Maltese/DogGonePuppies

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Maltese

Description Maltese Puppy
The Maltese had been recognized as a FCI breed under the patronage of Italy in 1954, at the annual meeting in Interlaken,
Switzerland. The current FCI standard is dated November 27, 1989, and the latest translation from Italian to English is
dated April 6, 1998. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1888, its latest standard being from March 10, 1964.

Appearance
Characteristics include slightly rounded skulls, with a finger-wide dome and black nose that is two finger-widths long. The
body is compact with the length equaling the height. The drop ears with long hair and very dark eyes, surrounded by darker
skin pigmentation (called a "halo"), gives Maltese their expressive look. Their noses can fade and become pink or light brown in
color without exposure to sunlight. This is often referred to as a "winter nose" and many times will become black again with
increased exposure to the sun.

Coat and color
Maltese dog in full show coat.

The coat is long and silky and lacks an undercoat. The color is pure white; although cream or light lemon ears are permissible,
they are not regarded as desirable. Also, a pale ivory tinge is permitted. In some standards, traces of pale orange shades are
tolerated, but considered an imperfection.

Size
Adult Maltese range from roughly 5 to 12 lb (2.3 to 5.4 kg), though breed standards, as a whole, call for weights between 4
and 7 lb (1.8 and 3.2 kg). There are variations depending on which standard is being used. Many, like the American Kennel Club,
call for a weight that is ideally less than 7 lb with between 4 and 6 lb preferred.
They can be 8-10 inches(21-23cm)

Temperament
Maltese are bred to be cuddly companion dogs, and thrive on love and attention. They are extremely lively and playful, and
even as a Maltese ages, his or her energy level and playful demeanor remain fairly constant. Some Maltese may occasionally be
snappish with smaller children and should be supervised when playing, although socializing them at a young age will reduce this
habit. They also adore humans, and prefer to stay near them. Basically, Maltese is a breed that is cuddly, playful, and very kind
and loving. The Maltese is very active within a house, and, preferring enclosed spaces, does very well with small yards. For this
reason, the breed also fares well in apartments and townhouses, and is a prized pet of urban dwellers. Maltese also suffer
from separation anxiety, so potential owners should be cognizant of this behavior.

An Australia-wide (not including Tasmania) research project carried out in conjunction with RSPCA found owners likely to dump
their Maltese terriers, citing the tendency of Maltese to bark constantly. This breed is Australia's most dumped dog. In
addition, figures released in 2010 by the Korean National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service show that some 1,208
Maltese were abandoned between January and August 2010, making it the most abandoned breed in Seoul, Korea.
Though, many people mistreat them and abandoned Maltese in Australia and Seoul.

Care
A Maltese dog that exhibits signs of tear staining underneath eyes and around the muzzle.

Maltese have no undercoat, and have little to no shedding if cared for properly. Like their relatives Poodles and Bichon Frisé,
they are considered to be largely hypoallergenic and many people who are allergic to dogs may not be allergic to the Maltese
(See list of Hypoallergenic dog breeds).
Daily cleaning is required to prevent the risk of tear-staining.

Regular grooming is also required to prevent the coats of non-shedding dogs from matting. Many owners will keep their
Maltese clipped in a "puppy cut," a 1 - 2" all over trim that makes the dog resemble a puppy. Some owners, especially those
who show Maltese in the sport of conformation, prefer to wrap the long fur to keep it from matting and breaking off, and then
to show the dog with the hair unwrapped combed out to its full length.

Dark staining in the hair around the eyes, "tear staining," can be a problem in this breed, and is mostly a function of how much
the individual dog's eyes water and the size of the tear ducts. Tear stain can be readily removed if a fine-toothed metal comb,
moistened with lukewarm water, is carefully drawn through the snout hair just below the eyes. This maintenance activity must
be performed every two or three days, as a layer of sticky film is quick to redevelop. If the face is kept dry and cleaned
daily, the staining can be minimized. Many veterinarians recommend avoiding foods treated with food coloring, and serving
distilled water to reduce tear staining. There are also a few products on the market, for preventing tear stains.

Maltese are susceptible to "reverse sneezing," which sounds like a honking, snorting, or gagging sound and results often from
overexcitement, play, allergies, or upon waking up. It's not life threatening, but owners should take measures to calm their
Maltese down. Some owners cover the dog's nostrils to force it to breathe through its mouth. Always consult a physician if
your Maltese reverse sneezes excessively.

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