My Maltese is so stubborn. A ring of darker pigmentation, called a “halo”, surrounds the eyes and gives the dog an adorable, expressive look that’s not common to other dog breeds. For example, the Pug, Chihuahua, Great Pyrenees and Saint Bernard are all fair intelligent dogs, though still intelligent in other ways. The club holds specialty shows for the breed multiple times a year. Most of us assume a mix of Yorkshire Terrier and Maltese dog results in the best of both breeds — a loyal companion who’s smart as a Yorkie, and as loving as a Maltese. For example, the Maltese Club of Southern California works to promote the exhibition and education of the breed. Socialization is key for a Maltese’s nature. You can get your Maltese to master a ton of tricks in no time, as long as you reward them with plenty of praise and love (and treats!). However, because there has been little interest in developing the malshi as an independent breed, most of these dogs till date are crosses from the two independent parent breeds, rather than being developed from other Mal-shi parents. When I have a treat in my hand, he’s the most obedient dog ever. With praise and treats, these dogs pick up on commands very easily. The breed has a reputation of being picky eaters, for one. If you take your adult Maltese on long walks, it’s advised that you give the dog a break about every 20 minutes. The Maltese offers a gentle, playful, and graceful temperament. The nose can pale and turn to a lighter brown or pink color in an environment that lacks sunlight. You will find no lack of adorableness, loyalty, or intelligence in this famous toy dog breed. After a while, you can gradually prolong the time in the crate. Both were easy to train, sweet and all around wonderful dogs.”, 6. In other words, it could take a whole day to teach a Maltese a command. The Maltese is gentle, affectionate, intelligent, responsive and trusting. One of the most amusing facts about the Maltese is their utilitarian role as a heating instrument. Due to the lack of an undercoat, the Maltese doesn’t shed much. Yeah…she’s not the brightest bulb but she’s the most lovable dog ever.”, 8. In fact, they’re the 111th smartest dogs out of 138 qualifying breeds. This site is owned and operated by Jenco Digital LLC. The Maltese has a long and silky coat that parts from the top of the head across the back to the tail. The Maltese can soften the Yorkie’s more aggressive side. The front legs are completely straight and sturdy, while the hind legs are slightly angled at the stifles (knees) and hocks. Why the Maltese Ranked Low For Intelligence. So how did they compare to the world’s smartest dog breeds? Some are more confident and friendly, others are more cautious or standoffish. For example, Border Collies are some of the best herding dogs in the world. Instinctive intelligence refers to the innate ability or skill that a dog was bred to do. This group ensures each Maltese gets proper veterinary care and places them in foster homes until they can find the perfect adoptive family for the dog. Because Maltese are so focused on their people, they take well to training. In my opinion, this may be the most important aspect of canine intelligence. In fact, Roman women wore Maltese dogs as fashion accessories in their sleeves or bosoms, earning the breed the name “Roman Ladies’ Dog.” After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Chinese took a liking to the breed and mixed it with the Tibetan terrier and other Eastern breeds. Activity Level. Similarly, no mixed dog breeds participated as there are simply too many variations. The fact that they instinctively know how to round up livestock and drive them towards a direction requires this special instinctive intelligence. Obedience and working IQ is the easiest to objectively measure. I mean, they’re popular dogs for a reason. All mats should be removed before bathing because water can make the tangles worse. People fall head over heels for this breed because of its adorable look, but their loyal personality makes them a fantastic option for anyone that’s looking for a canine friend. Although Maltese have a high energy level, they require little exercise. A simple daily walk or active play session (of about 20 minutes) will be enough to keep this breed healthy. The Maltese is one of the oldest toy breeds in history. In addition, only dog breeds recognized by the AKC and/or CKC participated in the trials. Foods made from primarily whole proteins are ideal because dogs are omnivores that require high amounts of protein to support all the systems in their body. Maltese are the happiest and healthiest when they receive adequate attention, training, and grooming from their owners. Here’s what his criteria was: Coren received a huge response from the obedience judges that volunteered to help. Malteses are the perfect playmates for both adults and children. A Maltese’s appearance can quickly become unruly if not maintained properly, and their general health degrades if you don’t take preventative measures. This condition is found in other toy breeds as well like terriers and poodles. Dennsroberts1n says Yes: “My Maltese is a super smart dog..and it’s a bit comical. Since Maltese are so small, children are more tempted to handle them roughly, and this could potentially injure the fragile Maltese. This breed loves to be cuddled and held, and their small size makes them perfect for the job. This will help keep it detangled, prevent mats, and ensure your pet looks their best. For reference, there are a ton of popular dog breeds in the