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Maltese

Maltese
Photo: Sannse / CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia

96 Malteses in the atlas. Every number on this page has a source.

Population-genetic snapshot of Malteses in the Sniff Atlas, source-graded Mendelian carrier frequencies from Donner 2023, and nutrition guidance tied to the genetic findings above.

Also known as Canis familiaris Maelitacus and Maltese lion puppy.

See in the atlas → From CanVAS
The plain version

Maltese dogs have a moderately diverse genetic background. They are small, weighing around 8 lb, and usually live about 12 years. One health note to be aware of is a risk related to certain spine conditions, which comes from their breed’s gene pool. It’s a good idea to talk with your vet or consider genetic testing to keep your Maltese happy and healthy.

What the atlas says about Maltese

In the atlas, the Maltese clusters consistently as Maltese (100% of the 96 dogs here). At the trait loci, FGF4_retrogene_CFA18 runs lower than average (2% here vs 77%); SMAD2 runs lower than average (16% here vs 74%).

Low breed predictability score (0.24), individual dogs of this breed vary widely in genetics, suggesting active substructure or sub-population diversity.

Median lifespan is 12.05 years, about 1.5 years shorter than a typical dog of 3.5 kg, one of the larger gaps in the atlas.

Genetic dimensions · CanVAS atlas

What the genome says about Maltese

Computed from the 18,477 research dogs in the Atlas.

Dogs in the Atlas
96Founders
77 from Hayward2016, 10 from Spatola, 8 from Shannon
Genetic diversity
0.31Moderate
Mean heterozygosity across the breed. Ranks 59th most genetically tight of 107 ranked breeds.
What does genetic diversity mean?

How varied a breed's gene pool is — the share of gene spots where a typical dog of the breed carries two different versions rather than two identical ones.

How to read it: Higher = more diverse. Among well-sampled breeds it ranges roughly 0.22 (least diverse) to 0.33 (most diverse).

Diversity is a strength, not a verdict on any individual dog. Lower diversity means it's worth paying attention to recessive-risk testing — not that a dog is doomed.

Cluster structure
Splits into two genetic sub-populations
Intra-breed RMS distance: 30.10 · likely working/show-line, regional, or kennel lineage split.
What does within-breed variation mean?

How much individual dogs within the breed differ from each other genetically.

How to read it: Higher = more internal variety among individuals of the breed.

Sensitive to how many dogs of the breed we've sampled.

Related breeds
Gave rise to
In the Toy group
Explore the full lineage map →
VBO foundation stock (breeding records) · AKC breed group
Relatedness is documented lineage + kennel family. Genetic-ancestry distance measures diversity, not kinship, so it isn't used here.
How long they live
13.1years (life expectancy)
95% CI 12.6–13.5 · VetCompass, McMillan 2024, n=2,021. source
What does typical lifespan mean?

The median age dogs of the breed tend to reach.

How to read it: Higher = longer-lived. Compare to longevity-for-size to see whether it's just a size effect.

Drawn from population lifespan records; individual dogs vary widely with care, genetics, and luck.

Trait genetics
Allele frequencies at named morphology loci

Frequency of the alternate allele in this breed at each locus's representative SNP.

Body size
IGF189%
HMGA22%
SMAD216%
LCORL100%
STC291%
ADAMTS1742%
Leg length
FGF4·CFA182%
FGF4·CFA1286%
Coat
RSPO290%
FGF591%
KRT71100%
MC1R77%
Ear set
MSRB383%
Skull shape
BMP379%
SMOC2100%
n = 96 dogs · high confidence · CanVAS (Brundage 2026) · Sniff Atlas
Names & origins

Other names

The Maltese is also recorded as Canis familiaris Maelitacus and Maltese lion puppy.

Identified as Maltese (VBO:0200856) in the Vertebrate Breed Ontology (Mullen et al. 2025, CC-BY 4.0) · registry IDs FCI 65 · iDog 155 · VeNom 22450.

Temperament

What Malteses tend toward

Tendencies from owner surveys of purebred Malteses — a leaning across the breed, not a prediction for any one dog. A bar’s strength shows how much of that behavior breed actually explains: for most it’s faint, because the rest is your dog, their training, and the life you give them.

