From the apartments and units of the CBD to the solidly middle-ring Balwyn, and down south to Frankston, Lilly and her floppy-eared comrades have swept aside all other breeds before them, as measured by the number of suburbs in which the Maltese cross is the most popular dog. Combine their might with that of Maltese pure-breeds (Melbourne's fourth most popular dog and the diminutive king of the western suburbs) and the city is being over-run by excitable fluff. Dog registration figures obtained by Fairfax Media from councils around Melbourne reveal that the Maltese cross is the undisputed top dog, ranking as the most popular breed in 83 suburbs. Labrador (favourite in 63) and the Jack Russell terrier (37 suburbs) have seen off an earlier challenge from the cavoodle to remain second and third in popularity. Cuteness doubtless plays a role in the invasion, as does the increase in apartment living. According to Sally Austin, the chief of the Maltese Club of Victoria, and the chief proponent of the pure state of the Maltese breed, the puppy farms are also partly responsible.

"They do produce lovely little fluffy puppies that look cute and people will buy from pet shops," Austin says. "The puppy farms get hold of purebred Maltese and then they breed them with whatever dogs they've got in their facilities. Because the Maltese is such an old breed going back to ancient Egypt, it's a very strong breed biologically." Sally Austin with her dogs, Max, Mitchell, Sunday, Macca and Sparky. Credit:Justin McManus Roisin McGuigan bought Lilly as a puppy a year ago from a breeder, ironically, in Lilydale. (This is not the reason for Lilly's name, however: that came because of the vase of flowers McGuigan had in her St Kilda apartment at the time). Twelve months later, McGuigan and her partner are delighted with their choice. "She's really well behaved. She's a very happy dog, she likes human company, she goes everywhere with us on public transport. She even goes to day care ... there's one in St Kilda and all the little dogs go there and they play all day".

Lilly doesn't bark much, McGuigan says, except when som eone comes to the door. This habit saved the family from a burglar recently who came in the back door and nabbed a laptop, but came no further "because Lilly made such a fuss". "They obviously didn't get far enough to see what she looked like." Alex Lee lives in Docklands with one purebred Maltese and one Maltese cross. He says their small size makes them ideal for living in apartments or places with limited yard space. "I like their temperament. They don't bark too much and they are easy to train," he says.

"They need less exercise than high energy dogs. I find it easy to go for a walk once a day for half an hour to an hour. They are easy to travel with as well." Ms Austin, at the Maltese Club of Victoria, though, is not a big fan of the crossed version of her favoured breed. Cross breeding, she says, can increase the chance of deformities that interfere with the dog's eating. It also makes it difficult to know what the offspring will look like. "The Maltese is a spaniel type and a shih-tzu is a different type," Ms Austin says. "Putting the two different breeds together, you're not sure of the size, head shape or what their mouth and teeth and dental makeup will be like." Ms Austin who owns five purebred Maltese dogs, says, regretfully, though, that she might be fighting a losing battle.

"The cross bred will always outweigh the purebred and will probably be more so in the years to come." Let's not forget the Labrador, though. It's the choice of traditionalists, from Ivanhoe to Brighton, from Camberwell to Kew. Cliff Gibbons, an operations manager from Black Rock, owns one purebred Labrador named Jay and one Labrador cross golden retriever called Abby. He grew up with the handsome hounds and loves their gentle, placid nature. "I have never had a Lab that caused a problem with biting people or having fights with other dogs. They simply have a fantastic, easy going, happy nature," Mr Gibbons said.

More than 1000 Labradors are registered in the Bayside area alone. "They love swimming and water and love the beach," Mr Gibbons says. "They need a lot of space. They wouldn't be a good city dog. In the beach area you have quite a lot of space. I take my guys out for about two hours."

