Maltese dog facts for kids
Maltese groomed with overcoat
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| Origin | Central Mediterranean Region | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Maltese is a small, fluffy dog breed. It belongs to the toy group of dogs. Many people believe it first came from south-central Europe. Even though it's called "Maltese," there is no clear proof it came from the island of Malta. These dogs are famous for their long, white coats.
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History of the Maltese Dog
Not much is known for sure about where the Maltese dog first came from. It probably did not start on the island of Malta. It also likely didn't come from a town called Melita in Italy, or the island of Melita in the Adriatic Sea. Instead, it might have come from spitz-type dogs in central and southern Europe. At first, it may have looked a bit like the modern Pomeranian.
Ancient Times
The Maltese dog was a popular lapdog for both the ancient Greeks and Romans. Children especially loved them. You can even see them on old Greek pots called amphorae. These pots sometimes have the word Μελιταίε (Melitaie) written on them.
Writers from long ago also mentioned this dog. For example, Aristotle wrote about the dog around 370 BC. Early writers thought the dog came from a place called Melita. But back then, there were two islands named Melita. One was in the Mediterranean Sea (Malta) and the other was in the Adriatic Sea. This makes it tricky to know the exact origin.
Strabo, another ancient writer, said the Canes Melitei (Maltese dogs) came from a town called Melita in Sicily, not Malta. But many English writers still say Malta is where they came from. This is because Melite was also the old name for Mdina, which used to be the capital of Malta.
In the first century AD, the Roman poet Martial wrote poems about a lapdog named "Issa." This dog belonged to his friend Publius. Some people think Issa was a Maltese dog. They also link Publius to the Roman Governor Publius of Malta.
John Caius, who was a doctor for Queen Elizabeth I, also believed the dog came from the island of Melita near Sicily (Malta). This idea is often repeated, especially by English writers. The dog's connection to Malta is also mentioned in the writings of Abbé Jean Quintin. He was a secretary for the Grand Master of the Knights of Malta.
Appearance of the Maltese
Maltese dogs have a few special features. Their skulls are slightly rounded, with a small dome shape. They have a black nose, which looks like a button, and brown eyes. Their bodies are compact, meaning they are about as long as they are tall. Their tail almost always curls over their back.
Their ears hang down and often have long hair. Their eyes are surrounded by darker skin, which is sometimes called a "halo." This gives them a very expressive look.
Coat and Color
The Maltese dog's coat is thick, shiny, and very soft. It hangs heavily along their body without curls. They do not have an undercoat. The color of their fur is pure white. Sometimes, a very light ivory color is allowed.
A great thing about Maltese dogs is that they do not shed much hair. This makes them a good choice for people who have dog allergies.
Tear Staining
Maltese dogs can sometimes have "tear staining." This means they get reddish-brown marks under their eyes. These stains can be caused by health issues, blocked tear ducts, or allergies. You can clean these stains with special wipes or formulas. Tear staining happens in other dog breeds too, but it is more noticeable on Maltese dogs because their fur is white.
Sometimes, a Maltese dog's nose can fade from black to pink or light brown. This happens if they don't get much sunlight. People call this a "winter nose." Often, it will turn black again when the dog gets more sun.
Size and Use
Adult Maltese dogs usually weigh between 3–4 kg (6.6–8.8 lb).
Maltese dogs are mostly kept as pets because they are loving and friendly. They are also popular for dog shows. They are known for being quite smart.
Images for kids
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A long-haired Maltese groomed for a dog show.
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A Maltese dog showing tear staining under its eyes.
See also
In Spanish: Bichón maltés para niños
