Maltese is a dog breed
The Maltese (Maltese lapdog) is a toy dog of the Bichon family. The Maltese's distinctive feature is its very long, snow-white coat, reaching to the floor. Experts believe that the Maltese's ancestors were toy poodles and spaniels.
History of the breed
The Maltese is considered an ancient breed, its origins are associated with the Mediterranean island of Malta. Although this dog was brought to Europe by the legionaries of Ancient Rome, the first Maltese fanciers' club was founded only in the late 19th century. Maltese arrived in Russia during the Napoleonic Wars, where they were known as "French lapdogs."
Queens Victoria and Mary I of Great Britain and Scotland, as well as their courts, adored these fluffy white dogs, appearing with them in public, decked out in expensive clothing and adorned with jewelry. Maltese lap dogs were depicted in paintings by many renowned artists. Because smaller and lighter dogs were prized, they were selected for breeding. This is how a distinct variety of the Maltese dog breed was developed—the mini, or micro, Maltese lap dog.
Description and standards of the breed
According to the standards of the International Cynological Organization, the characteristic external features of the Maltese breed include:
- Straight back line with raised withers.
- The length of the body is one third more than the height at the withers.
- Flat skull, triangular ears, close to the head.
- The eyes are quite large, round, brown in color, with black lining around the eyelids.
- The nose is black, with open nostrils.
- The paw pads are rounded.
- The toes are tightly closed and have black claws.
- The tail is thick at the base and tapering towards the tip.
- The color is white, a slight yellowish tint (ivory color) is allowed.
- Height ranges from 21 cm to 25 cm for males and from 20 to 23 cm for females, weighing from 3 to 4 kg. Mini Maltese are about 15 cm tall and weigh 1.5-2 kg.
Maltese are gentle, affectionate, intelligent, curious, and attentive. They are very active, love playing outdoors, are easily trained, and readily follow commands, especially when rewarded. They are deeply devoted to their owners and attached to all family members. They are wary of strangers, but never aggressive without cause. This little friend with a big heart loves to accompany their owner everywhere and cannot stand being alone for long periods of time. Therefore, keeping a Maltese in a home where family members gather only in the evenings is not recommended.
As for Maltese health, they are long-lived and rarely get sick. Most cases of upper respiratory tract illnesses, particularly asthma, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and dental and gum disease, are reported.
Nutrition and care
A St. Bernard or Caucasian Shepherd can consume their entire daily food allowance in one sitting. Bichon Frise dogs have a significantly smaller stomach and expend a lot of energy, so they need to be fed more frequently. Maltese puppies up to 6 months are recommended to be fed 4 times a day, up to 1 year 3 times, and adult dogs 2 times a day. The recommended daily intake is approximately 2 tablespoons per 1 kg of body weight.
If your pet is on a natural diet, its diet should include: boiled (and for adults, raw) beef, chicken or turkey, boneless fish, buckwheat and rice porridge, low-fat cottage cheese, and kefir. You can add a spoonful of olive oil, boiled vegetables, one egg yolk once a week, and finely chopped walnuts.
The best prepared foods for small breed dogs are:
- Grandorf Adult Mini 4 Meat & Brown Rice Hypoallergenic. Hypoallergenic dry food with 4 types of meat and brown rice;
- Piccolo Small Dogs Salmon & Venison. Grain-free dry food with salmon and venison;
- Primordial Adult Dog Mini Holistic Duck Trout Grain Free. Grain-free dry food with duck and trout;
- Farmina Natural & Delicious Adult Dog Mini Boar & Apple Grain Free. Dry food based on wild boar meat;
- Acana Heritage Adult Small Grain-Free. Grain-free dry food with chicken, turkey, and fish. It contains the probiotic Enterococcus faecium, which enhances the bioactivity of the natural intestinal microflora.
Although Maltese dogs are relatively low-shedding, grooming them requires a significant amount of time due to their very long and thick coat. Some owners trim their pets quite short, leaving only a lush mane. However, most Maltese, especially show dogs, sport an elegant, snow-white, floor-length coat, parted in the middle of the back. The bangs on the head are tied with a bow or pinned to prevent them from obscuring the eyes. Some photos of Maltese dogs, often posted online by owners, show that the dog's bangs were curled with curling pins before the photo shoot.
Maltese should be bathed at least every two weeks, using only high-quality dog shampoos and conditioners, and blow-drying on a medium setting. Their coat should be brushed daily with a wide-toothed metal comb (slicker brushes and de-matting tools are not recommended). The hair on the paws, around the toes, and around the ear canal and anus should be trimmed.
The rest of the grooming procedures are almost the same as for dogs of other breeds. This brushing teeth 1-2 times a week, ear cleaning twice a month, and nail trimming as needed (cut carefully to avoid damaging the blood vessels in the nail bed). Eyes should be examined daily, removing mucus as needed with a cotton swab soaked in boiled water or a special lotion.
Price
Both mini and standard Maltese remain popular companions. Charming, intelligent, and loyal, their demand remains high. The price of a Maltese depends on its age (puppy, junior, adult, or veteran), its show class, and the titles of its parents.
The most expensive are show-class dogs, considered promising for participation and success in exhibitions. Breed-class dogs are suitable for breeding but lack the "show spirit." A two- to three-month-old show- and breed-class Maltese puppy costs between 30,000 and 80,000 rubles, while a mini Maltese costs between 70,000 and 140,000 rubles. Pet-class puppies are those without a pedigree or those with breed-specific defects; a Maltese of this class can be purchased much more affordably.
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