Malteses - Information

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Malteses - Information - General Appearance

Picture source:
Enigmatic Vittoria

Maltese Dogs are part of the toy group of dogs. Their whole appearance suggests a nice neat fluffy toy. The compact body is well proportioned. The Maltese Dog's white coat hangs almost to the ground, presenting a veil of silky fur.

The other name the Maltese Dog is known by is the Bichon Maltiase. This traces us to the fact that the Maltese belongs to the Bichon family and is regarded as a very ancient dog breed.

Drop ears are rather low set and fluffy. The ears color can be light lemon or tan. However, it is not desirable. According to the AKC standard, the Maltese Dog's coat color must be white.

The Maltese's eyes are very dark and round. They are set not far apart. The nose is black. Teeth should meet in a scissors bite.
Height: 10 inches
Weight: 4-6 pounds
Life Span: 9-11 years. Though, Maltese Dogs are known to have a long life and some dogs of this breed can live up to 15-17 years old.

Malteses - Information - Temperament Traits

Maltese Dogs are gentle-mannered and playful. Known as a lovable and devoted companion, the Maltese Dog is intelligent and active. These cute little dogs are cheerful and hardy. They are said to do rather well with children and pets. An excellent companion dog, the Maltese is quick to learn tricks and its keen nose and bold nature make it a good watchdog. Your toy-like Maltese is sure to alarm you in case it suspects some intrusion.

Malteses - Information - History of the Breed

The Maltese Dog is a breed of a very ancient origin and is believed to be one of the oldest European breeds. The country of the breed's origin is Malta. It is highly probable that the breed originated as far back as 1500 B.C. However, some Maltese images were found on ancient vases (approximately 500 B.C.) Maltese Dogs were extremely popular then and were even used by Phoenician seamen to barter for goods.

It is still a debatable point how Maltese Dogs were brought to England. However, the queen Elizabeth (1558-1603) and all upper-class ladies of that time found the Maltese Dogs adorable and liked to fondle them. Many famous paintings, which depict the royal life, have Maltese Dogs as an attribute to the luxury and glamour of the upper-class society.

The Maltese Dog was first brought to the US in 1877. The AKC recognized the Maltese breed in 1888. Maltese Dogs are popular nowadays, for they are easy to deal with and charming to have around.