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Maltese
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The Maltese is a small breed of dog in the toy group, known for its
silky white hair, though many owners of pet Maltese give them a
short "puppy cut" for ease of grooming. The Maltese breed is
descended from dogs originating in the Central Mediterranean
Area.
Though the name appears to refer to the island of Malta, the
origins of both the breed and its name are unclear. Various
writings have also described the name as deriving from the
Adriatic island of Mljet, and the Sicilian town of Melita. The
Fédération Cynologique Internationale states that the name of the
dog does not signify that he originates from the island of Malta
because the adjective "Maltese" comes from the Semitic word,
màlat, a common root of the name of all three places.
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Maltese
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Description
The Maltese had been recognized as a FCI breed under the
patronage of Italy in 1954, at the annual meeting in Interlaken,
Switzerland. The current FCI standard is dated November 27,
1989, and the latest translation from Italian to English is dated April
6, 1998. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1888,
its latest standard being from March 10, 1964.
Appearance
Characteristics include slightly rounded skulls, with a finger-wide
dome and black nose that is two finger-widths long. The body is
compact with the length equaling the height. The drop ears with
long hair and very dark eyes, surrounded by darker skin
pigmentation (called a "halo"), gives Maltese their expressive look.
Their noses can fade and become pink or light brown in color
without exposure to sunlight. This is often referred to as a "winter
nose" and many times will become black again with increased
exposure to the sun.
Coat and Color
The coat is long and silky and lacks an undercoat. The color is
pure white; although cream or light lemon ears are permissible,
they are not regarded as desirable. Also, a pale ivory tinge is
permitted. In some standards, traces of pale orange shades are
tolerated, but considered an imperfection.
Size
Adult Maltese range from roughly 3 to 7 lb (1.4 to 3.2 kg), though
breed standards, as a whole, call for weights between 4 and 7 lb
(1.8 and 3.2 kg). There are variations depending on which
standard is being used. Many, like the American Kennel Club, call
for a weight that is ideally less than 7 lb with between 4 and 6 lb
preferred.
Temperament
Maltese are bred to be cuddly companion dogs, and thrive on love
and attention. They are extremely lively and playful, and even as a
Maltese ages, his or her energy level and playful demeanor
remains fairly constant. Some Maltese can occasionally be
snappish with smaller children and should be supervised when
playing, although socializing them at a young age will reduce this
habit. The Maltese is very active within a house, and, preferring
enclosed spaces, does very well with small yards. For this reason
the breed also does well with apartments and townhouses, and is a
prized pet of urban dwellers. Maltese have a bad reputation as
yappers.
An Australia-wide (not including Tasmania) research project
carried out in conjunction with RSPCA found owners likely to dump
their Maltese terriers, citing the tendency of Maltese to bark
constantly. This breed is Australia's most dumped dog.
History
This ancient breed has been known by a variety of names
throughout the centuries. Originally called the "Canis Melitaeus" in
Latin, it has also been known in English as the "ancient dog of
Malta", the "Roman Ladies' Dog," the "Comforter Dog," the
"Spaniel Gentle," the "Bichon," the "Shock Dog," the "Maltese Lion
Dog", and the "Maltese Terrier" amongst other names. The Kennel
Club settled on the name "Maltese" for the breed in the 19th
century.
The Maltese is thought to have been descended from a Spitz type
dog found among the Swiss Lake dwellers and bred down to obtain
its small size. Although there is also some evidence that the breed
originated in Asia and is related to the Tibetan Terrier, the exact
origin is unknown. The dogs probably made their way to Europe
through the Middle East with the migration of nomadic tribes. Some
writers believe these proto-Maltese were used for rodent control
before the appearance of the breed gained paramount importance.
The oldest record of this breed was found on a Greek amphora
found in the Etruscan town of Vulci, in which a Maltese-like dog is
portrayed along with the word Μελιταιε (Melitaie). Archaeologists
date this ancient Athenian product to the decades around 500 B.
C. References to the dog can also be found in Ancient Greek and
Roman literature.
Aristotle was the first to mention its name Melitaei Catelli, when he
compares the dog to a Mustelidae, around 370 BC. The first
written document on the existence of this breed of dog was given
by the Greek writer Callimachus, around 350 BC. He described the
small Canis Melitaeus as having taken its name from the island of
Melita (Mljet) on the Adriatic coast, near Dalmatia. Many scholars
support Callimachus' writings as establishing the origins of the
breed or its name, among them Pliny the Elder and Stephanus of
Byzantium.
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Country of origin
Central Mediterranean area
Weight
3-9 lb
Height
8-10 in
Coat
Long and silky
Color
White
Life span
12-15 years
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