PetMaltese are affectionate, low-shedding companion dogs that often live well into their teens. They're generally healthy, but they carry the toy-breed dental and knee risks plus a notable breed-associated liver condition that can appear young — making early enrolment especially valuable. Here's the picture for Canadian owners.
Maltese at a glance
| Typical adult weight | 2–4 kg |
| Height | 20–25 cm at the shoulder |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years or more |
| Breed group | Toy |
| Coat & shedding | Long, white, silky coat; very low shedding, daily grooming needed |
| Energy level | Low to moderate — a gentle, adaptable companion |
| Insurance snapshot | Low to moderate premiums; the congenital liver-shunt risk makes early, continuous coverage especially valuable |
Common Maltese health issues
| Condition | How common | Typical treatment cost (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Dental disease (small crowded jaw) | Very common — the dominant ongoing cost | Moderate per cleaning, recurring; extractions common |
| Luxating patella | Common in the breed | Moderate to high if surgical |
| Portosystemic (liver) shunt | Breed-associated; can be congenital | High — may require surgery, often when young |
| Tracheal collapse | Notable in toy breeds | Moderate to high; chronic management |
| Hypoglycemia (especially puppies) | Common in very small dogs | Low to moderate; emergency in acute cases |
| Eye conditions (tear staining, irritation) | Common — white coat, prominent eyes | Low to moderate, ongoing |
| Heart disease (later life) | Common with age | Lifelong medication; can escalate |
Our Recommendation
For a Maltese, comprehensive coverage with a wellness add-on, enrolled as early as possible, is the smart call. The liver shunt risk is the key reason for urgency — it can be congenital and surface in the first year or two, and once diagnosed it's a pre-existing exclusion on any new policy. Insure your Maltese young, before any liver, dental, or knee condition is documented.
What drives a Maltese's insurance cost
The Maltese is generally healthy, but carries the toy-breed cluster plus one urgent breed-specific risk. Dental disease (~$650–1,300 per cleaning) is the dominant ongoing cost, with luxating patella as the common surgical concern. The reason for urgency is the portosystemic (liver) shunt — an abnormal vessel that bypasses the liver, often congenital, that can require surgery in the first year or two. Tracheal collapse, hypoglycemia in puppies, and later-life heart disease round out the list.
How to structure coverage for a Maltese
Comprehensive coverage with a wellness add-on, enrolled as early as possible, is the smart call. The liver-shunt risk is the key reason for urgency — it can surface young and, once diagnosed, becomes a pre-existing exclusion on any new policy. Insure your Maltese before any liver, dental or knee condition is documented, and their long life gives the policy years to deliver value.
Your Maltese care checklist
The every-owner essentials, plus the watch-points specific to this breed. Tick them off on screen and keep them in mind at vet visits.
Breed-specific watch-list
Every-owner essentials
For the full daily-to-annual routine, print the new-pet care checklist.