Highland Maltie

by Mary Simpson

Published: November 9th, 2017

About Highland Maltie

Weight

10-16 lb

Height

10-12 inches

Lifespan

12-14 years

Group

Not Applicable

Best Suited For

Experienced dog owners, families with older children and other pets, apartment dwellers

Temperament

playful, stubborn, inquisitive, loving

Comparable Breeds

Maltese, West Highland White Terrier

Highland Maltie Basics

This feisty little family dog is the Highland Maltie and he brings the fun-loving personality of the Maltese together with the bold, fearless characteristics of the West Highland White Terrier for a great family dog who loves kids and pets alike. He is devoted to his human pack and thrives on attention but can become a bit impatient and “nippy” if provoked.

The Highland Maltie combines the fun-loving personality of the Maltese with the bold little West Highland White Terrier.

Origin

The Highland Maltie is a Designer Dog and it’s expected he first originated in the 1980s when breeders began crossing pure-bred dogs to create smaller, hypo-allergenic or gentler variations on some of the more popular breeds.

Pedigree

The Highland Maltie is not a member of the American Kennel Club (AKC) because he lacks purebred status. Both parents however are long-term members; the Maltese joined AKC’s “toy” group back in 1888 while the West Highland White Terrier joined the “terrier” group in 1908.

Food / Diet

The Highland Maltie is not an overly active dog and his diet should reflect this. Opt for a high quality kibble specifically suited to his size, age and activity level and always select a mix that is low in fillers (such as carbs) that will encourage overeating to feel full. This dog comes from two breeds that are prone to joint issues later in life so obesity must always be on your radar. Plan to feed him 2 to 3 small meals throughout the day versus free-feeding and because his Maltese DNA can make him prone to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) a feeding schedule is important.

The Highland Maltie can be stubborn so patience will be needed when training.

Training

The Highland Maltie can be stubborn so patience will be needed when training. Because he is part Terrier early socialization is important to discourage chasing other animals and if you aren’t getting the results you hoped for, consider bringing in a professional trainer rather than throwing in the towel. As with most breeds, a firm, consistent, rewards-based approach will go a long way in bringing out the best in this dog.

Weight

Your Highland Maltie will typically weigh between 10 to 16 pounds.

Temperament / Behavior

The bold little Highland Maltie is a loving companion animal with a feisty attitude, heightened sense of self-importance and a strong devotion to his family. While he gets along well with other animals, he is part Terrier so his instinct to chase is strong and will require early socialization to help curb. He loves to be the center of attention and his bright and cheerful personality make him a favorite with kids however he can become impatient and nippy if he becomes agitated with rough play or teasing.

Common Health Problems

Typically designer dogs are able to sidestep the health issues that can be common in their pure-bred parents however it’s always important to be aware of what your new pup may inherit. From the Maltese, he may be prone to hypoglycemia, liver shunt and patellar luxation while the West Highland White Terrier may bring hip and joint issues including Legg-Calve Perthes Disease.

Life Expectancy

The Highland Maltie has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. Their lifespan is about average for small breeds.

Exercise Requirements

The Highland Maltie is a “busy” little dog who loves to be involved in everything family however he isn’t considered an exceptionally active dog. A good daily walk and playtime that will engage him with the family will be enough to keep him physically fit and mentally stimulated. If he becomes bored, he can become destructive so consider some interactive games to keep him occupied.

The Highland Maltie is a feisty, self-important little dog who is loving and devoted to his family.

Recognized Clubs

The Highland Maltie is recognized by the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA) American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Designer Breed Registry (DBR), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC) and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).

Coat

The Highland Maltie sheds minimally throughout the year with it peaking during the usual shedding seasons. His coat is long, thick and silky and requires brushing 3 to 4 times per week to keep it from matting and tangling, with grooming every 2 to 3 months to help keep it looking its best. And because small dogs can run into dental issues, daily brushing should be an important part of his maintenance regimen.

Puppies

This bright little pup brings a built-in stubborn streak together with Terrier DNA to produce an adorable little guy who will need early socialization to ensure he plays nice with other pets and learns to obey commands. He comes from two breeds that experience joint issues later in life so be careful when exercising him so as not to overstress tiny legs.

