Are Maltese good with kids?

The honest answer on Maltese and children

Maltese are not the easiest breed around young children.

Many Maltese live successfully with children. The bar for supervision, training, and teaching children how to interact is just higher than with a breed known specifically for family tolerance.

Gentleness is the trait that matters most with young children. A dog that doesn't overreact to clumsy handling, unexpected noise, or accidental provocation is a safer family dog than a trained one. Strong need for closeness and affection makes these dogs natural companions for children who want a dog that participates in family life rather than observing from a distance. Lively dogs need more active management around young children, who cannot anticipate sudden movements or bursts of energy the way older kids can.

With toddlers and very young children (under 5)

With older children (ages 6–12)

Key traits that matter for families

How to set your Maltese and kids up for success

Breed temperament is a starting point — how you manage the relationship matters just as much.

• Socialise early. Expose puppies to children of different ages from 8–16 weeks. Early positive experiences build lasting tolerance.
• Teach children dog rules. No pulling ears, tails, or fur. No approaching a dog that's eating, sleeping, or unwell. No staring directly in the eyes.
• Give the dog an escape route. Always provide a quiet space (crate, bed in another room) where the dog can retreat from children. A dog that can always escape rarely needs to escalate.
• Involve older children in training. Kids who can give commands and get responses feel respected by the dog. The dog learns to listen to them too.
• Never leave any dog alone with young children. Regardless of breed, track record, or temperament. Incidents happen in seconds.