| Revision as of 04:38, 10 April 2009 editBinary TSO (talk | contribs)Rollbackers11,937 editsm Reverted edits by 122.200.166.113 (talk) to last version by Imbris← Previous edit | Revision as of 05:26, 10 April 2009 edit undo122.200.166.113 (talk) Undid revision 282915924 by Binary TSO (talk)Next edit → | ||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| <!-- Begin Infobox Dogbreed. The text of the article should go AFTER this section. See: --> | |||
| <!-- http://en.wikipedia.org/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Dog_breeds#Infobox_Dogbreed_template --> | |||
| <!-- for full explanation of the syntax used in this template. --> | |||
| {{Infobox Dogbreed | {{Infobox Dogbreed | ||
| | |
| name = Maltese | ||
| | image = Maltese 600.jpg | |||
| | image_caption = Maltese with a well-groomed coat | |||
| | altname = Bichon Maltaise | |||
| | country = Central Mediterranean region | |||
| <!-----Traits-----> | |||
| |maleweight = 3 to 4 Kg (6.6 to 8.8 ]) | |||
| |femaleweight = 3 to 4 Kg (6.6 to 8.8 ]) | |||
| |maleheight = 21 to 25 cm (8 to 10 ]) | |||
| |femaleheight = 20 to 23 cm (8 to 9 ]) | |||
| |coat = Hair: dense, shiny, glossy | |||
| |color = Pure White | |||
| |litter_size = 1 to 4 | |||
| |life_span = up to 15 years | |||
| <!-----Classification and standards-----> | |||
| | fcigroup = 9 | |||
| | fcinum = 65 | |||
| | fcisection = 1 | |||
| | fcistd = http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:uGvJAFKuRCUJ:www.fci.be/uploaded_files/065gb98_en.doc+site:www.fci.be+%2265+/+06.+04.+1998%22&hl=en | |||
| | akcgroup = Toy | |||
| | akcstd = http://www.akc.org/breeds/maltese/index.cfm | | akcstd = http://www.akc.org/breeds/maltese/index.cfm | ||
| | altname = | |||
| | ankcgroup = Group 1 (Toys) | | ankcgroup = Group 1 (Toys) | ||
| | ankcstd = http://www.ankc. |
| ankcstd = http://www.ankc.aust.com/maltese.html | ||
| | ckcgroup = Group 5 - Toys | | ckcgroup = Group 5 - Toys | ||
| | ckcstd = http://www.ckc.ca/Default.aspx?tabid=73&Breed_Code=MLE | | ckcstd = http://www.ckc.ca/Default.aspx?tabid=73&Breed_Code=MLE | ||
| | country = Central ] Area <ref name="FCI" /> | |||
| | patronage = ] <ref name="FCI" /> | |||
| |maleweight = 6.5-9 lb. | |||
| |femaleweight = 6.5-9 lb. | |||
| |maleheight = 8-10 in. | |||
| |femaleheight = 7.5-9 in. | |||
| |coat = White | |||
| |litter_size = avg. 3 puppies | |||
| |life_span = 9-11 years<ref> at Gopetsamerica.com, accessed 1 April 2009</ref> | |||
| | fcigroup = 9 | |||
| | fcinum = 65 | |||
| | fcisection = 1 | |||
| | fcistd = http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:www.fci.be/uploaded_files/065gb98_en.doc | |||
| | image = Maltese 600.jpg | |||
| | image_caption = A Maltese with the standard haircut | |||
| | kcukgroup = Toy | | kcukgroup = Toy | ||
| | kcukstd = http://www. |
| kcukstd = http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/discoverdogs/toy/y965.htm | ||
| | name = Maltese | |||
| | nzkcgroup = Toy | | nzkcgroup = Toy | ||
| | nzkcstd = http://www.nzkc.org.nz/br140.html | | nzkcstd = http://www.nzkc.org.nz/br140.html | ||
| Line 33: | Line 37: | ||
| <!-- End Infobox Dogbreed info. Article Begins Here --> | <!-- End Infobox Dogbreed info. Article Begins Here --> | ||
| A '''Maltese''' is a small ] of white dog. One of the oldest known breeds in the world, it is commonly ] with long hair sweeping to the floor; however most pets are given short "puppy cuts" of about 2.5cm (1 inch) for ease of grooming. In this type of animal, the ] is not referred to as ] which is based entirely on length since otherwise hair and fur are the same thing. | |||
| It is a "high-maintenance" dog. | |||
| This ancient breed has been known by a variety of names throughout the centuries. Originally called the "Melitaie Dog" he has also been known as "Ye Ancient Dogge of Malta", the "Roman Ladies' Dog," the "Majestic Creature", the "Comforter Dog," the "Spaniel Gentle," the "Bichon," the "Shock Dog," the "Maltese Lion Dog" and the "Maltese Terrier" amongst other names. Sometime within the past century, the dog has come to be known as the "Maltese". ] settled on the name "Maltese" for the breed in the 19th century.<ref name="Drury">Drury, William. , Read Books, 2007, Chapter LIV., 576</ref> | |||
| ==Appearance== | |||
