Maltese Price: How Much Does a Maltese Cost?

The Maltese is a toy breed with a long, silky white coat, and that coat shapes the budget more than the dog's size does. The purchase price is only the first bill. Grooming, vet visits, and first-year setup add up quickly, and for a dog this small they can rival the cost of the puppy itself.

Figures on this page come from published guides and carry a check date of Oct 13, 2026. Breeder prices are asking prices for pet-quality puppies. They are not a national average, and a puppy from a show line can sit above any range printed here.

Two sources report breeder prices for the Maltese. They overlap but do not match, which is normal for a breed where price follows the breeder's health testing, the puppy's pedigree, and the region.

Adoption sits well below breeder pricing. Rescue and shelter fees usually include basic vet care, which is part of why the number is lower.

A puppy from a breeder costs the most up front. An adult Maltese from a rescue or a rehoming listing costs far less to acquire, and many adult dogs arrive already spayed or neutered and past the first round of vaccinations. The tradeoff is less information. A breeder can tell you about the parents and the litter, while a rescue may know little about an adult's history.

Small breeds are popular with breed rescues because owners' circumstances change. If you want an adult, ask rescues whether they have Maltese or similar toy-breed dogs waiting, and expect an application and a home check.

The first year carries one-time costs that do not repeat. The figures below cover the essentials most new owners buy.

Those lines do not include a spay or neuter surgery unless your puppy's contract or your vet bundles it. Ask for an itemized estimate so you know whether surgery sits inside the vet figure or on top of it.

Food is a small line item for a dog this size. Grooming is not. A long coat that grows continuously needs regular brushing at home and professional appointments, and the annual grooming figure is higher than the food figure.

If you are comfortable learning to brush and bathe a long coat yourself, you can reduce the grooming line, though many owners still book a professional for trims. Dental care and tear-stain cleanup also show up on small white-coated dogs, and vets can tell you what applies to your dog.

• Breeder practices. Health testing of the parents, early socialization, and a written contract cost the breeder money, and that shows in the price.
• Pedigree and show potential. Puppies sold for the show ring or breeding cost more than pet-quality puppies from the same litter.
• Coat and size. Buyers sometimes pay more for a particular look. Be wary of any listing that promises a dog that stays smaller than the breed standard.
• Region. Demand and breeder supply differ by area, and shipping a puppy adds travel costs.
• What the price includes. Some breeders include a first vaccination series and a microchip. Others do not.

A low price is not a bargain if it comes with vet bills. Before you pay a deposit, ask:

• Can I see health records for both parents, and what testing was done?
• Where were the puppies raised, and can I visit or video call?
• What vaccinations and deworming has the puppy had, and who administered them?
• What does your contract cover, and will you take the dog back if I cannot keep it?
• Is the price for a pet-quality puppy, and does it include registration paperwork?

Walk away from sellers who refuse questions, push you to pay quickly, or will only meet in a parking lot. Pet stores and online marketplaces often source from large-scale breeders, and you cannot check the parents there.

Insurance is not included in the tables above. Premiums depend on your location, the dog's age, and the plan's deductible and reimbursement level. Small dogs can still face dental, knee, and heart-related bills, so it is reasonable to get quotes from a few insurers while the dog is young and compare what each plan covers. Ask each insurer what is excluded as a pre-existing condition.