The Maltese breed origin is debated by dog experts. Some say it came from China. Others choose Italy. One theory says the Maltese was probably brought to England during the Crusades. 

This dog, a true Toy, is small enough for women to carry them in their purses.

So, the Maltese would be a fantastic choice for apartment dwellers or in small houses. But be sure to take it outside for regular walks and running, if possible. They are also very active inside the house. 

The Maltese is a very lovable dog. It becomes very loyal to its owners.

The Maltese stands approximately 10 inches tall. This is certainly a Toy dog breed. Its weight should be between 6 and 9 pounds, and he had a long drape of straight, white silken fur. Maltese are quite lovable and sweet little dogs and have been members of aristocracy for over 2,800 years. This breed was known well to Italy, Greece, and of course Malta. This breed can live up to approximately 15 years old.

A Maltese is just the right size for apartment living, and can easily tolerate close quarters with their master. This breed needs regular exercise, but they can also be very active indoors. Just some short walks each day and regular play time will be enough.

Despite being so cuddly, this dog does not need excessive pampering, in order to damage their natural sweetness, which can make them highly over protective of their owner but also jealous of anyone else who tries to intrude between them and their master. This dog can be difficult to handle if not trained to defer to family members and know its place in the household. The Maltese like other breeds needs proper obedience training to learn socialization.

Maltese dogs are not a breed that sheds, but the coat can easily become matted and dirty. Maltese owners need the correct grooming supplies on hand including a comb, brush, and dog shampoo. These will help with regular care for the Maltese.

When the dog's hair is not kept cut short and combed daily, but instead his hair is left to grow long, the coat will trail on the floor and require at least daily brushing. Be sure to give him a bath at least once per month as well to keep his coat pure white. The coat can be clipped on a regular basis.

This breed can be difficult to care for. Its white silky coat needs regular attention, and his eyes do as well. The Maltese can commonly suffer from tear stain, which is an ailment causing the dog's eyes to be watery and form a thick discharge near the corner of the eye. This will also causes hair under the dog's eyes to change to a deep rusty red. By moving their hair from their eyes, such as tying it with a ribbon when it is long, and wiping away discharge, this can help control tear stain.