Breed History / Description
It is thought that small white dogs with luxurious coats have been the pampered pets in Mediterranean countries for centuries and these dogs form the ancestry of the Maltese. It is suggested that such dogs were taken to Malta by Phoenician traders and in 1805 a Knight of Malta wrote of the breed of dogs with long silky hair. The Royal Library of Malta houses a portrait dating back to 1833 depicting an example of the breed – very similar to the modern-day Maltese. The Maltese is part of the Toy Breed Group
Characteristics
Lively, intelligent, alert.
Temperament
Sweet-tempered.
Club, K., 2018. The Kennel Club's Breed Standards. 5th ed. London SW1V 2SA: Ebury Press.