Maltese: History, Personality, Health & Surprising Facts

A white Maltese with a long silky coat sitting on a sofa in a bright living room

There’s something about a Maltese that makes people stop and smile. That snow-white coat, those dark button eyes, the way they trot around like a little cloud with a very strong opinion about everything.

But the Maltese isn’t just a pretty face. This is one of the oldest toy breeds in the world. Ancient Greeks painted them on vases, a Roman poet wrote verses about one, and a Maltese in modern times inherited more money than most of us will ever see.

A lapdog older than the Roman Empire

The Maltese is often called one of the oldest lapdogs on record. According to the AKC, the breed was already being celebrated in Greek art and writing around the 4th and 5th centuries B.C. Wikipedia notes that small white dogs like these appear on Attic vases from the 5th century B.C., and that the Maltese has been described as “the favourite pet dog of antiquity.”

Even Aristotle mentioned them. The AKC says he described the breed as “perfectly proportioned”, which, honestly, any Maltese owner would agree with.

The name most likely comes from the island of Malta, a busy Mediterranean seaport for thousands of years. Traders from all over the ancient world passed through, and these little white dogs seem to have traveled with them. Some older writers argued for a different island, Mljet in the Adriatic Sea, but most scholars today point to Malta.

A small white Maltese sitting on a stone harbor wall by the blue sea in Malta

The Roman poet and a dog named Issa

In the 1st century A.D., the Roman poet Martial wrote a poem about a tiny lapdog named Issa, who belonged to his friend Publius. He wrote that she was “purer than a dove’s kiss” and more affectionate than any girl. Many people believe Issa was a Maltese, though, to be fair, nobody can prove it for sure.

What we do know is that small white lapdogs were loved in Rome, and that love for tiny companions is at least 2,000 years old.

The “Comforter Dog”

Here’s one of my favorite details. The AKC writes that in earlier centuries, Maltese were used like little hot-water bottles. People held them against their stomachs to ease pain, which earned them the nickname “the Comforter Dog.” Some even kept a Maltese in bed to draw fleas away from themselves.

💡 Did you know? Long before anyone talked about therapy dogs, people were already using Maltese to feel better. Their nickname, “the Comforter Dog,” is hundreds of years old.

The AKC admits these stories may not all be literally true, but they show how people have always seen this breed: as a warm, soft, soothing presence.

A white Maltese curled up asleep on a woman's lap under a soft blanket

Legends with queens

A few stories about famous Maltese are best told as legends, and the AKC shares them that way too.

Mary, Queen of Scots, according to legend, had a small dog hidden beneath her skirts at her execution in 1587.
Marie Antoinette’s Maltese is said to have jumped from a Paris bridge in grief as she was led to the guillotine in 1793.

Whether or not every detail is true, these stories show how closely these dogs were tied to the people who loved them.

Surviving the Dark Ages in the East

When the Roman Empire fell and Europe went through centuries of upheaval, you might expect a delicate lapdog to disappear. The AKC points out that the Maltese had been traded to the Far East since the days of the Phoenicians, and the breed had taken root in China, which helped it survive.

Centuries later, the breed came back into fashion in Europe. In 1837, Queen Victoria commissioned the painter Edwin Landseer to paint a Maltese named Quiz as a gift for her mother. The painting was titled The Lion Dog from Malta: The Last of His Tribe, because people at the time feared the breed was nearly gone.

In 1877, a white dog was shown as a “Maltese Lion Dog” at the very first Westminster dog show in New York, and the AKC recognized the breed in 1888.

Why that white coat is so special

The Maltese has a single coat of long, silky hair, with no woolly undercoat. It hangs straight down, and in show dogs it can sweep all the way to the floor.

Because they have hair instead of a thick double coat, Maltese shed very little. That’s one reason they’re popular with people who have mild dog allergies, though it’s worth knowing that no dog is completely allergy-free.

That same coat also needs real care. Without regular brushing, it tangles quickly. Many family Maltese wear a shorter “puppy cut,” which is much easier to keep clean.

Why do Maltese get tear stains?

If you’ve seen a Maltese with reddish-brown marks under the eyes, you’ve seen tear staining. The American Maltese Association explains that the color comes from porphyrins, iron-containing molecules made when the body breaks down old red blood cells. They’re released through tears, and on white hair, they show up clearly.

