How much time do Maltese need per day?

Budget roughly 1.5–2 hours per day for exercise, training, and interaction. On top of that, grooming adds around 30–60 mins per week spread across sessions.

Are Maltese hard work?

Maltese require consistent effort but are manageable for an engaged owner. The key is keeping to a routine — irregular exercise and sporadic training make things harder.

Is a Maltese a good dog for busy people?

It depends. Maltese can work for busy people who are disciplined about making time for exercise and training — but they're not a dog that looks after itself.

How much grooming does a Maltese need?

Maltese are light shedders and only need light brushing once or twice a week — around 30–60 mins per week in total.

Are Maltese High Maintenance?

Q: Are Maltese high maintenance?

Maltese are moderately high maintenance. They need regular exercise, consistent training, and routine grooming — but nothing that should overwhelm a reasonably active, committed owner.

About the Maltese

An ancient companion breed wrapped in silky white hair. Devoted, delicate, and surprisingly feisty.

Size

Small

Weight

2–4 kg

Energy

Moderate

Trainability

Moderate

Lifespan

13–16 yrs

Time commitment breakdown

Owning a Maltese isn't just about daily walks. Here's what the weekly time commitment actually looks like:

Grooming: 30–60 mins per week — brushing, bathing, checking ears and nails.
Exercise: 7–10 hours per week — walks, off-lead time, active play.
Training: A few 10–15 minute sessions per week — Maltese learn reliably with consistency but have an independent streak.
Mental stimulation: A few times a week — some mental engagement beyond walks keeps them content.

Grooming requirements

Maltese are light shedders — brushing once or twice a week is sufficient for most of the year. Even during seasonal coat changes, the increase is barely noticeable.

A slicker brush and a fine-tooth comb are all you need. Budget around 30–60 mins per week. Their low-shedding coat also makes them one of the more allergy-friendly options.

Exercise requirements

Maltese need moderate daily exercise — around 60–90 minutes spread across two or more walks. They're active without being relentless, and they're usually happy to wind down once they've had a decent outing.

Off-lead time helps significantly. A garden or nearby open space makes the exercise routine much easier to maintain.

Mental stimulation needs

Physical exercise alone isn't enough for most dogs. Maltese also need mental engagement. Maltese benefit from regular mental challenges — training sessions, puzzle feeders, and sniff walks all help keep them settled and content.

What "low maintenance" actually means day to day

A Maltese's maintenance needs sit at a level that rewards routine. Owners who build exercise, grooming, and training into their weekly schedule find it entirely manageable. The problems come when these get skipped — a Maltese that misses a week of brushing or a few days of proper exercise will show it.

Is this breed right for your lifestyle?

Should a first-time owner get a Maltese?

Maltese are manageable for motivated first-timers. They have a moderate stubborn streak, so training takes more patience than an easy breed — but it's absolutely achievable with consistency and positive reinforcement.

Want the full picture on Maltese?

Read the complete Maltese breed guide →

Are Maltese high maintenance?