| Though the current name, and some older names, appear to refer to the island of ], the origins of both the breed and its name are unclear. Various writings have also described the name as deriving from the ] island of ], and the ] town of ].<ref name="Drury" /><ref name="Briggs" /><ref name="Hyytinen"> ''by Iiris Hyytinen of the the Maltese Club of Finland''</ref> According to the ], the name of the dog does not signify that he originates from the island of Malta because the adjective »Maltese« comes from the ] word, ''màlat'', a root of the names of all three places.<ref name="FCI"> translated by Peggy Davis, ''owned by Yvonne Soomers-Marell of the Hondenclub '''De Vrolijke Viervoeters''' te Landgraaf, the Netherlands''</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| The Maltese is a dog belonging to the ] that is covered from head to foot with silky white hair which can grow very long if left untended. For ]s the hair is required to be trimmed to floor-length. | |||
| == Description == | |||
| They do not have an ], and the hair does not normally shed. Some individuals may have curly or woolly hair, but this is outside the standard. | |||
| The Maltese had been recognized as a FCI breed in ] at the Annual meeting in ], ]. The current FCI standard is dated ] ], and the latest translated from Italian to English dated ] ]. The ] recognized the breed in ]. | |||
| The color is pure white and although cream or light lemon ears are permissible, they are not desirable. | |||
| === Appearance === | |||
| Characteristics include slightly rounded skulls, with a one-finger-wide dome and a 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 sun light. This is often referred to as a "winter nose"<ref></ref> and many times will become black again with increased exposure to the sun. | |||
| Adult Maltese range from roughly 3 to 10 lb (1.4 to 4.5 kg), though ]s, as a whole, call for weights between 4 and 8 lb (1.8 to 3.7 kg). There are variations depending on which standard is being used; many, like the ], call for a weight that is ideally between 4 and 6 lb (1.8 to 2.7 kg), and no more than 7 lb (3.2 kg). | |||
| ==== Coat and color ==== | |||
| The ] is long and silky and lacks an ]. The color is pure white and although cream or light lemon ears are permissible, they are not desirable. Also a pale ivory tinge is permitted. Traces of pale orange shades are tolerated but not desirable and considered an imperfection.<ref name="FCI" /> | |||
| Characteristics include slightly rounded skulls, with a one (1) finger width dome, and a black nose that is two (2) finger width long. The body is compact with the length equaling the height. | |||
| ==== Size ==== | |||
| ] | |||
| Adult Maltese range from roughly 3 to 7 lb (1.4 to 3.0 kg), though breed standards, as a whole, call for weights between 4 and 7 lb (1.8 to 3. 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. | |||
| The drop ears with long hair and very dark eyes, surrounded by darker skin pigmentation that is called a "halo" gives Malteses their expressive look. | |||
| === Temperament === | |||
| For all their diminutive size, Maltese seem to be without fear. In fact, many Maltese seem indifferent to creatures and objects larger than themselves but can also be quite aggressive for their small size, which makes them very easy to socialize with other dogs, and even cats. They love time with owners. This is because they were bred to be 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 remains fairly constant and does not diminish much. | |||
| Their noses can fade and become pink or light brown in color. This is often referred to as a "winter nose" and many times will become black again with increased exposure to the sun<ref></ref>. | |||
| Maltese are very good with children and infants. Maltese do not require much physical exercise, although they should be walked daily to reduce problem behavior. They enjoy running and are more inclined to play games of chase, rather than play with toys. Some Maltese can occasionally be snappy 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 does well with apartments and townhouses, and is a prized pet of urban dwellers. | |||
| ==Temperament== | |||