Proximity Seekingbreed ~13%
affectionatealoof
n = 25 dogs · Morrill et al. 2022, Science, Darwin's Ark (CC0)
Owner-reported purebreds; each factor n ≥ 25. "Breed ~%" is the share of this behavior explained by breed.
What you see when you look at a Maltese

What does the genome say about how a Maltese looks?

Malteses look the way they do because of a small set of fixed and near-fixed morphology genes that, taken together, define the visible breed. Each translation below pairs the gene with the trait an owner actually sees, the breed's allele frequency at that locus, and a one-clause causal phrase.

Where the breed-defining genes act, mapped on a generic dog-body key — and how fixed each marker is in the Maltese. The figure is the most-settled marker we read in that region; the full per-locus panel is below. (The silhouette is a shared anatomical guide, not this breed's outline.)

Body sizeLCORL · 100%Skull shapeSMOC2 · 100%EarsMSRB3 · 83%Leg lengthFGF4 CFA12 · 86%Coat & colorKRT71 · 100%
CanVAS trait-locus panel (Brundage 2026)
15 morphology markers read across 5 regions. Allele frequency = how fixed a marker is in this breed, not whether your dog carries it.

Size and build

IGF1 is near-fixed at 89% for the small-body allele, which keeps the breed compact relative to its working-line ancestors.

IGF1what this gene does

IGF1 is a gene that plays a key role in determining a dog's body size. It influences how much a dog grows, affecting overall stature.

For your dog: Knowing about IGF1 gives you insight into your dog's size traits, but it’s just one part of the bigger picture when it comes to their health and care.

Full IGF1 gene page →

HMGA2 is at 2%, leaving most of the size signal to other loci in the panel.

HMGA2what this gene does

HMGA2 is a gene that influences body size in dogs, helping determine how big or small a dog grows.

For your dog: Knowing about HMGA2 helps you appreciate the genetic factors behind your dog's size, but it doesn't signal any health issues.

Full HMGA2 gene page →

SMAD2 is at 16%, leaving the height signal mostly to other size genes.

SMAD2what this gene does

SMAD2 is a gene involved in regulating body size by influencing how cells grow and develop.

For your dog: Knowing about SMAD2 helps understand your dog's size traits but isn't linked to health issues; no immediate action needed.

Full SMAD2 gene page →

LCORL is near-fixed at 100%, the NCAPG/LCORL height locus that is one of the strongest single contributors to canine body size.

LCORLwhat this gene does

LCORL is a gene that influences body size in dogs. It helps determine how big or small a dog might grow.

For your dog: Knowing about LCORL helps you appreciate the genetic factors behind your dog's size, but it’s just one piece of the bigger picture when it comes to health and care.

Full LCORL gene page →

STC2 is near-fixed at 91%, modulating growth-axis signaling toward the breed's body-size set point.

ADAMTS17 sits at 42%. ADAMTS17 is a body-size locus also linked to lens disorders.

ADAMTS17what this gene does

ADAMTS17 is a gene that influences body size and also plays a role in certain eye conditions. It affects the structure of tissues in the eye and elsewhere in the body.

For your dog: If your dog belongs to a breed known to carry ADAMTS17 variants, it’s worth discussing genetic testing and eye exams with your vet to stay ahead of potential issues.

Full ADAMTS17 gene page →

Leg length

The FGF4 retrogene on chromosome 18 is at 2%, the chromosome-18 leg-length variant, which keeps the breed short-legged like Corgis and Dachshunds.

The FGF4 retrogene on chromosome 12 is near-fixed at 86%, the chondrodystrophic variant associated with intervertebral disc disease risk in breeds that carry it.

Coat type, length, and color

RSPO2 is near-fixed at 90% for the furnishings allele, the genetic basis of the eyebrows-and-mustache pattern seen in Schnauzers and Wheaten Terriers.

RSPO2what this gene does

RSPO2 influences the texture and appearance of a dog's coat, particularly the presence of 'furnishings' like mustaches and eyebrows. It helps determine whether a dog has that distinctive wiry or textured look.

For your dog: If your dog has those wiry eyebrows or a mustache, RSPO2 is part of the reason—no health worries, just a coat feature worth knowing about.

Full RSPO2 gene page →

FGF5 is at 91% for the long-coat variant, which is why the breed's coat sits where it does on the long end of the dog coat-length spectrum.

