The Maltese dog has a long and distinguished history. As the most dramatic member of the toy breed group, the Maltese’s long white flowing coat may have been the reason he was a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I.
History and Origin
For over 28 centuries, the Maltese has been depicted in paintings, ceramics and literature. The breed has even been memorialized in Greek tombs and is typically thought of as a dog of royalty and nobility. With a Mediterranean heritage, the breed hails from
The origins of the Maltese are traced back to spaniels, not terriers as you might think. The long silky white hair coat hangs to the ground and made the breed a cherished pet of noble ladies in the 1800s. Due to their diminutive size, these dogs were typically carried in the ladies' sleeves or tucked into their bosom.
In 1877, the Maltese was first shown at the Westminster Dog Show. At that time, the breed was called the Maltese Lion Dog. In 1879, the breed was again shown at
Appearance and Size
The most striking characteristic of the Maltese is the long, silky, white hair coat. The breed is tiny, standing 8 to 10 inches high at the shoulder and weighing only 4 to 6 pounds, but he has the appearance of elegance and grace. The neck is long and the rounded head is held high. The muzzle is moderate in size and the ears are set low. The hair on top of the head is typically divided in the center and gathered into two topknots, secured with rubber bands.
Personality
Though the Maltese is tiny and looks similar to a terrier, the breed is actually associated more with spaniels. This means that the Maltese is not known for mischief and troublemaking that plagues the terrier group. Quiet and docile, the Maltese enjoys spending peaceful time with his companions. But, the Maltese can also be lively and active when necessary.
Home and Family Relations
The Maltese is a loving and devoted family pet. He can spend hours on a family member’s lap, relishing the attention. Since they are tiny, they are not recommended for small rambunctious children, older rough playing children or homes with large dogs. The Maltese is an excellent dog for the elderly.
Training
The Maltese is the quintessential pet. Other than standard obedience, he does not really need further training.
The Teacup Myth
There is no such thing as a "teacup" Maltese or a "Micro-mini". These terms are being used by some people to differentiate between the sizes of the dogs. This came about because people used this in describing Poodles. In the Maltese breed there is only the AKC/CKC standard requiring that they be less than seven (7) pounds. There is no "Sub"-category for "teacup" or "micro-'mini" in any of the major National Clubs.
Why then, do so many breeders advertise teacup Maltese?
Here are two possible reasons;
1). Fraud
Some unscrupulous breeders advertise teacup Maltese to take advantage of those people who are not very familiar with Maltese. By telling someone they are getting a "teacup", they make the buyer feel that they are getting something special. As stated above, a standard Maltese must weigh no more than 7 pounds.
2). Ignorance
Sadly, there are people out there breeding Maltese who simply are not knowledgeable enough about Maltese to know that there is no such thing as a "teacup" or "Micro-mini.
On average, Maltese weigh between 5 and 7 pounds as adults. There are, of course, smaller Maltese born that will weigh less. Most Maltese that you see participating in the show ring tend to be 4 to 7 pounds. A Maltese weighing less than 3 pounds is considered small and often requires special care.
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