4 Best Dog Breeds for an Apartment in Malta

Scientists have proved that having a dog can be good for your health. Not only can they lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, but they can help reduce stress and anxiety. Plus, they’re great fun to have around and they truly enrich our lives.

Best Dogs for Malta

However, Malta is a Mediterranean country and – let’s be honest – it can get VERY hot in summer. Our gorgeous island has wonderfully mild winters, but we know the temperature is going to climb all the way up to the high 30s in July and August.

Before adopting a dog for your home in Malta it is important to consider the type of dog that suits your needs and the dog’s needs itself. Not every pooch is perfect for a climate like ours and ideal for certain property types, so if you are thinking about adding to your family, make sure you take this into consideration. 

Dogs 101

In general, short-haired dogs do best in warm temperatures. Breeds with light-coloured coats like white, tan or grey tend to cope with the heat more easily. Dogs with long noses are better at processing warm air, so it’s cooler by the time they breathe it in. Big, erect ears also cool down faster than floppy ones.

Equally important is factoring in how much exercise your furry friend will need – few of us have access to a garden, so regular walks are a must. Some dogs are just fine with short walks whereas certain breeds need a lot of exercise. 

Dogs breeds for an apartment

Malta real estate comes in all sizes just like our canine pals. If have just bought a hot property in Malta like an apartment for sale or any type of property which is compact, then space could be an issue. Therefore, you might want to focus on the Terrier end of the canine spectrum as opposed to the Deer Hound!

Let’s look at a few dog breeds which could be perfect for apartment life on the island of Malta before buying real estate or if you are deciding on increasing the size of your family home. Our choices are based on personality, bark levels, energy and heat tolerance.

1. Pharoah hound 

Malta’s national dog, also known as Kelb tal-Fenek or Rabbit Dog. Named after their hunting ability and their distinctive cocked ears, these gorgeous hounds are the largest on our list, but they will do well in an apartment in Malta as long as they’re given sufficient exercise. 

Pharoah Hounds love to be comfy and can curl themselves into a wonderfully compact ball to fit into whichever chair or sofa is the softest. They are graceful and gentle and it’s worth noting that they do prefer a calm home environment.

Intelligent and sensitive, these dogs cope well with the heat of their native land. They have sweet, somewhat shy personalities and are even known to blush when they get excited!

What could be more perfect for your property in Malta than this uniquely Maltese dog?

2. Chihuahua 

What these little dogs lack in size they more than make up for in personality! 

The national symbol of Mexico (their home country) these feisty little pooches cope very well with the hot summer weather and, thanks to their tiny size, it’s very easy to meet their exercise needs.

They can be a little yappy if not properly trained but it is hard to beat these dynamic dogs for small apartment living. 

They have very short fur and tend not to shed much, although they do love a good grooming session.

This breed is incredibly popular in Malta, and it is easy to understand why. They are intelligent, friendly, fit for any type of property and downright sassy! 

3. Yorkshire Terrier

This pint-sized companion is perfect for our sizzling summers. Although they have long silky coats, the texture is very fine which means it doesn’t trap a lot of heat. In addition, their single coat is actually hair (not fur) which means they stay cooler as the temperature increases. Bonus points here for being hypoallergenic too so they are perfect for people with allergies!

Yorkies are bouncy by nature but because of their diminutive size you can exercise them at home if you have to. Of course, like most dogs, they do love a good walk, but they are very well suited to life in an apartment in Malta or in any other type of real estate. 

They make wonderfully loyal, affectionate pets and don’t be fooled by their size – they also make formidable guard dogs!

4. Italian Greyhound 

This might be a surprising choice given that greyhounds are known for being one of the fastest movers in the dog kingdom. But here’s the thing about greyhounds – they love to sprint, and they love to snooze. So, adapting to life in your Malta apartment shouldn’t be an issue as long as you’re happy to take them out for a good run. 

The Italian Greyhound is a good deal smaller than its racing relative and it’s quieter and calmer which makes it a perfect pet pick. Easy to train and very affectionate with their family they are pretty low maintenance. 

It’s worth noting however that this breed doesn’t like being on its own for long stretches of time. They are sensitive dogs and love companionship so they would be a perfect fit for someone working from home.

Choosing a dog for your apartment

Now that you have an idea of some dogs fit for a luxury apartment in Malta or any other compact property type, it is time to decide on the dog which fits your needs. Once you’ve made your choice, instead of buying, why not see if you can adopt? There are a number of animal sanctuaries on the island and lots of furry friends just waiting for their forever home!

As always, our expert agents are here to help you find your pet-perfect type of real estate for rent or sale in Malta or Gozo. Get in touch with us today and we will help you find a home that works for all members of your family!