Photo credit: Brian A Jackson/Shutterstock.com; Good Shop Background/Shutterstock.com; yod67/Shutterstock.com

Mary Simpson

Sharing space with three seriously judgy Schnoodles and a feline who prefers to be left alone. #LivingMyBestLife

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The Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, Indiana, recently welcomed a litter of eight endangered African painted dog puppies. After a rough start, only three puppies survived thanks to an unlikely surrogate mother - a golden retriever named Kassy.The Potawatomi Zoo announced that the pair of their African painted dogs, Bleu and Maurice, had a litter of eight puppies born in late September. However, it was soon clear to the care team at the zoo that the pack would not be able to raise the puppies successfully.“Bleu, an inexperienced mother, was not caring for her pups the way she should have, and Maurice was following her lead,” said the zoo. In their natural habitat, African painted dogs live in large packs with unique vocalizations and social dynamics. All adult dogs in the pack work together to help feed and raise the pups. The success of the birth and raising of the pups can be endangered if the pack doesn’t work together as they should. “We knew within 24 hours that we had to separate them,” the zoo’s executive director, Josh Sisk, told the South Bend Tribune. The zoo’s animal care staff consulted with the African Painted Dog Species Survival Plan (SSP), a group of zoo professionals who form the breeding plans for this endangered species in accredited zoos across the United States. The staff at zoos usually try to remain uninvolved, letting the packs raise the puppies as they would in the wild. This approach is often successful and helps the pups learn the complex social structure of their species. However, in this case, the decision was made to intervene and hand-raise the litter. Instead of bottle-feeding the puppies, the SSP recommended finding a surrogate dog to nurse the puppies. Within a few hours, the Indiana Council for Animal Welfare connected the zoo with a golden retriever named Kassy, who recently had a litter of puppies and had milk to spare. Kassy and her litter arrived at the zoo a day after the painted dog pups were born and immediately accepted them. The zoo’s staff watched as Kessy nursed and cared for the pups as if they were her own.“It was a crazy first month,” Sisk said. “Our team was there for four weeks, 24/7. We had a mattress next to the dogs.”The zoo’s veterinarian and care team worked around the clock to ensure that all of the puppies, including Kassy’s litter, were getting enough food and time with Kassy. However, despite everyone’s efforts, not all of the African painted dog pups survived. Four weeks after the litter was born, only three puppies remained. The surviving pups were named Blue, Red, and Orange for the colors staff used to track them since they were born. Originally, the zoo planned to reintegrate the pups with Bleu, Maurice, and Colby. However, the adult dogs didn’t show a positive interest in the pups, so the plan was changed. The zoo decided to build a home for the pups next to adult dogs, so they could still learn how to behave like painted dogs. Once the puppies get older they can either be integrated with Bleu, Maurice, and Colby or moved to another zoo.“Blue, Red, and Orange have had an unusual and challenging start to life, but the zoo hopes they will have a bright and successful future,” the zoo shared in a release. “These three healthy, active pups are just the start of this story and the zoo hopes to share more positive updates of their milestones in the future.”Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

New Tool Detects and Predicts Dog Mobility Issues

Researchers at the University of Liverpool and experts at Dogs Trust have joined forces to create a unique new tool for detecting and predicting dog mobility issues. These veterinary experts have developed the GenPup-M questionnaire. This survey asks dog owners a series of questions to about their dog's mobility. The GenPup-M questionnaire is designed in a way that can help owners determine whether their dog might be experiencing mobility problems, even mild ones. Mobility-related problems are the third most commonly diagnosed disease in dogs. It’s estimated that 200,000 dogs are affected by musculoskeletal disease annually. According to some estimates, 20% of dogs have mobility issues before one year old, but most aren’t diagnosed until they are eight to 13 years old. Current mobility questionnaires are developed for dogs already diagnosed with mobility problems and track their quality of life. This means that many dogs spend the better part of their lives living with a painful condition that negatively impacts their overall health and well-being. A recent study, published in PLOS ONE confirms the validity of the GenPup-M questionnaire. The study involved 62 dogs - 31 with mobility issues and 31 without mobility issues.Scientists obtained the dogs’ clinical history from the owners, and all dogs received an orthopedic exam at the beginning of the study. Next, owners were asked to complete the GenPup-M questionnaire along with a previously validated mobility questionnaire.To determine the survey’s validity and its ability to identify mobility issues in dogs, scientists compared GenPup-M responses with the results of other expert tests, including advanced gait analysis.“Impaired mobility can affect a dog’s ability to engage in daily activities and interactions, move or exercise freely. If an animal is unwilling to or cannot play, exercise, or express normal behavior, this can impact its quality of life,” said Natasha Clark, veterinary surgeon and researcher at the Department of Musculoskeletal & Aging Science at the University of Liverpool. According to Clark, when done over time at regular checkups, the GenPup-M questionnaire can identify subtle changes in a dog’s mobility without the use of expensive and time-consuming gait analysis. This new tool can help vets diagnose and slow the development of mobility problems in dogs. “Our research doesn’t stop here and we will continue to research and develop GenPup-M to refine it as an even more effective tool for vets and dog caregivers,” added Clark.The Deputy Head of Research, Welfare Projects & Grants at Dogs Trust, Dr Jane Murray, said, “We are delighted to work collaboratively with the University of Liverpool on this study which serves to improve the well-being of dogs, as no dog is immune to mobility issues. Generation Pup is a ground-breaking study of the health, welfare, and behavior of our dogs and we hope this research helps more owners detect early signs of mobility issues, leading to veterinary and management interventions that can improve the welfare of the affected dogs.”Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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