Maltese Breed Description

Introduction

Maltese are an ancient breed described by the Greek philosopher Theophrastus. They have origins in Malta as far back as the 14th century. These are hearty little companion dogs with a luxurious, silky white coat that hangs straight to the ground. They are spirited, lively, playful, gentle and loving. These dogs are bold and quick to sound the alarm at anything suspicious. They enjoy regular walks or sessions of frolicking in the park. Daily brushing and combing of the long coat is essential, but be gentle as the coat is very soft. Maltese weigh under 7 lbs. (4 - 6 lbs. preferred) and stand 8 to 10" at the shoulders.

History

The Maltese is the most ancient toy breed: Darwin placed their origin at 6000 BC. The Maltese is considered to be an aristocrat among canines and even as far back as the 16th century were known to be sold for $2,000. The exact origin of the Maltese is not known. Some consider it to be a descendant of a Spitz type dog and bred down for its small size. There is also some evidence that it originated from Asia and is a descendant of the Tibetan terrier. Other opinions suggests that the Maltese originated in the same size as we see now and not down bred like other toy breeds. The Maltese is generally associated with Malta, despite archeological and written evidence pointing to its existence in ancient Greece and Rome. The Maltese is sometimes deliberately crossed with Cocker Spaniels, Shih Tzu and Poodles. However, these hybrid breeds are not recognized by any kennel club.

General Description

The Maltese has a compact body and its length is equal to his height. They have a slightly round shaped skull with a dome that is one finger wide. His nose is black. His pendant ears are feathered all over. His eyes are round and placed close to each other, closer than in other toy breeds. The eyes have a rim around them giving him a very gentle and alert expression. He has a single coat, which is soft and silky and always white in color. However, ivory, light tan or yellow around the ears are permissible for the breed, but not preferred. His coat is long, sometimes touching the ground, and may have to be tied in a topknot. Even a hint of kinkiness, curls or a wooly texture is considered to be a fault in the breed.

Temperament

The tiny size of the Maltese belies his temperament. He is fearless to the extent of indifference to larger creatures and objects. At times, they can pretty aggressive despite their diminutive size. Otherwise he socializes very easily with other pets as well as humans. Being a companion dog and bred as such, he flourishes on love and attention. His most attractive quality is his trust and his ability to respond to situations. He is playful, lively, and vigorous and the most gentle and well mannered of all dogs in the toy and companion groups. As the Maltese has no undercoat, there is little or no shedding. That means that people with allergies to fur and dander can safely keep him. Tear stains around the eyes are a problem; however, this can be addressed with daily care. Regular combing with a fine tooth metal comb dipped in lukewarm water should take care of that. Being a companion dog, regardless of differing opinions whether he was down bred or not, the vigor and energy levels of the Maltese are sustained even in old age.

Colors

White. Light tan or lemon on the ears is accepted, but not desired.

Living Area

They are not an outside dog, as many fall victim to larger animals. Their coats are also not heavy enough to keep them warm and dry in harsher weather. They also make wonderful apartments dogs. They may not be good in homes with small children as they are very fragile and can break easily; a household with other children or adults is preferred.

Recognized By

CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR

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