The Maltese

Appearance

Should be smart, lively and alert. The action should be free, without extended weaving. Body should be well balanced and Short and Cobby with good spring of rib and the back should be straight from the tip of the shoulders to the tail .

FOREQUARTERS; Legs should be short and straight ,Shoulders well sloped.
HINDQUARTERS; legs should be short and nicely angulated.
FEET; should be round and the pads of the feet be black.
TAIL: should be well arched over the back and feathered.
GAIT AND MOVEMENT: straight and free flowing, without weaving. Viewed from behind the legs should be neither too close nor too wide apart.
COAT: Should be of good length, but not impeding action, of silky texture, not in anyway woolly and should be straight. It should not be crimped and there should not be no woolly undercoat.
COLOUR: pure White, but slight lemon markings should not penalize.
HEAD AND SKULL: from stop to center of scull (centre between forepart of ears) and stop to tip of nose should be equally balanced. Stop should be defined. Nose should be pure black.
EYES: Oval, NOT BULGING , Dark Brown, Black eye rims.
EARS: Should be long and well feathered and hanging close to the side of the head, the hair to be mingled with the coat at the Shoulders.
MOUTH: level OR scissor bite with teeth even.
NECK: Of Medium length, Set on well sloped shoulders.

FAULTS; Brown Nose, Pink Eye Rims,
Bad Month (over or undershot).
Gay Tail.
Curly or Woolly Coat.
Unsound in Anyway.

SIZE NOW: Pre 1987 KC London Standard: Up to 10ins (25.5cm) from ground to top of shoulder.(The original Standard was: No more than 10 lb in weight and No more than 10 ins at the Shoulder, 4 to 6 pounds preferred, the smaller the better.

History

Understood to have originated in the Isle of Melita (Now called Malta) They disappeared in War time and the re-appeared and were popular with certain Royals. It is also believed that they go back as far as 7000BC as far as anyone can find out.

And in one History book it states that they were of several colors and suddenly White came on the scene and that became the main colour. This could explain why Maltese today has some lemon markings, which does fade out as the dog grows. Back in the old days many years ago the Maltese had curly coat also and over the years has been bred out and now has a straight coat.

The Maltese was never allowed to be trimmed but with the change of fashion today and over the years the Maltese coat is now styled and trimmed for Show work and looks far different to the earlier years Maltese. Which can be seen in different Books on the History of the Maltese.

Temperament

Sweet tempered, and very intelligent
Very good pets for old people, and great with children and good for Units/Townhouses.

Care / Grooming

Coat should be of good length, brushed daily, and bathed weekly (if shown), If a pet, you can keep the Maltese trimmed short for easy management and bath every seven to ten days depending on how dirty it gets.

Worming/Heartworm and Vet checks and Booster injections are very important to keep up. Yearly teeth cleaning is important and the chewing of Biscuits and Bones (not chicken or sharp bones) helps to keep them clean.

Health

The Maltese has been known to suffer from Slipping Petella’s and like all Breeds have their faults. Unfortunately no one has bred the perfect dog yet in any breed.

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