Quick answer: The Maltese (called 'Mo Tin Si' in Hong Kong) is a small white long-haired breed that suits small flats, but it needs a lot of company. Before getting one, prepare for daily brushing and regular grooming, tear-stain care, and a personality prone to separation anxiety; the trachea and kneecaps also need protection. Using a harness instead of a collar is the most basic step.
What kind of breed is the Maltese (Mo Tin Si)?
The English name is Maltese, and 'Mo Tin Si' is the common Hong Kong name; both refer to the same breed. It is a small dog with a long history, generally thought to have originated around the Mediterranean and linked to the island of Malta, later becoming popular in Europe and bred into today's size. Accounts of the exact era and spread differ, so this article will not pin down specific years.
In appearance, it is all white with long, straight hair and a single coat without a noticeable undercoat; adults usually weigh around 2 to 4 kg. It is affectionate and alert, a typical companion dog.
For the full version on tear stains, coat and trachea/knee protection, see the Maltese breed guide.
| Item | Maltese |
|---|---|
| Chinese aliases | Mo Tin Si, Maltese dog |
| Coat colour and texture | All white, single long coat, tangles easily |
| Adult weight | Generally about 2 to 4 kg |
| Shoulder height | Generally about 20 to 25 cm |
| Average lifespan | Generally about 12 to 15 years |
To compare other small breeds, see the breed directory; another small breed is the Pomeranian.
Temperament and separation anxiety: meeting the need for company
The most underestimated thing about the Maltese is not its coat but its need for company. It is a highly dependent breed that likes to stay close to its owner and is prone to separation anxiety behaviours such as barking, door-scratching, chewing furniture or even house-soiling when alone. These are not 'disobedience' but a breed tendency.
In practice, start alone-time training from puppyhood: begin with a few minutes and gradually lengthen the time, keep departures and returns low-key (no big farewells or greetings), provide chew toys to distract, and keep a fixed routine so the dog can anticipate when you will return. If barking is severe and persistently affects neighbours, consider an assessment by a veterinarian or dog behaviour trainer.
Also note its high alertness: it is sensitive to footsteps at the door and lift sounds, so in apartment buildings teach a 'quiet' cue and do desensitisation exercises early. For a comprehensive dog care guide, see the pet care overview.
Living arrangements in small Hong Kong flats
The Maltese is small, making a small flat a realistic option, but a few things need planning. First, elimination: most small flats have no garden, so in practice train with pee pads or an indoor toilet spot, keeping the location and times consistent and rewarding success immediately; also get the dog used to eliminating outside on walks.
Second, non-slip surfaces and heights: tiles that are too slippery can worsen a small dog's gait and affect the kneecaps long-term, so lay non-slip mats; provide a ramp or steps by the sofa and bed. Third, home safety: tidy cables, use bins with lids, and install window screens or barriers, as toy dogs can easily get caught.
Finally, regulations and neighbours: before renting or applying for public housing, confirm whether the building's deed of mutual covenant and relevant rules allow pets, and whether any neighbours are sensitive to barking.
Coat and tear-stain care
The white long coat is the Maltese's signature and also the biggest task. Brush daily, focusing on tangle-prone areas behind the ears, under the armpits, inside the hind legs and at the tail base; do not pull tangles hard—use a detangling spray and work slowly, and cut them out if severe. Bathe generally every 2 to 4 weeks, and always dry thoroughly afterwards—in Hong Kong's humidity, an incompletely dried undercoat easily leads to skin problems. Full-body trimming is generally every 4 to 6 weeks.
For tear stains, the reddish-brown marks at the eye corners are especially noticeable on white-coated breeds. Causes may include poor tear drainage, such as entropion, abnormal eyelashes, blocked tear ducts or eye infection, and may also relate to environmental irritants. Daily, gently wipe and dry with water or a pet-specific eye cleaner, keeping the eye area dry; do not use human eye drops. If tear staining is accompanied by squinting, light sensitivity or changed discharge colour, it is not just a grooming issue—see a veterinarian.
