Everything You Need To Know About Teacup Maltese

Teacup Maltese is the most cheerful, brightest and lovely looking breed of dog that is highly favored by the dog lovers across the world.

This dog breed is also known as Miniature Maltese, Toy Maltese.

Apart from looks, it has long and rich history on how it became the dog breed which we all know as Teacup Maltese today.

Even if you don’t own a Toy Maltese, this piece of information can still be useful for you.

The Teacup Maltese Temperament

Most of the Maltese Teacup breed is outgoing and confident, while some are peaceful and quiet. This breed is quite acceptable to socialization and training.

If you as a dog owner spoil it or indulge them excessively, then chances are they will end up insecure, yappy, over-dependent and loathsome.

However, this particular breed is very responsive to any training, and they tend to thrive even with competitive obedience and in agility.

However, being the owner of Teacup Maltese, you might need a doggy door leading to small potty outdoor or little indoor box because this dog is still hard to housebreak.

Origin of Maltese

The history of this dog dates back to at least two millennia. Maltese dog was originated somewhere between 6000 BC and 8000 BC. As the name suggests, this breed was originated from the Island of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea.

According to the Roman and Greek believers, this is the dog that came from this island and hence the name of the dog given with inspiration to this island.

There is also evidence which proves that this dog was indigenous to Malta Island and the origin of Maltese are somewhere from South Central Europe, and it was descended from the areas where spitz-type dog breed was found.

This breed dog soon became the popular trading item, and hence first it was bought to the Island of Malta and then it was circulated in different parts of the world including Tibet, Middle East, China, Japan, and the Philippines.

The popularity of Teacup Maltese can be found in several representations of the ancient culture which are accustomed to the dog breed.

According to historians, the Ancient Egyptians worshipped dogs as their god and Greek vases and ceramic art showcase this dog breed.

Moreover, the historians of Ancient Greek and Roman and famous poet were familiar with this breed.

Most of the authors have also mentioned this name in their writings. Finally, the Roman Emperor Claudius owned one Teacup Maltese breed.

However, it was still not clear whether the breed was Teacup Maltese, but it didn’t matter since the breed was quite popular at that time.

In a bid to save the breed of Teacup Maltese, the breeders usually mixed the East Asian miniature dogs with the miniature poodles and spaniels which resulting in a variety of new Maltese species.

According to the modern breeder, the modern Maltese breed is directly associated with the Bolognese, Havanese, Bichon Frise breeds.

Most of the Teacup Maltese breed today is traced back to English breeders in 1800s.

The Lifespan of Teacup Maltese

The lifespan of the Teacup Maltese is comparatively less than human years, and hence it is the biggest concern for all the dog owners.

According to a survey, the healthy Maltese Teacup lifespan can reach up to 12-13 years and the average lifespan range between 12 and 15 years.

Teacup Maltese that crosses the 13 years of age are considered to be very old.

Some Maltese dogs in the world live more than 15-16-17 years before dying the natural death. However, the female dog usually has the longest lifespan compared to the male dogs.

There is no secret to enhancing the lifespan of the dog breed.

Being the owner of the dog, you need to take proper care of their health and give them lots of exercises and proper nutrition which can help the dog to increase the life expectancy naturally.

Some of the tips to increase the life expectancy of the dog breed include:

• Dental Care – This is the rough thing that a dog owner needs to do, and it is easy to do and maintain.
• Check-ups – Being the owner you need to go for regular checkups to find out if any health issues are present in your dog and it is necessary to take your dog for regular checkups with the certified veterinaries
• Proper Diet – You must avoid the inferior quality food and additives and fillers, and the meals that you provide must be nutritious for the dog as it helps them to grow and stay healthy.
• Good Exercises – This means you need to encourage the dog for activity and exercises which increases their strength and improvises their muscles, heart, lungs of the dog. It also keeps the dog physically fit.

Health Problems in Teacup Maltese

Teacup Maltese breed has their consequences, and these compact size dog breeds are susceptible to the health issues compared to the regular Maltese.

Some of the common dog health problems that may affect Teacup Maltese include dental problems, fragile bones, heart problems, low blood sugar, seizures, and more.

However, not all dogs are susceptible to all these conditions, but it is necessary that owners must take proper care of the dog and have regular checkups.

When planning to buy a puppy, it is necessary that you look for reputable breeder with the health clearances for both the puppy’s parents, and this includes von Willebrand’s Disease, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, canine eye registry foundation clearance for healthy eyes, Auburn University health clearance for thrombopathia.

Read More: Health Risks with Teacup Dogs?

How big do teacup Maltese get?

According to research, the full-grown Teacup Maltese would reach the size between 8 and 10 inches at the shoulder and please note that the Toy Maltese is considered to be the toy dog when it reaches to its maximum size as an adult.

Another important point about the miniature Maltese size is that the AKC has set a weight standard for the dogs that are exhibited in the show.

Full grown Teacup Maltese is relatively smaller than the regular Maltese when it is full grown, and the size is so small that it can fit into a teacup and hence this is the reason why it is named as Miniature Maltese.

Do Teacup Maltese Shed?

Teacup Maltese has a coat of pure white, straight and silky hair which reaches all the way to ground.

Maltese has no typical undercoat like other dog breeds, and hence it doesn’t shed much. However, the downside is that the coat easily gets dirty because of its pure white coat.

Moreover, the dog breed is also prone to have tear stains on their face. Combing and grooming of the hair coat daily can give it a luster look even if it is short and trimmed.

