Teacup Maltese – Small & Cute Dog Breed

Two components promise to make any home lively – Children and pets.

When choosing children’s first pets, puppies like baby german shepherds and English golden retrievers are always on top of the list. The mixed medium size like labradoodle or Goldendoodle puppies seem popular these days too. 

Teacup Maltese
Teacup Maltese

What can we say? Aren’t these puppies the most adorable? However, taking care of these dogs when they grow up wouldn’t be easy if you don’t have a big backyard or don’t like to walk your dog often.

If you are not ready for a larger breed, toy breeds like Teacup Maltese are not the wrong choice. 

What Is “Teacup Maltese” And Their Identical Features?

Teacup Maltese are classified in the Toy group along with the standard Maltese. Unlike the standard Maltese, hence the name Teacup Maltese is smaller. This type of dog has the smallest size of all.

A grown-up Teacup Maltese is usually 8 inches high and weighs 4 to 5 pounds, while the pups are less than 7 inches tall and tiny as the size of a teacup. Well, hence the name!

Moreover, the signature appearance of this breed is the black-eyed peas and black noses. The head is a bit round on top; the ears are down and close to the head. The small cute muzzle, chubby body, and small curvy tail make Teacup Maltese’s cuteness overload. 

According to The American Kennel Club (AKC), the coat of this breed is primarily white, with a touch of light tan/lemon on the ears sometimes.

As a chosen breed for children and new dog owners, Teacup Maltese must have something that everyone loves. 

Though small, they are very outgoing, confident, and peaceful, and some are even quiet. Thanks to the well-behaved personality, this breed fits socialization and training well.

But, if the owner spoils a Teacup Maltese or indulges them excessively, they will probably become insecure, yappy, over-dependent, and even loathsome.

Is It A Pure Breed Or Created By Humans? (History Trace)

Despite such a small appearance, Maltese dogs generally have a long history. Maltese breed dogs have existed for at least 29 centuries and were first found on the Island of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea between 6000 BC and 8000 BC. 

After being found and brought back to land, Maltese ancestry caused quite a considerable debate. Theoretically, there are two possible ancestors of Maltese: Spitz-type dogs (possibly from Sweden) and the Tibetan Terrier (from ancient Asia). 

These two possible Maltese ancestors, surprisingly, are large dogs compared to the Maltese themself. So, similar to most toy breeds you see today, Teacup Maltese is another breeder product. 

Over the years, the breeders mixed the East Asian miniature with Miniature Spaniels and light-colored Poodles, which gave birth to various new Maltese species, including the Teacup Maltese that we have today. 

How Long Can A Teacup Maltese Live? 

A Teacup Maltese’s lifespan is 10 to 12 years.
A Teacup Maltese’s lifespan is 10 to 12 years.

The lifespan of a Teacup Maltese can be 10 to 12 years if taken good care of. Females usually live longer than males. If your dogs get enough healthy diet and physical and mental stimulation, they can live longer. Regular checkups with the vet are strongly recommended to detect and treat any health problems before things get ugly.

Will These Dogs Face Any Specific Health Issues? 

Though not every dog will suffer from the same health issues, it’s always best to have your dog checked regularly by a veterinarian. Due to their size, Teacup Maltese can suffer from health issues like:

  • Low blood sugar
  • Dental issues
  • Bone concerns
  • Hearth problems
  • Congenital liver issues
  • Seizures

What Keeps A Happy Healthy Teacup Maltese? 

Charming Teacup Maltese puppies for adoption
Charming Teacup Maltese puppies for adoption

Exercise

Though small, these breed puppies are super enthusiastic. A puppy schedule Teacup Maltese must exercise daily to release their massive energy. What will suit their tiny-some most are walks and fetching games.

Since they are intelligent, this breed is very responsive to tricks. They enjoy competitive sports to show off their smartness.

The dog’s bones will only be strong enough to tolerate the stress and strain from exercise when they get older than eight months, so before training your dog, make sure your dog is old enough for intense physical activity. 

Pee-pee Poo-poo 

There’s another thing to remember if you consider becoming a Teacup Maltese parent. 

The body of Teacup Maltese is so small that it can’t hold much. Therefore, the housebreak rule is torture for them. A doggy door leading to a little indoor box or a small outdoor potty is what you might need. 

Hygiene and Haircare

The fur/hair of Teacup is no undercoat ( a single coat), but its texture is silky, hung flat over the side of his body. Light shedders and are easy to have tear stains on the face are what they are known for. 

Therefore, here are a few things that you should do to care for Teacup Maltese:

  • Daily combing to prevent the hair from becoming matted.
  • Wash eyes and mouth with cloth and warm water daily to stop building up face stains.
  • Clean the teeth regularly to prevent dental issues from occurring.
  • Grooming, especially trimming regularly to keep the look neat. 
  • Bath regularly so the dirt won’t show on white fur. Using a coat conditioner to bring the shine out of their white coat. 

Feeding

Due to their heritage in the palaces (of royalty), eating the best is in their blood. This makes them picky eaters sometimes. To Teacup Maltese, quality is more important than quantity. The best way to treat their tiny stomachs and control low blood sugar at the same time is to feed them small amounts of food several times a day (three to four times). 

Teacup Maltese requires a diet of approximately 20% protein. Fats and oils should be about 5%-10% to help keep your dog’s coat shiny.

45 calories (a quarter to half cup of dry dog food) per pound of weight in a day is what an average adult Teacup Maltese needs. If your dog is more active, it will surely need more. 

Choosing dry food with a small kibble for your toy breed helps your dog eat quickly. If you want to protect your pet’s teeth and prevent any dental problems, later on, mixing kibble with wet food is a great simple way.

Healthy treats will spark your dog with joy on training day.

Last Thoughts! 

To me, dogs are the most loving pet of all. You give them love, and they give you back. I don’t know why some people are obsessed with using toy dogs as accessories when a small dog actually requires much more love and caring. Whether you own a pup or plan to raise one, I hope this piece of information does you well.

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