About Maltese

About Maltese

Maltese are charming little dogs who capture not only the hearts of owners but also judges at national dog show competition. At first glance, most people looking to adopt a dog can easily fall in love with these small creatures. However, before taking one home, potential owners should weigh the challenges as well as the joys of raising a Maltese.

1. Identification

   • Covered with mantles of long silky white fur, a Maltese is a toy dog, weighing from 4 to 7 lbs., with a dropped skull and dark eyes. Square-shaped, the length of the body looks equivalent to the height. Their dark noses fade in the winter, due to less sun, but it grows black again with more sunlight exposure in warmer months.

   History

   • The Maltese is one of the oldest breeds of dogs, with origins as far back as 5000 B.C. according to ancient cave drawings. Although the breed was originally thought to come from Isle of Malta, (in the Mediterranean Sea), more evidence has pointed to roots in Asia. It's believed they came with nomadic tribes migrating from Asia to Malta and then on to Europe. References to these tiny white lap dogs have been found in writings of Aristotle, as the breed was noted in ancient Greek and Roman poetry.
     During the reign of Henry VIII the breed was imported to Great Britain, popular during the era of Queen Elizabeth I. In the late 1800s Maltese came to the United State and participated in Westminster Kennel Shows in the 1870s. They continued to place in dog shows, gaining notoriety. By the 1990s Maltese ranked in the top15 of all breeds.

   Benefits

   • If you suffer from allergies or hate to sweep up dog hair, Maltese dogs are a good choice. This breed rarely sheds.
     Other than house-breaking, Maltese dogs are bright and easy to train.
     The breed is good-natured and affectionate. Although tiny, Maltese are seemingly fearless creatures that get along well with their owners. They're also friendly with other dogs and even cats.
     Maltese are ideal dogs for small dwellings, such as apartments and condos.

   Challenges

   • Their long silky coat requires high maintenance to keep it looking well-groomed and not matted. It's ideal to keep their coats trimmed 1 to 2 inches all over in what's called a "puppy cut." In other words, coats should be cut every six to eight weeks.
     Maltese need much supervision as they are fragile and can easily be injured or killed. Besides larger dogs attacking them, they can hurt or kill themselves by jumping off furniture.
     Although they get along with adults, they're not suited for young children.
     Because they're people oriented, they suffer from separation anxiety and are known to destroy homes when left alone if not guarded in a crate.
     Consistent barking can be irritating, causing a problem for not only owners but complaining neighbors.

   Warnings

   • Because they're active dogs, Maltese should be walked daily to avoid behavioral problems.
     Maltese are one of the hardest breeds to house-train, with some never learning. That's why it's necessary to constantly crate train them or install a doggie door so they can relieve themselves whenever they need to do so.
     A condition seen in white dogs and cats known as "tear staining" (dark staining in the hair around the eyes) can be a problem if not addressed. Tear staining is due to Ph balance in a white-coated animal's tears, causing discoloration in coats and facial hairs. To remove tear stains, use a moistened, fine-toothed metal comb, which can be carefully taken through the snout hair (just below the eyes.) Diet also helps, as veterinarians recommend using distilled water for drinking and avoiding foods made with food coloring.
     Because Maltese puppies are so small, they eat very small portions. This means that owners need to feed them more often in order to maintain proper blood sugar balance, to avoid hypoglycemia.

   Considerations

   • Rather than consistently keeping their coat trimmed, some owners wrap the long silky fur, preventing split ends and matting problems. Then, when it's time to show their dogs at dog shows, they unwrap the locks and comb it out to its full length