Dogs
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. The breed name and origins are commonly understood to derive from the Mediterranean island of Malta, however the name is sometimes described with reference to the Adriatic island of Méléda, or a defunct Sicilian town called Melita.
- Maltese Dog Breed Standard By Akc
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...
- Maltese Puppy Stages Of Growth
This is a Maltese puppy on its 1st day. Weight: 4 oz. This is a Maltese puppy at 1 week of age. Weight: 6 oz. This is a Maltese puppy at 2 weeks of age. Weight: 10 oz. [Eyes open] This is a Maltese puppy at 3 weeks of age. Weight: 12 oz. ...
- Crossbred Maltese Dogs
A crossbreed is a dog with two pure bred parents of different breeds. Dogs traditionally were crossed in this manner in hopes of creating a puppy with desirable qualities from each parent. Crossbreeds are typically larger than the pure breeds For pet...
- Information On Cute Maltese Dogs
Information on Cute Maltese DogsSummary: Maltese dogs are famous because of their terrific looks and personality. Moreover, the silky white coat of Maltese dogs grabs the attraction and attention of potential owners at once. Article: The cute, stuff...
- Information On Cute Maltese Dogs
Information on Cute Maltese DogsSummary: Maltese dogs are famous because of their terrific looks and personality. Moreover, the silky white coat of Maltese dogs grabs the attraction and attention of potential owners at once. Article: The cute, stuff...
Dogs
Maltese small dog breed
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. The breed name and origins are commonly understood to derive from the Mediterranean island of Malta, however the name is sometimes described with reference to the Adriatic island of Méléda, or a defunct Sicilian town called Melita.
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
Temperament
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.
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 remain fairly constant. Some Maltese may 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 fares well in 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.
Care
Maltese have no undercoat, and have little to no shedding if cared for properly. Like their relatives Poodles and Bichon Frisé, they are considered to be largely hypoallergenic and many people who are allergic to dogs may not be allergic to the Maltese (See list of Hypoallergenic dog breeds). Daily cleaning is required to prevent the risk of tear-staining.
Regular grooming is also required to prevent the coats of non-shedding dogs from matting. Many owners will keep their Maltese clipped in a "puppy cut," a 1 - 2" all over trim that makes the dog resemble a puppy. Some owners, especially those who show Maltese in the sport of conformation, prefer to wrap the long fur to keep it from matting and breaking off, and then to show the dog with the hair unwrapped combed out to its full length.
Dark staining in the hair around the eyes "tear staining" can be a problem in this breed, and is mostly a function of how much the individual dog's eyes water and the size of the tear ducts. Tear stain can be readily removed if a fine-toothed metal comb, moistened with lukewarm water, is carefully drawn through the snout hair just below the eyes. This maintenance activity must be performed every two or three days, as a layer of sticky film is quick to redevelop. If the face is kept dry and cleaned daily, the staining can be minimized. Many veterinarians recommend avoiding foods treated with food coloring and serving distilled water to reduce tear staining.
- Maltese Dog Breed Standard By Akc
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...
- Maltese Puppy Stages Of Growth
This is a Maltese puppy on its 1st day. Weight: 4 oz. This is a Maltese puppy at 1 week of age. Weight: 6 oz. This is a Maltese puppy at 2 weeks of age. Weight: 10 oz. [Eyes open] This is a Maltese puppy at 3 weeks of age. Weight: 12 oz. ...
- Crossbred Maltese Dogs
A crossbreed is a dog with two pure bred parents of different breeds. Dogs traditionally were crossed in this manner in hopes of creating a puppy with desirable qualities from each parent. Crossbreeds are typically larger than the pure breeds For pet...
- Information On Cute Maltese Dogs
Information on Cute Maltese DogsSummary: Maltese dogs are famous because of their terrific looks and personality. Moreover, the silky white coat of Maltese dogs grabs the attraction and attention of potential owners at once. Article: The cute, stuff...
- Information On Cute Maltese Dogs
Information on Cute Maltese DogsSummary: Maltese dogs are famous because of their terrific looks and personality. Moreover, the silky white coat of Maltese dogs grabs the attraction and attention of potential owners at once. Article: The cute, stuff...