Question 1

How much do Maltese puppies cost from a reputable breeder?

Accepted Answer

Maltese puppies typically run $1,500 to $2,500 through a reputable, experienced breeder. You may find Maltese puppy listings on other websites priced as low as $450 to $800, but lower prices are typically a red flag for scams and puppy mills, especially for an adorable toy breed like the Maltese. The Maltese is one of most refined popular small breeds, and trusted Maltese breeders can be hard to find, justifying their cost.

At Posh Puppies Indiana, our Maltese puppies are priced to reflect what responsible breeding actually costs: health-tested parents, early socialization, and puppies raised in a humane home environment from day one.

Question 2

What is the Maltese like in terms of temperament — and do they bark a lot?

Accepted Answer

Temperament-wise, Maltese are affectionate, alert, playful, and become very attached to their owners. They're gentle enough to be excellent therapy dogs or lap dogs, and spirited enough to hold their own in agility and obedience competition. They are intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement training. A well-trained Maltese is a delightful companion. An untrained one will let the whole neighborhood know its opinions.

On that note: Maltese are known to be vocal, "yappy" dogs. This is because they were bred to be alert, engaged, and communicative. They bark at strangers, unfamiliar sounds, squirrels, the mail carrier, and sometimes apparently nothing at all. As a watchdog, this instinct is genuinely useful. In an apartment building with close neighbors, it requires active management from puppyhood.

Brief daily exercise, consistent training, and mental stimulation can help to reduce excessive barking. A Maltese allowed to be a confident, socialized dog is a steadier, calmer pet. So while you may want to carry your Maltese everywhere and shielding them from the world, they can be trusted to be independent. At Posh Puppies Indiana, we socialize our Maltese puppies with people and children from early weeks precisely because early exposure builds that confidence.

Question 3

Are Maltese hypoallergenic? Do they shed?

Accepted Answer

Although there is no dog breed truly 100% hypoallergenic, Maltese are about as close to hypoallergenic as dogs get. The reason Maltese are considered low-allergen dogs is their coat structure. Unlike most breeds, Maltese have a single coat made of hair (like human hair, not fur) with no undercoat. Their coat grows continuously and they shed minimally as a result. Less shedding means fewer airborne hair particles carrying the protein (Can f 1) that triggers most dog allergies. For many allergy sufferers, this difference is real and significant.

Some individuals with dog allergies react to Maltese; others who have struggled with every other breed find Maltese completely tolerable. If allergies are your primary reason for choosing the right puppy, we confidently recommend getting a Maltese. You are always welcome to schedule a time and day to visit our nursery to interact with the breed. An hour in the same room is a better test than any claim from a breeder. For the majority of allergy-sensitive households, though, the Maltese's single-coat, low-shed profile makes them one of the best genuine options in the toy breed category.

Question 4

Do Maltese need to be groomed?

Accepted Answer

Maltese dogs definitely need consistent grooming. Some owners like to keep their Maltese's coats full, and others prefer the popular puppy cut. The Maltese's floor-length show coat is breathtaking, but it is a daily commitment of brushing and maintaining. Since the coat has no undercoat and grows continuously, it tangles and mats easily. With a full coat, a Maltese needs frequent brushing (best with a detangling spray applied first), bathing every two to three weeks with a whitening shampoo to maintain the coat's bright white color, and professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks minimum.

Maltese owners must also pay attention to the "topknot," which is the band that gathers the hair above the eyes. This area keeps fur clear of the eyes and reduces tear staining. However, Maltese owners choose the puppy cut: a 1 to 2 inch trim all over the body that reduces how much brushing and bathing the dog needs. Brushing drops to 2 to 3 times per week, professional grooming appointments run every 1 to 3 months, and the dog is significantly cooler and more active.

Whichever coat length you choose, you should still wipe your Maltese's face daily to prevent tear staining (the rust-colored discoloration under the eyes is caused by moisture and porphyrins in tears), tooth brushing (their small jaws cause dental crowding that leads to tartar buildup), ear cleaning, and nail trimming.

Question 5

How big do Maltese get, and are they good for apartments and families?

Accepted Answer

Maltese are one of the smallest AKC-recognized breeds. Per the AKC breed standard, weight should be under 7 pounds, with 4 to 6 pounds preferred. Height at the shoulder runs 7 to 9 inches. Adults are compact, light, and lap-sized, which ideal for apartment-dwellers, seniors, and people who want a dog they can take practically anywhere.

Their small size is something to consider for families with smaller children because there are advantages and disadvantages. The good news is Maltese are affectionate, social, and generally an excellent family dog, but the challenge is usually with young toddlers because a Maltese is physically fragile. An accidental drop, a rough hug, or an overexcited grab can injure a Maltese puppy. Maltese can also become defensive and snap if startled or mishandled; typically not out of aggression, but out of self-defense.

Supervised interactions from both sides make this work beautifully. Families with children who have grown up around dogs and understand gentle handling find Maltese to be wonderful, devoted family companions. For apartments and smaller homes, Maltese are fantastic pets. Be mindful that Maltese prefer not to be left alone for long periods of time. Maltese form strong bonds with their people and are prone to separation anxiety when left for hours without company or enrichment. Crate training from puppyhood helps significantly.

Their exercise needs are low-to-moderate, only needing short walks and can also get their exercise by playing indoors. They adapt readily to indoor life, thrive on human company, and travel well due to their size. Use a harness instead of a collar for walks because Maltese are prone to tracheal collapse, and neck pressure from a collar creates added risk for a delicate neck.

Posh Puppies Indiana's Maltese puppies are well-socialized and also introduced to independent, alone time from the start so that they can transition seamlessly into their forever homes.

Question 6

What health testing should Maltese parents have completed, and what health conditions should owners know about?

Accepted Answer

The Maltese is a healthy breed overall and one of the longest-lived toy dogs, with a typical lifespan of 12 to 15 years. Many owners report their Maltese reaching beyond that with good preventive care. Like other small breeds, Maltese may be prone to fragile joints and organs. Here are some important genetic predispositions to be aware of:
Patellar luxation remains the most common orthopedic complaint in the breed. Parents cleared by OFA give you the best available evidence that the breeding pair wasn't passing forward a known susceptibility. 
Congenital Cardiac defects
Portosystemic shunt (a liver condition where blood bypasses the liver — serious and costly to treat when it occurs in a puppy)
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (deterioration of the hip joint in small breeds)
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
White Shaker Dog Syndrome (also called Acquired Tremors Syndrome), a neurological condition that disproportionately affects small white breeds including the Maltese. Symptoms typically emerge between 9 months and 2 years. It's treatable, not fatal, but knowing it exists and what it looks like mattersAsk to see the OFA numbers. Reputable breeders keep them on file and share them freely.

Buying a Maltese puppy from Posh Puppies Indiana means you are welcoming home a furry family member from OFA-certified lineage, AKC-registered bloodlines, and absolute adorableness for years to come.

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