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.