Although I don't currently own one, I plan to have a Maltese one day. They are beautiful, sweet dogs. They were bred to be companions unliked yorkies that were bred to hunt so maltese tend to not have that prey-drive like yorkies. They also tend to me more of a lap dog than most yorkies. Their hair is pretty similar to a Yorkie's, although even more high-maintenance because they are white, and I've heard their hair tends to matt easier than most yorkies as well.
A great forum to check out is
www.spoiledmaltese.com
__________________
~Magnifique Yorkies~
Purchasing from backyard breeders, pet shops, and puppymills perpetuates the suffering of other dogs.
Educate yourself and buy from reputable breeders or rescue.