Maltese
Small, close and happy at home.
Also: Bichón maltés
The Maltese — Bichón maltés in Colombia — is a companion dog of 3–4 kg (7–9 lb), cheerful and very attached to its family. It suits people who spend a good part of the day at home and enjoy brushing a coat daily. It is not for homes where it would be alone for many hours, or for anyone looking for a sports partner.
The Maltese is a companion dog in the literal sense: it wants to be wherever you are. It is cheerful, alert and adapts well to an apartment, but it copes badly with long hours alone.
- Adult size
- 20–25 cm (8–10 in) · 3–4 kg (7–9 lb)
- Energy
- Moderate
- Temperament
- affectionate · cheerful · devoted
- Care
- High (coat)
- Health
- Tests on the parent dogs: patellar luxation, PRA, heart exam.
Before you go on
Does it fit your life?
It is for you if…
- You want a small dog that stays close to you.
- You spend a good part of the day at home.
- You enjoy caring for a coat every day.
It is not for you if…
- Your dog would spend many hours alone.
- You want a sports companion.
- You have no time for brushing.
Living with a Maltese
Feeding, health and care, step by step
Feeding a puppy by age and size: how many meals a day and which food to choose
From four meals a day down to two, what to look for on the food label, and why calcium matters in large breeds and blood sugar in very small puppies.
Spaying or neutering your dog: when to do it and why the right age depends on size
There is no single age: small dogs are usually spayed or neutered at around six months, and large dogs once they have finished growing. Evidence, breed studies and Colombian law.
Dog coat care by coat type: brushing, bathing and trimming
Long and silky, curly, feathered, double, or short and dense: each coat calls for different brushing, bathing and trimming. And a double coat is never shaved.
Our parent dogs’ health tests
Every parent has health tests you can see and verify.
The pages of this breed’s parent dogs, with their tests and documents, are published in Meet the parents.
Climate and life in Colombia
Does your city suit a Maltese?
It adapts to every climate zone (piso térmico) in Colombia as long as the coat is looked after. In the hot lowlands (tierra caliente) — the Caribbean coast, Cúcuta, Neiva — it does better with a short coat and walks outside the sunniest hours; in the cool highlands, such as Bogotá, Tunja or Pasto, it needs to be dried completely after a bath and a light coat to wear.
| City | Altitude and climate zone | Maltese |
|---|---|---|
| BogotáBogotá D.C. | ≈ 2,550 m (8,370 ft)Cool | Suits it wellDry the coat fully after a bath, and add a light sweater if it is clipped very short. |
| MedellínAntioquia | ≈ 1,470 m (4,820 ft)Temperate | Suits it wellNo special care needed for the climate. |
| CaliValle del Cauca | ≈ 950 m (3,120 ft)Hot | AdaptsWith a short coat, water always within reach and walks early in the morning or after dark. |
| BarranquillaAtlántico | ≈ 110 m (360 ft)Hot | AdaptsWith a short coat, water always within reach and walks early in the morning or after dark. |
Casa Trufa’s general view based on each city’s altitude; it does not replace your veterinarian’s assessment.
Frequently asked questions
What we are asked most about the Maltese.
How much does a Maltese cost in Colombia?
Third-party ads and websites checked in October 2026 show figures between COP 1,300,000 and COP 4,500,000, and higher for dogs advertised as “toy”. The difference comes from the parents’ health tests, registration, vaccinations, the microchip and the support that follows. Casa Trufa does not publish a fixed figure: we tell you on WhatsApp, litter by litter.
Is there such a thing as a “mini toy” or “teacup” Maltese?
Not as a variety. The FCI standard describes a single size, of about 3–4 kg (7–9 lb). “Mini”, “toy” and “teacup” are marketing labels. Breeding for the smallest possible size is linked to hypoglycemia and fragile bones.
Is the Maltese hypoallergenic?
No dog is one hundred percent hypoallergenic. The Maltese sheds very little, and many people with mild allergies tolerate it better than other breeds, but allergies are also triggered by saliva and dander. If someone at home is allergic, the sensible thing is to spend a few hours with an adult Maltese before deciding.
Can a Maltese handle the hot climate of the Caribbean coast?
Yes, with care: a short coat or “puppy cut”, walks early or after dark, fresh water and shade. The breed adapts well to both the hot lowlands and the cool highlands; in Bogotá, what it needs is a light coat to wear and to be dried completely after a bath.
Can it stay alone in an apartment?
Its size and moderate energy make it a very good apartment dog, but it copes badly with many hours alone: this is a dog that wants to be where you are. If the home is empty all day, you need to plan routines, a dog walker or daycare — or wait for a different moment to have a dog.
“A dog is not just a pet; it is a companion for life. That is why every decision matters.”
Casa Trufa