Maltese Growth Chart – Size & Weight Chart

Many Maltese owners are curious about the expected adult size and weight of their new puppy and opt to use a Maltese growth chart.

Although Maltese dogs as a breed tend to be on the smaller side, the exact size of any given dog, regardless of its age, can never be predicted.

Dogs of the Maltese breed have been popular for generations and are known for their grace and elegance.

They are well-known for their little stature, versatility, and gorgeous, long coat. In spite of their pedigree, Maltese dogs excel as guard dogs and in agility competitions.

They were originally developed on the island of Malta in the Mediterranean (thus the name) and were sold as a luxury item to well-to-do women all over the world along with silks, diamonds, and spices.

If you have a Maltese puppy, you can always use our Maltese weight chart to track its growth.

When Do Maltese Stop Growing?

By the time your Maltese dog turns one, he will be at full size. In fact, you might have observed that he stopped growing about 3-6 months prior to this.

Maltese dogs typically stop growing around the age of 6-12 months, however, there are exceptions to this rule.

Keep in mind that the size of a Maltese dog can vary quite a little from one to the next and that this is probably a genetic trait. As a result, your Maltese puppy’s final stature will depend on his parent breed.

Maltese Growth Chart

Your Maltese dog should fall within the range shown in the Maltese growth chart.

In some cases, the actual weight may be above or below the average range for Maltese of the same age. Usually, this is nothing to worry about at all.

However, if your Maltese puppy is noticeably lighter than any of the figures given, you should consider having his health checked.

If your Maltese dog is a bit heavier than the ideal (the ideal mature weight for a Maltese is 4 to 6 pounds), that’s okay.

Some Maltese dogs, however rare, can reach a healthy weight of 9 pounds. Simply guarantee consistent checkups.

This Maltese weight chart is meant to serve as a reference, not a rule, so please use it as such.

To use the chart, simply check out the box corresponding to the age of your dog and then look for the bodyweight that matches to that age.

Maltese Weight Chart

Maltese Puppy Development Stages

Birth – 2 Weeks

Maltese puppies have no teeth, no hearing, and no eyesight when they are born. They are in a vulnerable stage because their body temperatures cannot be controlled.

A newborn dog needs its mother and other siblings for protection, warmth, and comfort during this time.

Babies can wriggle and crawl around on all fours as long as they’re near their mothers, but they lack the muscle control and coordination necessary to walk.

Puppy development is aided when owners let their pets spend time with their moms after birth.

3 Weeks – 12 Weeks

A lot of development has taken place in your Maltese puppy at this point. For instance, as their muscles grow stronger, they become considerably more nimble.

Now picture a litter of adorable puppies, all of whom are out and about exploring their environment and generally having a good time.

This is also the beginning of weaning, and by the end of week 4 or the beginning of week 5, the pups will begin to nurse significantly less.

The puppy can now be weaned to solid foods. Your puppy will be completely weaned and ready to consume solid food by the time he or she is seven weeks old. Around week 8, the first baby teeth appear.

4 Months – 9 Months

In terms of length and height, a Maltese puppy of six months will be very close to its adult proportions.

Some Maltese puppies may reach their full size at 9 months of age, while others may need the whole 12 months.

By this time, a Maltese puppy has reached its full adult height, which is usually between 7 and 9 inches. It is at this time that most Maltese dogs enter their first phase of puberty.

Female dogs are experiencing their first heat cycle, while male dogs are producing fertile sperm.

The onset of mating season means you should keep a close check on them as they could wander off in search of a partner.

10 Months – 18 Months

Some puppies may appear to stop developing while others carry on with their development.

Puppies typically continue growing until they are 9 months old, but certain breeds continue developing even past a year. Once 6 months have passed, the growth curve quickly flattens out.

Adult

Adult Maltese dogs usually weigh around 7 pounds. The average weight of a Maltese dog is around 8 pounds.

