All About the Maltese: History, Personality, and Grooming Tips 🐶🤍

 

Hello 🧡 I’m Kevin from NENE’s store, home of the SHARR Magic Pet Brush! 🐶

Snow-white fur and big, dark eyes.

There’s something irresistible about a little Maltese trotting along on those tiny paws 🤍

One moment, they’re snuggling on your lap. The next, they’re bringing you a toy, ready to play!

They may look elegant, but they can have quite a mischievous side 🤭

If you share your home with a Maltese, chances are this charming contrast wins you over every day.

In this article, we’ll explore the Maltese’s history, personality, favorite games, and coat characteristics, along with gentle grooming tips using the SHARR Magic Pet Brush 🪮✨

You might discover something that makes you love the little companion beside you even more.

Let’s get to know them together 🐾

01｜Where Does the Maltese Come From? 🌊🤍

The Maltese has roots in the Mediterranean region.

Hearing the name, you might wonder, “Are they called Maltese because they come from Malta?” 💡

The FCI breed standard actually lists the breed’s origin as the “Central Mediterranean Area.”

The name is believed to be linked to an ancient word meaning “refuge” or “harbor,” so the name alone does not establish Malta as the breed’s birthplace.

Ships sailing across blue seas and bustling harbors filled with people—the Maltese’s history is connected to this Mediterranean way of life ⛵✨

02｜Did Their Ancestors Really Work Around Harbors? 🐭⚓

Today, the Maltese is loved as a companion dog with a beautiful white coat.

But its ancestors are said to have caught mice in harbor towns and ships’ storage areas 👀

It’s a little surprising to imagine that the ancestors of your favorite lap dog once worked around busy harbors, isn’t it? 🤭

Maltese were also cherished as companions in ancient Rome, and their likenesses appear in Renaissance paintings 🖼️

From little dogs working around harbors to beloved companions by our sides, the Maltese has a long history of sharing life with people 🐶🤍

History reference: FCI Maltese breed standard.

03｜What Is the Maltese’s Personality Like? 🐶💕

Maltese are often described as:

• 🤍 Deeply affectionate with their families

• 💡 Intelligent and quick to learn

• 🧸 Playful and lively

• 👀 Sometimes cautious around unfamiliar people or environments

Their elegant appearance might make you picture a quiet little lap dog, but many Maltese love playing with toys and interacting with their families ✨

They might bring you a toy as if to say, “Come on, let’s play!” or settle close beside you as soon as you sit down.

Sharing an activity with you can be one of the happiest parts of their day 🧡

Make the most of their love of learning by practicing simple cues and games together, praising them as they make progress.

Of course, every dog has their own personality.

Rather than assuming your dog will behave a certain way simply because they’re a Maltese, get to know the pace and level of closeness that feel comfortable for them 🌿

References: PDSA Maltese care guide; AKC Maltese breed profile.

04｜What Games Do Maltese Enjoy? 🧸🐾

Try activities you can enjoy together, choosing games that suit your dog’s interests ✨

👃 A Scent-Based Treasure Hunt

Hide a treat somewhere easy to find and encourage your dog to sniff it out.

Start with simple hiding spots, and celebrate together when they find the treat 🧡

🎾 Chasing a Toy

On a nonslip floor, gently roll a small toy a short distance for your dog to follow.

Choose a toy that is large enough that your dog cannot swallow it.

🤲 A Nose-to-Hand Touch Game

Hold out your hand and praise your dog when they touch it with their nose.

They can learn little by little while enjoying the interaction with you 💡

Keep sessions short and fun, finishing while your dog is still interested in playing.

Watch their expression and body language to see whether they’re enjoying themselves 🐶💕

05｜A Small Dog’s Everyday Needs 🏡🐾

Soft, floppy ears and a little black nose—the contrast with that white coat is part of the Maltese’s charm 🤍

The FCI breed standard specifies a weight of 3–4 kg, but this is a standard used to judge the breed. An individual dog’s healthy weight depends on their frame and build.

Small as they are, Maltese enjoy walks and playtime. PDSA gives around 30 minutes of daily exercise as a guideline, with activity adjusted to the dog’s age, health, and the weather 🐾

It’s not just about how far you walk. Time spent investigating interesting scents and playing with the family matters, too.

At home, take care around slippery floors and discourage jumps from sofas or other raised surfaces.

For brushing, choose a quiet spot on the floor or a nonslip mat. A stable, comfortable surface helps your little dog feel secure and makes it easier for you to enjoy a calm moment together 🌿

References: FCI Maltese breed standard; PDSA Maltese care guide.

06｜The Secret Behind That White Coat 🤍✨

The Maltese is known for fine, long hair with a smooth, silky texture.

This is a single coat, without an undercoat. When grown long, it falls in a beautiful, flowing curtain 🪮

Others wear a shorter trim, giving them a soft, rounded, teddy-bear look 🧸💕

Here’s a useful little detail 💡

Unlike the Chihuahua’s long-coat and smooth-coat varieties, the Maltese does not have separate long-haired and short-haired coat types.

