Maltese dog

The lightest dog here at 3 to 4 kg, the Maltese is easy to lift, carry up the stairs or settle on a lap, and a UK study put its life expectancy at about 13 years. It is lively but affectionate and happy with short walks, and its white coat sheds very little, though it needs daily brushing or a short trim. A dog this small can get underfoot, so it suits someone steady on their feet; a small bell on the collar helps you know where it is.