FGF5what this gene does

FGF5 is a gene that influences the length of a dog's coat. It acts like a natural switch, telling hair follicles when to stop growing longer fur.

For your dog: If your dog has a notably long or short coat, FGF5 is likely part of the reason—no action needed, but it’s a neat genetic detail to know.

Full FGF5 gene page →

KRT71 is near-fixed at 100% for the wavy/curly variant. Coat curl phenotype varies across breeds at this fixation depending on modifier loci, and visible expression is not always curled even when the locus is fixed.

KRT71what this gene does

KRT71 is a gene that influences the curliness of a dog's coat. It helps determine whether a dog's fur is straight or has a distinctive curl.

For your dog: If your dog has a curly coat, KRT71 is likely part of the reason; it’s a natural variation, not a health concern.

Full KRT71 gene page →

MC1R sits at 77% at the representative SNP. MC1R controls the switch between red-to-gold pigment and black-to-brown pigment, with the e/e homozygous genotype producing the gold-to-red spectrum. Substrate frequencies at this SNP depend on the array's polarity, so visible coat color in the breed is a more reliable indicator than this single number.

MC1Rwhat this gene does

MC1R is a gene that influences coat color in dogs, affecting how pigments are produced in the fur.

For your dog: Knowing about MC1R gives insight into your dog's coat color but doesn't relate to health issues.

Full MC1R gene page →

Ears

MSRB3 sits at 83% for the drop-ear allele, which is why ear set varies across the breed.

MSRB3what this gene does

MSRB3 is a gene involved in the development of ear shape and structure in dogs.

For your dog: Understanding MSRB3 helps explain why your dog's ears look the way they do, but it isn't linked to any health issues.

Full MSRB3 gene page →

Skull shape

BMP3 sits at 79%, contributing to the breed's moderate, mesaticephalic head shape rather than the extreme brachycephalic form.

BMP3what this gene does

BMP3 is a gene that influences the shape of a dog's skull, particularly contributing to a shorter, broader head shape known as brachycephaly.

For your dog: If your dog has a broad, short skull, it's worth discussing with your vet how this might impact their health, even though BMP3 isn't directly tied to illness.

Full BMP3 gene page →

SMOC2 is at 100%, the major locus contributing to the breed's brachycephalic face shape.

SMOC2what this gene does

SMOC2 influences the shape of a dog's skull, particularly affecting how flat or short the face appears.

For your dog: If your dog has a short nose, it's worth discussing with your vet how this trait might impact their health over time.

Full SMOC2 gene page →
Mendelian-disease genetics

What genetic diseases do Malteses carry?

From a panel of 250 Mendelian-disease variants screened in 1,054,293 dogs (Donner et al. 2023), Malteses carry 20 of them at observable frequency. Carrier frequency is not clinical risk. Most recessive variants require two copies for disease expression; many dominant variants show incomplete penetrance. Read this as a population fingerprint of what's in the gene pool, not a per-dog prediction.

Chondrodystrophy and Intervertebral Disc Disease Risk (CDDY)
Autosomal dominant
moderate 3.5%
n = 2,403 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:000157-9615 · omia.org →
FGF4what this gene does

FGF4 influences leg length by affecting bone growth, leading to shorter legs in certain breeds.

For your dog: If your dog is from a breed known to carry this gene, it's worth discussing spinal health with your vet, but being a carrier doesn’t guarantee problems.

Bald Thigh Syndrome (Discovered in Sighthounds)
Autosomal recessive
low 8.3%
n = 12 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:002168-9615 · omia.org →
IGFBP5what this gene does

IGFBP5 is a gene that helps regulate growth factors involved in tissue development and repair.

For your dog: If you have a sighthound, it’s worth mentioning IGFBP5-related risks to your vet, but being a carrier doesn’t mean your dog will develop the syndrome.

Cystinuria Type I-B (SLC7A9 p.A217T)
Autosomal recessive (Incomplete penetrance)
low 5.3%
n = 2,413 dogs · 2 variants tested · OMIA:001880-9615 · omia.org →
SLC7A9what this gene does

SLC7A9 is a gene that helps transport certain amino acids in the kidneys. It plays a role in how the body handles cystine, an amino acid that can form crystals.

