Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Silky coat, long.
A Maltese suits
- A home that changes often, or apartment life (adaptability 4 of 5)
- People who hate dog hair on the sofa (shedding 1 of 5)
- Anyone who wants a natural watchdog (protective nature 4 of 5)
Think twice if
- You don't want regular grooming: coat care is 4 of 5
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 3 and mental stimulation needs of 3 mean a good daily walk and some play. With barking at 3 of 5 and a watchdog score of 4, expect some barking at the door. Grooming at 4 of 5 means brushing several times a week or regular professional grooming.
Popularity
In 2020 it ranked 38.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Lhasa ApsoKidsEnergyShedding
Compare: Maltese vs Pomeranian · Maltese vs Lhasa Apso · Maltese vs Glen of Imaal Terrier
Frequently asked questions
Are Malteses good with kids?
The AKC rates the Maltese 3 out of 5 for being good with young children. Supervise early meetings and teach kids how to handle a dog.
Do Malteses shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 1 out of 5 (very low), and coat grooming 4 out of 5.
Are Malteses easy to train?
Trainability is rated 3 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 3 out of 5.
How much energy does a Maltese have?
Energy is rated 3 out of 5 and playfulness 3 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Maltese page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.