What Are the Traits and Care Tips for Maltese Dogs?

Maltese: straight, silky hair without undercoat

The Maltese’s FCI description gives it a body longer than its height and a very long, glossy coat that falls close like a cape. The hair is straight throughout, without waves or curls, and there is no undercoat. This is quite different from the Bichon Frise’s curled outer hair over a soft, dense undercoat.

Long hair needs care below the surface

AKC’s Maltese care guide recommends daily gentle brushing and combing through to the skin, with regular baths and coat conditioning. It also includes regular nail and dental care. A flowing white coat therefore brings routine work beyond simply keeping its visible surface tidy.

The Havanese offers a useful comparison: its outer hair can be wavy or form curly strands, and its FCI undercoat is often absent rather than always absent. These descriptions should not be treated as the same coat.

Activity and grooming share the day

The earlier UK guide lists daily grooming, up to 30 minutes of exercise, a flat or apartment and a small or medium garden, in town or country. The Bichon and Havanese share these broad entries.

AKC’s Maltese exercise examples include daily walks and play in a fenced garden or indoors. The Bichon guide also emphasises daily play, while the Havanese guide discusses a walk or play with the owner. The shared UK categories leave room to explore these practical routines rather than choosing on size alone.

Its own male and female heights

The FCI heights are 21–25 cm for males and 20–23 cm for females, with a weight of 3–4 kg. The Bichon’s approximately 5 kg describes a different frame, while the Havanese has no numeric FCI weight. Compare the straight coat and longer body alongside these figures.