The Maltese breed falls in the toy group and is thought to have originated in south-central Europe. At under 7 pounds and only an average of 7 to 9 inches in height they are a great dog for almost any home or apartment. They are gentle, playful, and affectionate and can be great watchdogs even for their size. And as a bonus they are low-shedding, but you do need to have them groomed every few months depending on the look you want.