Maltese

The Maltese is an ancient white lapdog of the Mediterranean, bred for company and nothing else for at least two thousand years.

History

Small white dogs of this type appear on Greek pottery and in Roman writing — Pliny mentions them, and a Roman governor of Malta reportedly commissioned a portrait of his — which makes the Maltese one of the oldest documented companion breeds in Europe. The connection to Malta itself is uncertain and may be a confusion with the Sicilian town of Melita; what is certain is a long Mediterranean history as a dog of the wealthy.

Temperament

The breed is known for being lively, fearless for its size and intensely attached to its people, playful into old age and unhappy left alone for long.

Care and training

Exercise needs are small and met indoors and on short walks. The long white single coat mats readily and needs daily combing, or clipping short. Training is easy; house-training is the usual sticking point in small breeds and needs patience.

Health

Known tendencies include patellar luxation, dental crowding, tracheal collapse and tear staining around the eyes. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.