Ideally, they would be no more than 8 or 10 inches tall (as determined by the distance from the ground to the top of the shoulder blades), making them exceedingly little in both height and build.

How Big Do Maltese Get?

Getting a Maltese puppy can lead you to believe that your new canine companion would be on the diminutive side.

But what will their exact size be when they reach maturity? Many Maltese dog owners are curious about their pup’s potential maturity size.

You can find out in a few different ways. You, first and foremost, have arrived at the proper location. Because the growth chart here might help you anticipate how big your Maltese will be when it matures.

You can also research the background of your Maltese puppy’s parents. Talk to the breeder about getting information on the size of his parents.

You should expect your puppy to be about the same size as its parents based on the information that breeders typically keep track of.

When estimating a dog’s remaining growth, many owners examine their pet’s paws. Larger paws in relation to the rest of the body indicate that the dog still has some development to complete.

DNA tests are particularly useful since they may identify your dog’s exact heritage, letting you know if he comes from a mixed-breed background.

Male Vs Female Maltese Size Chart

Regardless of gender, a normal Maltese dog weighs 6-8 pounds and stands 7-12 inches at the shoulder.

It’s crucial to remember that even within a given breed, there may be noticeable size differences between individual dogs.

It’s also important to note that a Maltese’s size can be affected by things like nutrition, exercise, and heredity.

The withers, which are the highest points of a dog’s shoulder blades, are the typical points that are used when determining the height of a dog.

To determine the height of your Maltese dog, you need just employ the use of a measuring tape that runs in a direct line from the ground to his withers. This number represents your dog’s height in centimeters.

Will Neutering/Spaying My Maltese Affect His Growth?

Spaying or neutering your Maltese dog should be done when she is 12 months old at the very earliest.

Always remember that the average Maltese matures between 6 and 12 months of age. Because of this, they’d be old enough to be spayed or neutered without having any developmental issues.

There is evidence that neutering, specifically, can stunt the development of male dogs.

This is because testosterone has a profound effect on their physical development. This process is disrupted by neutering, leading to health problems like arthritis and even cancer.

However, there are certain advantages to neutering and spaying as well, including the elimination of the possibility of unplanned pregnancies.

In some situations, it can also help reduce aggression in your dog and prevent certain diseases.

Bichon Vs Maltese Size

Even though both the Maltese and the Bichon are considered to be toy breeds, the Bichon is much bigger than the Maltese.

The Maltese weighs roughly 3 kilos when it has reached adulthood, but the Bichon Frise averages between 3 and 5 kilograms at that age.

Male Maltese typically stand between 20 and 25 cm, but female Maltese typically stand between 20 and 22 centimeters.

On the other hand, male and female Bichon Frises range in height from 22 to 27 centimeters, making them somewhat taller.

Factors That Affect Maltese Growth 

Genetics & Gender

To a large extent, this breed’s final stature is determined by its genes. Developmental rates throughout life are set by the genes a person receives from his or her parents.

You can get a good idea of what the puppy will look like based on the size of its parents, but keep in mind that some puppies grow to be larger than their parents.

Although environmental and lifestyle variables are obviously important, genes play the biggest role.

Nutrition

It’s also important to consider how much food you give your Maltese. Overfeeding a dog might cause him to gain excess weight.

However, if it isn’t given enough food, the dog may become underweight and its development may be stifled. Both options may offer serious risks to their health.

To keep your Maltese healthy, you should provide him with high-quality dog food that is light on fillers and additives but heavy on nutrients.

Physical Activity & Health

Exercising your Maltese can also help him or her grow in stature. Regular exercise is beneficial for your Maltese because it strengthens their heart and increases blood flow.

By doing so, they can maintain a healthy body weight while also boosting their bone density, muscle strength, and joint mobility.

How Much To Feed A Growing Maltese Puppy?

Proper nutrition is essential for the healthy growth and development of a Maltese puppy. Age, size, and activity level are just a few of the variables that will affect how much food your puppy needs.

