Maltese PLEASE! · paintings housed in the Royal Library of Malta. While many artifacts and some old writings depict dogs resembling the modern Maltese, many also resemble the Pomeranian

Ma l te s ePLEASE!

November 5, 2012

ISSUE ONE

a companion throughout the ages; the Greeks even built tombs in honor of their beloved Maltese upon their death. The Maltese was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888 and is a member of the Toy Group.

Activity & Training

Maltese don’t need a lot of vigorous exercise in order

to be happy and healthy, but daily walks are a must.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY MALTESESPOT.COM

The Maltese Dog Breed

The Maltese, at one time known as “Ye Ancient

Dogge of Malta,” the Maltese Terrier, the Maltese Spaniel, the Maltese Dog, the Maltese Lion Dog, the Ancient Dogge of Malta, the Melita Dog (taken from the Greek word meli, meaning honey), the Melitaie Dog, the Melitae Dog, the Roman Ladies’ Dog, the Shock Dog and the Bichon Maltaise, has been an aristocrat of the canine world for more than twenty centuries.

The breed is famous for its long, cascading snowy white

coat, its dark oval eyes with jet-black rims and its gentle yet spirited disposition. The Maltese has been cherished as

History and Health

The tiny Maltese is one of the earliest lapdogs, traceable

to the island of Malta off the southern coast of Italy as far back as 3500 B.C., if not earlier.

Continues on pages 2 - 4

Continues on page 6

Appearance

The Maltese is a tiny dog with a long, silky white coat that

hangs all the way to the floor. There is no undercoat and the hair should not be wavy or curly.

Continues on page 7

1

Maltese-Newsletter.indd 1 11/5/12 1:14 AM

It is thought to be the most ancient of all European toy

breeds. Publius, the Roman governor of Malta in the first century A.D., had a beloved Maltese named Issa, who was made famous by the poet Martial:

“Issa is more frolicsome than Catulla’s sparrow. Issa is

purer than a dove’s kiss. Issa is gentler than a maiden. Issa is more precious than Indian gems… Lest the last days that she sees light should snatch her from him forever, Publius has had her picture painted.” Many other celebrated authors have reflected on the intelligence

and beauty of the Maltese. From at least the time of the ancient Greeks, aristocratic ladies favored tiny pet dogs, which they groomed, fed on delicacies and allowed to sleep on their beds and other furniture. So valuable were these dogs that international trade in them existed even before the time of Christ. The Greeks erected tombs for their

Maltese and honored them in art from the 5th century on. Statues of Maltese were found in Egyptian ruins. A faithful friend of the wealthy during the Greek and Roman Empires, the Maltese also became a lapdog of the rich and famous during the British Empire. Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots both owned the diminutive breed, which in 1607 was described as being “not bigger than common ferrets.” In 1792, Maltese were referred to as “about the size of squirrels,” carried by ladies in their bosoms and sleeves. They have been described as “the jewels of women.”

By the middle of the 17th century, the island of Malta

was populated primarily by poor

shepherds, and the dainty dogs of its past became rare. In 1805, a Knight of Malta purportedly remarked: “There was formerly a breed of dogs in Malta with long silky hair, which were in great demand at the times of the Romans, but have for some years past greatly dwindled, and indeed are become almost extinct.” The breed did not die out entirely. An accurate portrait of a Maltese from 1833 appears in paintings housed in the Royal Library of Malta. While many artifacts and some old writings depict dogs resembling the modern Maltese, many also resemble the Pomeranian and other toy breeds. It seems that meticulous breeding and

History

2


recordkeeping establishing a pure Maltese breed did not begin until the mid-1800s.

The Maltese steadily rose in popularity throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, gaining a wide following with commoners as

companions and show contenders. By the middle of the 19th century, the Maltese was well-established as a popular pet in Britain, and it appeared in the English show ring in 1859. The first Maltese exhibited in America was a white “Maltese Lion Dog” entered at the original Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1877. At the 1879 Westminster show, a colored Maltese was exhibited as a “Maltese Skye Terrier.” The

American Kennel Club accepted its first Maltese for registration in 1888. The Maltese Terrier Club of America was founded in 1906; it later changed its name to the National Maltese Club and held its first specialty in New York in 1917. By the 1950s, there were two American breed clubs: the Maltese Club of America (formerly the National Maltese Club) and a newer club, the Maltese Dog Fanciers of America. In 1961, representatives of both clubs met at the Henry Hudson Hotel in New York City to discuss the future of their beloved breed. The result was a single combined club, the American Maltese

Association, which remains the breed parent club to this day. The first annual national meeting was held in conjunction with the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1963. The club drafted and adopted a revised Maltese breed standard in 1963, which was approved by the AKC that same year. The American Maltese Association officially became a member club of the AKC in 1969.

