Maltese

A Maltese is a white dog belonging to the toy group. They are covered in fur from head to foot but don't shed very much. They are loveable and friendly and get along well with people and other dogs. Their fur needs to be well taken care of though because it can stain easily.

A Rich Past

The Maltese puppy was an aristocrat of the canine world; an ancient breed was known by a variety of different names, some of which were "Melitaie Dog", "Ye Ancient Dogge of Malta", the "Roman Ladies Dog", and "Comforter Dog." It has many other names not mentioned specifically here but these are just a few. The breed's history can be traced back many centuries; some have even placed its origin approximately three thousand years before the time of Darwin; 6000 BC. It is related to the Tibetan Terrier, but is though that it truly descended form a Spitz type dog; although it was bred down to obtain a much smaller size. Maltese dogs probably made their way to Europe through the Middle East with nomadic tribes. Some believe they were used for rodent control. Maltese dogs were favored among wealthy and royal families. Some of the royal families that owned Maltese dogs were Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria, and Marie Antoinette. Some famous actors and actresses that have owned Maltese puppies are Frank Sinatra, Halle Barry, and Heather Locklear. Believe it or not, they have not always had pure white fur. The Roman emperors loved the Maltese dogs so much that they bred them to be pure white which was thought to be a sacred color.

A Handful of Energy

The Maltese dog can be a handful for owners who are not prepared for this ball full of energy. They are notoriously famous for being difficult to housebreak and will most times needs to be "potty trained" or "paper trained" rather than training them to just go outside.

Although they are extremely small dogs they tend to be quite fearless. It's important not to display aggressive behavior around them because they are likely to model and copy it. They will not display any type of fear for larger animals or objects and can be extremely lively and full of energy. Maltese dogs from birth until even old age have a high energy level and love to play with people. They can make great pets for children and adults but are not necessarily a good choice for infants. Because infants are small like they are they can treat them like they would treat other puppies their size.

Much like young children, Maltese dogs should be walked at least once a day and give the chance to work out all their energy. This will help reduce behavior problems; much like letting a child run around the park for a while will do the same thing. They love running and chasing after things. They are extremely friendly with people they know and are familiar with but with strangers they can "play strange" so to speak. They make a high pitched bark until they realize that the person will do them no harm.

If you are thinking of getting a Maltese then make sure you are the type of person who is willing to paper train them, play with them and be full of energy. They take a lot of time and constant attention as they love companionship and all they time in the world.

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