Benji
About 9 years old • Maltese X Shih Tzu
Mocha
About 7 years old • Jack Russell Terrier X Maltese
Snowy
About 2 years old • Maltese X Pomeranian
The Maltese is a gentle, affectionate small companion dog that has been a favourite lap dog for centuries. Sweet-natured and people-focused, the Maltese suits apartments, families and quieter homes, and it is one of the more common small breeds in Sydney rescue, often arriving as an older dog, an ex-breeding dog or a companion given up after a change in the household. Many are seniors who make wonderfully calm, devoted companions.
Maltese are low-energy dogs that need only gentle daily exercise, but the long white coat needs real grooming commitment: regular brushing to prevent matting, and either professional grooming or a practical shorter clip. Watch the eyes and teeth, as the breed is prone to tear staining and dental issues. They can pick up small-dog habits like barking and separation-related behaviour if over-indulged, which reward gentle, consistent training.
For an owner who wants a devoted, gentle, indoor-oriented companion and can keep up with the grooming, a rescue Maltese is a lovely dog, and adopting an older one gives a deserving senior a comfortable home. Browse the Maltese and Maltese crosses listed below from rescues and shelters across Sydney and New South Wales.
Get notified when a Maltese is listed
We will email you when a Maltese or Maltese cross becomes available for adoption in Sydney, from a rescue or an owner rehoming.
Need to rehome a Maltese?
If you can no longer keep your Maltese, listing it for rehoming on LocalPetFinder connects it directly with adopters across Sydney and NSW, and keeps it out of a shelter. It is free.
List your dog for rehoming →Maltese Adoption Guides
The pre-adoption reading list specific to Malteses in Sydney and NSW.
Maltese Adoption in Sydney
Where to adopt a Maltese or Maltese cross in Sydney, what it costs, and why so many (often seniors) end up in rescue.
Maltese Health Issues to Plan For
Dental disease, luxating patella, the trachea and harness rule, liver shunts and their long lifespan.
Maltese Grooming & Coat Care
Brushing, matting, the practical short clip, tear staining and what that white coat really needs.
Maltese Adoption FAQ
Where can I adopt a Maltese near me in Sydney?
LocalPetFinder lists Malteses available for adoption from rescues across Sydney and New South Wales, including the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, Northern Beaches, Western Sydney and the Sutherland Shire. Rescues that regularly take in dogs of this type include RSPCA NSW at Yagoona and Animal Welfare League NSW at Kemps Creek, alongside foster-based groups. Listings update regularly, so browse the Malteses above and apply directly through the rescue.
Are there Maltese rescues near Sydney?
Yes. Several Sydney and NSW rescues regularly have Malteses and Maltese crosses, including RSPCA NSW, Animal Welfare League NSW, Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Monika's Doggie Rescue and Maggie's Rescue, plus breed-focused foster networks. A dedicated single-breed rescue is not always active, so the fastest path is to set an alert here and watch the general rescues. Use LocalPetFinder to see which rescues currently have Malteses available near you.
Where can I adopt a Maltese puppy in Sydney?
Purebred Maltese puppies are uncommon in Sydney rescue and are usually adopted very quickly, so the best strategy is to set an alert here and be ready to apply fast. Most Malteses in rescue are young adults, older dogs, or Maltese crosses, and these make just as loving a pet as a purebred puppy while often being calmer and already part house-trained. A rescue puppy or young dog costs a few hundred dollars fully desexed, vaccinated and microchipped, against several thousand from a breeder with a waitlist. If you searched "maltese puppies sydney" or "maltese puppies for sale", browse the Malteses above and set an alert for new arrivals.
Are these Malteses for sale in Sydney?
Not for sale, for adoption, which is usually the better deal. Every Maltese here comes from a Sydney or NSW rescue, not a breeder or classified seller, and the adoption fee already includes desexing, vaccination and microchipping. That fee is typically a few hundred dollars, against often several thousand from a breeder with none of the vet work done. If you searched "maltese for sale sydney", adopting gets you a vetted dog for a fraction of the price.
Where can I buy a Maltese in Sydney, and should I?
You can buy from a registered breeder, but it is worth weighing against adoption first. A reputable breeder often charges several thousand dollars and may have a waitlist, while a rescue Maltese costs a few hundred dollars fully vetted and may be available now. Be cautious of cheap "for sale" ads on classified sites and marketplaces, which are a known hotspot for scams and backyard breeding. The ACCC Scamwatch has documented deposit scams for pets that do not exist. For most Sydney families, adopting a rescue Maltese is cheaper, faster and gives a dog in need a home.
Are Maltese good for first-time or older owners?
Yes, the Maltese is one of the better small breeds for first-time and older owners. It is gentle, affectionate, low-energy and content in an apartment or a quiet home, needing only light daily exercise. The main commitments are grooming the long coat and gentle, consistent training to avoid small-dog habits like excessive barking. Adopting an adult or senior Maltese suits a calmer household beautifully.
How much grooming does a Maltese need?
A fair amount if the coat is kept long: regular brushing several times a week to prevent painful matting, plus periodic professional grooming or a bath and tidy. Many owners choose a shorter practical clip, which is far lower maintenance and well suited to the Sydney climate. Eyes need gentle cleaning to manage tear staining, and teeth need regular care because the breed is prone to dental disease.
Why are Maltese common in Sydney rescue?
As a very popular small breed they are widely bred, and some come into rescue as older dogs, as retired breeding dogs, or when a household changes. Small breeds also live long lives, so seniors needing a new home are common. This means lovely, gentle Maltese, including many calm seniors, are often available and sometimes wait for adopters who overlook older dogs.
Are Maltese good with children and other pets?
Generally yes, with sensible supervision. Maltese are gentle and affectionate and usually get along with other dogs and cats. Because they are tiny and delicate, they suit homes with older, gentle children rather than boisterous toddlers, as a small dog can be injured by rough handling. Sydney rescues assess each dog and note how it is with children and other pets in its profile.