Daily protection for the trachea, kneecaps and teeth
Small toy breeds have three structural weaknesses, all of which can be risk-reduced through daily habits. Trachea: the cartilage is weaker, and pulling on a collar can easily trigger a goose-honk cough, so use a harness at all times, especially on walks and in the car. Kneecaps: patellar luxation is common in small breeds, showing as suddenly skipping while walking or reluctance to put a hind leg down, returning to normal after a few seconds; prevention is non-slip flooring, reducing jumping up and down, and weight control. Teeth: the mouth is small and teeth are crowded, so tartar and periodontal disease are common; ideally brush daily, at least 3 times a week, and have regular veterinary checks.
Also watch for low blood sugar in puppies: they should not go long without food, so feed 3 to 4 meals a day; if they become weak, lethargic or unsteady, contact a veterinarian immediately. Walks need not be long, but twice a day for 15 to 25 minutes each.
Health warning signs and common risks
The Maltese is generally long-lived, but the following problems should be recognised, as early treatment leaves much more room for management.
| Common risk | Possible signs | Suggested action |
|---|---|---|
| Tracheal collapse | Goose-honk cough, panting after exercise | Switch to a harness, veterinary assessment |
| Patellar luxation | Sudden skipping, reluctance to put hind leg down | Non-slip surfaces, reduce jumping, veterinary assessment |
| Periodontal disease | Bad breath, tartar, reduced appetite | Regular checks, dental scaling requires anaesthesia |
| Cataracts or dry eye | Cloudy eyes, dry eyes, bumping into objects | Veterinary check of vision and tear production |
| Skin allergy | Itching, rash, hair loss | Check parasites, food and environmental factors |
The above are common risks and do not mean every Maltese will develop them. Before getting one, ask the breeder for records of the parents' eyes, kneecaps and trachea; after adulthood, have at least one physical check a year, and ask a veterinarian about medication, dental scaling or surgery decisions.
Hong Kong climate and summer precautions
Hong Kong summers are hot and humid, and white long-haired dogs have two particular issues. First, heat dissipation: the coat is long and dense, and although it is not a flat-faced breed, its small size still carries heatstroke risk. Walk in the early morning and at night, feel the ground with your hand before going out—if it is too hot to touch, do not walk; if the dog pants audibly or drools more, cool it down immediately and seek veterinary help.
Second, skin and coat: on white hair, any rash or tear stain is especially visible, and with humidity, not drying thoroughly after a bath easily causes problems, so use a dehumidifier indoors. Also, shaving does not make the dog cooler—it increases sunburn risk; in winter, watch for temperature differences in air-conditioned rooms, as toy dogs have little body fat and may need a thin coat.
Beginner mistakes
- Using a collar for walks: toy dogs have fragile tracheas, and a single pull can trigger coughing—use a harness.
- Thinking white hair needs no brushing: the hair grows continuously, and without brushing it tangles and eventually has to be cut out.
- Not brushing teeth long-term: by the time there is bad breath and reluctance to eat, periodontal problems are usually significant.
- Neglecting alone-time training and home safety: if the dog is always with someone from puppyhood, sudden long periods alone after you return to work can cause problems; jumping up and down also harms the kneecaps.
Key points
- ✅ Maltese = Mo Tin Si = Maltese, a white single-coated long-haired toy dog, generally about 2 to 4 kg
- ✅ Daily brushing, bathing every 2 to 4 weeks, regular trimming; grooming is a long-term expense
- ✅ For tear stains, first rule out entropion, blocked tear ducts and other diseases, then address grooming
- ✅ The trachea and kneecaps are structural weaknesses: use a harness, non-slip flooring, reduce jumping
- ✅ Periodontal disease is common; ideally brush daily; prevent low blood sugar in puppies
Related reading
- Pet care overview (six major pet types)
- Shih Tzu care guide
- Bichon Frise breed introduction
- To buy a harness, eye-area cleaner or dental care products for your dog, see PetChill pet supplies.
This article is for reference only and cannot replace veterinary diagnosis; in an emergency, contact a veterinarian immediately.