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A Maltese is a small, white breed with an extremely long coat. It is gentle, friendly, clever and affectionate. It makes a charming escort dog as it loves human company. Despite its diminutive size, a Maltese can be a good watch dog. Its keen nose warns it of approaching strangers.
Due to its small size, the Maltese is often mistreated by children who get carried away by its size and good nature. As always, socialize your pets so that they get along.
A Maltese has a single coat which does not shed. Thus, it is a clean dog ideal for those with hair allergies and for supervised play with young kids. You need to comb and brush your Maltese daily. If you can't manage the long hair, send it to the groomer for trimming to keep it short.
A white coat dirties easily and faster than any other coat so you need to bathe your pet weekly. You should use a good shampoo to maintain the health of the coat. Use a shampoo specially made for white coats to prevent any chemicals coloring the white hairs. It is necessary to comb out any mats before its hair touches water.
Your Maltese doesn't need extensive training as it is naturally obedient to its beloved master. Basic obedience training is sufficient. To keep your dog happy, you can play games with it. Any time spent interacting with your pet serves to cement your bond together.
A Maltese enjoys sunbathing. A daily sunny frolic outdoors keeps its nose a healthy, shiny black. Lack of sunlight will cause the Maltese nose to pale.
Whenever you walk your pet outdoors, take care that your dog is not mauled by any other larger dogs. The Maltese has such a friendly character that it will approach other bigger dogs which may not be so friendly. Always keep your Maltese on a leash as you can control it by pulling it to restrain its enthusiasm.
The Maltese is a lucky breed of dog that has no genetic nor congenital health problems. When you choose your Maltese pup, look for one that is friendly and active. These are signs of good health and disposition. A peculiarity of the Maltese is that it will poke its nose and muzzle into you to " kiss " you. Adorable as this is, you should observe hygiene and wipe away those doggy kisses.
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