Why Maltese Dogs Are Shockingly Expensive in India?

How will you feel if you get a puppy, bunny, and kitty all in one pet? That’s how a Maltese dog looks. Big dark eyes, snow white long silky fur, little button nose, every part of them screams sweetness and cuteness.

Kids, adults, or older people, these fluffy snowballs never fail to steal everyone’s heart with their gentle and delightful personality.

In size, they are just 25cm, but in price, they cost as much as the new iPhone 16 series.

A three-month-old Maltese puppy costs around ₹50,000 to ₹1,20,000 in India. They are one of the most expensive dogs in India. Maltese dog expenses are also on the higher side.

In this blog, we look into an overview of the Maltese dog breed, Maltese dog expenses, and why they are expensive in India.

Maltese: Dog Breed Overview

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History of the Maltese Breed

Despite their cute apartment look, the Maltese dog’s origin story goes back beyond three thousand years. They are one of the most ancient dog breeds.

Records show that the Maltese dog originated in Malta, Italy. Malta was conquered and ruled by the Romans, the Greeks, and the Phoenicians. The Maltese dog craze wave travelled along with Malta’s traders.

They lived as a symbol of Royalty and Luxury. Egyptians worshipped them. Greeks praised their beauty through many arts. Roman noble women carried them in their laps wherever they went.

During the 16th century, People in England believed Maltese dogs had healing powers. Queen Elizabeth I and Mary

Queen of Scots are also painted with a Maltese dog.

Still, they decorate many modern celebrities' laps. Some notable owners are Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Blackpink’s Jisoo, etc.

However, in India, they made their first appearance on the news in 2015, and from that date, they have been considered an exotic dog breed.

Characteristics of Maltese Dogs

Maltese dogs are a perfect choice if you live with kids and elders because they are kind, affectionate, and charming.

Yet, they have some detachment issues and need your attention very often. Despite their small size, they are good guard dogs.

Maltese dogs have silky white hair, and they weigh about 2- 4 kg. Compared to other dog breeds, they live up to 20 years.

Why are Maltese Dogs Expensive in India? Reasonable Analysis by Our Team!

In India, finding purebred Maltese puppies can be a challenging task due to their rarity.

Maltese quality and price depend on three factors: Pedigree quality, Breeder reputation, and location. Let’s look at them one by one.

Pedigree Quality of the Maltese Breed

A pedigree certificate of your dog shows that your dog is a purebred. The official kennel clubs will trace your dog’s parents, grandparents, and ancestral lineage to ensure their quality.

This usually helps to identify your dog breed’s common diseases, temperament, and physical traits.

Especially, in the Maltese dog, the pedigree certificate is important for their quality. Maltese dogs have a royal lineage. So, the breeders carefully select parent dogs with pure blood to breed a pure Maltese dog.

Usually, to conduct the Maltese breeding process in India, the breeders import parent dogs from abroad, and the Maltese dogs are also expensive. So, a purebred Maltese dog with a pedigree certificate is expensive to buy.

Breeder’s Reputation in The Area

Good dog breeders always take good care of their dogs in their facility. They guarantee that their puppies are healthy, well-fed, and safe.

As we said before, Maltese dog expenses are always. They need regular grooming like hair trimming, tear staining removal, and veterinarian check-ups. Genuine dog breeders never compromise on their price because of their quality.

Location of the Breeder

People who live in urban areas prefer apartment-friendly dogs. So, the tiny toy-like Maltese dogs are expensive in cities.

In metropolitan cities such as Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, the Maltese puppies vary around ₹80,000 to ₹1,50,000.

But in rural areas or less-demand areas, Breeders might sell Maltese puppies for ₹ 25,000-₹ 80,000

What Are The Expenses of Raising Maltese Puppies in India?

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Maltese dog expenses don’t stop at their Buying stage. You need to spend a good amount of money on your Maltese to raise them healthily. Here are some Maltese dog expenses you have to consider before buying one.

• Air-conditioned Home: Typically, Maltese dogs reside in countries with temperatures ranging from 15ºC to 25ºC. They will struggle in the Indian climate. So, you should have a fully air-conditioned home. This will increase your monthly electric charges.
• Food: Maltese dogs are small, so they have a small and sensitive stomach. They eat very little. Still, they need premium foods with high protein, vitamins, minerals, no fillers, and additives. The Maltese dog expense food costs you around ₹1,000-₹3,000/ month.
• Vet Visits: Although they eat food with no additives, they still need to go to the vet for dental checkups, vaccination, and deworming.
• Grooming: Compared to Poodles, Maltese have silky hair that doesn’t tangle often, and they shed less. Yet, ticks, fleas, and dirt may accumulate on them. Additionally, tear staining on their pure white fur is a significant issue in this breed. So, you need to trim and groom their hair more often. One session costs you around ₹1,000-₹2,000.
• Daycare: Maltese dogs are prone to separation issues. They need and crave your attention. When you are not around, it’s best to leave them at daycare. Daycare costs also come under Maltese dog expenses.
• Filter water: Our tap water will be hard on them. Plus, hard water causes tear staining on their hair. So, you need a water filter system in your home.

It takes a lot of care to maintain their pure white colour and health. But the love they give us is endless. Maltese dogs from puppy mills will suffer from several diseases, such as kidney stones, urinary tract infections, liver problems, etc.

Important Factors To Consider Before Buying A Maltese Dog

• Before buying or adopting a Maltese puppy, keep in mind that they crave your attention 24/7. Buy only if you are ready to spend a significant amount of time with your pet.
• Buy only from a reputable and responsible dog breeder. Ask them and visit their facility. See the Maltese puppy’s mother and their medical records.
• Ask the dog breeder about the Maltese puppy’s pedigree certificate, vaccination reports, health records, and whether they registered under the Kennel Club of India (KCI).
• Create a Maltese dog expenses budget every month.
• Maltese dogs are small and easy to carry around. Be careful when playing with them so you prevent any injuries from happening.