The Maltese is a breed of dog with a long history dating back to the Renaissance era. All these dogs are characterized by being docile and excellent companions, as they easily adapt to family environments and can live without problems with children and other pets. Today we are going to learn about the temperament of the Maltese puppy and its behavior.
Maltese Bichon Breed History
The Maltese Bichons have a curious history, since the date or exact moment in which these dogs appeared in the world is not known. There are various theories where it is said that these appeared, an example of this would be in the year 350 BC. C., it is said that sculptures of these animals could be found adorning the tomb of Ramses II, this has not been proven as it could be a similar breed.
Formerly they were known by various names, one of them was the Maltese terrier. It is even believed that the breed was originally from Italy, since there are records where it is said that they were in that country in the year 45 BC. C. when the monarchy was at its peak.
the island of malta
Currently, the most powerful theory about where the Maltese bochons were created is the one that states that they originate from Malta, Italy. According to what is believed, these could have been brought to that place when the Phoenicians colonized that Italian region, from there the distribution of the race to the nearest foreign countries would begin until they finally spread throughout Europe and the world.
These dogs also managed to reach the Mediterranean where their popularity also increased, especially among females, this due to the temperament of the breed, the Maltese Bichons have always been characterized by being faithful and extremely friendly animals with their owners and caregivers, without However, they are protective, when a stranger approaches, they can be cautious and even aggressive if they sense danger.
During that same time, these dogs were especially popular in some places in Asia, mainly in Tibet where they were worshiped and treated as a member of the family to which they belonged. Those who managed to have this breed were mostly wealthy people from prestigious families. They adored the bichons so much that they even bought them clothes and jewelry as expensive as the one they wore themselves.
Its expansion in Europe
For many centuries now, this breed of dog has stood out for being one of the favorites of wealthy families and women, since the temperament of the Maltese has always been prominent among them. In addition to this, they are very popular dogs in the canine trade. His fidelity, tender appearance and friendly behavior with his owners has led him to be one of the favorites for families in Italy, France, England and Germany.
Maltese Bichon Characteristics
These Small dogs They stand out on their own because they are animals with a very cute appearance and also a good and cheerful temperament. Not all the families that acquire these dogs have been able to integrate them into their homes, however, that has not detracted from their popularity, the Maltese Bichons are considered, together with the Yorkshire Terrier and the chihuahua, as one of the most sought after breeds by families because they are friendly, social and very intelligent dogs, which makes them easy to learn commands and behaviors.
Physical and variants of its development
The adult maltese bichon They are considered among the small breeds of dogs and even the minis, their weight does not exceed 3 kilograms, this being the one corresponding to that of larger specimens. Its height could vary between 20 and 25 cm. These animals have abundant and long fur, which is striking because they can be given different cuts and hairstyles, this is one of the characteristics that women and children like the most.
The fur of the bichon is essentially white, it has no other range of colors, it covers the body of the animal completely. Their density does not change, so they are always compared to a ball of fur or a teddy bear. The texture of it is smooth, however, sometimes it can be some with small curls at the ends of its strands.
Short snout and dense fur
The snout of this breed of dog is short compared to some others, however, it is not so short as to be considered a problem for their breathing. The entire breed in general has black lips and sometimes this hue extends to their gums and palate. His eyes are mostly black or brown, varying between their different shades. The ears, like the tail, are long and with abundant fur, which makes them look even more tender.
Maltese Bichons are considered to have short legs compared to those other breeds that are of a similar size. This breed of dog may seem delicate, but this is far from reality, their body is quite resistant, as they are designed so that their head can resist soft blows without being damaged, they also have strong muscles. That is why they are considered perfect to be with children, since they will be able to resist playing with them, even if their physiognomy does not seem so.
Maltese behavior
These are considered to be happy and very energetic dogs, they love to be active and play with their owners or other pets around them. They are dogs that love to spend time with their humans and also fully trust them. Although they are small dogs, they are overflowing with energy. For the Maltese, everything that happens around them can be turned into a game where they will always want their family to participate.
