When do maltese reach full size

There is only one standard classification for Maltese dogs; they only come as a toy breed. Maltese typically weigh no more than seven pounds by the time they are fully grown. Males are a little taller than females, usually by an inch or two. That being said, generally, they are never taller than ten inches at the shoulder. The Maltese is in fact among the smallest breeds available and is comparable to the chihuahua in terms of their size.

These are Maltese in the lower end of the weight range, weighing under four pounds as a full-sized adult. It comes strongly advised that you do not entertain the idea of getting one or allowing this practice to continue. Keep in mind; it is impossible for an adult Maltese to be one or two pounds — irregardless of what some breeders may advertise and say. If a genuine purebred Maltese does weigh more than the average pounds and this is due to their build and not being overweight, it is likely that the breeder was not stringent enough in the dog selection process.

A breeder should always breed for the betterment of the progeny and aim to meet the standards. This is how bloodlines are strengthened, and it allows the breed to continue developing and refining further. To achieve breeding successes, pedigrees of both sire males and dam females should be meticulously looked at to ensure that the litter up to five generations back have the qualities of the breed standard and are to be passed down.

If the end result is an over-sized Maltese, this results in larger than standard puppies that do not fit the breeds criteria and can cause issues down the line. The average Maltese height is between inches for males and inches for females. These dogs typically weigh no more than seven pounds by the time they are between six to eight months old. Like any dog in the toy range, the Maltese were bred as a portable, sweet-matured companion.

It comes as no surprise to learn that they were treasured and pampered by the aristocracy thousands of years ago. One thing to emphasize is that with this breed, there is very little variation in their final size, however, growth rates can vary between dogs quite a bit. For this reason Maltese of the same age can be very different in terms of how much they weigh, irregardless of their sex.

By looking at the parental dogs used in breeding, you can get a more accurate picture of what to expect. That being said, Maltese puppies can exceed the age of their parents when fully grown.

In these instances, it is likely that a dog in the lineage such as a grandparent was of a larger disposition. Maltese are fully grown by the time they are eight months old; this is typically when they stop growing and are physically at their full adult size. Maltese may continue to put on weight until they are ten to twelve months — but this differs between dogs and usually comes in the form of muscle.

Toy breeds, like the Maltese, grow rapidly, gaining about one pound a month from ages two to eight months. As you can see, there can be quite some variance for Maltese even at the same age. For example, one four month old pup could have double the weight of another! Equally, puppies may differ in size during the various months of early life but end up being the same final adult weight! When you consider this breed typically lives in the region of years, you do not have much time to enjoy them in the puppy stage.

So, make sure that you cherish and spend as much quality one-to-one time with them as you can during this phase. Enjoy it for what it is, even if this does mean a little bit of time, effort and commitment. On a positive note, it is during the puppy stages that you can form a strong bond with your Maltese; sharing a number of experiences that you will fondly remember for a lifetime.

The truth is, all dogs experience the same mental development stages. However, some breeds go through it quicker than others. For Maltese they fall somewhere in the middle. The standard doesn't call for a height limit, but most Maltese dogs mature between 8 and 10 inches high at the shoulder.

Perhaps the best way to determine the eventual size of your Maltese puppy is to meet the parents. If you buy from a breeder, note the mother's size when you inspect her. If the father isn't on the premises, the breeder should be able to provide you accurate information about his size. A Maltese puppy born to exceptionally small or large parents will likely mature at either end of the size scale for the breed.

The dark, round "button" eyes have black rims, and the nose is also black. Because this little dog carries her head high, her neck should be somewhat long as she carries her head high. The Maltese boasts a sloping shoulder, deep chest and level topline.

The legs are fine-boned and well-feathered, and the feet are round with black paw pads. The Maltese carries her plumy tail over her back. She's often adorned by adoring owners with hair clips and jewelry. For a full-grown Maltese, her long hair is truly her crowning glory. The silky coat hangs nearly to the ground.

She'll have a center part running the entire length of the body. Keeping that coat sparkling white and free of mats requires frequent bathing and daily grooming, in addition to regular visits to a professional groomer. Make no mistake -- the Maltese is a high-maintenance dog.