| Training | |
| Sensitivity to strangers | |
| Affection for family | |
| Suitable for first-time owners | |
| Ease of grooming | |
| Energy level |
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It is one of the most suitable dogs to have in an apartment. It is cheerful, smart and affectionate with its owner: Let’s see all the characteristics of the Maltese.
If you ever run into a Maltese on the street and stop to pet it, you can immediately see that its behavior is distinguished and modest, like an elegant butler from the past. With strangers, this dog breed is reserved and cautious. However, with its owner it is joyful and affectionate.
Now we are going to talk about the Maltese’s temperament, but let’s start with the origins of this adorable little dog.
Maltese: Origins
The name Maltese does not mean that this dog breed comes from the Island of Malta. The word “Maltese” is an adjective that comes from the Semitic word “màlat”, which means shelter or harbor. This Semitic origin is present in a series of names of coast and maritime cities; for example: Molat, a Croatian Island of the Adriatic Sea, Melita an ancient city from Sicily and also the Island of Malta.
The Maltese’s ancestors used to live in harbors or maritime cities of the Mediterranean, where rats and mice inhabit warehouses and coastal ships.
The Maltese Exists Since Ancient Rome
During the era of Aristoteles (384-322 a. C.) there was a list of dogs breeds that mentions a small dog breed with the Latin name “Melitensis Dog”. This particular dog was known in Ancient Rome as the matron’s favorite, and praised by Strabo, a Latin poet from the early first century AD.
A number of Renaissance artists painted little Maltese dogs in their artworks, in luxurious halls next to beautiful ladies from this period. A close relative of the Maltese is the Bolognese Dog; both dog breeds are part of the family of Bichons, a distinct type of miniature dog that includes the Havanese Dog.
The Maltese was highly popular during the Roman Era and during the 19th century, however, nowadays there are many certified breeders in countries such as England, the US, Australia, Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand, India, and South Africa.
Maltese: Temperament
As we mentioned before, this a perfect dog breed to have in an apartment (it does not lose hair at all), the Maltese is one of the most famous pet dogs; it has a joyful personality, it is smart and a little distant with strangers, but it is actually very affectionate with its owner.
The Maltese is a curious animal interested in its environment, and also it is very docile. Despite its size, it can also be used as a guardian dog; in fact, the Maltese is extremely alert and capable of hearing the most insignificant sounds.
Maltese: Physical Characteristics
The Maltese height rounds 8 inches (22 cm.), while its weight can vary between 1-2 lb (3 or 5 kg.). As you can see in its delightful and beautiful pictures, its main characteristic is its coat: a long silky cloak with brilliant and soft hairs.
Often, the Maltese’s coat can be as long as its height, a feature that makes this dog even more valued. The color is purely white, although there are some specimens with spots of ivory white or light orange color. The eyes of the Maltese are deep and dark, while its ears and middle-sized and fall by the sides of its head blending with its entire coat.
Maltese: Feeding
After the Maltese first month of life, the puppy must be weaned gradually leaving its mother’s milk based diet to start feeding with new food.
The best thing you can feed your Maltese puppy is a specific well-balanced food, wet, crumbled and mushed, so it has the consistency of baby food and your Maltese puppy can digest its food better.
After the third month of age you can feed your Maltese with dry dog food. Once you pass this delicate feeding period, you can purchase a low fat well-balanced dog food, with traces of rice, rabbit or duck. Take into account that there is balanced dog food specifically for this type of dog breed; do not forget to ask for advice from your trustful veterinarian.
Maltese: Price and Puppies For Sale
The price of a Maltese can be 700-1400 dollars, 600-1200 English pounds: the difference in prices depends on the pedigree of the dog you want to purchase.
There are registered breeders of Maltese in different countries of Europe, also US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland, India and South Africa. Beware of illegal dog sales of puppies; it is always the best choice to contact reliable professionals in the matter.
Maltese: Breeders
In this section you can find the best registered breeders in countries such as: the US, Canada and UK; but also Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, Scotland, India and South Africa; where you can find all the information you need. It is imperative to purchase from a reliable breeder, to insure that your puppy has been:
- Raised to have good character and good health;
- Carefully selected (its parents were chosen without any genetic diseases);
- Properly socialized, so that it is not too aggressive or fearful;
- Vaccinated and well-cared for.
When you adopt a puppy, a reliable breeder provides you with an official veterinarian certificate, in which it is formally stipulated that the animal is in perfect health and dewormed.
You can ask for a pedigree certificate, which allows you to check your dog breed´s purity. An animal with pedigree has certain characteristics that distinguish it among the others.
Now that we have mentioned the most important aspects, you can go to your new four-legged friend, who is certainly waiting for you.
You may be interested in reading another article related to other dog breeds such as:
- Russian Toy
- Manchester Terrier
- American Hairless Terrier
- Cairn Terrier
- Alaskan Klee Kai
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Griffon Belge
- Maltese
- Chihuahua
- Lakeland Terrier
