The Teacup Maltese weighs only 4 pounds and is an adorable breed! The size of the Litter Chihuahua is almost similar to that of the Teacup Chihuahua. The popularity of this breed of dog has increased greatly over the past two decades because of its cute fluffy white coat and friendly and loving nature. Puppies like these make excellent companions and lapdogs due to their wonderful, playful personalities.
Read on below to find out everything you need to know about this dog or whether you should add one to your family.
History Of The Teacup Maltese
Maltese dogs come in different sizes, including Teacup Maltese. Miniature Poodles and Spaniels were crossed into the line to create a smaller variation of the breed. There has never been a change in a breed standard since 1964.
American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize the Maltese as a breed and classifies it as a small Maltese. It is possible that the Kennel Club has registered your Maltese as a Maltese, but it is also possible that he or she is too small to qualify for registration.
Breed Origin of Teacup Maltese
Maltese dogs originate from Malta, but they are not widely known for their origins. There is a possibility that this dog descends from a Swiss Spitz-type dog, or from a Tibetan Terrier-type dog. For a number of years, people believed the Maltese were related to the Bichon, but this is not the case.
Maltese dogs are believed to have been bred around 500 BC. Breeds such as the ones we know today were miniaturized and bred in the 17th and 18th centuries, however. A floor-length coat and their size made them very popular among the rich.

Characteristics of the Teacup Maltese
The Teacup Maltese breed is created by crossing two Maltese dogs of very small size. It is common for a Maltese to produce just one or two puppies in a litter, as opposed to three puppies as with a standard Maltese.
Due to the difficulty and danger of breeding, these puppies are expensive, and their mothers’ health may suffer as well. An average Teacup puppy costs between $750 and $2,000, depending on the breed. If you plan to buy a dog from a breeder, you should make sure they are reputable.
Appearance
Maltese dogs are very small and adorable, and the Teacup Maltese is one of them. The average height and weight of these dogs are approximately 8 inches and 4 pounds, respectively. Their round faces and black eyes make them easy to recognize.
Coat
There is a thick single coat on this teacup dog. In addition, they do not shed because they do not have an undercoat, making their coat hypoallergenic.
Depending on how much you groom them, Teacup Maltese can have long or short coats. A more detailed discussion of grooming will follow.
Color
Teacup Maltese is only allowed to be white, according to breed standards. It has been illegal since 1913 to wear any other color.
Temperament of Teacup Maltese
There’s nothing more pleasant than being around your humans than having a Teacup Maltese around! In addition to being bred to be lapdogs, Maltese still love to cuddle up to their owner and show how much they care.
There is a wonderful playful side to the Maltese, however, which does not make it a lazy breed! Playing games keeps them on their toes, and they thrive when they get to join in with you. It is a happy dog breed that loves life, regardless of its small size. They are less likely to develop yapy tendencies than other small breeds.
Since they are small, they can be wary of other dogs, especially bigger ones. In order for this pup to learn that they don’t need to be afraid, socialization is crucial. It is fortunate for Maltese owners that they are quick learners and love people, so socialization should not be a problem. The training process is also made easy, which is great for people who are learning how to own a dog for the first time.
Lifespan of Teacup Maltese
The average life expectancy of a Teacup Maltese is between 12 and 15 years.
Known Health Issues of Teacup Maltese
There are a few health concerns associated with the Teacup Maltese, as with any breed of dog. A dog with hypoglycemia faces the greatest health risks. Maintaining your Teacup Maltese’s blood sugar levels is easier when you feed them three to four times a day.
In addition to liver and heart problems, these pups can suffer from respiratory issues as well. Their small size means higher vet bills, so prospective owners need to be prepared. You will be able to catch any issues before they become untreatable if you keep an eye on your dog and take him to the vet regularly.
Daily Life of Teacup Maltese
Now that we know what the Teacup Maltese is all about, let’s take a look at what life with one is like. We will discuss their diet and exercise requirements, as well as their grooming requirements.
Food and Diet of Teacup Maltese
This small dog eats very little, as is expected of a Teacup Maltese. Despite the fact that they’re small, they’re not picky eaters! Food will only be needed once a day for them.
Your Teacup Maltese’s weight will determine how much of a certain food you should feed them.
Your Teacup Maltese dog should always be fed high-quality food that meets all its nutritional needs. Low blood sugar is more likely to develop in these dogs, so they should be fed little and often. Below you will find our recommendations for dog food.