For your dog: If your dog is a carrier, it’s worth discussing with your vet to monitor urinary health and catch any issues early.

Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC)
Autosomal recessive (Incomplete penetrance)
low 2.2%
n = 2,413 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001466-9615 · omia.org →
DNM1what this gene does

DNM1 is a gene that helps nerve cells communicate properly by managing how they send signals during muscle activity.

For your dog: If your dog belongs to one of the breeds known to carry this gene variant, it's worth discussing EIC with your vet, especially if your dog is very active or shows signs of weakness during exercise.

Von Willebrand's Disease, Type 1 (vWD 1)
Autosomal recessive
low 2.0%
n = 2,413 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001057-9615 · omia.org →
Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (prcd-PRA)
Autosomal recessive
low 0.85%
n = 2,408 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001298-9615 · omia.org →
PRCDwhat this gene does

PRCD is a gene involved in the health of a dog's retina, the part of the eye that detects light and helps with vision.

For your dog: If your dog belongs to a breed known to carry PRCD changes, it's worth discussing eye health and potential genetic testing with your vet.

Cystinuria Type I-A (SLC3A1 p.I192V)
Autosomal recessive
low 0.56%
n = 2,413 dogs · 3 variants tested · OMIA:000256-9615 · omia.org →
SLC3A1what this gene does

SLC3A1 is a gene that helps transport certain amino acids in the kidneys. It plays a key role in preventing the buildup of cystine, which can form stones.

For your dog: If your dog is from a breed known to carry SLC3A1 variants, it’s worth discussing cystinuria risks with your vet, especially if urinary issues arise.

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
Autosomal recessive (Incomplete penetrance)
low 0.54%
n = 2,413 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:000263-9615 · omia.org →
SOD1what this gene does

SOD1 is a gene that helps protect cells from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals.

For your dog: If your dog is a carrier of SOD1 variants, it's worth discussing with your vet, but remember carrier status doesn't mean your dog will get the disease.

Prekallikrein Deficiency
Autosomal recessive
low 0.52%
n = 2,413 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:000819-9615 · omia.org →
KLKB1what this gene does

KLKB1 is a gene that helps produce prekallikrein, a protein involved in blood clotting and inflammation.

For your dog: If your dog is from a breed known to carry KLKB1 variants, it's worth asking your vet about blood clotting tests, especially before surgeries.

Glycogen Storage Disease, Type Ia (GSD Ia)
Autosomal recessive
low 0.33%
n = 2,413 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:000418-9615 · omia.org →
Dilated Cardiomyopathy risk factor (Discovered in the Doberman Pinscher; PDK4-related)
Autosomal dominant (Incomplete penetrance)
low 0.29%
n = 2,413 dogs · 2 variants tested · OMIA:000162-9615 · omia.org →
PDK4what this gene does

PDK4 helps regulate how cells use energy, especially in the heart muscle.

For your dog: If your dog is one of the breeds known to carry this gene, it’s worth discussing heart health with your vet, but being a carrier doesn’t mean your dog will develop disease.

Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (Discovered in the Old English Sheepdog; CCDC39-related PCD)
Autosomal recessive
low <0.1%
n = 2,413 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001540-9615 · omia.org →
Bleeding disorder (Discovered in the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog; P2RY12-related)
Autosomal recessive
low <0.1%
n = 2,412 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001564-9615 · omia.org →
P2RY12what this gene does

P2RY12 is a gene that helps control how platelets stick together to form blood clots, which is essential for stopping bleeding.

For your dog: If your dog is from one of these breeds, it’s worth asking your vet about P2RY12 to understand any potential bleeding risks, especially before surgery or injury.

Complement 3 (C3) Deficiency
Autosomal recessive
low <0.1%
n = 2,413 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:000155-9615 · omia.org →
Cone-Rod Dystrophy (cord1-PRA/crd4)
Autosomal recessive (Incomplete penetrance)
low <0.1%
n = 2,413 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001432-9615 · omia.org →
RPGRIP1what this gene does

RPGRIP1 is a gene involved in the function of photoreceptor cells in the eye, which help dogs see in different light conditions.

For your dog: If your dog belongs to a breed known to carry RPGRIP1 mutations, it’s worth discussing with your vet to understand the risks and monitor eye health.

