# Mini, toy and teacup Maltese: what nobody tells you

https://casatrufa.com/en/guides/teacup-maltese-the-truth

By Casa Trufa · Published: 2026-10-07 · For information only: it does not replace a visit to your veterinarian

They don’t exist as varieties. The FCI standard describes a single Maltese, of about 3–4 kg (7–9 lb). “Mini”, “toy”, “mini toy” and “teacup” are words from ads, used to ask more for smaller dogs, and breeding for that size is associated with hypoglycemia and fragile bones. A standard Maltese is already a very small dog.

## In short

- The Maltese has one recognized size: about 3–4 kg (7–9 lb).
- “Mini toy” and “teacup” appear in no standard: they are marketing labels.
- In ads, the “toy” label raises the asking price to COP 5,000,000 or more.
- Extreme size carries risks: hypoglycemia, fractures and crowded teeth.
- Casa Trufa raises standard-size Maltese and shows you the parents.

## How big is a Maltese, really?

[FCI standard No. 65](https://www.fci.be/es/nomenclature/MALTESE-65.html) describes a single breed, with no size varieties. An adult Maltese weighs around **3 to 4 kg (7–9 lb)** and stands a little over 20 cm (8 in) at the withers; the ones we raise are between 20 and 25 cm (8–10 in).

Put that in perspective: it is less than a large cat weighs. You don’t need any “mini” version to have a dog that fits in a small apartment, travels in the cabin and can be carried in your arms.

## So where do “mini”, “toy” and “teacup” come from?

From the market. In Colombia, Google’s autocomplete suggests “bichón maltés mini toy” almost before you have finished typing the breed’s name, and ads respond to that search. In the listings we looked at in October 2026, a Maltese was advertised at between COP 1,300,000 and COP 4,500,000; with the word “toy”, from COP 5,000,000 upward.

There are three different things behind the same label:

- **A normal Maltese** that was called “mini” because every eight-week-old puppy is tiny.
- **The smallest of its litter**, which may grow just like its siblings or be small because of a health problem.
- **A dog bred to be a dwarf**, the offspring and grandoffspring of the smallest dogs. This is the case that should worry you.

## What are the risks of a “teacup” Maltese?

When the aim of breeding is to bring size down below what the breed produces naturally, health stops being the main criterion. The problems most often associated with that practice are:

- **Hypoglycemia.** A very small puppy has few reserves: skipping one meal can end in an emergency.
- **Fragile bones.** Jumping off the sofa or being stepped on by accident can mean a fracture.
- **A small mouth for the same teeth**, with crowding and early tooth loss.
- **An open fontanelle** and other signs of incomplete development.
- **More risk under any anesthesia**, including a dental cleaning.

> This list is for guidance only. If you already have a very small Maltese, your veterinarian is the one who can tell you what to watch for in your dog’s case.

## Is it misleading to advertise a “mini toy Maltese”?

If it is presented as a variety of the breed, yes. Colombia’s [Law 1480 of 2011 (Consumer Statute)](http://www.secretariasenado.gov.co/senado/basedoc/ley_1480_2011.html) requires that the information about what is handed over be truthful and prohibits misleading advertising. Promising a “guaranteed” adult size that nobody can guarantee falls squarely within that.

It doesn’t take bad faith for this to happen: many people repeat the words because that is what gets searched for. But anyone who breeds should know that the standard doesn’t contain them.

## How do you choose a small, healthy Maltese?

- **Look at the parents.** If both weigh between 3 and 4 kg (7–9 lb), the puppy has everything it needs to end up there.
- **Ask about the parents’ tests:** patellar luxation, PRA (progressive retinal atrophy) and a heart exam, with documents.
- **Be wary of “the smallest of the litter”** presented as something special and more expensive.
- **Ask for the weight in writing as a range**, never as an exact figure.
- **Check the age:** a puppy handed over at five or six weeks looks “mini” because it is too young.

That last one is more common than it seems. Handing over a puppy before eight weeks makes it look smaller in photos and brings the payment forward; it takes away from the puppy weeks with its mother that can’t be made up.

## What does Casa Trufa do?

The standard describes a single size, and that is the one to look for: be wary of anyone who chooses their parent dogs for being the smallest. The parents of each litter, with their tests, are in [Meet the parents](https://casatrufa.com/en/our-dogs).

If what you are looking for is a dog even lighter than a Maltese, the most honest thing we can tell you is not to look for one. And if you are torn between the Maltese and its most popular cross, see [Maltese vs Maltipoo](https://casatrufa.com/en/compare/maltese-vs-maltipoo).

## Frequently asked questions

**Is there such a thing as a toy Maltese?** Not as a variety. The FCI standard describes a single size of Maltese, of about 3–4 kg (7–9 lb). “Toy” is a word from ads that usually makes the puppy more expensive.

**How much does a full-grown Maltese weigh?** Around 3–4 kg (7–9 lb). An adult well below that weight usually comes from breeding for extreme size or has a health problem.

**How much does a “mini toy” Maltese cost in Colombia?** In third-party ads checked in October 2026, the “toy” label appeared with asking prices of COP 5,000,000 or more, compared with COP 1,300,000 to COP 4,500,000 without it. Paying more for a smaller dog is paying for a risk.

**What health problems does a teacup Maltese have?** The problems most often associated with breeding for extreme size are hypoglycemia, fractures from fragile bones and dental problems from lack of room in the mouth. Your veterinarian can assess each case.

## Sources

1. [FCI: estándar n.º 65, Maltés (FCI standard No. 65, Maltese; page in Spanish)](https://www.fci.be/es/nomenclature/MALTESE-65.html)
2. [Ley 1480 de 2011, Estatuto del Consumidor (Law 1480 of 2011, Consumer Statute)](http://www.secretariasenado.gov.co/senado/basedoc/ley_1480_2011.html). Legal guarantee and the information owed to consumers
3. [MercadoLibre Colombia: Maltese listings (bichón maltés)](https://listado.mercadolibre.com.co/bichon-maltes). Range of ads read in the search engine’s summary, October 2026