While beloved as a glamorous companion dog, the little

Maltese is tough, feisty and intelligent enough to have earned its reputation as a renowned rat-catcher.

The Maltese dog breed is exceptionally long-lived,

with an average life span of 15 years or more. This is higher compared to the median lifespan of most purebred dogs (10 to 13 years), and also higher than most breeds similar in size. Potential hereditary defects and disorders commonly found, but not necessarily found, in the Maltese are as follows:

Health

• Endocardiosis• Hydrocephalus• Entropion: The inversion, or the

turning inward, of all or part of the edge of an eyelid

• Distichiasis• Glaucoma: Serious disorder

characterized by fluid build-up inside of the eye

• Retinal Detachment: Separation of the inner layers of the retina from its underlying pigmented layers.

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Group of degenerative eye disorders that eventually lead to

3


permanent blindness in both eyes• Open Fontenal• Granulomatous

Meningoencephalomyelitis• Glycogen Storage Disease• Cryptorchidism: Cryptorchidism is

the physical absence of one or both testicles in the scrotum of a dog

• Cleft Palate: Birth defect caused by incomplete fusing of the two halves of the palate during neonatal development

• Hypoglycemia• Patellar Luxation: Commonly known

as a “slipped knee cap,” occurs when the patella is displaced from the joint

• Patent Ductus Arteriosus: Abnormal connections between different chambers of the heart, or between heart vessels

• Portosystemic Shunts• Pyloric Stenosis• Reverse Sneezing• Deafness: Defined as the lack or

loss, complete or partial, of the sense of hearing

• Collapsing Trachea• White Shaker Dog Syndrome• Dental Problems: Diseases and

disorders affecting the dog’s mouth

Personality

4


Maltese are perfect for city-dwellers. They are

quiet, gentle, polite and happy with daily 20-30 minute walks. In fact, some Maltese even prefer small spaces (and small yards) to large ones. Great with children, especially older ones, Maltese are confident around other dogs without being overconfident—their fearlessness tends to make them self-assured rather than defensive. Though a Maltese looks like a pet that needs pampering, they are actually quite sturdy and secure. Besides, too much pampering could make them irritable. Give them lots of love and attention and they will always respond in kind.

Maltese get along famously with children, but make

sure children respect their space and play with them properly.

Known for their good manners, Maltese demand a certain amount of respect and good treatment.

As you can tell by looking at them, Maltese need daily

grooming. Their coat is silky and very soft, so brush with care. They do not shed too much, making them a good choice for allergy sufferers. Also remember to clean their eyes, ears and beards regularly.

Personality Maltese can live as long as 18 years. Generally

healthy, they can suffer from dental problems. Dog toys and biscuits that promote dental health can help keep their teeth strong and clean.

Separation Anxiety is quite common in Maltese. They

adore people and hate to be left alone for long periods of time. Most Maltese don’t get enough exercise, as owners of toy breeds think they don’t need to walk their dogs. Exercise definitely helps, but Maltese are best suited for homes where there is a stay at home parent, or in the home of retirees.

5


easily. Crating your Maltese may be necessary for six to eight months. Some owners request the breeder housetrain their dog before bringing him home.

Activity & Training

Maltese don’t need a lot of vigorous exercise in order

to be happy and healthy, but daily walks are a must. These little guys love to run, so allowing them time to zip around the yard or park can help them expend extra energy. Their size makes them ideal apartment dogs, but a commitment should be made to walking your Maltese daily as it keeps them in shape and helps prevent separation anxiety.

Give these little guys some praise and treats and they

are capable of anything. Maltese are highly trainable and unlike other toy breeds, possess a desire to please. Some can have an independent streak, but that can generally be overcome by keeping training interesting and mixing up the routine a bit. Once your Maltese realizes there are treats in the deal, he’ll perk up and catch on quickly.

Toy breeds should never be treated harshly or given

physical corrections. Small dogs feel their only method of protecting themselves is through their bark and bite, and they don’t hesitate to use either. Harsh treatment or physical discipline can cause your Maltese to be mistrustful of people in general. Rewarding good behavior and ignoring bad is the best method to train a Maltese.

Housetraining a Maltese can be a long, drawn out process.

