How Long Do Maltese Live? Ulti'mutt' Maltese Facts For Dog Owners

Did you know Queen Elizabeth I, and Mary Queen of Scots, both owned Maltese dogs at their royal residences?

In this article, we will reveal some very interesting facts about a popular and adorable dog breed, the Maltese! The Maltese belongs to the dog breed group of toy dogs for its small size.

These small dogs are believed to have originated from Malta. They are very playful, intelligent, and affectionate species. These cute little creatures are required to be treated more like a child than a dog. They require constant attention and affection. They are good family dogs and enjoy learning tricks. A Maltese dog is very easy to train. Though they are known to bark a lot. These dogs have an average weight of 6-8 lb (3-4 kg). If you are curious to know how long do Maltese live, we have got good news for you. They generally live longer than the larger dog species with an average life expectancy of 12-15 years. A Maltese is not a very large dog. It is generally rare to see the skin of Maltese since its always covered in a coat of hair.

The hair of this companion may cause allergies to many people, which will lead to pain and some medical issues and health conditions. This small size family companion usually dies only by old age but there can be other health symptoms leading up to it. This dog is under the coat of its hair for long hours and in heat, the hair will cause a health issue, heat exhaustion, and even heart failure due to tiredness. It is important to look for early signs and symptoms and take them to the vet if needed, otherwise, it can be fatal. After reading all about how long do Maltese dogs live, do check how many eyelids do dogs have and how much chocolate can kill a dog?

What do Maltese usually die from?

The Maltese have a significantly longer life than large dog breeds and generally live up to 15-20 years.

There are many larger breeds of dogs than Maltese. If provided with quality dog food and a healthy lifestyle, Maltese can live for 15 years old or even longer. Many people even claim that their loving dogs have lived for more than 18-19 years old before dying a natural death.

Here are some leading causes of health issues that lead to death in Maltese dog breeds.

Cardiovascular diseases: This is the top cause of death in Maltese dog breeds. In adult dogs, Mitral valve disease is a top concern. The death rate is as high as 21.1-23.8% in breeds like Newfoundland.

Congenital disease: The second leading cause of death in Maltese dogs is congenital disease. The death rate due to this disease is around 9.7%. This is inherited genetically. This may include liver shunts, colitis, or hydrocephalus.

Cancer: Cancer is responsible for around a 9.2% death rate, and is the 3rd leading cause of death in Maltese. In adult dogs, the chances of developing life-threatening cancer decrease after the age of 10 years.

Infection: Due to lack of vaccination, your pup can suffer from many deadly viral diseases such as parvovirus, distemper, and leptospirosis. Not only that, but they may also suffer from parasitic diseases or bacterial infections.

Trauma: Trauma in puppies may include being stepped upon, being dropped, hit by a car, or other lethal injuries.

Congenital liver disease: These are the types of diseases that are present in your pet since the time of their birth. Most toy dog breeds suffer from liver-related diseases such as a liver shunt. The Maltese breed has a 20 times greater risk of a liver shunt than all other breeds.

At what age do Maltese dogs usually die?

Since Maltese dogs are smaller in size and part of the toy breeds, they live longer than larger breeds of dogs as well. They are one of the longest living dog breeds with an average lifespan of 12-15 years. With proper care and good health, they are known to live for more than 18 years before dying a natural death.

But the sad fact is they are prone to different diseases and infections. This may decrease their life expectancy and they might not live long. They also suffer from many other severe health problems.

White dog shaker syndrome: As the name suggests, this syndrome is related mainly to white-colored dogs or dogs with white coats. It may affect the coordination of the dog and also causes tremors and shaking.

Luxating patella: Like all the small breed dogs even Maltese can suffer from a luxating patella. In these cases, the bones that make the knees are not properly formed and it may even require surgery.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): The PRA is an inherited, degenerative eye condition, which if not properly cared for, can even lead to blindness.

Reverse sneezing: This may occur in your Maltese dog when he is waking up, overstimulated, or due to any allergy. Though it is not dangerous, it may trigger stress and can upset your dog.

Collapsed trachea: This can lead to harsh-sounding coughing and chronic dry cough. This disorder is more serious than reverse sneezing and requires medical attention.

Dental diseases: Maltese are more likely to suffer from dental diseases, infecting around 80% of dogs by age two. Many Maltese are prone to suffer from infection of teeth and gums and lose their teeth as well. If the infection is not taken care of, it may also affect their heart, kidneys, liver, and joints. It may shorten their life span by even three years!

Teacup Maltese Lifespan

How long do Maltese dogs live? A full-grown teacup Maltese is still smaller than a regular Maltese puppy. Their average lifespan can range between 12 to 15 years. With proper care, you can easily help increase your dog's life expectancy naturally.

