How Much Does a Maltese Cost? (2024 Updated)

Malteses are no doubt adorable and elegant-looking dogs. If you plan to take home this cute dog, you might also be wondering if their regal looks make them expensive. Moreso, how much does a Maltese actually cost?

Dogs are a big commitment, and knowing what you’re getting into before purchasing is important. Do not miss out on this opportunity to learn what you need to know about buying a Maltese puppy through this guide!

Like any other dog breed, the Maltese price varies depending on several factors, such as the breeder’s reputation, pedigree, health, and more. Read on and get all the necessary information to make an informed decision.

How Much Does a Maltese Puppy Cost?

Maltese puppies can cost as low as $600, while pet-quality Maltese typically costs between $2000 and $3000. Meanwhile, professional breeders usually sell Maltese puppies from champion bloodlines for around $4000 or more.

Many pet owners are surprised that the Maltese breed, despite being small, can cost this much. The biggest factors that affect the Maltese price are their gender and quality.

To better illustrate, here are the average Maltese puppy prices depending on their gender and quality:

Although this might not be true for other dog breeds, female dogs typically have a higher price.

One of the main reasons why a female Maltese is more expensive is because of their breeding potential. Another reason is that female Malteses are in higher demand than their male counterparts.

Maltese puppies bred for show perfectly conform to the breed standard. This will also mean that show-quality Maltese pups have supreme physiques and personalities.

On the other hand, Maltese dogs of pet quality are specifically bred to be house companions.

To clear any misconception, a pet-quality dog is not in any way inferior to a show-quality dog. They are as equally healthy as a show-quality Maltese.

Pet-quality Malteses also have limited registration. While they can still join agility and obedience competitions, they cannot compete in breed conformation events.

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Maltese From a Shelter?

One way of owning a Maltese puppy is by adopting one from a local animal shelter or rescue. The adoption fee from most animal shelters can go from $150 to $600.

The cost of adoption will vary depending on how much care the Maltese have gotten prior to the adoption. Some pooches will require greater care, especially if the dog’s health conditions are bad.

Shelters and rescues generally provide spaying or neutering and appropriate vaccines, depending on the dog’s age.

Adopting Maltese puppies from shelters requires a long and extensive process, and a lot of paperwork is involved. Some shelters conduct a home visit to ensure that the dog will be put in a loving and compassionate home.

First-Time Expenses of Maltese Ownership

As with other dog breeds, you will need several items before welcoming your new Maltese puppies into your home.

Below are the essential items and supplies you will need to purchase for your new Maltese puppy:

• Food and Treats: As a Maltese owner, your primary duty is to provide your dog with a quality and nutritious diet. This will include puppy food as well as treats. Good quality dog food will generally cost between $30 and $80.
• Bowls: Food and water bowls are also necessary investments. These can help track the amount of food your pup ingests and help keep the area clean. Food and water bowls can cost between $10 and $25.
• Toys: For Maltese puppies and any other dogs, toys are very important since they aid in reducing stress. Maltese dogs do not play roughly, so you can expect their toys to last. A set of chew toys can cost between $20 and $30.
• Beds: Maltese puppies must have their own place to relax to develop properly. Owning a bed will help them get better-quality sleep. A bed for small dogs ranges from $30 to $150.
• Collars and Leashes: Dog collars and leashes give owners better control and confidence when walking their dogs outside. This guarantees that their pooch will not run away. Depending on the material used, a leash and collar can cost between $15 and $50.
• Crates and Carriers: If you plan to travel, a dog crate and carrier will be handy. This will also serve as their personal space for your Maltese pup. A small crate and carrier cost $30 to $200.
• Grooming Essentials: Grooming essentials typically include a comb, clipper, shampoo, and many more. This will guarantee that your Maltese pup has good hygiene and a well-trimmed coat and prevents its hair from matting. Grooming kits will cost between $50 and $150.
• Initial Vet Visits: A checkup with a licensed veterinarian will ensure that your pup is in good condition and grows according to age. Health screenings for dogs are essential to prevent diseases that can incur hefty medical expenses. Initial vet expenses may cost between $100 and $500.
• Initial Vaccine Shots: Just like any other dog breed, Maltese puppies are required to have rabies vaccinations. They will also need other vaccines initially, depending on your vet’s recommendation. This will cost between $50 and $300.
• Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications: A Maltese coat is known to be long and smooth. This is one of the reasons why many find them alluring. However, they are very vulnerable to ticks and fleas. Ticks and flea prevention and deworming can cost $40 to $300.
• Neutering or Spaying: Neutering and spaying offer many advantages, with increased longevity being one. If the Maltese puppy you bought is not altered, these procedures may cost $50 to $500.
• Microchipping: Microchipping your Maltese is a form of security. You can easily find your pet when it gets lost if it has a microchip. This can cost from $40 to $60.
• Dog License: A dog license contains an ID number and your contact information, which will aid in your dog’s identification. A dog license with a tag can cost between $10 and $20.
• Other Essentials: In addition to the ones listed above, there are miscellaneous supplies that you may find useful, such as poop bags, poop scoopers, potty pads, odor removers, and more. You should set aside between $20 and $50 for these items.

