Teacup Maltese
A Tiny Cupful of Knowledge about the Teacup Maltese
The Teacup Maltese is one of the smallest breeds around. If you are looking for a tiny, cute yappy dog, this may be the dog for you. Here is some other cool information about the Teacup Maltese:
A very, very, very small dog: The teacup Maltese is a very small dog. So small that you can fit them in a teacup when they are puppies. Thus the name. So we are talking about a dog that a house mouse might be able to hold its own against.
Not very bad for allergies: Although Teacup Maltese have a great deal of hair, they don’t tend to shed very much of it. So, unless you are extremely allergic to dog hair, you are unlikely to have a problem with Maltese.
Maltese, not from Malta? Interesting fact: The Maltese probably did not originate on the Island of Malta as its name suggests but came from Asia, where ancient paintings with similar looking dogs have been found. Most likely, Malta was just a stop off as it made its way into Europe in time to be described by Aristotle in his taxonomy of all known animals in the Classical world.
Is a Teacup Maltese for You?
A fragile dog: The Teacup Maltese is very much like a teacup and I don’t just mean because of its size. Like a teacup, the Maltese is a very fragile dog. They can easily be injured or even killed by a careless misstep. If you are not prepared to give this tiny canine the sort of attention it needs, then you should consider getting another dog.
On the other hand, its tiny stature is exactly what attracts most people to the Teacup Maltese. It is a dog that is just too cute for words. You can easily carry this dog around with you in your purse or even clutch, and they are often more than happy to be pampered, though it is not recommended that you overindulge such dogs. They may become a bit snippy if you pamper them too much.
A high maintenance dog: Teacup Maltese are dogs that demand a lot of attention. They need to be petted and groomed more than most dogs and they don’t react well to being left alone for extended periods. If you work long hours you may find that your Maltese has gone to town on your furniture in revenge for your abandonment. In addition, these dogs are highly sensitive to sound and will often bark almost constantly when left alone for long periods. If you live in an apartment complex, your neighbors may complain that while you are gone they cannot get any peace and quiet.
A difficult to potty-train dog: Teacup Maltese have a notorious reputation for resisting potty training. It is quite likely you will not succeed in bending him to your will. So if you have a strong aversion to picking up little poops from your carpet, you probably want to consider another, more malleable dog. Even if you do succeed in potty training your Maltese, it is likely that other accidents will tend to occur. Because the Teacup Maltese’s stomach is so sensitive, it is highly likely that you will have some episodes of vomit cleanup during your tenure as Maltese caretaker.
A finicky dog: Maltese dogs also tend to be picky about what they eat. Once you find a food that he likes you should stick to it, (a good idea with most dogs anyway). You should also avoid feeding him house scraps since his sensitive stomach is likely to reject these kinds of food. Maltese often vomit when given different or unusual foods. They also sometimes have difficulty with digestion and breathing problems. They easily catch colds as well.
If despite these warnings you still want get one of these wonderful little critters then go ahead. One of the things that you might consider is getting an older abandoned Maltese from your home. These lovely older dogs are in most need of adoption.