. In this guide you can read everything you need to know about the Maltese. In addition to tips on education, you will also find all the information about the nature of the dog and the typical diseases that the dog can get.

Maltese are pedigree dogs, which are not only expensive to buy, but also to keep. In addition to food, you should also plan for vet visits, which, depending on the disease, can quickly reach the four-digit range.

Take your time to inform yourself extensively about the four-legged friend, its character and nature. Especially if you get a puppy, planning is the be-all and end-all. Since the dog can not be alone, especially in the beginning, vacation is necessary. But more about that later.

The breed portrait

Interesting is the history of the Maltese, which is known as one of the oldest dog breeds. In this chapter you will learn everything about the history, nature and appearance of the quadruped. See for yourself how the quadruped has made it from a mouser to a family dog and faithful companion of man.

Historical background

The Maltese is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. When exactly this was discovered is not known. However, in the year 1,500 BC, sailors on the island of Malta discovered a dog that closely resembles the Maltese. The four-legged dog has always been a favorite companion dog of man.

The name Maltese cannot be traced back to the island of Malta, but to the word Màlat, which means refuge and harbor. Originally, the ancestors of the Maltese were mainly found at ports, which gave rise to the name. The dogs were used at harbors mainly to fight rats and mice, thus keeping them clean. However, in the past, records were found in the first century AD, where the Maltese appeared as a companion of Publius, a saint of the island of Malta. The dog Issa was recorded in a portrait and described in a poem. The poem says that Issa is purer than a seagull's kiss, more expensive than Indian jewels, more amiable than a maiden and more high-spirited than Catula's sparrow. All these qualities describe the great character of the little quadruped, which has been maintained to this day. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the Renaissance, the Maltese finally managed to be recognized as a social dog. This was mainly seen in circles of the nobility. Especially among the ladies, the cute white four-legged friend was popular. French queens, such as Marie Antoinette and Josephine Bonaparte, as well as the British Queen Victoria were proud owners of Maltese. A short time later, the Maltese was also one of the first dog breeds to be seen at dog shows. In 1862 the quadruped was shown for the first time in England and since then it has become more and more popular as a family dog. Over time, the little quadruped has managed to maintain its popularity.

Today, the Maltese belongs to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, FCI for short, group 9, which is social and companion dogs of section 1.1, Bichons and related breeds.

Nature and appearance

Probably the most expressive character traits of the Maltese are affectionate, self-confident, playful and affectionate, which makes the little four-legged friend an ideal family and companion dog. The four-legged friend remains small and has a moderate urge to move, which allows this dog to be kept in the city in an apartment without any problems.

The males grow between 21 and 25 cm high, the females between 20 and 23 cm. The weight is normally, with proper feeding, between 3 and 4 kilograms. Maltese can reach an age of up to 15 years, which you should be aware of when purchasing. Of course, the old age requires that the dog is healthy and has no chronic diseases, which can develop at a young age.

The coat of the quadruped is white, long and smooth. A slight ivory tint is permitted in breeding. The Maltese has irresistibly cute beady eyes, a black, somewhat prominent snub nose and drooping ears. The body is somewhat elongated, which makes the dog look athletic. All around a real eye-catcher for dog lovers. The Maltese always carries his head raised and looks very elegant. I wonder if this is a habit he has inherited from his noble days. The fur is very soft and invites extensive petting and cuddling, which the dog is usually very happy about.

The Maltese is so popular mainly because of his loving, affectionate nature. He is also playful and lively. A really all-around pleasant dog, which can, however, become cheeky due to its strong self-confidence in the absence of training. Despite its small stature, the Maltese can also be used well as a guard dog and has a strong protective instinct towards its owners. The four-legged friend loves his owners more than anything and loves to be part of all activities. Whether in cafes, on walks or movie nights on the sofa, the Maltese is very adaptable and happy as long as he is with his family.

The enterprising cuddler

It is not for nothing that the Maltese has been a popular companion for decades. The character traits of the dog are really outstanding and lead to an easy education and a relaxed coexistence with the dog.

The small white four-legged friend is a loving companion, suitable for both single people and families. Due to the rather low urge to move, the Maltese can be kept both in cities and in the countryside without any problems. Whether old or young, it does not matter to the dog how fit the master or mistress is. However, one thing is certain: the Maltese is loyal and loves to spend time with you.

Besides its lovely, playful character, the Maltese is also a good watchdog, so you can always feel safe. If you are in danger, you can count on the dog to protect you. Maltese are very intelligent animals by nature, and they like to have tasks that use their intelligence. You will find some tips and suggestions on this in a later chapter.

