Maltese

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are the quintessential lap dog: sweet, gentle and affectionate. These dogs gained their popularity as a pet to royalty in Scotland in the 1500’s, and are today among the most popular breeds by the AKC. Their dark, expressive eyes are characteristic of the breed, just as their calm and loving nature. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are known for being wonderful with children and making excellent family pets. Because they are so eager to please, training is generally easy for these dogs. They will weigh between 13-18 lbs. on average when fully grown.

While Havanese dogs are small in size, they have big personalities! These outgoing, affectionate pups are bred for companionship and absolutely adore being around people. Native to Cuba (and named accordingly), they have a distinctive springy gait related to both their build and their spirited personalities. Havanese are somewhat active, and are suitable for apartment and house living, as a companion to an individual or family. These sweet, loving dogs are also very eager to learn and easily trained to do tricks. Havanese typically weigh between 10-15 lbs. when fully grown.

Originally developed in the 1990’s in Australia, the Mal-Shi is a cross between the Maltese and the Shih-Tzu. This is an easy, adorable breed that is ideal for a variety of lifestyles. Mal-Shis are easy to train, friendly, and happiest when by your side. They are outgoing, great with kids, and can also excel at therapy work because of their easy-going, delightful demeanor.

The Maltichon is a crossbreed of a Bichon Frise and Maltese. They look like soft fluffy cotton balls and are rapidly gaining popularity due to their looks and compatibility with other pets. The Maltichon makes a good watchdog and companion and because of their handy size and good behavior, they make ideal family pets that are very compatible with apartment living.

The Morkie is a cross between a Maltese and a Yorkshire Terrier. Both parent breeds are known for having a lot of personality, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that the Morkie does as well! Morkies are inherently happy, loyal and strive to please their owners. They love to play and exercise, and are confident around other pets and strangers. As long as they have a lap to sit on, they do equally well in apartments or larger living spaces.

One look at these dogs’ ears and you’ll know how they got their name; the French word “papillon” translates directly to “butterfly”. The Papillon’s fluffy, feathered ears, dark, expressive eyes and plumed tail give it a distinctive (and adorable!) appearance. Papillons love to be with people, are very affectionate and loyal. They are among the more intelligent dog breeds, quick to learn and eager to please. These small, elegant dogs excel at agility and other competitive dog sports. They do well in small and Large Living Spaces.

A small, affectionate dog, the Yorkshire Terrier has been a popular breed all over the world for decades. They were originally “ratters” - bred to catch rats - for the working class of England, and were one of the first AKC registered breeds after their move to the United States in the late 1800s. These days, Yorkies are known for being independent and feisty at times, but they learn very quickly and are keen to be near their owners. Yorkies are small dogs, typically weighing in at an average of 5-7 pounds, and, although nobody can guarantee any dog is hypoallergenic, Yorkies are often referred to as hypoallergenic because they have human-like hair instead of fur. 

This popular mix is a combination of a Maltese and a Poodle. Known for their fun, devoted, and affectionate nature, these adorable dogs make wonderful pets for all kinds of families and living spaces. They are clever and quick to learn, and come in a variety of colors. The Maltipoo will charm your socks off, and then curl up on your feet to keep your toes warm!

The Shih-Tzu is one of the oldest dog breeds, originating in Tibet thousands of years ago. Known as the “lion dog”, these small lap dogs were prized by royalty as household pets. Shih-Tzus are affectionate companion and family animals, known to live long, healthy lives. They prefer to be indoors and, while often docile and quiet, are also playful and spunky. They become very attached to their owners and love to be spoiled. Because of their small size (they typically weigh in at 10-15 lbs.), Shih-Tzus are well suited for most living spaces, large or small.