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The Maltese dog, a type of small toy spaniel, weighs from 1.4 to
3.2 Kg (3 to 7 lbs.). It has a long silky coat of hair with no undercoat,
which is pure white, or cream in color, and hangs evenly down each side from a
parting that extends along the center of the back from the nose to the root of the tail.
Other characteristics of the animal are a slightly round skull; a black nose;
drooping ears generously covered with long hair; very dark, alert-looking eyes;
short, straight legs; and a graceful, well-feathered tail. The dog is intelligent
and an extremely affectionate pet.
The Maltese descends from one of the most ancient dog breeds to be
found in recorded history. It has been estimated that the breed originated around
6,000 B.C., or 8,000 years ago. Although the ancient Greeks and Romans believed the
dog originated on the Island of Malta--they called the breed the Melitaie Dog,
Melitaie being the ancient name for Malta--there is really no evidence that proves the
dog was indigenous to the Island, but rather that the Maltese is descended from a Spitz-type
dog bred by the peoples of the area which is now south central Europe. The breed was
eventually distributed as an exotic article of trade from the ancient island trading
center of Malta, hence the name, and from there migrated by caravans to the farthest
reaches of the civilized world, including: the Middle East, Tibet, China, the Philippines,
and Japan.
The earliest known representations of Maltese dogs on artifacts found
at Fayum, Egypt (600-300 B.C.), suggest that the Maltese was one of the dogs worshipped
by the ancient Egyptians. Numerous pictorial representations of the Maltese occur in
Greek ceramic art, such as the vases found at Vulci (about 500 B.C.), and the dog is
mentioned in the writings of many Greek and Roman philosophers, and other ancient poets
and historians, including: Aristotle, Timon, Callimachus, Aelian, Artimidorus, Epaminodus,
Martial, Strabo, Pliny the Elder and Saint Clement of Alexandria. Notable ancient owners
of Maltese include Roman Emperor Claudius and Publius, Roman governor of Malta.
The Maltese emerged untarnished from the Dark Ages and continued to be
recorded as the dog prized by the upper class, aristocrats, statespersons and royalty.
The Maltese was even believed to possess medicinal powers of healing--the ailing would
place the dog on their stomach or chest for comfort. Because of this practice, and the
dogs warm, affectionate nature and small size, which made it easy to hold in ones arms
or lap, the Maltese became known as the "Comforter." The dog was particularly
popular in England during Elizabethan times (the late 16th century). Two notable owners
of Maltese in those times were Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots.
REFERENCES
- "Maltese," Microsoft® Encarta. Copyright ©1994 Microsoft Corp.
- Copyright ©1994 Funk & Wagnall's Corporation.
- "The Complete Maltese," Cutillo, Nicholas.
- Copyright ©1986 Howell Book House Inc., New York, NY.
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Maltese