A flowing coat and a shorter trim are different grooming styles, not different coat types.

Even a short trim can develop tangles around the ears, tail, and areas where the hair rubs together.

Look beyond the visible length and gently feel beneath the surface to check the coat’s condition 🌿

Reference: FCI Maltese breed standard.

07｜Familiar Maltese Grooming Moments 🔍🐶

“I brushed them yesterday, but the hair behind their ears is tangled again!”

“I took off the harness, and the hair under their front legs was all rumpled.”

“One drink of water, and their muzzle is soaking wet! 🤭”

If you live with a Maltese, some of these moments may sound familiar.

Here are a few areas worth checking 🐾

🤍 Behind the Ears and Around Their Base

The fine, soft hair here can tangle easily. Check gently near the roots as well as on the surface.

🤍 The Chest and Under the Front Legs

Clothing and harnesses can rub against these areas. After taking them off, gently check the coat with your fingers.

🤍 The Inner Legs

Hair can rub together and become tangled here. Start with the areas you can comfortably see, without forcing your dog’s legs upward.

🤍 The Tail and Rear

Check for tangles or dirt caught in the longer hair.

When the hair around the mouth gets wet, gently pat it dry with a soft cloth.

Avoid brushing close to the eyes, and choose a care method suited to each area. Don’t scrub in an effort to make the white coat look cleaner 🌿

08｜The Maltese × SHARR Magic Pet Brush 🪮🤍

When brushing a Maltese’s fine hair, the key is to work gently, a little at a time, without pulling.

With a 14-karat gold-plated pin side and a natural boar-bristle side, the SHARR Magic Pet Brush lets you choose the side that suits your dog’s coat length and its condition that day ✨

STEP 1｜Check the Coat with Your Hands 🤲

Start by gently stroking your dog’s back and sides to feel the condition of the coat.

Check behind the ears and under the front legs for tangles hiding near the roots 🔍

If you find tightly matted hair, don’t pull at it. Ask a professional groomer for help.

STEP 2｜Add SHARMI Magic Brushing Mist When Needed 🌸🍐

On days when the coat feels dry or rough, use SHARMI Magic Brushing Mist before brushing to help moisturize the hair ✨

Follow the product’s instructions. Apply from behind your dog, directing the spray away from their face and taking care not to startle them.

STEP 3｜Gently Work Through the Coat with the Pin Side 🧡

For longer hair, support each section near the roots with your hand and gently work through the ends first. As the ends become free of tangles, gradually work your way toward the roots.

If the brush catches, pause. Don’t try to pull it through a tangle 🌿

For dogs with a short trim, use a light, stroking touch. Move slowly over small areas without pressing the pins into the skin.

There’s no need to brush directly over areas with sparse hair or prominent bones, such as parts of the belly and legs.

STEP 4｜Finish with the Natural Boar-Bristle Side ✨

Gently smooth the surface of the coat in the direction the hair grows.

Use short strokes suited to your dog’s small body, rather than broad, sweeping movements.

Even when the surface looks smooth, tangles may remain underneath. Keep checking gently with your fingers as you go 🤍

09｜Make Daily Brushing a Comfortable Routine 🐶🪮

Because the Maltese’s coat tangles easily, daily coat care is recommended.

That doesn’t mean every session has to be long, or that you need to achieve a perfect finish from head to tail every time 🧡

“After our walk, I’ll take off the harness and check under the front legs.”

“While we’re relaxing, I’ll brush a little of their back.”

Try making these small moments part of your everyday routine 🏡

If your dog has a long coat, check for tangles underneath as well as on the surface.

What matters most is responding to the condition of their coat and skin, and to how they’re feeling 🌿

Use gentle strokes without pressing down. If your dog turns their head away or pulls back, take a break.

Start with short sessions that your dog finds comfortable, and gradually make brushing a familiar part of the day 🐶💕

Reference: PDSA Maltese care guide.

10｜Grooming Is a Chance to Know Your Dog Better 🤍🏡

Affectionate, playful, and sometimes a little cautious—the longer you live with a Maltese, the more sides of their personality you discover 🐶

While brushing, you might notice:

“Your hair is especially fine here.”

“Maybe you prefer having your back stroked to having your ears touched?”

“Your paws are a little dirty today.”

These small discoveries are part of what makes grooming time special 💕

A long, flowing coat or a soft, rounded trim—whatever their style, to you, your dog is always the best 🤍

Keep brushing gentle and manageable, adapting it to your dog’s coat and personality 🌿

We hope time with the SHARR Magic Pet Brush becomes another comfortable, happy part of everyday life with your beloved Maltese 🐶🤍

Our “Dog Breeds × SHARR Magic Pet Brush” series will continue ✨

Which breed will we meet next?

We’ll see you in the next blog post!

Kevin from NENE’s store, home of the SHARR Magic Pet Brush 🐾🧡

Thank you for reading!