| The ]-wide research project done in conjunction with the RSPCA showed that the Maltese is Australia's most unsatisfactory dog because of their aggressive nature it is the most dumped purebred dog in Australia. Even if the Maltese is the the Australian state of ] most common purebred dog. The following reasons were given: dog bites, dog attacks other dogs and animals, dog does not get on with kids and dog not trusted.<ref name="burkesbackyard"> ''done in conjunction with the RSPCA, Australia, 2004''</ref> The Maltese will not appreciate rough handling and can become snappy with children thus not particularly suited for those families with small children.<ref name="completeburkes">Burke, Don. : ''The Ultimate Book of Fact Sheets'', Murdoch Books, 2005, '''pp 831-832'''</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| Maltese can be very energetic and are known for their occasional wild outbursts of physical activity, running around in circles chasing their tail, and bolting at top speed with amazing agility; given this, they still do well for apartment dwellers. They are relatively easy to train and enjoy a playful game of fetch. These intelligent dogs learn quickly, and pick up new tricks and behaviours easily. Since they were bred specifically for ], they do not do well being left alone for long hours. | |||
| Italians sometimes called them ''botoli'', because, though small, they were ferocious and bad-tempered, ''botolo'' being an old Italian word meaning a quarrelsome little cur, or a worthless, degenerate little dog.<ref name="Briggs"> '''by Lee Rawdon Briggs''', ''published by H. Cox in London, 1894'' ''from the Internet Archive - www.archive.org - by Marcus Lucero'', '''pp 312-322'''</ref> | |||
| For all their diminutive size, Maltese seem to be without fear. In fact, many Maltese seem relatively indifferent to creatures/objects larger than themselves (unless of course it is the owner). They are among the gentlest mannered of all little dogs, yet they are lively and playful as well as vigorous. Because of their small size, Maltese dogs are not a good choice for families with small children because they can be easily injured. | |||
| == History == | |||
| ] | |||
| ] placed the origin of the breed at 6000 BC.<ref>Cutillo, Nicholas. 'The Complete Maltese'. Howell Book House, 1986. ISBN 0-87605-209-X</ref> | |||
| The breed has a reputation for being good-natured, but may be intolerant of small children or other dogs. They can be protective of their owner and will bark or may bite if animals or people infringe on their territory or are perceived as a threat. | |||
| The Maltese is thought to have been descended from a ] type dog found among the Swiss Lake dwellers and bred down to obtain its small size. Although there is also some evidence that the breed originated in ] and is related to the ], the exact origin is unknown. <ref>Teeters Leitch, Virginia. ''The Maltese dog'', Jon Vir kennels, 1953 ; Carno, Dennis. ''The Maltese Dog - A History of the Breed, 2nd Ed.'', International Institute of Veterinary Science, 1970.</ref> | |||
| ===Aggression=== | |||
| The oldest record of this breed was found on one ] amphorae<ref> ''by hellenica.de''</ref> found in ] town of ]. Archaeological explorations determined that it is a work by the artists from the Athenian school from 500 b. C. For Kinology the most important fact is that above the drawing there is a title Melitaie, which were latter called Melitae and after that Meledae.<ref name="Kromerova"> section under the title ''Hypothesis about the origin of the name Maltese | |||
| In 2004 ] carried out an Australia-wide research project with the RSPCA to compare dog surrender rates in 2003<ref> ''done in conjunction with the RSPCA, Australia, 2004''</ref>. The Maltese came out pretty badly, especially in the matter of aggression. | |||
| ''</ref> | |||
| However, the report fails to address the reasons for Malteses (and all small dogs) developing aggressive behaviour. This can be simply due to poor discipline as puppies, unchecked teasing, simple abuse (children giving it a hard time out of love and affection) or even forgetting to check the dog/foot closeness. An excellent treatment of canine agression is . | |||
| ] was first to mention its name, he also compared the dog to a ]<ref>Aristotelis, Giulio Cesare Scaligero, Johann Gottlob Schneider '''De animalibus historiae''', ''libri X.: Graece et Latine. Textum recensuit Iul. Caes. Scaligeri versionem, diligenter recognovit commentarium amplissimum indicesque locupletissimos adiecit Io. Gottlob Schneider'', in bibliopolio Hahniano, 1811, De animal. hist. IX. 8., '''p 391''' {{la icon}} {{quote|Ictis autem est Melitaei catelli magnitudine; pilo autem et facie et candore ventris atque ciiain morum maleficio mustelae similis.}}</ref> and the first written document on the existence of this breed of dog was given by the Greek writer ]. He described the Canis melitaeus as the small dog originated from the Isle Melitaeus and placed that island in front of the ] coast, near ].<ref name="Briggs"> '''by Lee Rawdon Briggs''', ''published by H. Cox in London, 1894'' ''from the Internet Archive - www.archive.org - by Marcus Lucero'', '''pp 312-322'''</ref> | |||