Best Dog Food for the Teacup Maltese
Dogs need real poultry to flourish, and Wag Dry Dog Food for Puppies, Chicken & Lentil Recipe is loaded with actual poultry. Protein is essential for your dog’s health. Their recipes are formulated with the help of doctors without adding grains to provide your dog with the right ratio of fat and protein. You can expect your canine copilot to stay strong and energetic with about 36% of his meals being protein. A quality control team in the USA checks each batch to ensure it meets our high standards. The ingredients are also mixed there to ensure they are of the highest quality.
Exercise
Teacup Maltese don’t require much exercise, which isn’t surprising considering their size. It is still important that they get some exercise, and you can take them for a walk, but you should keep in mind that their small bodies cannot handle a lot of physical activity. It will be enough for these dogs to walk twice a day for 15 minutes.
As a result of their size, Maltese owners often carry them around without exercising them. Your Maltese may gain weight as a result!
Playing games with your Maltese is one of the best ways to keep them active! Due to their intelligence, these pups do well when mentally stimulated, as well as engaging with their humans.
Family Compatibility
Teacup Maltese dogs love people, so they are ideal family pets! As playful as they are, they enjoy playing with both adults and children and always want to be the center of attention during family fun. At your feet, they often wonder if they can join the party!
With their small size, Teacup Maltese are ideal for families lacking space for a large dog, but still wanting a playful and fun-loving pup! As a result of their size, this breed of dog may have difficulty climbing stairs, so they thrive in single-story or non-staircase homes.
Very young children should be supervised around Teacup Maltese because of its small size. The boisterous behavior of children could end up hurting your Maltese unintentionally! In addition to being nervous when they first meet other dogs, Teacup Maltese can learn to love them very easily!
Training of Teacup Maltese
Teacup Maltese are easy dogs to train because they are intelligent and eager to please their owners. Positive reinforcement training and reward-based training work best for Teacup Maltese. This includes verbal praise and treats.
Training your dog shouldn’t lead to anger or frustration. This may cause them to not want to learn because they do not understand what is happening. Positive behavior should be praised and negative behavior ignored so children learn which is preferable.
The most challenging part of owning a Teacup Maltese is housebreaking her. Due to their small bladders, they cannot be blamed. When you feed, sleep, or play with your dog, assume they will need to go potty.
Socializing
Teacup Maltese dogs are very sociable dogs, as we’ve mentioned. Humans are generally a favorite of theirs, as they get along with adults and children alike. Although this is the case, you should still socialize with them at a young age. Due to their small size, they can be wary of other dogs if you introduce them to them.
The best way to expose a child to new sights, sounds, places, smells, people, and animals is to introduce them to them safely and in a controlled environment when they are young. Once they are grown up, they will be a well-rounded dogs without fears!
Grooming
It is largely up to you how much grooming your Teacup Maltese needs! Owners often clip their Maltese dogs so their coats are short, less than an inch long. Their maintenance needs are much lower since they only need to be brushed once a week.
Your Teacup Maltese will require daily brushing if you decide to keep his coat long. This is essential to prevent matt. For them to remain tear-free, you’ll have to bathe them every week.
If your Teacup Maltese’s nails need to be cut, you can ask your groomer to do so on occasion. The Teacup Maltese is also prone to dental problems, such as decay and disease, so you should brush their teeth regularly to prevent these problems.
Conclusion
There’s nothing better than a Teacup Maltese dog to cuddle with, and it’s a friendly family dog. Despite their small size, these pups are excellent family members, even in smaller homes with children. It’s common to hear their owners say they’re playful and friendly, despite their small size. A Teacup Maltese is an ideal first pet because of its low exercise and grooming needs.
FAQs
Playful teacup Maltese love getting into everything, but they can tire themselves out quickly because of their small size. The only exercise they need is to putter about the house and get into innocent mischief. They tend to continue puppy play into adulthood.
In addition to hypoglycemia, heart defects, collapsed tracheas, seizures, respiratory problems, digestive problems, and blindness, teacup dogs may also suffer from hypoglycemia, heart diseases, and cardiac defects. It also increases the risk of liver shunts due to breeding practices, says Meeks.
The average Maltese dog sleeps between 12 and 14 hours during a 24-hour period. It is normal for a person to take at least one nap during the day, but even two or three short naps are acceptable.
Why Keeping Maltese Teeth Clean is Critical. When your Maltese is done teething, he will have 42 tiny adult teeth. Your efforts to keep his teeth clean will last him forever if you have already taken care of them.