The Maltese, also known as the Maltese dog, is one of the oldest dog breeds in Europe and has a history of at least three thousand years. It was long loved by European noblewomen. The breed is small and adorable, with a long coat that looks very elegant and can be styled in many ways. Even so, the Maltese is not an especially easy breed to raise, and owners without prior dog experience may find it quite troublesome.
The Maltese Can Be Hard to Raise
There is a common saying online that the Maltese is very hard to keep. Why is that? The main reasons are that the Maltese has a very sharp and loud bark, which many people find annoying, and that it is also quite independent and determined, so it does not always obey easily. In intelligence rankings among companion dogs, the Maltese is not especially high, which means training often takes a lot of time and repeated effort before the dog fully understands commands. These are some of the reasons people say the breed is difficult.
Disadvantages of the Maltese
Coat care is one major inconvenience. The long hair must be thoroughly brushed every day. Although the breed does not shed, the coat can drag dirt into the home, especially in rainy weather, because the dog is sensitive to dampness and has to be dried carefully after each outing. This makes the breed unsuitable for people who cannot invest time in grooming. Another drawback is the independent personality mentioned above. Even though the breed is small, it may like to challenge other dogs, and at home it may bark a lot. All of these can become reasons why some people decide the breed is not for them.
As we can see, even a breed like the Maltese, which has lived alongside humans for thousands of years and has been refined over many generations, still has obvious shortcomings. So if you want to raise a dog, the most important thing is to understand your own tolerance. Think clearly about which flaws you can accept and which you cannot. Lowering expectations appropriately is important, because there is no such thing as a perfect dog.