| ==Care== | |||
| During the first century, ], the Roman governor of Malta, had a Maltese named Issa; the Roman poet ] wrote verses specifically dedicated to Publius' Maltese.<ref> ''by James Serpell, 2<small><sup>nd</sup></small></small> Edition, Cambridge University Press, 1996'', '''p. 47'''</ref> | |||
| underneath eyes and around the muzzle.]] | |||
| Maltese have hair, not fur and have little to no shedding if cared for properly. Like their relatives ]s and ], they are considered to be largely ] and many people who are allergic to dogs may not be allergic to the Maltese ''(See list of ])''. | |||
| ] references the description gave by Callimachus in his '']''<ref> translated by Philemon Holland, (1601), ''from uchicago.edu'' a page maintained by James Eason</ref><ref> contains the article ''An Answer to a late Book written against the Learned and Reverend Dr. Bentley, relating to some Manuscript Notes on Callimachus. Together with an Examination of Mr. Bennet's Appendix to the said Book. Concluded.'' (pp 370-380) written by an unknown author in London and first printed in the year 1699, '''p. 373'''</ref> | |||
| Regular grooming, at least once a week, is required to prevent their coats from matting. Many owners will keep their Maltese clipped in a "puppy cut," a 2.5-5cm (1-2inch) all over trim that makes the dog resemble a puppy. Some owners, especially those who show their Malteses prefer to wrap the long hair to keep it from matting and breaking off. | |||
| Bryant on origins said "These dogs were an ] breed; and very common in Magna Graecia, and those places that had any correspondence with the Greek colonies in the Adriatic : but, of all others, they were in greatest esteem among the ], the most languid and indolent people upon earth ; who made these animals attend them to the bath?, carrying in their mouths the little implements for bathing."<ref name="Bryant"> ''by Jacob Bryant Esq. (1715-1804), The Third Edition in Six Volumes, printed for J. Walker; W.J. and J. Richardson; R. Faulder, 1807, volume V., p 359</ref> | |||
| Hair around the ]s and lower lips should also be trimmed regularly to prevent it resting inside the mouth and contributing to poor dental hygiene. | |||
| ] confirms the findings of Callimachus and Pliny the Elder, <ref>Cramer, John Anthony. , Clarendon Press, 1828, pp 45-46</ref> which was reconfirmed by ] ], who pronounces in favour of ] Mliet (now in ])<ref> Constantine, Immanuel Bekker (compiled), Hierocles : ''accedit Hieroclis Synecdemus cum Bandurii et Wesselingii commentariis'', E. Weber, 1840, p 366 {{la icon}}</ref> | |||
| 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. If left unattended, this develops quickly to unsightly sticky black "boogers" which can affect the dog's health. 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. | |||
| ], in his "Hierozoicon," also quotes Callimachus to be correct. ] quotes freely from the other writers, especially as to the origin of this little dog, ] ascribing it to ] and ] to ]s.<ref name="Briggs" /> | |||
| ==Health== | |||
| The dogs probably made their way to ] through the ] with the migration of nomadic tribes. Some writers believe these proto-Maltese were used for rodent control and pig herding<ref name="Hyytinen" /><ref> ''by Annamaria Maratona, Phoenix, Arizona''</ref> before the appearance of the breed gained paramount importance. | |||
| ] | |||
| The Maltese is generally a healthy breed with few inherent problems. The average life span is 12-15 years. | |||
| Reputable breeders check all their puppies for problems like ], portosystemic ], and ] (PRA). Dogs with these and other faults are not permitted to breed, and in some cases will not even be shown. | |||
| == Care == | |||
| underneath eyes and around the muzzle.]] | |||
| ==History== | |||
| ] | |||
| As an aristocrat of the canine world, this ancient breed has been known by a variety of names throughout the centuries. Originally called the ''Melitaie Dog'', he has also been known as , the ''Roman Ladies' Dog'', the ''Comforter Dog'', the ''Spaniel Gentle'', the ''Bichon'', the ''Shock Dog'', the ''Maltese Lion Dog'' and the ''Maltese Terrier.'' The breed's history can be traced back many centuries. Some have placed its origin at two or three thousand years ago and ] himself placed the origin of the breed at 6000 BC<ref></ref>. Sometime within the past century, he has come to simply be known as the ''Maltese'' even though that island has no known traces of the breed<ref name="Finland"></ref>. | |||