Congenital Dyshormonogenic Hypothyroidism with Goiter (Discovered in the Shih Tzu)
Autosomal recessive
low <0.1%
n = 2,413 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:002174-9615 · omia.org →
Hyperuricosuria (HUU)
Autosomal recessive
low <0.1%
n = 2,413 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001033-9615 · omia.org →
SLC2A9what this gene does

SLC2A9 is a gene that helps regulate uric acid levels in a dog's body. It plays a role in how the kidneys handle this substance.

For your dog: If your dog is one of the breeds known to carry this gene variant, it’s worth discussing with your vet to understand any potential urinary health concerns.

Primary Lens Luxation (PLL)
Autosomal recessive
low <0.1%
n = 2,413 dogs · 2 variants tested · OMIA:000588-9615 · omia.org →
ADAMTS17what this gene does

ADAMTS17 is a gene that influences body size and also plays a role in certain eye conditions. It affects the structure of tissues in the eye and elsewhere in the body.

For your dog: If your dog belongs to a breed known to carry ADAMTS17 variants, it’s worth discussing genetic testing and eye exams with your vet to stay ahead of potential issues.

Full ADAMTS17 gene page →
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (Discovered in the Giant Schnauzer; NECAP1-related)
Autosomal recessive
low <0.1%
n = 2,413 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:002198-9615 · omia.org →
Pyruvate Kinase (PK) Deficiency (Discovered in the Beagle)
Autosomal recessive
low <0.1%
n = 2,413 dogs · 4 variants tested · OMIA:000844-9615 · omia.org →
Source: Donner J et al. 2023. Genetic prevalence and clinical relevance of canine Mendelian disease variants in over one million dogs. PLOS Genetics 19(2):e1010651 · Evidence: Limited (DTC ascertainment, tag-SNP proxy) · Confounding MEDIUM · License CC-BY-4.0 · Phene IDs from OMIA (Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney; DOI 10.25910/2AMR-PV70).
Sample size in this breed: 2,413 dogs from the Donner 2023 cohort.

Which Mendelian variants matter most for Malteses?

The Mendelian-disease table above lists 194 variants screened in 2,413 Malteses (Donner 2023). Three rise above the rest by carrier frequency and clinical consequence. The sample size of 2,413 is robust for most variants, though a few rarer variants rest on smaller sub-samples where confidence intervals are wider.

Chondrodystrophy and Intervertebral Disc Disease Risk (CDDY)

Chondrodystrophy and Intervertebral Disc Disease Risk in Malteses is caused by a dominant FGF4 retrogene. Malteses carry the chondrodystrophy allele at 3.5% (n=2,403). The variant does not shorten Maltese limbs the way it does in Dachshunds or Corgis, Malteses have normal proportions. The consistent expression in Malteses is intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) risk. A dog with even one copy of this dominant variant carries elevated odds of disc herniation.

The Maltese’s toy size means any spinal insult can have outsized consequences, and IVDD risk is worth managing proactively. The CDDY variant adds to that background risk. Testing is available and breeders in the health-minded subset use it to avoid carrier-by-carrier pairings.

Bald Thigh Syndrome (Discovered in Sighthounds)

Bald Thigh Syndrome in Malteses is a rare recessive condition causing hair loss, first described in Sighthounds. Severity ranges from cosmetic to moderately bothersome. The carrier frequency is 8.3%, but the sample size for this variant is small (n=12). Treat this number with caution, it may shift as more Malteses are tested.

Testing exists. The condition is manageable and not life-threatening.

Cystinuria Type I-B (SLC7A9 p.A217T)

Cystinuria Type I-B in Malteses is an autosomal-recessive form with incomplete penetrance. The SLC7A9 variant causes excess urinary cystine and predisposes to bladder stones. 5.3% of Malteses in the Donner cohort carry one copy (n=2,413). Not all carriers form stones.

Testing is available. Affected dogs are managed with diet (low-protein, alkalinizing) and veterinary monitoring.

How should I test my Maltese?

A breed-specific panel from a CLIA-accredited lab is the practical path. For Malteses, the highest-yield set covers CDDY (chondrodystrophy/IVDD), SLC7A9 (cystinuria I-B), prcd-PRA (progressive rod-cone degeneration), and vWD1 (von Willebrand’s disease). If breeding, test both parents.

