Hi
I have been asked to look after a little Maltese terrier for 2-3 months whose owner 's only other option was kennels .
I have 5 cockers and so am used to larger dogs . Could someone please  tell me how much exersice he  needs . He is 1 years old .
Thanks Sally

My Cavaliers get just as much excercise as my cocker does, they even go on 9 mile walks with my OH. Maltese are a bit smaller, but depending on how much exercise he is used to getting in his own home, he should be able to have a decent walk (20 minutes perhaps?). Best thing is to check with his owner how much he gets - if they don't walk him much, build him up gradually, and as his fitness increases he should be able to keep up with the cockers!

I agree with Lucy that if he is used to walking then he should be able to go out with the cockers for as long as you like. When my mother died I inherited her chinese cresteds, they hadn't been for a proper walk for a year or so while she was ill - really just round the block or in the garden. After about a week of wandering around the streets with them I took them to the field with the other dogs to see how they'd get on, they loved it, they pottered around at my heels- with the odd race about and when tired they started jumping up at me to be carried. After about 6 months they could stay out, running around for an hour easily without wanting picked up :) 

Two things to watch out for with the maltese would be to make sure he didn't get bowled over by the cockers, and also if he's a show dog running through the undergrowth may not be advisable :)

Thanks guys
He is settling in well so far and following my gang around with his little legs .He is not a show dog , in fact  I cut off a ton  of knots from him today as when he was last left with minders a month ago , he wasn't groomed at all  . He looks much better without the knots though.

Hee hee, good point I hadn't thought as far as the possibility of a show coat! My Cavs just get detangled and brushed after walks, but of course Maltese are carded like Yorkies aren't they! I'm sure he's much happier without his knots! :-)