| The adjective "Maltese" comes from the Semitic word "malat" which means refuge or harbour (from L. ''Melite'', perhaps from Phoenician ''melita'', lit. "place of refuge," from ''malat'' "he escaped"<ref></ref>); this Semitic root appears in maritime place-names, e.g: the Adriatic island of Méléda. "''Melitae''" is the Latin name of Malta. | |||
| The Maltese is thought to have been descended from a ] type dog found among the Swiss Lake dwellers and bred down to obtain its small size. Although there is also some evidence that the breed originated in ] and is related to the ], the exact origin is unknown<ref></ref>. There is some speculation that it may be related to the ] and ]. Nevertheless, the Maltese is neither a ] nor a ]. | |||
| Maltese have no undercoat, and have little to no shedding if cared for properly. Like their relatives ]s and ], they are considered to be largely ] and many people who are allergic to ]s may not be allergic to the Maltese (See list of ]). They make very good friends with different breeds especially the ]. Daily cleaning is required to prevent the risk of tear-staining. | |||
| The dogs probably made their way to ] through the ] with the migration of nomadic tribes. Some writers believe these proto-Maltese were used for rodent control<ref name="Finland"/> <ref></ref> <ref></ref> <ref></ref>. The Isle of Malta (or Melitae as it was then known) was a geographic center of early trade, and the little rodent-killers would no doubt have been left there as barter for necessities and supplies before the cuteness factor was locked in. | |||
| 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 ], 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. | |||
| At this stage the dogs were parti-coloured rather than pure white, and larger than modern standards, around 5.5 - 6.5Kg (12lbs). | |||
| Dark staining in the hair around the eyes ("") 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 goo 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. Also, giving the dog bottled water may help. | |||
| The dogs were favored by the wealthy and royalty alike and were bred over time to specifically be a companion animal. Among others were Publius, Roman governor of Malta and father of ], ], ], ], ] and ]. | |||
| ==Barking== | |||
| Many toy breeds and small dogs are known to yap, scream or bite ankles. While Maltese dogs are not given to excessive barking, they will generally sound the alarm at noises in the night. In fact, legend has it that the ancient Romans would use the Maltese as alarm dogs{{Fact|date=August 2007}}, and raised them with ]s, or a proto-Rottweiler breed. Intruders would first be confronted with the diminutive Maltese, only to be later confronted with their more formidable companions. | |||
| ], born in ] in ], wrote an epigram about Publius' dog: | |||
| An ]-wide research project (but not Tasmania) in conjunction with RSPCA found owners likely to dump their Maltese terriers,<ref name="burkesbackyard"> ''done in conjunction with the RSPCA, Australia, 2004''</ref> citing their tendency to bark constantly.<ref name="burkesbackyard"/> This breed is Australia's most dumped dog.<ref name="completeburkes">Burke, Don. : ''The Ultimate Book of Fact Sheets'', Murdoch Books, 2005, '''pp 831-832'''</ref> | |||
| :''"Issa is more playful than the sparrow of Catullus. Issa is more pure than the kiss of a dove. Issa is more loving than any maiden. Issa is dearer than Indian gems. The little dog Issa is the pet of Publius. If she complains, you will think she speaks. She feels both the sorrow and the gladness of her master. She lies reclined upon his neck, and sleeps, so that not a respiration is heard from her. And, however pressed, she has never sullied the coverlet with a single spot; but rouses her master with a gentle touch of her foot, and begs to be set down from the bed and relieved. Such modesty resides in this chaste little animal; she knows not the pleasures of love; nor do we find a mate worthy of so tender a damsel. That her last hour may not carry her off wholly, Publius has her limned in a picture, in which you will see an Issa so like, that not even herself is so like herself. In a word, place Issa and the picture side by side, and you will imagine either both real, or both painted."''<ref></ref> | |||