Here are some ones which you may use to increase the life expectancy of your dog naturally.

Regular checkups: Regular Checkups are necessary to know if your pet dog is suffering from any health issues. So it is recommended for a responsible owner to meet a certified veterinarian for a periodic check-up for your dogs.

Dental care: Since the Maltese dog species are prone to various dental problems it is necessary for the owner to take good care of their dogs’ teeth. This way they can avoid unnecessary health problems that might trouble their loving pets.

Proper diet: Another factor that increases the life expectancy of your dog naturally, is a good and healthy diet. Meals that are nutritious for your dog help them to grow naturally and stay healthy.

Regular exercise: To keep your pet dog physically fit, you must encourage them to exercise regularly. Regular exercise increases their strength, boosts their immunity power, and also keeps their lungs and heart, healthy.

Why do Maltese live longer compare to larger dogs?

Do you often wonder how long do Maltese dogs live? Toy breeds or other small dog breeds are well known for living longer than their larger equivalent species. Size often plays an important role in deciding the life expectancy of a dog. Thus, the Maltese have a long and healthy lifespan as compared to many other dog breeds.

The life expectancy is inversely proportional to the size of the dog! The larger the dogs, the shorter their life. Large dogs like Saint Bernard have a lifespan of just 5-8 years.

There are many different reasons larger dogs die early in comparison to smaller ones. The larger dogs age more quickly. This may be the main reason why Maltese live longer than larger dogs.

How to improve the Maltese lifespan?

Maltese have an average lifespan of 12-15 years. Female dogs usually live longer than males. The dogs can even live longer than their average expected lifespan. With routine care, a good diet, and regular exercises you may be able to increase their life expectancy naturally and provide them a good quality of life.

You can help improve the lifespan of your pet Maltese using the following methods.

Choose their diets wisely: Many dog foods contain chemical additives that are known to cause cancer in dogs. Thus, you must choose the diet for your dogs wisely. Make sure the food is of good quality and has complete nutrition as well. Quality food and a healthy diet will keep your dog fit. It will also improve its stamina and endurance. And ultimately provide long life to your loving pet.

Filter their water: Many owners give tap water to their dogs as it is generally considered safe for their drinking. But this may not always be true. In many parts of the world, tap water quality is very low. It may also contain toxins and other carcinogenic agents that can make your dogs sick. Thus it is advised to filter your dog's water, for long and disease-free life.

Exercise them regularly: Exercising your dogs regularly can help improve their lifespan. Regular exercise helps increase their metabolism, boost their immune system and keep their lungs and heart healthy. It also prevents a wide range of health issues and keeps them fit and healthy for a lifetime.

Regular health checkups: Puppies and adult dogs are required to be seen twice a year for a full-body examination and checkups for different diseases related to the breed including heart disease.

Help prevent injury: Trauma is a major concern of death in adults and a leading cause of death in puppies, it is advisable to keep an eye on your dog to prevent any wanted injury. When inside the house, always make sure everyone is aware that the dog might be under their feet or on the couch, and thus, they can prevent stepping on it or tripping over.

Keep them vaccinated: Vaccinating your puppies regularly and on time helps prevent different bacterial and viral diseases and infections. You may get booster shots for increasing the level of antibodies in them. This will help them stay healthy and fight against diseases easily.

Eliminate the factors that cause stress: Maltese dogs are prone to stress and anxiety as well. Since Maltese are toy dogs and this is why they are very vulnerable. They are fond of closeness and attention. Thus, they may suffer from separation anxiety too. Many other factors such as loud music, the death of a family member, aggressive children, or being left alone for a long time are leading causes of stress. In all these cases, you must show them some emotional support and try to calm them down. If the problem seems to worsen, you may also want to visit the vet.

What is the oldest living Maltese?

Maltese are known to live long lives. This may be somewhere related to their small body size. Also, females Maltese live around one year longer than their male equivalents. At the end of the day, the life of your dog depends on how much you care for them. Owners also play a huge role in increasing the life expectancy of their loving pets.

If you care for things, they last. Whether it be any materialistic item or your loving pet. You should take care of your dog and provide them with a lot of love and affection. You must provide your pets with a healthy diet. You must also make sure to exercise them regularly and take good care of their teeth. You must also make sure they are vaccinated regularly. You can meet vets for regular checkups and expert advice.

The average lifespan for these Maltese dog breeds is 15 years. Many people claim that their dogs even lived for 18-19 years. According to Paw Leaks, the oldest Maltese that ever lived was found to be 20 years old!

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for how long do Maltese live, then why not take a look at how often can you give a dog Benadryl or Maltese facts?