Finding where these tiny dogs have gone on your carpet can be a challenge, especially because they are so small and can hide quite

6


Appearance

The Maltese is a tiny dog with a long, silky white coat

that hangs all the way to the floor. There is no undercoat and the hair should not be wavy or curly. The ears are pendant and covered in hair and the tail, also covered in hair, drapes over the back. The eyes are round, dark and sport dark rims, and the nose is also black. The muzzle is slightly tapered. The neck is long, and the dog should carry his head high. The Maltese is slightly longer than tall, with a level topline. They are sturdy, though fine-boned, and when the move, they appear to be floating under their long, flowing hair.

Size and Weight

Weight standards vary, but generally, a Maltese

weighs between 4 and 8 pounds. Typically, an adult Maltese stands between 8 and 10 inches at the shoulder.

Coat and Color

The Maltese coat is white, silky and straight, flowing

from the dog’s body all the way to the floor. They do not have an undercoat, and therefore do not shed much, if at all. They are considered to be a hypoallergenic breed and are many people with dog allergies find they can live with a Maltese,

sneeze-free. The dog’s coat should be pure white, but lemon or light tan ears are permissible.

Grooming Needs

The coat of the Maltese sheds very little, if at all. A Long-

haired Maltese will need to be brushed daily in order to prevent tangles and mats. If the dog does develop a mat, do not bathe him. Make sure all mats are worked out before bathing, as water will tighten the hair of the Maltese and make the situation much worse. Brushing the Maltese also helps keep him clean, so even a short haired dog should be brushed regularly. Maltese get dirty very easily and regular brushing can mean the difference between bathing the dog every week, or every two to three weeks.

Tear stains are a common problem, thanks to the white

hair of the Maltese. Rub the face with a soft cloth and gentle, veterinarian-approved cleanser to keep stains to a minimum. Additionally, their faces can become stained from food and

water. Wipe the dog’s face after every meal, and dry his beard after he drinks. Some owners prefer to teach their Maltese to drink from a water bottle, to prevent face staining.

Check the Maltese’s ears on a regular basis for signs

of wax buildup, irritation or infection. Clean the ears with a cotton ball and a veterinarian-approved cleanser; never use a cotton swab in a dog’s ear canal. Also, Maltese grow a lot of hair in their ears that needs to be removed. Ask your groomer or vet to do this or to show you how to pluck the hair at home. Teeth should be brushed on a weekly basis to prevent tartar buildup, promote gum health and keep bad breath at bay. Trim nails monthly if the dog does not wear the toenails down naturally outdoors.

7


Adopting a pet

• Before you make a serious commitment to a pet, there are a few questions you should ask yourself.

• Are you going to be moving any time soon? Moving can be hard on pets and some buildings don’t allow animals. It’s best to wait until you’re settled before looking for a new pet.

• Is there enough space in your current house or apartment for an animal? Certain breeds have a lot of energy and aren’t suited for a small home or apartment. Make sure to learn as much about the breed of your new pet as possible.

• Will someone always be around to walk the dog or feed the cat? Pets are a lot of responsibility so make sure you can take care of your pet before you get one!

• Is anyone in your house or apartment allergic to the pet you want to get? There are treatments available for them, but make sure to talk about adopting and all your options first.

• Is this a commitment you’re ready for? Dogs can live for 15 years and cats may live up to 20. Make sure your family is ready to have a pet

for this long.• Don’t forget about the financial and

medical responsibilities. There’s the cost to spay or neuter the animal, food, supplies, toys, vet visits, etc. It can add up!

• Visit the shelter. Set aside at least a few hours to visit shelters in your area – remember that you may need to visit more than one shelter, or you may need to make more than one visit. Try to bring along everyone who will be living with the new pet. Ask the shelter staff lots of questions – that’s what they’re there for! And never adopt an animal because you feel sorry for it – be patient so you find a pet who is truly a good match for your family.

• Get everything ready.Buy all necessary supplies and food well before the animal comes home. Make

sure that the entire household is in agreement about rules and responsibilities – will the dog be allowed on the couch? Who will clean the litterbox? Put it in writing before the pet arrives, to make sure everyone agrees.

• Bring your new friend home! You’ll probably be excited when your new pet arrives, but be sure to give them space and time to get adjusted to a new home and a new family. The pet may act differently once they leave the shelter – have patience and keep your house calm and quiet in the first few weeks to make him/her feel better. Interact with your pet a lot and get them used to a routine, and soon you’ll be one big happy family!

8

Maltese Spot9753 Canine DrPet City, CA 00007

How to start

SOURCES:

Petwave.comDogster.comDosomething.org


Documents

Maltese PLEASE! · paintings housed in the Royal Library of Malta. While many artifacts and some old writings depict dogs resembling the modern Maltese, many also resemble the Pomeranian