I have a miniature poodle that is 9 years old and he rules the house! He sounds a lot like your Maltese. He's extremely smart and is "my shadow". He knows when I am getting ready to go out and he runs to his carrier that I have sitting on the floor. If I had left the carrier in in the car he runs to the door - ready to get to the car. However, my Rennie does not shed. He has to be brushed every day and I have him groomed like the Maltese or the Bichon - not like the poodle. I don't like that look. He also knows when he is groomed that he is the cutest thing alive. But, Poodles don't shed - they have hair and are also hypo-allergenic.