To better illustrate, here is a rundown of all the first-time expenses you need to consider aside from the Maltese cost:

Similar to other breeds, owning a Maltese puppy requires a great deal of responsibility. These items are necessary to ensure you have robust puppies that will grow into strong adult dogs.

Annual Cost of Owning a Maltese

Maltese has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. It is vital to consider its care and support maintenance for future years. Having a budget set aside will be beneficial to ensure that your purebred Maltese is strong and healthy.

To better illustrate, here is a rundown of the annual cost of owning a Maltese dog:

For the initial year, you can expect that the cost will reach the maximum cost range. However, expenses will considerably decrease in subsequent years since not all of these will be recurring purchases.

The need for vet visits and vaccinations will gradually decrease as your dog grows and gets older. Nonetheless, medical-related expenses are non-negotiable, so you should set aside a budget for them yearly. On the other hand, pet insurance proves to be a good investment that can save you more in the long run.

A perfect example is the pet insurance that I got for my now five-year-old female Maltese, Mella. I got her pet insurance when she was still a year old. At first, I hesitated because of the additional monthly expenses that this would give.

However, when Mella had two major conditions, including mastitis and patellar luxation, I was able to save thousands of dollars on emergency veterinary costs and surgeries or treatments. Hence, I highly recommend pet insurance since no matter how much we take care of our furbabies, it is hard to predict when they will encounter an illness.

Other Potential Expenses to Consider

Aside from the essential items and products that are listed above, there are several services that you may avail of for the well-being of your Maltese. As a new fur parent, you may also incur unexpected expenses.

Here are some potential expenses that Maltese owners should be aware of:

• Dog boarding or dog sitting services: If you plan to go out of town, dog boarding services may be handy. With this service, you won’t have to worry about your Maltese puppy while away. The average cost of these services may range from $35 to $100.
• Training resources: Obedience classes or training are a good way to discipline your dogs. Whether you plan to enroll them in classes or buy tutorial books for at-home training, it is best to allocate between $25 and $400 for this expense.
• Dog walking services: Although Maltese is a small breed, it is very lively and needs exercise. If you are not always at home, a dog walking service is a good way to ensure your dog burns off its energy. This may cost $20 to $30 per day.
• Professional grooming service: A Maltese coat is long and straight. Although you can do it yourself, having a professional take care of your dog’s grooming guarantees a clean and smooth coat. This will cost between $50 and $75.
• Kennel club registration: If you want your puppy to be recognized by kennel clubs, such as the American Kennel Club (AKC), you must pay the registration fee. The average cost of kennel registration ranges from $30 to $80.

In addition to these potential expenses, you may also find yourself in a pinch because of unexpected health problems and vet visits. Emergency medical expenses can be quite hefty; thus, it would be wise to get pet insurance.

Best Places to Find Maltese Puppies for Sale and Adoption

Now that you know the price range and average cost of purchasing a Maltese and the essentials to raise one, let’s dive into the best places where you can find a high-quality and healthy puppy.

