Maltese

AKC Group: Toy

Club: American Maltese Association, Inc.

Corresponding Secretary : Barbara Miener
Address: 2523 N Starr St, Tacoma, WA , 98403-2940
Website: www.americanmaltese.org
Club Type: Specialty

General Apperance:

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.

Size:

Weight under 7 pounds, with from 4 to 6 pounds preferred. Overall quality is to be favored over size.

Coat:

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.

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.

History:

The Maltese, the ancient dog of Malta, has been known as an aristocrat of the canine world for more than 28 centuries. Their place in antiquity is well documented. At the time of the Apostle Paul, Publius, the Roman governor of Malta, had a Maltese name Issa of which he was very fond. Issa was the object of the poet Marcus Valerius Martialis (Martial), born in A.D. 40 at Bilbilis in Spain, in one of his celebrated epigrams: Issa is more frolicsome than Catulla's sparrow. Issa is purer than a dove's kiss. Issa is gentler than a maiden. Issa is more precious than Indian gems... Lest the last days that she see light should snatch her from him forever, Publius has had her picture painted. This picture was said to have been so lifelike it was difficult to tell the picture from the living dog.

Many similar accounts in ancient doctrine address the Maltese as an object of beauty and value. The Greeks erected tombs to their Maltese, and from the ceramic art dating to the 5th century innumerable paintings of the little dog are evident. Literary accounts detail Maltese maintaining a place of esteem and privilege in Royal households, a status the Maltese has maintained throughout history.

The first Maltese exhibited in the United States was white and listed as a Maltese Lion Dog at Westminster's first show in 1877. The American Kennel Club accepted the Maltese for registration in 1888.

Perhaps due to the popularity of the Maltese for centuries as household pets of people of culture, wealth, and fastidious taste, the Maltese has remained a dog of refinement, fidelity, and cleanliness. It should be noted that the Maltese is a spaniel possessing a healthy and spirited temperament, even though tiny and artistic in appearance.

Interesting Facts:

• The Maltese was known as "Ye Ancient Dogge of Malta", which for more than 28 centuries has been an aristocrat of the canine world.
  
  
• At the time of the Apostle Paul, Publius, the Roman governor of Malta, had a Maltese named Issa of which he was very fond; in this connection, the poet Marcus Valerius Martialis (Martial) made this attachment famous in one of his celebrated epigrams.
  
  
• The Greeks erected tombs to their Maltese.
  
  
• A fine model of the Maltese was unearthed in the Fayum in Egypt, making it not unlikely that this breed was the kind of dog worshipped by the Egyptians.
  
  
• The first Maltese exhibited in the US was white and listed as a Maltese Lion Dog at WKC's first dog show in 1877.
  
  
• The AKC accepted the Maltese for registration in 1888.