Maltese Breed Profile

Our page of Maltese Information

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The Breed at a Glance

White. May have a hint of ivory or lemon

Good; they can be somewhat strong-willed

Generally good with older children

Can do well with laid-back pets; can be competitive for attention

Tolerates heat fairly well

Enjoys outdoor exercise, but indoor play is usually enough

Extremely high; daily brushing, weekly shampooing, and regular eye care

Maltese Information

Health Information

Congenital and Genetic Conditions found with greater than average frequency in the Maltese (point to name for description):

Aberrant cilia

Autoimmune Lymphocytic Thyroiditis

Blindness

Cryptorchidism

Deafness

Distichiasis

Epiphora

Glaucoma

Hip Dysplasia

Hypoglycemia

Patellar Luxation

Portosystemic Shunt

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Retinal Dysplasia

Thyroiditis

von Willebrands Disease

White dog shaker syndrome

Following are health screenings often performed on breeding Maltese adults; choosing a puppy from a breeder who tests parents for health can help avoid future health problems in your puppy:

BAER Hearing Test

CERF Screening (Canine Eye Research Foundation)

Hip Dysplasia (OFA or PennHIP)

Patellar Luxation Test - OFA

Thyroid Function Test (blood test)

vonWillebrand's Disease (vWD) (factor antigen test)

This is presented solely as a starting point for you to learn and ask questions about the breed. This information is NOT to be used to diagnose, evaluate, or treat any condition whatsoever. For specific information, consult your veterinarian. The above diseases and conditions are found with a higher-than-average frequency in the Maltese. These conditions may or may not be severe, and may or may not be hereditary. Some conditions may actually be "normal" for the breed, such as alopecia in the hairless breeds; some may be intrinsic to the breed due to its physiology, such as skin fold dermatitis in the Pug, Bulldog, and Shar-Pei; some may be related to care and nutrition; and some may be strictly genetic. The best source of additional and more detailed information on these conditions is a veterinarian, breed club, or knowledgeable breeder.

Maltese Links:

American Maltese Association, Inc. - www.americanmaltese.org
National Breed Club

Available Books (click to order)

Copyright © 2005 Steve Price - All Rights Reserved
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