In choosing a breeder, you should carefully look for reputable ones. Reputable Maltese breeders socialize their puppies early and maintain a clean environment for them to live in. Thus, ensuring you a sound and healthy dog with an even temperament.

Without further ado, here is a list of the best places to buy a purebred Maltese puppy:

• American Maltese Association – The American Maltese Association is the parent club for the Maltese dog. It is dedicated to educating people about the breed. This is an excellent place to start your search for high-quality puppies, as they have a list of reputable breeders on their website.
• American Kennel Club Marketplace – The American Kennel Club also has a marketplace with a list of Maltese puppies from AKC-registered breeding dogs. You are assured that the Maltese pups in this marketplace are healthy since they are quality breeders monitored and regulated by the AKC.
• Cher Chien Maltese – Cher Chien Maltese is a reputable breeder of Maltese dogs. With 25 years of experience in breeding quality Maltese, you are assured they produce healthy puppies. All their puppies are raised inside their homes and socialized properly.

If you have your heart set out on helping a Maltese that is abandoned, neglected, and in need, here is a list of Maltese rescues where you can adopt Maltese dogs:

• Metropolitan Maltese Rescue – Metropolitan Maltese Rescue is a corporation that started its service way back in 1998. Their service is limited to NYC tri-state area. Adoption fees vary from $300 to $500, depending on the age of the Maltese.
• Maltese Rescue California – This rescue is an organization entirely comprised of volunteers. The adoption process includes filling out the application form with your preferred Maltese, a phone interview, and a home visit by one of the volunteers to see if the home provides a safe environment for the rescued dog.
• Southern Comfort Maltese Rescue – In addition to adoption, SCMR also accepts foster applications until the dog is adopted. SCMR will pay all medical expenses and help groom the dog during this time. SCMR has a strict policy of not adopting households with children ten and below and homes with electric fences.

Remember, adopting a Maltese requires a potential owner to undergo a stringent screening process where home visits may be required. This ensures that the Maltese will be placed in a loving home.

If you are looking for purebred Maltese, searching for professional breeders is better than going to puppy mills, despite the tempting cost of their puppies.

Generally, puppy mills do not have any health guarantees, which is a red flag that signals most of their puppies are unhealthy.

Money-Saving Tips for Maltese Owners

Although Malteses are little dogs, they require expert care and maintenance, which translates to expenses. Taking care of Maltese can be quite expensive, especially during the initial years.

This does not mean that you should break the bank, as there are many ways to manage your finances wisely.

Here are some money-saving tips for Maltese owners:

• Research about the Maltese. First and foremost, it is a good idea to research the breed before going off and buying them. This will make deciding on which items and purchases to make easier.
• Follow the advice of your vet. Never ignore what your vet has to say. A licensed veterinarian knows what’s best for the health of your puppy. Have a routine vet visit; this guarantees your pup is safe from diseases.
• Buy high-quality products. You will save a lot more money if you invest in high-quality items instead of buying another set whenever they become dysfunctional. By buying quality products, you are guaranteed that they will last for years to come.
• Keep your Maltese healthy. A puppy’s needs should never be overlooked to ensure its health and well-being. Nobody wants to encounter unnecessary expenses because their dog becomes ill.
• Invest time with your Maltese. Spending quality time with your Maltese will keep it happy. You can play with your pup whenever you are free or take it for a walk instead of opting for dog walking services.

Spoiling your Maltese does not necessarily mean that you have to go broke. With proper research and preparation, you can ensure your puppy can grow into a strong and healthy adult Maltese.

Final Thoughts

Taking care of a Maltese does not only require an ample amount of attention and effort. Owning this small purebred dog also involves a great deal of financial responsibility.

By investing your time in research and preparation, you can decide what is best for your Maltese puppy. You can reduce some costs by using the above-mentioned money-saving advice.

For such a good family dog, the Maltese will surely be worth all the time and money you put into it.

After learning about the Maltese cost and the expenses associated with owning one, do you think you are ready to take one home? Share your thoughts about this small dog breed in the comments below!