Maltese dog breed

If you have a puppy, you’ll need to feed them between 3 and 4 times a day. They have small tummies so shouldn’t be fed a big meal at once. As your Maltese puppy grows, slowly decrease the number of meals to 2 a day.

You should continue feeding your puppy the same food as the breeder. If you decide to change their diet, you need to do it slowly. Start by adding a small amount of new food to the old food and increase this gradually over time. Remember to reduce the amount of old food as you increase the new food though.

Maltese dogs can be fussy eaters and generally prefer wet food to dry. Either type of food is fine, but make sure your dog is getting the correct nutrition in their diet. Speak to your vet if you’re unsure what to feed your pet.

Maltese dogs have a very long and heavy coat that easily tangles and becomes matted. To stop this from happening, you’ll have to brush your dog daily. Regular haircuts will also be needed – and you can keep their fur short if you want. If you’re unsure how to trim your dog’s coat, you can take them to a professional dog groomer.

Their adult coat will start growing from 8 months old. So try to get your dog used to being brushed and washed from a young age. Reward them with treats so that they learn that being groomed is a good thing.

The Maltese is a small, lively breed but they’re not particularly active. This means they don’t need much exercise. A 30 minute walk every day will keep your dog fit and happy. You should also give your dog toys to play with to keep them entertained.

Small dogs that don’t get much exercise can become overweight easily. So, it’s important to make sure your dog has the chance to run around and play outside. If you notice your dog is putting on weight, increase the number of daily walks or slightly reduce the amount of food you give them.

Maltese puppies are easier to housetrain than most toy breeds. If you start with puppy toilet training your dog will learn to listen to you. This will make other commands easier to teach. The number one training tip is to reward your dog for positive behaviour.

Maltese dogs are alert and will bark at any unfamiliar noise. This makes them great watchdogs, but the barking should be controlled. Train your dog to stop barking on command. Distract your dog from the cause of the bark, using a toy or treat and reward them when they’re quiet.

Your dog will enjoy learning tricks and being rewarded for good behaviour. It’s a great way to exercise your dog and to have fun together.

To remove the plaque, your dog will need to go to the vet for a dental scale and polish. Some teeth may have to be removed if they're in poor condition, which will mean your dog will need a general anaesthetic. To prevent gum disease, you should brush your dog’s teeth every day. Speak to your vet about dog toothbrushes and toothpaste. Do not use human toothpaste as this is poisonous to dogs.

Your dog is likely to need surgery to correct the alignment of the kneecap. Physiotherapy will help your dog recover, but normal exercise will be restricted for 8 weeks. They’ll be able to use their leg fully within a few months.

Deafness is common in dogs with white fur. It can be hereditary or caused by ear infections or growths. Some dogs are born deaf, while others become deaf as they get older.

If your dog is suffering from hearing loss, you’ll notice their lack of response to noises. This includes speaking to them, opening doors and loud bangs such as fireworks. Deaf dogs do sleep well though - as noises won't wake them.

Deaf dogs can still live long, happy lives and you can train your pet using hand signals. You just need to be careful when you take them for a walk. If you let them off the lead and they run off, they won’t be able to hear you calling them.