The intelligence and the desire to please you lead to the fact that it is easy to educate the Maltese. However, the education is absolutely necessary, because otherwise the dog, due to the strong self-confidence, can very quickly become rebellious, if this does not have a guide for good behavior. However, aggression rarely occurs with the four-legged friend, but without education he can quickly mutate into an annoying yapper.

Maltese are the perfect companion dogs for all kinds of undertakings. The four-legged friend enjoys the company of his family very much and can adapt well in public. In cafes or restaurants this one can sit quietly and just enjoy company. In dog parks he loves to play for his life and really romps.

If you have never had a dog before, the Maltese is still well suited for you. Due to the friendly nature and easy education, this is even the ideal first dog. If you provide sufficient socialization with other people and dogs already in puppyhood, living together will be very relaxed. If this does not happen, the dog can quickly become strange and wants to protect you from really everyone.

Here the dog school is a good place to learn. Both the handling of other dogs and education can be learned here. Are you inexperienced dog owner, the dog school is absolutely recommended. But more about that later.

If you travel a lot and can not take the dog with you, the Maltese is poorly suited for you, because it really needs quite a lot of love and togetherness with his family.

Acquisition and initial period

If you have decided to acquire a Maltese, there are a few things to keep in mind. Be aware that the dog needs your full attention, especially in the beginning. In addition to the cost of acquiring the four-legged friend, you should also plan for other costs for all the accessories. The more you plan and prepare before buying the dog, the more time you will have with your four-legged friend. In this chapter you will learn what is important during the initial period and what equipment should not be missing under any circumstances when the four-legged friend moves in.

You will also get tips on how to acclimate the dog to its new home without stressing it or even putting it under pressure. With the right pre-planning, you can make the acclimation period relaxed and stress-free.

Buy a Maltese

If you want to have a Maltese, of course you have the option to take it from the shelter to you. However, for this you should know that the dog has a history that can make the education difficult, as the dog may have problems with trust or obedience.

If you want to buy a Maltese in puppy age, you should do this at a registered breeder. It is recommended that you look at different breeders, see how the dogs are kept here, and of course check the environment and surroundings. The mother should be present in any case, so that you get to know the nature of this.

The breeder himself should willingly show you the papers of the parents, so you can be sure that it is a purebred Maltese. The following points you should definitely consider when buying:

The puppy should be healthy and lively

Take your time choosing and spend time with the litter. Through observation you can quickly see which puppy suits you.

It is important that the puppy is playful and friendly. Dogs that sit sluggishly in a corner and seem lethargic are usually not healthy.

The Maltese puppy should have clear eyes.

Ideally, the breeder offers only Maltese and no other breeds.

The purchase cost of a healthy Maltese puppy is 700 to 1100 euros.

The breed characteristics should all be present. The nose is dark, the dog is not too long or too short, the coat is clean, smooth and soft.

Does the dog move normally?

The dog must be at least 8 weeks old at the time of moving in with you.

Have papers shown to you.

Does the breeder gladly and willingly give information to all your questions?

When choosing a four-legged friend, it is better to take a little too much time than too little. The puppy should really fit well with you. Since you ideally spend 15 years together, this should fit both character and health to you. Choosing a puppy out of pity, which is not too fit, can quickly become apparent through high veterinary bills.

Choosing the right puppy is so important. Also, if you have children, they should be there when the puppy is selected. Notice that the animal is strongly afraid of your children, while another bright and playful sniffing all, the curious puppy is the better choice.

If the Maltese puppy does not have the typical characteristics, this indicates negligent breeding or overbreeding. You should keep your distance from these puppies. Especially if you want to use the dog for breeding yourself, an exemplary origin is important. For example, make sure that the nose is black, not brown or spotted. The body shape of the parents should be correct, the Maltese should be neither too short nor too long.

Take enough time to choose the right puppy from a reputable breeder. Become alert if the puppy costs only 300 euros or over 2000 euros. Question here really everything with the breeder and inform you also gladly with the breeding association for Maltese dogs.

The breeder should in no way persuade you to make a quick decision. Take the time you need to decide whether the puppy suits you or not.

Equipment for indoors and outdoors

So that you can fully enjoy the arrival of the four-legged friend, you should take care of the basic equipment in advance. This will ensure that you have not forgotten anything and can devote your attention solely to your new addition to the family. Be prepared for additional costs, which will be incurred by the purchase of the basic equipment. With the checklist you will have an idea of what you need.

Start by looking for a veterinarian in your area. Perhaps you have friends with dogs who can recommend a good doctor for the four-legged friend. If this is not the case, look at some practices. Make sure the practice is clean and the staff is nice with the four-legged.

Then, in case this is a possibility for you, you can choose a dog school where you can learn with your four-legged friend. The dog school should have competent staff and of course