Walter is a 4 year old, 9 lb Maltese mix and the definition of a pocket companion - happiest when he's near his people and included in every moment of the day!

Quick Facts:
Name: Walter
Breed: Maltese
Age: 4 years old
Weight: 9 lbs.
House-Trained: 99%% there! May have accidents during transition to a new home
Crate-Trained: Yes
Good with Dogs: Yes (needs an active/playful playmate in his forever home!)
Good with Cats: Yes
Good with Kids: Yes, kids over 10 as he can be a little mouthy when he plays
Energy Level: Medium
Fence Required: No
Dog's Location: Smithfield, NC

About Walter's Breed:
Our best guess is that Walter is a Maltese breed. Maltese are affectionate, gentle, and deeply people oriented companion dogs, known for their silky white coats and loving temperaments. They've been bred for companionship for thousands of years, which is why they bond so closely with their families and thrive on being part of daily life. They're lively and playful despite their tiny size, but they're also happy to curl up in your lap and soak in attention.

Their ideal home is one that offers close companionship, calm routines, and consistent care. Maltese do best in households where someone is home regularly, as they can be prone to separation anxiety when left alone for long stretches. They fit beautifully into apartments or gentle, low key homes, and they thrive with owners who can maintain regular grooming, provide daily walks, and offer lots of affection. A Maltese's perfect environment is one where they feel secure, included, and cherished as a true member of the family.

What to Love about Walter:
He's a sweet, content little guy who loves being held, sitting beside you, and simply being part of your world. Walter has been wonderful with everyone he's met, including kids (over 10), and his sweet, playful nature makes him an great fit for a loving family. He's working on his potty training and may need a little time to learn the routine in his new home. He's crate trained, but when he's not in his crate he's good in the home and not destructive at all.

Walter enjoys his daily neighborhood walks and has good leash manners, though he's always eager to go, go, go and may pull a bit from excitement. He's been great with all dogs - playful, friendly, and happy to run around with his doggie friends - and he's perfectly fine with cats too. With his cheerful personality, non aggressive temperament, and love of companionship, Walter would thrive with doggie siblings who match his energy as he is super playful and loves playing with the other dogs in his foster home. He needs to be with dogs his age who are eager to play as he will urge every dog to join in the fun! He's a joyful, affectionate little companion who brings warmth wherever he goes, and he's ready to brighten the life of his forever family!

Walter's Winning Highlights:
• 4 year old, 9 lb Maltese mix with a gentle, people loving personality
• Pocket companion who wants to be near his humans as much as possible
• Wonderful with kids aged 10+ and warms up instantly to everyone he meets
• Working on potty training and may need time to learn his new home's routine
• Crate trained and not destructive
• Good on a leash with an eager "go go go" walking style
• Dog friendly and playful with canine friends, he would love a playful dogs in his home
• Cat friendly and easygoing with feline housemates
• Happy, content temperament - non aggressive and always cheerful
• Loves being held and thrives as a close by companion in any loving home

Comprehensive details are provided in the dog's description. to ensure a smooth process, please submit a completed application through our website at: http://crisisdogsnc.org/dog-adoption/. Please note that questions via email or social media channels may not receive a response without a completed application. As part of our commitment to responsible adoption practices, we require excellent veterinarian references and conduct virtual home visits. Additionally, your prior or current dog must be on year-round heartworm prevention. We assist with coordinating transportation by both land and air whenever feasible. All assessments regarding breed and age are conducted by licensed veterinarians. We look forward to assisting you in finding your perfect canine companion!