Maltese puppies for sale in Miami

The Maltese is one of the oldest toy breeds, kept as a companion for thousands of years around the Mediterranean. It has always been a lap dog, and it takes the job seriously.

Maltese are gentle, affectionate, and playful. They love to be close to their people and often follow you from room to room. Many stay puppy-like and full of fun well into adulthood, then curl up for a long nap.

They are alert and will bark at new sounds or visitors, but early training keeps it manageable. Maltese can be a little shy or sensitive at first, so gentle handling and early socialization help them grow into confident adults. They often get along well with other small dogs and cats.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. Always talk with your vet about your own dog.

Maltese are generally healthy and long-lived, but their small size brings some common problems:

• Dental disease: small mouths crowd the teeth, so tartar and gum disease show up early. Baby teeth sometimes do not fall out on their own and need a vet's help.
• Luxating patella: the kneecap slips out of place, causing skipping or hopping on a back leg.
• Liver shunt (portosystemic shunt): an abnormal blood vessel lets blood bypass the liver. Signs can include slow growth, confusion or odd behavior after meals, and seizures.
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in young puppies, especially if they skip meals.
• Tracheal collapse, which causes a honking cough. A harness instead of a neck collar helps protect the throat.
• Tear staining and eye irritation. Some dogs have blocked tear ducts or hair rubbing the eyes.
• White dog shaker syndrome, a condition that causes whole-body tremors in some small white breeds.

Be careful with anyone who promises a "teacup" Maltese. That is not an official size, and dogs bred to be extra tiny can face more health problems. A healthy Maltese at a normal size is the goal.

Before you choose a puppy, ask what health information is available for the puppy. Useful tests include a patella (knee) exam, an eye exam, a heart check, and a bile acid test to screen for liver shunt.

Call your vet right away if your Maltese has trembling, weakness, or wobbling (a sign of low blood sugar in puppies), seizures, confusion after eating, a honking cough with trouble breathing, a red or squinting eye, sudden limping, or refuses food for more than a day.

Many owners enroll in pet insurance while their puppy is young, before any condition becomes pre-existing. Read the policy closely to see if dental care, knee surgery, and liver problems are covered.

Florida has a pet lemon law that protects puppy buyers. Learn more about your rights under Florida law.

Maltese handle warm weather better than flat-faced breeds, but Miami heat and humidity are still hard on a tiny dog. Walk early in the morning or after sunset, keep walks short, and bring water. Know the signs of heatstroke: heavy panting, drooling, bright red gums, vomiting, or stumbling.

Under that white coat, Maltese often have pink skin that can sunburn, especially on the nose, ears, and along a short haircut's part line. Avoid long stretches in direct sun, choose shady routes, and do not shave down to the skin. Ask your vet about a sunscreen that is safe for dogs.

Maltese are not strong swimmers and chill quickly when wet. Fence or supervise pools, use a small dog life vest near pools, boats, and the beach, and rinse off salt water and sand afterward.

For the Miami basics every dog owner needs, like hot pavement, parked cars, year-round parasites, cane toads and hurricane prep, see our Miami puppy care guide.

The Maltese comes in one color: pure white. The AKC standard allows light tan or lemon on the ears, but white is the goal. The coat is a single layer of long, straight, silky hair with no undercoat, which is why Maltese shed so little.

Their dark eyes, black nose, and dark eye rims stand out against the white coat. Reddish-brown tear stains under the eyes are common. They come from tears and saliva on light hair, and daily face cleaning keeps them under control. If staining suddenly gets worse, ask your vet to check the eyes.

Your first week sets the tone. Here is a simple checklist:

• Get supplies ready: a small crate or playpen, bed, stainless steel or ceramic bowls, the same food your puppy has been eating, a soft harness (not a neck collar), a light leash, ID tag, small chew toys, puppy pads, a pin brush and comb, soft cloths for the face, and a puppy toothbrush
• Book a first vet visit within a few days of bringing your puppy home
• Keep the vaccine schedule going and bring your puppy's records to the vet
• Feed small meals several times a day and watch for signs of low blood sugar
• Start a crate and potty routine on day one: out after waking, eating, and playing
• Puppy-proof your home and teach family members to sit down when holding the puppy
• Begin gentle socialization with new people, sounds, grooming, and surfaces once your vet says it is safe

Questions about the breed or our current litters? Ask us about our Maltese puppies, and see our financing options.