 Photo courtesy of James Dishmon |
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| Breed: Maltese |
| Also Called: NULL |
| Height: The Maltese is about 10 inches tall. |
| Weight: The Maltese weighs between 4-6 lbs. |
| Colors: The Maltese can be pure white. Light tan or lemon on the ears is permissible, but not desirable. |
| General Appearance: The Maltese is a toy dog covered from head to foot with a mantle of long, silky, white hair. He is gentle-mannered and affectionate, eager and sprightly in action, and, despite his size, possessed of the vigor needed for the satisfactory companion. |
| Temperment: The Maltese seems to be without fear, for a dog of such small size. His trust and affectionate responsiveness are very appealing. He is among the gentlest mannered of all little dogs, yet he is lively and playful as well as vigorous. Not good with other pets, should be supervised around young children. |
| Care: The Maltese's coat requires daily brushing to keep its elegant appearance. It should be shampooed once a week. Special attention is needed to keep the eyes clean as staining is possible. |
| Health Concerns: NULL |
| Training: The Maltese will do well with obedience training. |
| Activity: The Maltese enjoys walks but playing inside will be enough exercise for this breed. |
| Life Span: The Maltese lives an average life of 9-11 years. |
| Litter Size: The Maltese has an average litter of 2-4 puppies. |
| Country of Origin: The Maltese originated in Mediterranean. |
| Brief History: The Maltese, one of the many Bichon breeds indigenous to the areas surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, is believed to be as much as 2,000 years old. It is of spaniel origin, descending from the same stock that produced the Portuguese Water Dog, the Barbet and the Poodle. The breed was prized for its beauty and companionship, especially by women. |
| Registries: AKC, ANKC, CKC, FCI (Group 9), KC (GB), UKC |