| Around the 17th and 18th centuries some (mostly English) breeders decided to "improve" the breed, by making it smaller still. ] held that the dog should be about the size of a ]. As a result, the breed nearly disappeared. Many small dogs, for example ]s and miniature ]s were added to the gene pool in order to save it. In the early 19th century there were as many as nine different breeds of Maltese dog<ref name="Finland"/>. | |||
| ==Crossbred Maltese dogs== | |||
| ] | |||
| Parti-colour and solid colour dogs were accepted in the show ring from 1902 until as late as 1950, at least in ], ]. However, white Malteses were required to be pure white. Coloured Malteses could be obtained from the south of ]<ref></ref>. | |||
| A ] is a dog with two purebred parents of different breeds. Dogs traditionally were crossed in this manner in hopes of creating a puppy with desirable qualities from each parent. For pet dogs, crosses may be done to enhance the marketability of puppies, and are often given cute ] names. Maltese are often deliberately crossed with ]s and ]s to produce small, fluffy lap dogs. Maltese-Poodle crosses are called ]s. Maltese crossed with ]s are also seeing an increase in popularity. Maltese with ]s are called ''Mal-Shihs'', ''Shihtese'', or ''Mitzus''. This results in a dog which is a small, friendly and intelligent animal with a unique low (or no) shedding coat. | |||
| During the ], ] in a few lines of his literary masterpiece, ''],'' describes a dog that can surely only be a Maltese. | |||
| Maltese crosses, like other crossbred dogs, are not eligible for registration by kennel clubs as they are not a ''breed'' of dog. Each kennel club has specific requirements for the registration of new breeds of dog, usually requiring careful record keeping for many generations, and the development of a breed club. At times, a crossbred dog will result in a new breed, as in the case in the 1950s when a Maltese and ] were accidentally bred. Descendants of that breeding are now a purebred breed of dog, the ]. | |||
| :''"The tiniest dog Nature has ever produced --''<BR> | |||
| ==Maltese mixed-breed dogs== | |||
| :''Her coat of long hair, whiter than ermine,''<BR> | |||
| Mixed breed dogs are those of generally unknown ancestry, or complex ancestry. In the popular 1974 film '']'', the part of the dog Benji's heroic love interest, Tiffany, was played by a mixed breed female of primarily Maltese ancestry. She also appeared, with her mixed-breed puppies, in the film's 1977 sequel, ''For the Love of Benji''. | |||
| :''Her movements exquisitely graceful and''<BR> | |||
| :''Matchless elegance of appearance."''<BR> | |||
| ::(Vol.II Canto 43)<ref></ref> | |||
| == See also == | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| <references |
<references/> | ||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| * Clubs, Associations, and Societies | |||
| * | |||
| * Clubs, Associations, Resources and Societies | |||
| ** | |||
| ** | ** | ||
| ** | ** | ||
| ** | ** | ||
| ** | ** | ||
| ** | ** | ||
| ** | |||
| ** | |||
| ** | |||
| ** | |||
| ** | |||
| ** | |||
| <!--===========================({{NoMoreLinks}})=============================== | <!--===========================({{NoMoreLinks}})=============================== | ||
| | PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS IN ADDING MORE LINKS TO THIS ARTICLE. WIKIPEDIA IS | | | PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS IN ADDING MORE LINKS TO THIS ARTICLE. WIKIPEDIA IS | | ||
Revision as of 05:26, 10 April 2009
Dog breed| Maltese | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Maltese with a well-groomed coat | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other names | Bichon Maltaise | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Origin | Central Mediterranean region | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dog (domestic dog) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A Maltese is a small breed of white dog. One of the oldest known breeds in the world, it is commonly shown with long hair sweeping to the floor; however most pets are given short "puppy cuts" of about 2.5cm (1 inch) for ease of grooming. In this type of animal, the hair is not referred to as fur which is based entirely on length since otherwise hair and fur are the same thing.