This breed is considered one of the best to be pets, as their affable, affectionate and sociable personality makes them ideal for this task. They are ideal for those who are looking for dogs that can be pampered and caressed, as they like to receive affection and can also be easily trained due to their intelligence and desire to obey their owners.
The appearance of the bichon will always be similar to that of a puppy, this makes them adorable and get the attention of many people, which is why they are easily accepted in almost all environments. They are usually very loved by children because, just as they love to play almost all the time, this makes them excellent companions for infants, however, you always have to be vigilant, because these dogs can become a bit aggressive. if they are constantly attacked or harassed.
Although they are strong and resistant despite their size and weight, they are dogs that could easily get hurt if they are not treated properly or if they are placed in risky situations for them. Their small sizes make them ideal for transporting from one place to another and for travel by land, air or water.
In families with young children
For these dogs to be much more tolerant when dealing with children, they can be trained, because we must remember that most of the time, dogs tend to be just another toy and sometimes the little ones are not careful with their treatment. That is why it is recommended to learn how to train a maltese puppy to be tolerant and that from an early age children are taught how to treat pets ideally. These being a breed that adapts easily, they can quickly learn how to behave with the child.
This breed of dog really enjoys being outdoors, although they are perfect as companions, they love to play in yards or parks as they are free to run without hurting themselves or colliding with other objects. The sociability of this breed allows them to easily integrate into dog parks, as they will seek to play with other dogs, as long as they are courteous and do not show aggression. However, the Bichon may be a bit intimidated by large or giant breeds of dogs, as they would feel cornered by their large size difference.
Maltese puppy training
The Maltese can be easily trained as they are usually very intelligent. This breed is ideal for obstacle and agility training, their constant energy makes them very good in this area as long as they are taught correctly. The most recommended thing is that they are trained from an early age and taught to obey simple obedience orders, otherwise they could adopt negative behaviors due to excess energy.
The first thing we must take into account before starting training the malteses, is that the dog must know what place it occupies within the "pack" that the members of the family represent, since it is very common in small dogs that, when pampered, they believe they are dominant and that they can do his will.
Being highly intelligent dogs, if they are not properly trained and taught their hierarchy, they could believe that bad behavior is accepted by their owner. They are fast learners, they will not take too long to learn orders and behaviors, however, this can be counterproductive, since, if you are not attentive, they can learn just as quickly, negative attitudes, which is why they must be corrected and not awarded as quickly as possible.
The Maltese Bichon hardly forgets something once it learns it, that is why, if they are constantly allowed to sleep in bed or eat everything that falls on the floor, it will be difficult for them to stop doing it once it is habitual in them. The ideal is that from puppies they are trained with character, making it clear to them what behavior is accepted and what is not.
In the same way, care should be taken with obtaining prizes, because if they are given constantly and not only when good behavior is praised, they will become confused and may stop associating it as a reward.
positive reinforcement
The best way to show the dog that you want him to learn a behavior is through positive reinforcement, when he does something appropriate, go when you call him, heed the commands or calm his energy when you can, remember to give him a reward, the prize can be his favorite toy, a treat he likes, or a show of affection. Any of these ways will convey to him that what he has done is good and for that he has been rewarded, if on the contrary he ignores any request, then we simply leave them without reward.
These canines create a strong emotional bond with their owners, so we must avoid as much as possible the use of physical punishment or shouting when correcting wrong behaviors, as this would lead them to be insecure and scared, which would cause bad habits to be created. and it could even cause the dog to become aggressive towards other people due to its insecurity.
As Maltese Bichons are dogs with quite a loud bark and they are constantly protecting their territory, then we must correct this behavior through training, teaching them that a more relaxed behavior will be rewarded as opposed to an excessively active or mistaken one. Teaching them to hold still until called, sit and lie down will reinforce the approach we want to teach you about calm and assertive behavior.
These are dogs that, being so small in size, should not be trained for working dogs, that is, it is recommended that they not be used to carry loads on them or in their snouts, as these could affect their health. Medium, large or giant sized dogs can be trained for these functions because they can easily bring their owner any object they need.
