Maltese
Toy Dog Group
Background and Description
An aristocrat among dogs, the Maltese dog has a decidedly regal look about him and has always enjoyed
being a pampered companion dog.
This breed has ancient origins and was once a great favorite of the wealthy and elite of the Roman Empire.
Depictions of similar small dogs have been seen in Greek and Roman art from that time period, offering
evidence of its popularity.
As a long time resident of the island of Malta, it is believed to
have first arrived there with Phoenicians who came as immigrants or traders. This delightful dog is
said to have been a frequent companion to sailors on long voyages, though it is hard to image how its
white coat would hold up under those conditions! That being said, they are known to have a liking for
jumping into puddles.
At one time this breed has also been known as a Maltese "Terrier" and a "Lion dog", the latter of which
is still heard quite often today. The breed's development is said to include very small spaniels and
poodles, and it is assigned to the Toy Dog Group of pedigreed dogs.
The hallmark of the breed is
without a doubt its attractiveness and luxurious coat of pure white hair that is silky in texture. It is
not uncommon to see this sweet dog with its hair pulled up in ribbons, drawing attention to its large
expressive eyes. It typically has quite a long life span - often in excess of 15 years.
Appearance:
Height 9-10 inches, Weight: 4-6 pounds
Color: Solid white is the standard, though lemon color on the
ears is acceptable.
Coat and Care:
With its beautiful long white coat, this breed does deserve a daily brushing and frequent bathing to
keep it free of mats and in good condition. Some owners who don't plan to show their dogs, often have
the coat clipped shorter. The shedding of the coat is very minimal if it is well-maintained! This feature
may be a plus for allergy sufferers.
Personality and Traits:
Extroverted with a fun attitude is one way to describe the Maltese. Despite his small size, this toy
dog is not frail or delicate.
By nature, he is often described as gentle, very sweet, affectionate
and born to be a lap dog! Although he enjoys being coddled and pampered, he is still quite an active
and playful little doggie.
As for training, he is very intelligent and likes to please his owner.
He can be easily trained if you lather on the praise and make it fun.
Another plus that owner
enjoy, is that this breed is very clean by nature and doesn't like to soil his space. House training
can be a little more challenging because they are a bit more fussy about the weather, so you may have
to compromise occasionally by using training pads.
Activity Level:
Exercise needs are moderate because the Maltese are very playful and pretty active indoors most of the
time. In the interest of good health, a regular short walk is still a good idea.
Space Needs:
Space is not an issue for this sweet little dog. He will adjust to almost any living conditions providing he can
run about and gets lots of attention.
Children:
The Maltese does better in a family with no small children, though he will do well with young adults who
are considerate of pets. Just his small size alone would put him in jeopardy around little people and he
has been known to run and hide from them to avoid confrontations.
Elderly:
This breed makes a really nice companion for the elderly or more sedentary family. He can do well without
a lot of exercise because he keeps himself pretty busy around the house.
Fun Stuff for Small dogs:
Dog Jewelry
Dog Hats
Small Dog Carriers
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