What should I feed a Maltese?

Malteses weigh 4 to 6 pounds adult, which means a missed meal or underfed day can drop their blood sugar into the hypoglycemic range within hours. Feeding frequency and portion precision matter more in this breed than in most others. The toy-breed metabolic requirement is the primary constraint; the breed’s modest genetic-disease burden shapes the secondary choices.

Meal frequency and small portions are non-negotiable. The National Research Council (NRC 2006) uses metabolic body weight to estimate caloric needs. A typical 5-pound adult Maltese needs roughly 150 to 200 kilocalories per day depending on activity level; consult your veterinarian for a precise target. A single meal can lead to dangerous blood-sugar dips between feedings. Two or three meals per day are standard; some owners split the ration into four small offerings.

Choose a formula built for toy breeds, not a diluted large-breed kibble. Toy-breed formulas account for smaller kibble size, faster metabolism, and dental wear patterns. Toy-breed formulas are generally designed for smaller kibble size, faster metabolism, and the caloric density these dogs need. Read the guaranteed analysis on the label. Crude protein should be 18 to 25 percent for adults and 22 to 32 percent for puppies. Fat content of 12 to 15 percent is appropriate for the breed.

Hypoglycemia watch in puppies and underweight adults. If a Maltese misses a meal, watch for lethargy, trembling, or disorientation. Have a small amount of honey or corn syrup on hand and contact your vet immediately if these signs appear. This is not melodrama, it is standard toy-breed protocol. Feed after play or training sessions to stabilize blood sugar.

The 3.5% CDDY carrier frequency is low enough that disc-protective nutrition is standard care, not specialized diet. Keeping any Maltese at a healthy weight reduces mechanical stress on the spine regardless of CDDY status. Maintain a healthy weight and avoid letting puppies jump from heights. A food that supports lean muscle mass (protein-adequate, calorie-controlled) is more important than special supplements. Joint supplements (glucosamine, chondroitin) have weak evidence in dogs but are harmless if added under veterinary guidance.

What we don’t know

The Bald Thigh Syndrome carrier frequency (8.3%) rests on a sample of 12 dogs. This is too small to be confident. As more Malteses are genotyped, this number will either hold or shift significantly. Ask your breeder whether their stock has been tested for this variant.

Exercise-Induced Collapse in Malteses shows zero phenotype confirmation in the Donner dataset (0/2 at-risk homozygous dogs), with a 2.2% single-copy carrier frequency in the population. We do not yet know whether the variant produces clinical disease in this breed or whether the breed context modifies expression. The finding is in the substrate but the functional consequence remains uncertain.

Cancer burden in Malteses is not well characterized. Breed-club health data are limited. Lifespan medians from the atlas (12.1 years) are consistent with other toy breeds, but what kills Malteses most commonly and whether breed-specific prevention strategies exist are open questions.

Frequently asked questions about Malteses

Are Malteses prone to hypoglycemia? Yes, especially as puppies. Toy breeds like Malteses have fast metabolisms and can develop dangerously low blood sugar between meals. Feed multiple small meals per day and monitor for lethargy or trembling between feedings. Contact your vet immediately if these signs appear.

What is the most common genetic problem in Malteses? Cystinuria Type I-B is the highest-carrier-frequency recessive variant (5.3%, n=2,413). Dental disease is commonly reported in toy breeds generally, though breed-specific prevalence data for Malteses are limited.

Should I do a DNA test on my Maltese? For breeding stock, yes. A panel covering CDDY (chondrodystrophy/IVDD), SLC7A9 (cystinuria), prcd-PRA, and vWD1 captures the variants most relevant to Maltese health. Testing both parents before breeding is the responsible path.

How long do Malteses usually live? The atlas median lifespan for Malteses is 12.1 years. Individual variation is wide; some live into their mid-teens, others shorter. Consistent veterinary care, weight management, and dental hygiene support longevity.

Are Malteses good with children? Malteses are affectionate and playful, but their small size makes them vulnerable to accidental injury from young children. Supervise interactions with children under 8 years old. Malteses are sturdier with older, gentle children.

