No lost dogs found in Maltese Poodle, Himeville

Lost or Found a Maltese in South Africa?

Maltese dogs are one of South Africa's most cherished small companion breeds — gentle, affectionate, and instantly recognisable with their pure white coats and dark expressive eyes. With 5 active reports on Lost Dogs SA right now, Maltese dogs go missing in ways that are very different from larger breeds: they're small enough to slip through tiny gaps, easy for a stranger to pick up, and can vanish into a neighbour's garden or garage without a trace.

Why Maltese dogs go missing

• They're tiny and quick. A Maltese fits through a gate gap of just 7–8cm. They can slip out behind you when you open the front door and be down the driveway before you notice.
• Easy to pick up. At 2–4 kg, a Maltese can be scooped up in one hand. Unfortunately, this makes them a target for theft — their size, appearance, and value make them vulnerable.
• They hide when scared. A frightened Maltese will find the smallest, darkest hiding spot — under a car, behind a pot plant, inside a garage, or tucked against a boundary wall.
• Well-meaning neighbours. A Maltese found wandering is almost always taken in by a kind neighbour or passer-by who assumes the dog is lost and may not know where to report it.
• Grooming and vet visits. Maltese dogs are often dropped at groomers or vets by finders — their distinctive white coats make people think "this is someone's beloved pet."

If your Maltese is lost

1. Search within 200 metres of home first. Maltese dogs rarely travel far on their own. Check under every car, behind every pot plant, inside garages, garden sheds, and behind boundary walls.
2. Knock on every neighbour's door within your block. A Maltese can slip into a neighbour's yard through a side gate and get stuck there. Someone may have already brought your dog inside.
3. Ask domestic workers and gardeners. They spend time outside and are often the first to see a small white dog wandering. Give them your phone number.
4. Call all local vets and groomers within 5km. Maltese dogs are almost always taken to a vet or groomer by finders — their coats make them look like they need professional care.
5. Post on community WhatsApp groups immediately. Maltese dogs get noticed fast. A photo on the neighbourhood group can get your dog home within hours.
6. Use a recent photo that shows the current haircut. A Maltese with a full show coat looks completely different from one with a short "puppy cut." Use a photo that matches your dog's current appearance.
7. Report on Lost Dogs SA now. Report a lost Maltese →

If you found a Maltese

1. Bring the dog inside. Maltese dogs are small and vulnerable — they can be attacked by larger dogs, hit by cars, or picked up by the wrong person. A secure room or bathroom is enough.
2. Don't assume the dog was abandoned. Maltese coats mat quickly and a dog that's been outside for even a few hours can look neglected. This is almost certainly someone's loved pet.
3. Check for a microchip. Any vet will scan free of charge. Most Maltese from breeders are microchipped.
4. Check the collar and tag. Look for a name, phone number, or address. Maltese dogs often wear delicate collars that may be hidden under the coat — feel for one around the neck.
5. Be careful handing the dog over. Maltese are valuable and easily stolen. Ask anyone claiming the dog to show photos on their phone, vet records, microchip paperwork, grooming history, or describe a unique feature — a small tear stain pattern, a liver-coloured nose spot, or a particular ear set.
6. Post a found report here. Report a found Maltese → — the owner is almost certainly desperate and searching nearby.

Identifying a Maltese

• Size: Very small — 2–4 kg, standing 20–25 cm at the shoulder. Compact and fine-boned.
• Coat: Long, straight, silky white hair — pure white is the breed standard, although light cream or pale ivory on the ears is accepted. Most pet Maltese in SA are kept in a short "puppy cut" for practical care — they look like a small white fluffy dog rather than the floor-length show coat. The coat feels like human hair, not fur.
• Head: Slightly rounded skull, medium-length muzzle, black nose. Large, round, dark eyes with dark eye rims — the dark eyes against white fur are the breed's most distinctive feature.
• Ears: Drop ears that hang close to the head, covered in long hair. Can be hard to see clearly on a dog with a full coat.
• Tail: Carried curled over the back, covered in long hair that drapes to one side.
• Common confusion: Maltese are often confused with Bichon Frisé (which are larger and curlier), Toy Poodles (curlier coat, longer muzzle), West Highland White Terriers (larger, sturdier, pointed ears), and Maltese crosses (which may have cream patches or a slightly different build).

Microchipping is essential for Maltese dogs. Their delicate build means collars can slip off easily or be removed. If your Maltese is not yet microchipped, do it — and keep your contact details up to date on the microchip registry.

Need more help? How to find a lost dog fast · Steps when your dog goes missing · Prevent your dog from getting lost · Gauteng · Johannesburg · Pretoria · Cape Town

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