It is a "high-maintenance" dog.
Appearance
The Maltese is a dog belonging to the toy group that is covered from head to foot with silky white hair which can grow very long if left untended. For conformation dog shows the hair is required to be trimmed to floor-length.
They do not have an undercoat, and the hair does not normally shed. Some individuals may have curly or woolly hair, but this is outside the standard.
The color is pure white and although cream or light lemon ears are permissible, they are not desirable.
Adult Maltese range from roughly 3 to 10 lb (1.4 to 4.5 kg), though breed standards, as a whole, call for weights between 4 and 8 lb (1.8 to 3.7 kg). There are variations depending on which standard is being used; many, like the American Kennel Club, call for a weight that is ideally between 4 and 6 lb (1.8 to 2.7 kg), and no more than 7 lb (3.2 kg).
Characteristics include slightly rounded skulls, with a one (1) finger width dome, and a black nose that is two (2) finger width 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 that is called a "halo" gives Malteses their expressive look.
Their noses can fade and become pink or light brown in color. This is often referred to as a "winter nose" and many times will become black again with increased exposure to the sun.
Temperament
Maltese can be very energetic and are known for their occasional wild outbursts of physical activity, running around in circles chasing their tail, and bolting at top speed with amazing agility; given this, they still do well for apartment dwellers. They are relatively easy to train and enjoy a playful game of fetch. These intelligent dogs learn quickly, and pick up new tricks and behaviours easily. Since they were bred specifically for companionship, they do not do well being left alone for long hours.
For all their diminutive size, Maltese seem to be without fear. In fact, many Maltese seem relatively indifferent to creatures/objects larger than themselves (unless of course it is the owner). They are among the gentlest mannered of all little dogs, yet they are lively and playful as well as vigorous. Because of their small size, Maltese dogs are not a good choice for families with small children because they can be easily injured.
The breed has a reputation for being good-natured, but may be intolerant of small children or other dogs. They can be protective of their owner and will bark or may bite if animals or people infringe on their territory or are perceived as a threat.
Aggression
In 2004 Burke's Backyard carried out an Australia-wide research project with the RSPCA to compare dog surrender rates in 2003. The Maltese came out pretty badly, especially in the matter of aggression.
However, the report fails to address the reasons for Malteses (and all small dogs) developing aggressive behaviour. This can be simply due to poor discipline as puppies, unchecked teasing, simple abuse (children giving it a hard time out of love and affection) or even forgetting to check the dog/foot closeness. An excellent treatment of canine agression is Forms of Aggression.
Care
Maltese have hair, not fur 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).
Regular grooming, at least once a week, is required to prevent their coats from matting. Many owners will keep their Maltese clipped in a "puppy cut," a 2.5-5cm (1-2inch) all over trim that makes the dog resemble a puppy. Some owners, especially those who show their Malteses prefer to wrap the long hair to keep it from matting and breaking off.
Hair around the flews and lower lips should also be trimmed regularly to prevent it resting inside the mouth and contributing to poor dental hygiene.
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. If left unattended, this develops quickly to unsightly sticky black "boogers" which can affect the dog's health. 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.
Health
The Maltese is generally a healthy breed with few inherent problems. The average life span is 12-15 years.
Reputable breeders check all their puppies for problems like luxating patella, portosystemic liver shunt, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Dogs with these and other faults are not permitted to breed, and in some cases will not even be shown.
