Maltese
Available Pets
Maltese
Maltese are affectionate toy dogs weighing less than seven pounds, covered by a long, straight, silky coat. Beneath the all-white mantle is a compact body moving with a smooth and effortless gait. The overall picture depicts free-flowing elegance and balance. The irresistible Maltese face—with its big, dark eyes and black gumdrop nose—can conquer the most jaded sensibility. Despite their aristocratic bearing, Maltese are hardy and adaptable pets. They make alert watchdogs who are fearless in a charming toy-dog way, and they are game little athletes on the course. Maltese are low-shedding, long-lived, and happy to make new friends of all ages. Sometimes stubborn and willful, they respond well to rewards-based training.
Height: 7–9 inches
Group
Toy
Heritage
The origin of the Maltese is unknown, but references to this breed have been found in Ancient Greek and Roman literatures dating back to 500 BC. It is believed this breed was brought to England with the Crusaders returning home from the Mediterranean. The Maltese we know today is likely a crossbreed of the Poodle and Miniature Spaniel.
Personality
The Maltese is a friendly, sweet, playful, trusting and devoted to the family. Loving and lovable, your Maltese is highly intelligent and will be eager to learn from you. You need to be a calm, knowledgeable, and humane owner giving consistent and committed leadership to your Maltese using only motivational training methods.
Exercise/Energy Level
The Maltese is a playful breed, and requires a daily walk and off-leash play and running in a safe, fenced area. They also need mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destruction, so be sure to provide your Maltese with plenty of interactive toys that challenge their problem-solving skills.
General Appearance
The Maltese is a toy dog covered from head to foot with a mantle of long, silky, white hair. He is gentle-mannered and affectionate, eager and sprightly in action, and, despite his size, possessed of the vigor needed for the satisfactory companion.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Weight under 7 pounds, with from 4 to 6 pounds preferred. Overall quality is to be favored over size.
Head
Of medium length and in proportion to the size of the dog. The skull is slightly rounded on top, the stop moderate. The drop ears are rather low set and heavily feathered with long hair that hangs close to the head. Eyes are set not too far apart; they are very dark and round, their black rims enhancing the gentle yet alert expression. The muzzle is of medium length, fine and tapered but not snipy.The nose is black. The teeth meet in an even, edge-to-edge bite, or in a scissors bite.
Neck, Topline, Body
Sufficient length of neck is desirable as promoting a high carriage of the head. Body--Compact, the height from the withers to the ground equaling the length from the withers to the root of the tail. Shoulder blades are sloping, the elbows well knit and held close to the body. The back is level in topline, the ribs well sprung. The chest is fairly deep, the loins taut, strong, and just slightly tucked up underneath.
Forequarters
Legs are fine-boned and nicely feathered. Forelegs are straight, their pastern joints well knit and devoid of appreciable bend
Leg and Feet
Legs are fine-boned and nicely feathered. Forelegs are straight, their pastern joints well knit and devoid of appreciable bend
Hindquarters
Hind legs are strong and moderately angulated at stifles and hocks. The feet are small and round, with toe pads black. Scraggly hairs on the feet may be trimmed to give a neater appearance.
Coast and Color
The coat is single, that is, without undercoat. It hangs long, flat, and silky over the sides of the body almost, if not quite, to the ground. The long head-hair may be tied up in a topknot or it may be left hanging. Any suggestion of kinkiness, curliness, or woolly texture is objectionable. Color, pure white. Light tan or lemon on the ears is permissible, but not desirable.
Coat
The coat is single, that is, without undercoat. It hangs long, flat, and silky over the sides of the body almost, if not quite, to the ground. The long head-hair may be tied up in a topknot or it may be left hanging. Any suggestion of kinkiness, curliness, or woolly texture is objectionable
Gait
The Maltese moves with a jaunty, smooth, flowing gait. Viewed from the side, he gives an impression of rapid movement, size considered. In the stride, the forelegs reach straight and free from the shoulders, with elbows close. Hind legs to move in a straight line. Cowhocks or any suggestion of hind leg toeing in or out are faults.
Temperament
Gentle, Playful, Charming
Interesting To Know
The Maltese has been known as "Canis Melitaeus", the "ancient dog of Malta", the "Roman ladies' dog", and the "Maltese lion dog" The Greeks erected monuments to the Maltese The Roman governor of Malta, Publius, had a Maltese named Issa during the time of the Apostle Paul