Maltese Dog
The Maltese is a toy dog with long, silky white hair from head to toe. They have a graceful and affectionate disposition with enthusiastic and lively actions, and despite their small size, they have the energy necessary to be a satisfying companion dog. The Maltese is a gentle dog and a beloved family pet that can safely play with children. They are generally healthy and remain lively until their later years. The Maltese is one of the oldest European toy breeds, but there are controversies surrounding their origins. Although the breed has undoubtedly existed on the island of Malta for centuries.
History
During the reign of King Henry VIII, the Maltese was already popular in England, and became a beloved pet of the court ladies. In 1877, the Maltese was first exhibited in the US as the Maltese Lion Dog. In 1879, a coloured dog was exhibited as the Maltese Terrier. In 1888, the American Kennel Club registered the Maltese. For many centuries, the Maltese has been a cultured and tasteful pet for the wealthy and people with refined tastes, possibly due to their qualities of grace, loyalty, and cleanliness. The Maltese requires little exercise, is particularly friendly to children, has good physical health, and is long-lived (they can live 14-16 years, sometimes even over 18 years). They have a noble and intelligent attitude (sometimes even cunning), and are very attached to their owners. If you are interested in owning a beautiful small dog rather than a dog with practical uses, the Maltese is a suitable choice. Although they do not require a lot of space, they do require careful grooming and must be thoroughly combed and brushed every day. They do not shed, but their long hair often brings in a lot of dirt, especially in wet weather. They are sensitive to dampness and must be wiped and blown dry after every outing, so they are not suitable for people who cannot spend time on these tasks.
Head
The head is moderate in length compared to the body size. The top of the skull is slightly rounded, and the forehead and nose are moderate in slope. The low-hanging ears have a large amount of long hair forming ear fringes, and the hair hangs down to the head. The eyes are widely spaced, have a deep and round shape, and are black, with the black eye rims enhancing the elegant and alert expression. The snout is of moderate length, delicate, and gradually tapers without appearing long. The nose is black. The teeth have a scissor or pincer bite.
Body
The Maltese has a compact body, with the shoulder height equal to the length from the shoulder peak to the base of the tail. The shoulder blades are sloping, and the elbows are strong and close to the body. The backline is level, with well-expanded ribs. The chest is moderately deep, the waist is tight and strong, and the abdomen is slightly tucked up.
Tail
The tail has long feathered hair, gracefully positioned on the back, with the tip of the tail pointing toward the body side by more than 1/4.
Legs and Feet
The legs are slender with good feathering. The front legs are straight, with strong pasterns and no bending. The hind legs are sturdy, with appropriate angles at the knee and hock joints. The feet are small and round, with black pads on the toes. The hair on the feet may be uneven and can be trimmed for neatness.
Coat and Color
The coat is a single layer, without an undercoat. The hair is long, flat, and silky, hanging down to the body side. The long hair on the head can be tied up with a topknot or left hanging down. Any signs of curling, crimping, or wiriness are undesirable. The coat color is pure white, with slight lemon or tan markings on the ears, but this is not desirable.
Size
The weight is less than 7 pounds, with the ideal weight between 4-6 pounds. However, overall quality is more important than weight. The height is 20-25 cm.
Gait
The Maltese has a light, smooth, and flowing gait, which considering their size, gives the impression of rapid movement. Any signs of “X” hind legs (hocks in and toes out) or in-turned or out-turned toes are considered faults.
Temperament
Despite their extremely small size, the Maltese does not seem to know fear. Their confidence and affectionate responsiveness are very appealing. They are the gentlest of all small dogs, but also lively, playful, and lively.
Pros and Cons
The weight should not exceed 6 pounds, and the coat color should be pure white with slight lemon or tan markings on the ears, but this is not desirable.
