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I would like to own a Maltese, however, I have small children(ages 5 & 3). Do you feel that the Maltese is too fragile for this age group? I would appreciate the advice.
Mel Dolin

• Your concerns regarding Maltese and young children is something that anyone considering acquiring a Maltese should think about. It has no easy answer. All children are different. Some are rougher than others. Some are more bored than others. Some are well behaved and some are not. Only you know what your child is like and capable of. A Maltese as a pup is very fragile. They sometimes play rough but they aren't that strong when it comes to being dropped, stepped on or constantly teased. I am in no way infering that your children would intentionally do any of these things but accidents do happen and more so with young children who really don't know any better. The first thing most children want to do with a puppy is pick it up, hold it and perhaps start walking around with it. Puppies are fidgety. Many times I myself have come very close to dropping one. A Maltese probably would not get out of being dropped even from a few feet without some serious injuries. I myself frown upon placing a Maltese in a home where there are children of the ages you are speaking of and 99 percent of the time I would not do it. You must be honest with yourself when you make the decision. No one knows your children better than yourself. If you have any doubts at all I would strongly recommend you look at a little larger and more hearty of a breed for a pet. I hope this helps and I wish you luck in whatever you decide is best.
  Jay

• First of all, I'd DITTO everything Jay said in his response to you, particularly regarding any child's tendency to want to pick the pup up and walk around with it. As Jay said, it is very easy to allow a maltese (particularly a pup) to wriggle out of your grasp and jump/fall to the floor. Secondly, it is only human nature to want your pup to lay down with you in your bed or on your sofa - you look away for one instant and they will, again, be very likely to jump/fall onto the floor. Furthermore, it is only natural, particularly a young Maltese, to have a tendency to follow you everywhere and the dog tends to make it difficult for you to NOT step on him, or to shut a door on him as he tries his best to stay with you. All of these things can be overcome with particularly responsive and responsible children - but the degree of parental supervision required is very high and for a protracted period of time.

  You may be well advised to consider another breed or consider bringing a more mature Maltese into your home, perhaps one on the larger end of the size spectrum with a more substantial bone structure - not a BIG DOG just a larger Maltese, on the six to seven pound size.
  Larry Stanberry Divine Maltese

• Thank you, Jay and Larry, for your valuable thoughts and advice. Although I consider my children to be gentle, kind and thoughtful (naturally), I now have serious reservations about bringing a Maltese puppy into our home at this point. The kids can get quite boisterous when playing together and with friends, and even though I am home to supervise I would constantly fear an accident. As with most good things, I guess you have to have patience and wait for the right time. Thank you again,
  Mel

• I have two young boys age 2 and 3, and was also concerned about getting a Maltese as a pet. I decided to try it with close supervision. I bought a male and made sure the children were gentle with him and knew that his cage was off limits to them. They adapted very well to him and it is a joy to have such a wonderful companion as a pet. We recently bought a female also, and she does even better with the boys. Both Malteses are small (about 3 pounds). If you want a wonderful pet, this is the perfect dog.
  Lynn