Moist hair around the eyes can also grow yeast, which makes stains darker. A few simple things that may help:

Gently wiping and drying the face every day
Keeping the hair around the eyes trimmed
Using stainless steel or glass bowls instead of plastic

If tearing seems sudden or heavy, see your vet. Blocked tear ducts, eye irritation, ingrown eyelashes, or dental problems can all play a part.

A close-up of a white Maltese's face with dark round eyes and a black nose

Size

The Maltese is a true toy breed. The AKC standard calls for a weight under 7 pounds, and most stand around 8 to 10 inches tall.

Being so small means they can get hurt easily, especially from jumping off furniture, falling from someone’s arms, or being stepped on. Ramps and a little extra caution go a long way.

Personality: sweet, bold, and not afraid to speak up

Maltese are affectionate, playful, and deeply attached to their people. But don’t let the gentle look fool you. One Maltese breeder told the AKC that the Maltese “does not know it is a little dog.” Many are brave, alert, and happy to bark at anything they find suspicious.

In Korea, there’s even a famous internet meme about it: “말티즈는 참지 않긔,” which roughly means “Maltese don’t hold back.” The joke usually shows an owner poking or bothering a sleepy Maltese until the dog finally snaps back.

But here’s the twist. A 2024 OhmyNews article pointed out that many of these videos show dogs giving clear signs of discomfort before they react. Dog trainer Choi Min-hyuk explained that Maltese aren’t naturally short-tempered. Often, they learn to react because their quieter “please stop” signals keep getting ignored.

💡 A gentle reminder: licking lips, turning the head away, stiffening, or showing the whites of the eyes are a dog’s polite ways of saying “I’m uncomfortable.” When we notice those early signs and give our dogs space, they don’t have to shout.

I think about that a lot now. What looks funny on a screen can be a small dog trying very hard to be heard.

A white Maltese with a short puppy cut running happily across green grass

Health: what to watch for

Maltese often live long lives. A 2024 UK study reported an average life expectancy of about 13.1 years, and many live well into their teens.

A few health issues show up more often in the breed:

Luxating patella. The kneecap can slip out of place, causing skipping or limping.
Dental disease. Small mouths mean crowded teeth, so daily brushing matters.
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). A heart vessel problem present from birth, usually found when a vet hears a murmur.
Liver shunts. A blood vessel problem around the liver that can cause poor growth or unusual behavior.
“White shaker” syndrome. This one surprised me. VCA Animal Hospitals explains that it causes sudden full-body tremors and was nicknamed “white shaker” because it’s most common in small white dogs like Maltese, Westies, and Bichons. It usually starts at one to two years of age, and most dogs improve within one to two weeks of treatment with steroids from a vet.

Fun facts and true stories 🐾

One Maltese inherited $12 million. When New York hotel owner Leona Helmsley died in 2007, she left $12 million to her Maltese, Trouble. A judge later cut it to $2 million. According to ABC News, Trouble received 20 to 30 death and kidnapping threats, needed a full-time security guard, and lived out her days at a hotel in Sarasota, Florida, until she died in 2010 at age 12.

It’s Korea’s favorite dog. KB Financial Group’s 2025 Korean Pet Report found that the Maltese is the most popular breed among Korean dog owners, at 20.4%, just ahead of Poodles.

They were once called “lion dogs.” Early show Maltese were listed as “Maltese Lion Dogs,” and even the AKC first registered them under that name in 1888.

They’re tiny, but they’re not fragile at heart. In a breed that weighs less than a house cat, you’ll often find a surprisingly big personality. The AKC even jokes that many Maltese seem to have a little “Napoleon complex.”

Is a Maltese right for you?

A Maltese might be a great fit if you want a small, loving companion who loves to be close to you, you live in an apartment or smaller home, and you’re ready for regular grooming and daily tooth brushing.

It might be harder if you have very young children who could accidentally drop or step on a tiny dog, or if you’re away from home for long hours. Maltese tend to bond closely and can struggle when left alone too often.

A white Maltese resting its chin on a windowsill, looking outside

Angel Jake Note 🐾

I love that the Maltese has been doing the same job for more than two thousand years: being close to someone. Greek families, Roman poets, queens, and today, so many of us in small apartments all over the world.

If you share your life with a Maltese, you already know how much love fits into such a tiny body. Protect those little knees and teeth, listen when they tell you they’ve had enough, and let them be the brave comforter they’ve always been.

Medical Disclaimer

I’m not a vet, and nothing here replaces a real exam. If something about your dog feels off, please trust that feeling and call your veterinarian.