Maltese

The Maltese is a small, hardy dog with silky hair. The body is compact, fine-boned, but sturdy and slightly longer than it is tall with a level topline. The chest is deep. The pendant, low-set ears are set close to the head and heavily feathered. The black eyes are large, round, and set moderately apart with dark rims. The nose is black. The dog has a silky, single-layer coat that is white or light ivory. When kept long and groomed like a show dog, it hangs flat, long over the sides of the body almost to the ground (about 8½ inches (22cm.)) hanging on each side of a centre part line and is not wavy, curly or kinky. A lot of owners choose to cut the coat into a short, easy-care puppy cut.

The Maltese were developed in Italy. It is said to have miniature spaniel and poodle blood. The Maltese were first recognized as a breed in Malta, where they received their name. They were once known as "Ye ancient dogge of Malta." The breed was owned by royalty all over the world.

The Maltese is spirited, lively, and playful. Gentle, loving, trusting, and devoted to its master. Highly intelligent. Good at learning tricks. Bold and quick to sound the alarm in case of suspicious noises. It is a classical companion dog; graceful and lovable. They do well with other non-canine animals and other dogs. Maltese love to play outdoors.

Maltese need regular exercise. Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs, but they will also enjoy a good romp in a safe open area off lead, such as a large fenced-in yard. They remain playful well into old age. They are very active indoors. Daily combing and brushing of the long coat are important but be gentle, as the coat is very soft. Clean the eyes daily to prevent staining, and clean the beard after meals for the same reason. Bathe or dry shampoo regularly - making sure the animal is thoroughly dry and warm afterward. Clean the ears, and pull out hair growing inside the ear canal. The eyes should be checked regularly and cleaned if necessary. The hair on the top of the head is often tied up in a topknot to keep it away from the eyes. Some pet owners opt to clip the hair short for easier and less time-consuming grooming. The Maltese sheds little to no hair and is good for allergy sufferers.