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 Maltese
Newborn Maltese puppies, which resemble
soft, white balls of yarn, may initially have fawn-colored hair around
their ears, but it gradually fades into the entire body is covered in a
pure white coat, though their noses and eye rims become darker as they
mature.
This breed, called by various names, including the Maltese terrier,
the Maltese spaniel, the Maltese poodle, the bichon maltese, and the Melita dog, is said to have been
brought to its Mediterranean island home, a key trading center, by the Phoenicians
as far back as 1500 B.C. Some people believe, however, that it is the island of Meleda
in the Adriatic Sea, not Malta,
where they originated.
In one of Aesop’s fables, one of this breed appears as a “white
dog of Malta”
that accompanies doting sailors on long voyage. In 15th-century
France, they served as lapdogs for noblewomen, and, after Queen Victoria
had one ordered from Malta in the late 1800s, the breed, suddenly in high
demand, was for a time bought and sold at very high prices.
These intelligent and quick-learning dogs are lively and playful, and
despite their soft bearing and elegant appearance, they are fairly daring.
Also, their barks are unexpectedly loud and high pitched.
Their long, silky hair needs frequent
care for it to remain snow white. Also, their eyes should be wiped carefully
each morning and their mouths cleaned after each meal, and their bottoms
should be cleaned after bowel movements.
Size:
(male) Height 8- inches weight
4-7 pounds (females) same
Coat: Long straight and silky. White is desirable
Remarks:
The tail has long, rich feathering and is raised over the back.
Also
called: Bichon maltese
Information
from the Legacy of the PUPPY
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