Maltese Growth Stages and When Do They Stop Growing

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Posted Nov 1, 2024

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Adorable Maltese Dog Relaxing on Lawn
Credit: pexels.com, Adorable Maltese Dog Relaxing on Lawn

Maltese puppies grow rapidly during their first six months, with an average weight gain of 1-2 pounds per week.

By the time they reach six months old, Maltese puppies have reached about 75% of their adult weight.

Their growth slows down significantly after six months, and by the time they're a year old, they've reached about 90% of their adult weight.

Maltese dogs typically stop growing at around 12-18 months old, but some may continue to grow until they're two years old.

On a similar theme: How Much Do Maltese Dogs Weigh

Maltese Growth Stages

Maltese puppies are born weighing between 0.25 and 0.5 pounds and measuring less than 5 inches in length.

At 8 weeks, they typically weigh between 1.5 and 2.25 pounds and remain the same length.

By 3 months, they've grown to weigh between 2.25 and 4 pounds and are still around 5 inches long.

Maltese puppies usually reach full adult size between 12 to 14 months.

Their weight changes should be minimal after that, with most adult Maltese weighing 7 pounds or less.

Take a look at this: All White Shih Tzu Puppies

Credit: youtube.com, When Do Maltese Stop Growing: What to Expect As Your Puppy Grows Up

To estimate your Maltese puppy's final size, you can check their paw size - large paws can indicate a larger body size.

You can also consider the size of their parents, as genetics play a significant role in determining size.

Here's a breakdown of the Maltese growth stages:

Measuring and Tracking

Measuring and tracking your Maltese's growth is crucial to ensure they're developing healthily. To do this, compare your puppy's size and weight to expected measurements at their age.

At 2 months, Maltipoo puppies can weigh anywhere from 1 to 4 pounds (Toy) or 3 to 6 pounds (Miniature). By 6 months, they can weigh between 3.5 and 9 pounds (Toy) or 7 and 17 pounds (Miniature).

To get an idea of your Maltese's expected adult weight, you can double their weight at 18 weeks. This will give you their expected adult weight, although it's not guaranteed.

For more insights, see: Maltese Adult Dogs

Maltipoo Weight Chart

Measuring and tracking your Maltipoo's growth is an exciting part of the puppy-raising journey.

White Maltese Dog Puppy
Credit: pexels.com, White Maltese Dog Puppy

A general rule of thumb for predicting your Maltipoo puppy's weight gain is to take their weight at 18 weeks and double it.

As you track your Maltipoo's growth, you'll notice they'll double in weight by the time they're 18 weeks old. This is a good rough guide, but keep in mind it's not a guarantee.

Here's a rough idea of what to expect:

By the time your Maltipoo reaches 1 year old, they'll likely weigh between 5 and 15 pounds, depending on their size.

Measuring Your Maltese

Measuring your Maltese is a crucial part of tracking their growth and development. To get an accurate measurement, compare your puppy's size and weight to the expected numbers for a Maltese at that age.

Newborn Maltese puppies typically weigh between 0.25-0.5 pounds and are less than 5 inches long. This is a small range, so even a slight deviation from these numbers could be a cause for concern.

Credit: youtube.com, Measuring and Weighing Technique

As your Maltese grows, their weight and length will change. Here's a breakdown of the expected measurements at different ages:

Your Maltese will typically reach full adult size around 12 to 14 months.

Care and Lifestyle

As you care for your Maltese, you'll want to establish a routine that keeps her safe, healthy, and happy. Supervise your pet as you would a toddler, keeping doors closed and picking up after yourself to prevent her from getting into trouble.

Daily brushing and regular grooming are essential to keep her coat beautiful, with regular sessions every 6-8 weeks. You'll also need to brush her teeth at least three times a week to prevent serious problems.

Cleaning her ears weekly is crucial, even as a puppy, so be sure to make it a habit. And remember, she's well-suited to apartment life, but daily walks and short play sessions are a must.

To keep her mentally stimulated, you can teach her to perform a variety of tricks. Just be sure to keep her diet consistent and avoid giving her people food, opting for a high-quality diet appropriate for her age instead.

Credit: youtube.com, The Maltese Dog - Character, Care and Health

Here are some key care and lifestyle tips to keep in mind:

  • Supervise your pet as you would a toddler.
  • Brush her coat every 6-8 weeks.
  • Brush her teeth at least three times a week.
  • Clean her ears weekly.
  • Provide daily walks and short play sessions.
  • Keep her diet consistent and avoid people food.
  • Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for her age.

Patricia Kreiger

Writer

Patricia Kreiger is a passionate writer with a focus on canine-related topics. She has established herself as a knowledgeable and engaging voice in the pet care community, with a portfolio that showcases her expertise in covering various breeds and their characteristics. Patricia's writing often delves into the intricacies of specific breeds, such as the Ridgeback and German Shepherd, as well as the complexities of breed comparisons and the FCI breed standard.