same intelligence class as the Maltese. They were especially popular in Greek, Roman, and Egyptian cultures – this has been well-documented by the tombs and artifacts that these civilizations left behind. Plus, a Maltese likely won’t do your bidding just because you say so. After about a week of doing this, try to give them the “quiet” command while they are barking. Though another crucial quality of the Maltese is that they’re highly independent dogs. However, don’t think that this means the Maltese is not loving or loyal. The fur is hypoallergenic, so this dog breed is a good choice for people who suffer from allergies. Because he's so people-oriented, he takes well to training and responds to positive reinforcements such as food rewards , praise, and play. They rescue from the streets, shelters, and homes. They are happy and content being the center of attention whether they … The Maltese is a dog breed that’s known to have a stubborn personality. They are very trusting of people, even as puppies. Unfortunately for the Maltese, the criteria was based solely on obedience and working intelligence. Royals often placed Maltese on their feet to keep them warm, and the dog’s heat has been used to treat stomach discomfort as well. They can certainly go on their stubborn streaks from time to time, so extra patience is needed. Their trusting and social nature doesn’t just extend to people – they are often friendly with other canines and pets as well. Teaching your Maltese a ‘quiet’ command will curb this behavior and save you from a lot of headaches. This ensures that their bone development completes without any complications caused by over-exercise. A Maltese that lacks socialization is prone to anxiety and in the worst case, aggression. So, are Malteses smart dogs? After all, we can’t simply just give them our standard human IQ test and compare the results. Even Coren, who conducted the trial, will agree with this. The Maltese is known for its stunning coat with long white locks of hair. However, you may be wondering if there’s more to the Maltese than just good looks. Jay Safakish is a professional writer and space cadet that enjoys educating others on holistic health. If your Maltese develops a mat, which is a large, tangled mass of fur that hardens into a big clump, try to detangle the mat the best you can with your fingers and a detangling agent. With their silky, pure white coats and warm temperaments, it’s no surprise that they’ve made popular companions for people for centuries. For reference, the Border Collie, German Shepherd, Poodle, Golden Retriever, Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler and Labrador Retriever are all in the top 10. This breed is the most vocal when they feel anxious or they’re being protective of their owner. Like other toy breeds, Maltese are prone to certain health issues. Another issue that you may need to address with additional training is the Maltese’s tendency to bark. However, Maltese owners must resist the temptation to be overly lenient. Droopy ears, dark eyes, and a black nose are hallmark characteristics of the breed. Their trusting and social nature doesn’t just extend to people – they are often friendly with other canines and pets as well. However, he had the help of 199 obedience obedience trial judges from North America to help in the trials for his research. You may need to pluck extra hair from their ears to ensure their health. Since its registration, this breed has grown in popularity and competes in shows worldwide. Health Problems White Dog Shaker Syndrome Epilepsy Patellar Luxation Portosystemic Liver Shunt Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Legg-perthes Disease When socialized properly, they even get along great with other dogs and cats! For example, one owner tells us: My Maltese has learned which person is coming down the stairs based on the sound of the stairway creaking when coming down. Zainab1700 says Yes: “My dog is very intelligent and gets along great with both dogs and cats. For the sake of your pet’s health, groom them regularly. Useful site. The well-built Maltese seems to float over the ground when trotting. They are just not as obedient due to their stubborn nature. This means that the Maltese won’t be your typical velcro lap dogs. Despite their aristocratic … It’s identified by episodes of tremors that worsen with exercise or excitement. Maltese Temperament. Coincidentally, the smartest dogs are also some of the most popular dogs. Though this is natural for most dogs, a Maltese can become overactive if they’re not socialized or trained well as a puppy. They’re docile and playful, but come with a charming personality that’s hard to resist. They have abundant fur and long ears, with a compact body and large dark eyes. 0 . Whereas instinctive intelligence is roughly the same among individual dogs within a breed. Mauzer Temperament. Maltese dogs don’t slow down as quickly as some other dog breeds do, so owners should do their best to make sure their dogs get enough physical activity. Another neurological condition common to Maltese dogs is Shaker Syndrome. Malta was a thriving seaport in the middle of the Mediterranean; travelers of many kinds passed through with a variety of goods, commodities, and animals. If they stop barking after you give the command, be sure to reward them with a treat. As discussed, obedience and working intelligence was used for Stanley Coren’s smartest dogs list. The good news is that the Maltese is a popular and recognized purebred dog. 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