MALTESE TERRIER
HISTORY
The Maltese once called the "Ye Ancient Dogge of Malta" received their name in the city of Malta, 80 miles south of Italy; the Maltese is a very popular dog breed in the United States. Descending from a Spitz-like dog which was bred for hunting in marsh land areas. This breed is also believed to have been crossed with the Poodle and was owned by royalty where they were worshipped. Today, not much has changed, as these lovable lap dogs can be seen all over the world getting spoiled by their human companions.
APPEARANCE
The Maltese is a small somewhat stocky in appearance breed with males and females both measuring 8-10 inches in height and weighing the average of 4-7 pounds in weight. This breed is very small and docile. Their small compact body is covered in a single coat of hair that is wavy to straight in texture and generally pure white in color, with being notated to have white and tan coats. Their eyes are generally black or dark brown with black nose, pads and some have black rims. Ears are drop set low alongside their head. This breed has a long tail that curls up over their back.
GROOMING
This breed needs to be brushed daily and facial cleaning to avoid tear staining. They are usually groomed with a puppy cut or long floor length hair sporting a bow on head to keep hair out of eyes.
TEMPERAMENT
The Maltese breed is a very cute, fun, energetic and gentle personality. This breed is wonderful to add to any family with children and other pets, as this breed will typically bond well with anything they grow up around. This breed is very smart and does well with learning new things as well as obedience training. This breed loves to play and have human interaction and truly needs this daily interaction in order to be happy. As with all small dogs, make sure to set rules and boundaries within the home to prevent "small dog syndrome" from occurring. When not receiving enough attention or mental and physical exercise, your Maltese may develop bad behaviors such as excessive barking, digging, accidents in the house and destruction. This breed requires a firm, consistent and calm owner who uses positive reinforcement training methods.
SPECIAL NOTES
Please note that this breed is prone to sunburn as they have nice pink skin. They are also prone to skin issues and allergies, eye issues, digestion issues, hot and cold sensitivity and damp, humid environments. Please fully research the Maltese prior to adding one to your family to ensure that this is the proper breed for you and you are able to meet the care requirements for the lifetime of your new dog, both physically and financially. A proper harness and leash or properly fenced in area is required for your dog to be within while outdoors at all times to ensure their safety.
The Maltese once called the "Ye Ancient Dogge of Malta" received their name in the city of Malta, 80 miles south of Italy; the Maltese is a very popular dog breed in the United States. Descending from a Spitz-like dog which was bred for hunting in marsh land areas. This breed is also believed to have been crossed with the Poodle and was owned by royalty where they were worshipped. Today, not much has changed, as these lovable lap dogs can be seen all over the world getting spoiled by their human companions.
APPEARANCE
The Maltese is a small somewhat stocky in appearance breed with males and females both measuring 8-10 inches in height and weighing the average of 4-7 pounds in weight. This breed is very small and docile. Their small compact body is covered in a single coat of hair that is wavy to straight in texture and generally pure white in color, with being notated to have white and tan coats. Their eyes are generally black or dark brown with black nose, pads and some have black rims. Ears are drop set low alongside their head. This breed has a long tail that curls up over their back.
GROOMING
This breed needs to be brushed daily and facial cleaning to avoid tear staining. They are usually groomed with a puppy cut or long floor length hair sporting a bow on head to keep hair out of eyes.
TEMPERAMENT
The Maltese breed is a very cute, fun, energetic and gentle personality. This breed is wonderful to add to any family with children and other pets, as this breed will typically bond well with anything they grow up around. This breed is very smart and does well with learning new things as well as obedience training. This breed loves to play and have human interaction and truly needs this daily interaction in order to be happy. As with all small dogs, make sure to set rules and boundaries within the home to prevent "small dog syndrome" from occurring. When not receiving enough attention or mental and physical exercise, your Maltese may develop bad behaviors such as excessive barking, digging, accidents in the house and destruction. This breed requires a firm, consistent and calm owner who uses positive reinforcement training methods.
SPECIAL NOTES
Please note that this breed is prone to sunburn as they have nice pink skin. They are also prone to skin issues and allergies, eye issues, digestion issues, hot and cold sensitivity and damp, humid environments. Please fully research the Maltese prior to adding one to your family to ensure that this is the proper breed for you and you are able to meet the care requirements for the lifetime of your new dog, both physically and financially. A proper harness and leash or properly fenced in area is required for your dog to be within while outdoors at all times to ensure their safety.
MALTESE
AKC STANDARD
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.
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: 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.
Tail: A long-haired plume carried gracefully over the back, its tip lying to the side over the quarter.
Legs and Feet: Legs are fine-boned and nicely feathered. Forelegs are straight, their pastern joints well knit and devoid of appreciable bend. 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.
Coat 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. Size: Weight under 7 pounds, with from 4 to 6 pounds preferred. Overall quality is to be favored over size.
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: For all his diminutive size, the Maltese seems to be without fear. His trust and affectionate responsiveness are very appealing. He is among the gentlest mannered of all little dogs, yet he is lively and playful as well as vigorous.
Approved March 10, 1964
*From AKC
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: 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.
Tail: A long-haired plume carried gracefully over the back, its tip lying to the side over the quarter.
Legs and Feet: Legs are fine-boned and nicely feathered. Forelegs are straight, their pastern joints well knit and devoid of appreciable bend. 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.
Coat 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. Size: Weight under 7 pounds, with from 4 to 6 pounds preferred. Overall quality is to be favored over size.
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: For all his diminutive size, the Maltese seems to be without fear. His trust and affectionate responsiveness are very appealing. He is among the gentlest mannered of all little dogs, yet he is lively and playful as well as vigorous.
Approved March 10, 1964
*From AKC
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