Bark
The Maltese Bichon can be considered a guard dog, because being so protective and territorial they will be constantly vigilant that there are no irregularities in their home, if there are, the canine will be the first to give notice through its strident barking. These dogs have a strong voice, so correcting their incessant barking since they are puppies is the surest way to prevent this from turning into erratic behavior later.
This breed can be very nervous when faced with loud and constant sounds, which is why since they were little they should be exposed to these sounds for short periods of time so that they get used to them, these noises can be: the sound of the house bell, phone calls, the noise of vehicles and even the screams of children playing. When they are faced with these noises and have an assertive and relaxed behavior, they should be rewarded in order to stimulate them to learn that this is the right thing to do.
Aspects to take into account of the Maltese Bichon
There are different aspects that we must take into consideration before deciding to adopt a puppy or dog of this breed, because like all of them, it will have some favorable and unfavorable points that we must know to know if the animal may or may not be part of our family or whether he will adjust well to living with us.
Temperament
The temperament of the Maltese is very good. They are dogs with a fairly high intelligence so teaching them tricks, behaviors and commands will not be a problem, however, you must be very careful because they are energetic dogs, and if they are not trained correctly it could become a problem. Being dogs with such an adorable appearance, people tend to indulge them excessively, letting them do what they want without correcting their bad behaviors, this should not be allowed because it can harm the dog in the long term.
It is not necessary that the training of the Maltese puppy be excessively rigorous, teaching them the basics, such as remaining still until called, sitting down or the command "no", will be enough to make their fast-paced life much calmer and more positive. for both the family and the canine. However, if you wish you can teach them some acrobatic tricks, their personality combines perfectly with this type of training.
Life expectancy
This breed of dog is very long-lived, so it can live for more than 15 years quietly as long as they are properly cared for. They are not dogs that suffer from diseases constantly, so they should be kept under normal control with your veterinarian. As these dogs get older they tend to remain active and mischievous, so their age will not show as much as other canines.
These are dogs that, despite their size and appearance, can have unexpected strength and energy. Always cheerful and full of vigor, they will fill your life with joy and love, as they are faithful companions and friends who will always want to be by your side and that of your entire family, because more than dogs, these are considered part of the family since with her personality and sweetness more than earn that position.
Cleaning
Adequate attention must be paid to the cleanliness of these dogs, especially with regard to their coat, since it is so particular, it must be constantly cared for using soft bristle brushes to comb them. We must be careful that branches or dirt do not get entangled in their hair that could cause it to become entangled, since, being an abundant and long coat, this could happen and it would be necessary to cut it to be able to untangle it.
We also recommend that, if you want to get him used to a toothbrushing routine, that it be taught from the time he is born. maltese puppy comes home, as this will help him get used to and accept the routine without problems. Another thing that we must always observe are their ears and eyes, because the hair could get into them and cause some discomfort that can lead to injuries or illnesses.
Food
These are dogs that can gain weight easily, therefore, we must be very careful with the maltese dog food what do we buy. A balanced diet is the most suitable for them. We should avoid as much as possible giving human food to these canines, as they could get used to it and stop eating their own food.
When they are training, we must keep controlled the amount of treats they are given, as these could negatively influence their weight. There are some treats low in fat and sugar that we could give them as a reward, these are specially designed for those dogs on a diet or that for health reasons should eat foods low in carbohydrates and sugar.
Precautions
Curious by nature, this breed of dog can easily get into trouble if they are allowed to go freely through dangerous places, which is why, at the time of the walk, it is recommended that they always have their harness on, so you will have easy control over the dogs. places where you go. If you have a patio at home, you should make sure that there are no dangerous places in it, and if there are, you should remove them. You also have to be vigilant because their curiosity could lead them to approach potentially dangerous animals.
In addition to this, it is recommended to implement Microchipping for Dogs that can help us to know where your puppy is if it is lost, or to locate its family if it is rescued.
As owners we must avoid showing fear in front of them, because we could transmit them and this would cause the dog to become insecure and skittish, which could have negative consequences in the future. They depend on us and we must show them that we can protect them from everything they fear, so they will gain confidence in themselves and in us.
