Coat care is the central ownership task
A Maltese can look like an easy apartment answer if size is the only filter. Grooming and care-cost signals make the real checkpoint more specific: the owner needs a coat plan. That may mean regular brushing, sanitary trims, professional grooming, dental care, and realistic budgeting for upkeep. Short styles can reduce daily work, but they do not remove coat responsibility. If grooming feels optional or the budget is tight, the small body size will not prevent a mismatch in daily care.