You should feed your Maltese puppy three to four little meals a day for the first six months of their lives.

Around the time they turn six months old, they can begin making the switch to twice-daily feedings.

High-quality puppy food should make up the bulk of a developing Maltese puppy’s diet; this will ensure that your pup gets all the nutrients it needs to reach its full potential.

It’s crucial to keep an eye on a Maltese puppy’s food consumption and prevent them from becoming overweight, despite the fact that they have a very small appetite.

Keeping an eye on your Maltese puppy’s weight is a smart method to tell if he or she is receiving enough to eat.

Consistent weight growth and a defined waist are desirable. A visit to the vet is in order if you’re worried about your puppy’s growth or diet.

What To Do If My Maltese Is Not The Right Weight?

The Maltese is a small breed of dog and it can be challenging to determine if they are at the right weight.

To assess your Maltese’s weight, you should examine their ribs, hip contour, and energy levels.

A healthy Maltese should have a thin pad of fat over their ribs and a slight indentation between their ribs and hips, and have optimal energy levels.

However, if your Maltese is overweight, you may have difficulty feeling their ribs and detecting the hip contour.

Underweight Maltese may have prominent ribs, an exaggerated hip contour, and low energy levels.

There are several reasons why a Maltese may become underweight or overweight, including unsanitary care, underfeeding, underlying health issues, and overfeeding.

It is important to monitor your Maltese’s diet and exercise to keep them at a healthy weight.

Being overweight can lead to joint problems and other health issues for Maltese dogs, who are small-boned and can be easily affected by excessive weight.

How To Properly Weight My Maltese?

Monitoring your dog’s weight as he matures might provide you with useful information regarding his overall health.

Due to the fact that the Maltese is a toy breed, it should not be too difficult for you to measure him using a bathroom scale.

However, when he is an adult, things might not be so straightforward. There is also the problem of keeping him motionless while you determine his weight, which can be difficult.

The only way to get around this is to hold him while you are weighing yourself on the scale.

You first need to determine your own weight, and then you need to determine the weight of both you and your Maltese while holding him on the scale.

That is all there is to it. The difference between these two measurements will provide as a proxy for your Maltese’s body mass.

Maltese Genetics And Common Health Problems

The average lifetime of the Maltese, a tiny dog breed, is between 12 and 15 years.

However, they are prone to a few inherited diseases that affect all breeds. Common health issues among Maltese people include:

• Dislocation or shifting of the kneecap, also known as luxating patella. Surgical intervention is available for the alleviation of discomfort and lameness caused by this condition.
• Plaque and tartar buildup, gum disease, and tooth loss are just some of the dental issues that commonly affect Maltese. They need to have their teeth brushed on a regular basis and cleaned by a veterinarian.
• In a congenital disease known as liver shunt, the liver bypasses its normal filtering function, leaving toxins in the bloodstream. It can result in a variety of symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and growth retardation, and is typically treated surgically.
• Cataracts, dry eye, and problems with the tear ducts are just some of the ocular ailments that plague Maltese dogs. A veterinary eye exam should be a routine procedure.
• Allergies to the skin can cause itching, redness, and even hair loss in Maltese dogs. Find out what’s triggering your allergy so you can treat it properly.

While Maltese are generally healthy, it is still vital to be aware of their genetic predispositions and to have frequent checkups with a veterinarian to help avoid and manage any health issues that may occur.

Final Words

Last but not least, Malteses are unique canines that want plenty of care, especially when they’re young. There is a lot of work involved in raising a puppy into an adult dog.

The size and stature of these dogs varies widely amongst breeds. Even on the same day of birth, Maltese pups often develop at various rates, further proving that no two of these dogs are alike.

In order to recognize when they are straying from their intended growth trajectory, it is crucial to have a broad understanding of that trajectory.

The growth of your Maltese might be slowed by a variety of diseases, any of which can be detected and treated with regular visits to the vet.