What should I feed a Maltese puppy? A toy-breed puppy formula with 22 to 32 percent protein, split into three or four small meals per day. Avoid adult kibbles or large-breed formulas, they are not calorie-dense enough for toy-breed growth rates. Feed after play sessions and monitor for signs of hypoglycemia (lethargy, trembling).

Do Malteses have genetic predisposition to intervertebral disc disease? Malteses carry the CDDY variant at 3.5% (Donner 2023, n=2,403), which adds IVDD risk on top of the breed’s general vulnerability from small body size. Weight management and avoiding jumping from heights are core preventive measures for all Malteses, not just carriers.

What health screening should a Maltese breeder do? A panel covering CDDY, SLC7A9, prcd-PRA, and vWD1 covers the top genetic variants. Dental screening and eye exams are also standard. Ask your breeder for test results on both parents before purchase.

A gift to human medicine

Malteses are a natural model for human disease

Because the same genes cause the same conditions across species, the inherited conditions documented in Malteses help researchers understand, and work toward treating, the human diseases they model. This is the dog advancing human medicine. The breed models the human disease; it does not have it, and this is not a prediction for your dog.

Human equivalents via OMIA → Mondo / OMIM. Model-of, not identity.
Documented in OMIA

Every condition recorded in the Maltese

Beyond the testable carriers above, OMIA's literature catalogue records 5 genetic conditions in the Maltese, 4 of which have a known human equivalent. This is the documented landscape across all Malteses ever studied, not a prediction for any one dog.

Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals (OMIA); Nicholas, Tammen & Sydney Informatics Hub, DOI 10.25910/2AMR-PV70
Documented in the breed's literature is not carrier status and not a forecast for an individual dog. Human equivalents are mapped via Mondo/OMIM. Carrier frequencies (above) are the separately-measured testable subset (Donner 2023).
The data behind this page

Where every number on this page came from.

This page draws on three primary data sources. Carrier frequencies for the Mendelian section come from Donner et al. 2023 (CC-BY-4.0). We grade these data at evidence Limited because the cohort is a direct-to-consumer ascertainment, which biases toward owners who chose to test their dogs. The panel also uses tag-SNP proxies for some variants rather than direct causal-variant assays. Limited is a study-design grade, not a quality grade: the Donner cohort is the largest open canine-genotype dataset in existence and we are grateful for it. We rate the confounding MEDIUM.

Population-genetic dimensions (heterozygosity, intra-breed PCA distance, nearest neighbors, trait-locus frequencies) come from CanVAS (Brundage 2026), harmonized through the Sniff Atlas. The exact release date and verification commit are pinned at the bottom of the page so a researcher can trace a number back to a specific snapshot. The disease-gene-variant graph comes from OMIA (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals; Nicholas, Tammen, and the Sydney Informatics Hub at the Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney; retrieved April 2026, DOI 10.25910/2AMR-PV70).

What this page does not yet have. Inheritance modes and per-disease penetrance evidence from Donner 2023 are now in the structured data for every variant the panel covers. Mondo, OMIM, Ensembl, and HGNC cross-references on gene pages remain pending, they arrive in December 2026 alongside the imputed 9.67M-variant CanVAS dataset via the OMIA SQL dump absorption. Until then, gene IDs carry NCBI Gene and OMIA phene URLs only; the wider human-homolog and disease-ontology cross-reference set fills in with that release.

How to cite this page. The computed dimensions on this page are derived from the open Sniff Atlas v1.0.1 (Gehring 2026, doi:10.5281/zenodo.20566358, CC-BY 4.0). Full citation formats including BibTeX, RIS, and CITATION.cff at sniff.world/cite.

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References
  1. Donner J, Freyer J, Davison S, Anderson H, Blades M, Honkanen L, et al. (2023). Genetic prevalence and clinical relevance of canine Mendelian disease variants in over one million dogs. PLOS Genetics 19(2):e1010651. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1010651
  2. Brundage J, et al. (2026). CanVAS: a harmonized canine variant atlas. bioRxiv. doi:10.64898/2026.04.13.718238
  3. Nicholas, F.W., Tammen, I., & Sydney Informatics Hub. (2026). Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals (OMIA) [dataset]. The University of Sydney. https://omia.org. doi:10.25910/2AMR-PV70 (retrieved April 2026).
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Sources: CanVAS (Brundage 2026) · Donner 2023 · OMIA