Maltese (dog)

  • Group 9: Companion and Toy Dogs
  • Section 1 Bichons and related breeds
  • Without working trial

Mid- Mediterranean area

Italy

Male 21-25 cm Female 20-23 cm

3-4 kg

The Maltese is a recognized by the FCI breed of dog that originated in the central Mediterranean ( FCI Group 9, Section 1.1, Standard No. 65). The patronage has taken over Italy.

Origin and History

The origin of the breed is not fully understood, despite numerous indications. Phoenician merchants were the ancestors of this breed spread from Egypt in the Mediterranean probably 2000 years ago. In the tomb of Pharaoh Ramses II ( 1301-1225 BC) statuettes have been found in natural stone, which already resembled the present-day Maltese. There are from the period between 500 BC pictures on vases that are very similar to the Maltese, next to the dog is the term " Melitae " to read. From today's perspective, the relationship is not beyond doubt and it could have also acted to L. Beckmann to the ancestors of the dwarf lace.

The name comes from how the FCI describes the standard, probably not on the island of Malta back. A derivation is derived from the Semitic word malate, the refuge or port group, and is the root of many place names. The FCI describes the origin as follows:

"These Semitic root is found in a variety of maritime place names, such as on behalf of the Adriatic island Meleda in which the Sicilian town of Melita and, indeed, in which the island of Malta. The ancestors of this little dog lived in the ports and coastal towns of the central Mediterranean, where they fought the mice and rats that are in the warehouses of the ports and in the holds of ships increased abundantly "

According to Callimachus, Pliny the Elder, Stephanos of Byzantium and Constantine VII the name of this breed goes back to the island of Mljet ( in ancient Melita or melitaea ).

Strebel was of the view that the Maltese is caused by purposeful breeding on smallness of a medium-sized German Shepherd. It is clear that there was already a long-haired and apparently white toy dog ​​in classical Greece, who was known to the Romans. It is conceivable that these precursors came over Malta to Great Britain, where he was bred to the present form. These dogs had little of the allure of today's Maltese.

Physical characteristics

Very small, up to 25 cm high and up to 4 kg lighter companion dog, pure white, a pale ivory tinge is permitted but not desirable. His coat is usually long, silky in texture, almost to the ground reaching, without undercoat. The coat requires constant care.

Health aspects

The Maltese is a robust and healthy dog ​​in general.

However, there are also, as with other small dog breeds often have problems with the kneecaps and their suspension, known as patella luxation. So you should always make sure that the dog is not overweight.

Due to the long hair of the Maltese it can give to the irritation of the eyes, causing conjunctivitis may occur and there is an increased secretion of tear fluid. Through the eye discharge often forms a reddish coloration of the skin around the eye area.

Sources and Links

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