History

It’s likely, that the Phoenician traders brought the ancient breed "Melita" (the old name of the island of Malta) in Malta more than 2000 years ago. Modern Maltese dogs are the result of crossings between a spaniel and a miniature poodle.

For the first time this breed was registered in the AKC in 1888.

Physical characteristics

The Maltese is a very elegant dog, with a sophisticated look and short stature. The coat is soft, silky, smooth, very long (up to 22 cm), without an undercoat. The color is usually white, but some representatives may have small yellow spots on their ears. They weigh about 3 kg and are about 20cm high.

Character and behavior

Maltese is a very famous breed. It’s is a small, good-natured dog - a favorite family pet. They are preferred by both people with extensive experience in breeding dogs and by those without.Intelligent, sensitive, strongly attached to its owner and reserved with strangers–all of this can be said about the Maltese.

The little dog craves love and attention, so before you choose from different puppies for sale of this breed, you must be certain that you will have the time and will raise them with love and tenderness. Whenever your pet feels that something is wrong, he will warn you with barking, which makes these dogs excellent protectors of your home and family.

Training and education

Maltese dogs have very good memory and are very smart. These qualities make them easy to dressage and the training itself is an enjoyable experience. These dogs are overflowing with energy and love to play. For such small puppies they are very confident and very sociable, but everything depends on the nature of your pet.

Health problems

The average life expectancy is between 12 and 17 years. The dog is prone to some health issues such as:glaucoma, deafness, low blood sugar, thyroid problems, sensitivity to some drugs and PRA. You must ensure that your puppy's parents have OFA and CERF certificates.

Grooming and care

You have to comb the fur of your pet twice a day. Clean its eyes regularly, bathe your puppy thoroughly with egg shampoo, but not very often. You must trim the coat every few months. Always check whether the ears are clean and dry to avoid risk of infection. The fur should always be clean and soft for hygienic reasons. The coat of the Maltese is not linear, so it is suitable for people suffering from allergies.

Children and other pets

The Maltese gets along quite well with children but does not like a rough touch, so your kids should be kind and gentle. As for the other animals, the Maltese will behave quite reserved with them and will get into a fight even with much bigger dogs.

Interesting facts

The name of the Maltese dog does not mean that it comes from Malta. In fact, the word "Maltese" is Semitic - "màlat", which means harbor, refuge. This Semitic connotation can be seen again in a lot of names: the Adriatic island Meleda,the island of Malta and the Sicilian city Melita. In the past the ancestors of the little pup lived in towns and ports of the Mediterranean. They they hunted rats and mice, found in abundance in ships and warehouses. In the list of dogs known at that time, Aristotle (384-322 BC.) mentions small dogs -"canes melitenses" (in Latin). That pup was very popular in Ancient Rome as a favorite companion of almost all matrons.Many artists of the Renaissance presented the Maltese in the halls of that era, a little puppy in the hands of gorgeous ladies.