The happy little Maltese Poodle is a fantastic dog for a family. One of its most endearing traits is that it’s a “people pleaser” and will do whatever it takes to make its puppy parents happy. This breed fits it equally well with families, or with a person who lives on their own or an elderly person that needs a friend

Because they have a long history as companion dogs, Maltese Poodles require a lot of human attention and are not happy being left alone for hours each day. They adore humans and like to be close to them – preferably snuggling in your arms or cuddling in your lap! Because they like attention and closeness so much, they can be prone to separation anxiety, expressing their displeasure by barking and have been known to exhibit destructive behaviour

Overall, your Maltese is gentle, affectionate, intelligent and very playful even when older – and will even enjoy learning the odd trick or two. They are highly alert, and will react to unfamiliar noises, making good watchdogs.

Although they are generally good with children, they can be snappy if children are rough or overexcited and make the dog feel scared or threatened. It is always advisable not to leave young children and dogs together without an adult present.

Maltese Poodles generally housetrain quite easily, and the trick to good potty habits is consistency by the owner. It usually takes around 3 to 6 months for a puppy to be completely house trained. Have reasonable expectations, take your Maltese Poodle outside frequently and reward them for their successes

Maltese do require routine coat maintenance. A full brush out 2 to 3 times a week is best with a bath every 1 to 2 weeks. Don’t brush a completely dry coat, rather moisten their fur slightly before brushing you brush. Even if you clip your Maltese Poodle’s coat, a weekly brush is good to keep it in top condition

Your Maltese Poodle needs a healthy balanced diet, or they could develop skin problems; a bad diet can lead to a build-up of oil on the skin, causing excess fat, but good diet and regular exercise will keep your dog fit and healthy.

Look forward to 12 – 14 years of companionship and love from your Maltese Poodle. They easily adapt to be part of the family and will love being part of everything you do – especially when it comes to finding a comfortable spot on any willing family member’s lap to watch tv – or snooze!