History
As an aristocrat of the canine world, this ancient breed has been known by a variety of names throughout the centuries. Originally called the Melitaie Dog, he has also been known as Ye Ancient Dogge of Malta, the Roman Ladies' Dog, the Comforter Dog, the Spaniel Gentle, the Bichon, the Shock Dog, the Maltese Lion Dog and the Maltese Terrier. The breed's history can be traced back many centuries. Some have placed its origin at two or three thousand years ago and Darwin himself placed the origin of the breed at 6000 BC. Sometime within the past century, he has come to simply be known as the Maltese even though that island has no known traces of the breed.
The adjective "Maltese" comes from the Semitic word "malat" which means refuge or harbour (from L. Melite, perhaps from Phoenician melita, lit. "place of refuge," from malat "he escaped"); this Semitic root appears in maritime place-names, e.g: the Adriatic island of Méléda. "Melitae" is the Latin name of Malta.
The Maltese is thought to have been descended from a Spitz type dog found among the Swiss Lake dwellers and bred down to obtain its small size. Although there is also some evidence that the breed originated in Asia and is related to the Tibetan Terrier, the exact origin is unknown. There is some speculation that it may be related to the Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso. Nevertheless, the Maltese is neither a Terrier nor a Spaniel.
The dogs probably made their way to Europe through the Middle East with the migration of nomadic tribes. Some writers believe these proto-Maltese were used for rodent control . The Isle of Malta (or Melitae as it was then known) was a geographic center of early trade, and the little rodent-killers would no doubt have been left there as barter for necessities and supplies before the cuteness factor was locked in.
At this stage the dogs were parti-coloured rather than pure white, and larger than modern standards, around 5.5 - 6.5Kg (12lbs).
The dogs were favored by the wealthy and royalty alike and were bred over time to specifically be a companion animal. Among others were Publius, Roman governor of Malta and father of Saint Publius, Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria, Josephine Bonaparte and Marie Antoinette.
Martial, born in A.D. 38 in Spain, wrote an epigram about Publius' dog:
- "Issa is more playful than the sparrow of Catullus. Issa is more pure than the kiss of a dove. Issa is more loving than any maiden. Issa is dearer than Indian gems. The little dog Issa is the pet of Publius. If she complains, you will think she speaks. She feels both the sorrow and the gladness of her master. She lies reclined upon his neck, and sleeps, so that not a respiration is heard from her. And, however pressed, she has never sullied the coverlet with a single spot; but rouses her master with a gentle touch of her foot, and begs to be set down from the bed and relieved. Such modesty resides in this chaste little animal; she knows not the pleasures of love; nor do we find a mate worthy of so tender a damsel. That her last hour may not carry her off wholly, Publius has her limned in a picture, in which you will see an Issa so like, that not even herself is so like herself. In a word, place Issa and the picture side by side, and you will imagine either both real, or both painted."
Around the 17th and 18th centuries some (mostly English) breeders decided to "improve" the breed, by making it smaller still. Linnaeus held that the dog should be about the size of a squirrel. As a result, the breed nearly disappeared. Many small dogs, for example Poodles and miniature Spaniels were added to the gene pool in order to save it. In the early 19th century there were as many as nine different breeds of Maltese dog.
Parti-colour and solid colour dogs were accepted in the show ring from 1902 until as late as 1950, at least in Victoria, Australia. However, white Malteses were required to be pure white. Coloured Malteses could be obtained from the south of France.
During the Renaissance, Ludovico Ariosto in a few lines of his literary masterpiece, Orlando Furioso, describes a dog that can surely only be a Maltese.
- "The tiniest dog Nature has ever produced --
- Her coat of long hair, whiter than ermine,
- Her movements exquisitely graceful and
- Matchless elegance of appearance."
- (Vol.II Canto 43)
References
- "winter nose"
- Dog Dumpage factsheets at Burke's Backyard done in conjunction with the RSPCA, Australia, 2004
- ^ The Maltese Club of Finland
- Etymology Online
- Martial, Epigrams. Book 1. Bohn's Classical Library (1897) CIX. ON A PET DOG AND THE PAINTER.
- Maltese Kennel Club of NSW AUSTRALIA
External links
- Clubs, Associations, and Societies