Maltese

The Maltese becomes attached to the whole family and enjoys the company of well-behaved visitors, as well as other animals. He's got a lot of sparkle in his personality. He likes to be treated like the adorable baby of the family, but will happily respect commonsense rules.

Maltese breed facts

The Maltese is known as "ye ancient dogge of Malta," which for more than 28 centuries has been an aristocrat of the canine world.

Information you should know before owning a Maltese

The coat requires daily brushing to keep its elegant appearance.

Despite his size the Maltese is without fear. The Maltese is a good choice for people who live in small apartments because of his size, but for the same reason it is not a good candidate for those with small children, unless the owner can provide constant supervision.

The Maltese, the ancient dog of Malta, has been known as an aristocrat of the canine world for more than 28 centuries. Their place in antiquity is well documented. At the time of the Apostle Paul, Publius, the Roman governor of Malta, had a Maltese name Issa of which he was very fond. Issa was the object of the poet Marcus Valerius Martialis (Martial), born in A.D. 40 at Bilbilis in Spain, in one of his celebrated epigrams:

Issa is more frolicsome than Catulla’s sparrow. Issa is purer than a dove’s kiss. Issa is gentler than a maiden. Issa is more precious than Indian gems... Lest the last days that she see light should snatch her from him forever, Publius has had her picture painted.

This picture was said to have been so lifelike it was difficult to tell the picture from the living dog.

Many similar accounts in ancient doctrine address the Maltese as an object of beauty and value. The Greeks erected tombs to their Maltese, and from the ceramic art dating to the 5th century innumerable paintings of the little dog are evident. Literary accounts detail Maltese maintaining a place of esteem and privilege in Royal households, a status the Maltese has maintained throughout history.

The first Maltese exhibited in the United States was white and listed as a Maltese Lion Dog at Westminster’s first show in 1877. The American Kennel Club accepted the Maltese for registration in 1888.

Perhaps due to the popularity of the Maltese for centuries as household pets of people of culture, wealth, and fastidious taste, the Maltese has remained a dog of refinement, fidelity, and cleanliness. It should be noted that the Maltese is a spaniel possessing a healthy and spirited temperament, even though tiny and artistic in appearance.

Is this a vulnerable breed? Yes, No	No
What size is this dog? Small, Medium, Large	Small
How much excercise is required? 30 mins a day, 1 hour a day, Over 2 hours a day	30 mins a day
How long is this dog's coat? Short, Medium, Long	Long
How much grooming is required? Once a week, More than once a week, Every day	Every day
Does this dog shed? Does shed, Does not shed	Does not shed
What area is this dog best suited to? Town, Country, Either	Either
What size house is required for this breed? Flat/Apartment, Small House, Large House	Flat
What size of garden is required? Small Garden, Large Garden, No Garden	No garden

	General Appearance Smart, white-coated dog, with proud head carriage.
	Characteristics Lively, intelligent, alert.
	Temperament Sweet-tempered.
	Eyes Oval, not bulging, dark brown, black eye rims, with dark haloes.
	Mouth Jaws strong, with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Teeth even.
	Neck Medium length.
	Forequarters Legs short and straight. Shoulders well sloped.
	Body Well balanced, essentially short and cobby. Good spring of rib, back level from withers to tail.
	Hindquarters Legs short, well angulated.
	Feet Round, pads black.
	Tail Feathered, carried well arched over back.
	Gait / Movement Smart, white-coated dog, with proud head carriage.
	Coat Good length, not impeding action, straight, of silky texture, never woolly. Never crimped and without woolly undercoat.
	Colour Pure white, but slight lemon markings permissible.
	Size Height not exceeding 25 cms (10 ins) from ground to withers.