This also prevents the mats and keeps their hair clean. Regular bath per week is necessary as they white fur of the dog tends to get dirty quickly.

The Maltese Teacup with long hair is likely to develop mats so; you need to work first to remove the mat first with fingers and spray conditioning oil.

After successful removal of the mat, you can use the end of the comb tooth to lose individual hairs. You must not ever try it pull the entire mat out at once with brush or comb or else it may damage the hair.

So, ensure to remove all the mats before bathing because the mat tends to get tighter when it is wet.

Grooming of your Teacup Maltese regularly is necessary to keep them clean and prevent the mat development in their hair.

Is Teacup Maltese Hypoallergenic?

So, if you have made up your mind to buy the Maltese breed, then the first thing that you might know is that are Teacup Maltese hypoallergenic?

Well, this is an important thing that you must know, especially if you have someone in the family that is allergic to pet hair.

Yes, Teacup Maltese is considered as a hypoallergenic breed of dog because they are compact in size and they don’t shed at all.

However, before buying this breed, you must know the basics of the pet allergies and why you may still experience the reactions of allergy even in the presence of hypoallergenic breed like Teacup Maltese.

Many dog owners believe that dog allergies are because of their hair, but the prime cause of allergen in the home is a glycoprotein.

The glycoprotein is secreted by every dog breed, and it is found in different concentrations in saliva, dander, and urine.

Dog’s Dander usually comprises the higher amount of glycoprotein and hence the primary source of dog allergies is the canine dander.

Even dog with short hair like Teacup Maltese would produce danger and secret glycoprotein, and hence dog allergies are possible at home.

Maltese is the dog breed that is included in the list of hypoallergenic dog bred because they don’t shed as mentioned earlier.

However, this dog breed is supposed to cause minor allergic reactions in owners because they secret less glycoprotein which is believed to be the main irritant.

This teddy bear dog is also known to contribute to shed dander and hence there is no risk of an allergic reaction.

Some of the people have reported that Mini Maltese puppies develop allergies and others have found improvement of their allergic symptoms when they are exposed to the dog.

If you want to learn if you are allergic to the Teacup Maltese or not then prefer spending a day with the puppy and see if you develop any allergic symptoms.

You are likely to develop no allergic reactions to this breed of dog as it is considered the hypoallergenic dog breed.

If you develop milder reactions with the companionship of this dog, then you can remedy the symptoms with regular grooming of the dog, improvising the dog skin condition, using air purifiers and getting medications.

Care of Teacup Maltese

The adult Teacup Maltese usually love to go out for a walk and play outside. They are playful by nature even in their old age.

This dog breed is active indoor, and hence there is no need for any great exercises to maintain their fitness level.

So, owners are not required to indulge them into any rigorous exercises to keep them into shape and fit.

The matter of fact is that owners must wait till the puppy is fully grown or till eight months to take them for a brisk walk outside because before this period their bone is not healthy enough.

Before the full-grown bones walking and other activities are possible.

You must allow your puppy to enjoy playing their favorite games at their own pace until their grown up to be a mature dog.

Before indulging them into any activities, you must take your dog to your vet for a regular checkup and ensure that they are fit enough to play and perform exercises with healthy bones.

Teacup Maltese is the house dog, and hence they won’t withstand extreme heat or cold conditions.

So, it is necessary for the owners to train their puppy so that they don’t go out when the weather condition is too cold or hot.

Feeding Teacup Maltese Puppy

Feeding your Teacup Maltese is essential in a bid to maintain wellbeing and good health of the puppy.

Being the owner of the dog, you must know the types of foods and how to feed them to ensure optimal physical and mental wellbeing of the dog.

Different factors go into determining the amount of food that you need to give your dog. This includes the level of activity, age, and the natural metabolism of the dog.

Their pregnancy is also another factor that is taken into account when deciding the amount of food that is required for a healthy pregnancy of the dog and optimal nutrients for the unborn puppies.

The recommended meal for a dog is 1/4 to 1/2 cup of high-quality dry food per day separated into two meals.

Being the owner, you must understand the crucial period of your puppy’s growth development is the first two years.

Their body and bones tend to grow at a rapid pace, and it is necessary that you provide the ultimate nutrition to their body for optimal growth of the bones and body.

The proper amount of calories, vitamins, and other nutrients need to be supplemented.

The growing puppy usually needs 28 grams to 42 grams of food equal to their body weight once per day.

You must avoid the free feeding methods for the Teacup Maltese.

The puppy that becomes familiar to the free feeding is expected to get used to food even when they become adults. The puppy must only give with one full meal per day.

Feeding Tips for Adult Teacup Maltese

After the first two years, the dog’s feeding methods must be changed.

At this stage, you are required to feed your dog with half an ounce of dog food preferably super quality dry food per body pound each day.

You are required to divide the full meal into several small meals per day. Remember the active Teacup Maltese would demand more food to eat than the usual quantity.

After the age of 7 or above the dog would become more accessible to feed because there is no need of monitoring the growth rate of the dog after they cross the age of 7.

One good meal is required to serve the dog which can be coupled with healthy and fresh snacks.

However, you need to ensure that you provide them food in one corner of your house which has no distractions of noise and foot traffic.

What Are the Cost of Teacup Maltese?

The cost and prices of the Teacup  puppy usually vary depending upon its origin and age. It is estimated that the average cost of a Teacup Maltese puppy is $2250 and the lowest price quoted till now is $700.

So, it varies as mentioned and being the proud owner you need to ensure that you get your money’s worth when it comes to buying the best Teacup Maltese puppy or adult.