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If you are living in an apartment , condominium, or house with a small yard and looking to add a furry friend to your family, you may want to consider looking at Maltese puppies. Maltese puppies have several qualities that make them suitable for apartment living. Here are a few of the pros and cons of the breed:
Pros:
1) The Maltese breed is a relatively low energy dog and does not require a high level of exercise. They will do fine roaming a small yard or with a daily walk outside. They are also known to be quite active indoors and may do fine with a few indoor play sessions every day.
2) The Maltese is known for getting along well with other non-canine species that may also do well in an apartment, such as a cat or ferret.
3) Typically only reaching between 4-6 pounds, the Maltese is a small dog that does not require a lot of space. This may come as a very attractive quality when searching for a breed that will do well in tighter living conditions.
Cons:
1) The Maltese breed is known for being an exceptional watch dog and have a tendency to bark at unfamiliar sounds. This could be a negative quality if you live in an apartment building that is noisy or has a lot of people coming and going. Even if you don’t mind this barking, your neighbors might.
2) They may be difficult to housebreak . It is best to keep them on a constant, frequent schedule in which they are allowed out for a potty break. If you have a porch attached to your apartment it may be very handy to grow a small patch of grass where your Maltese puppy can go to relieve himself.
3) This breed is prone to separation anxiety which can lead to quite a bit of destruction. If you work or are gone for long periods during the day crate training is a must.
