Learn about a Dog Every Day - Maltese

The Maltese is an elegant and charming small dog breed, and the following is a detailed description of it:

Basic Information

• Alias: Maltese, Maltese Island Hound
• Latin name: Canis lupus familiaris
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Subphylum: Vertebrata
• Class: Mammalia
• Subclass: Eumetazoa
• Order: Carnivora
• Suborder: Schizopoda
• Family: Canidae
• Genus: Canis lupus
• Species: Gray wolf
• Subspecies: Domestic dog

 

External Characteristics

• Body size: Maltese belongs to small dog breed, the male dog is 21~25cm tall, the female dog is 22~23cm tall, and the weight is about 2~3kg.
• Head: The top of the skull is slightly rounded, the eyes are large and slightly protruding, bronze in color, with very wide eye spacing and a witty expression. The black nose is small and round.
• Coat: The Maltese has a single coat with no undercoat, which is silky, long, straight, and hangs down to the sides of the body, and the length of the adult's coat can be 20 centimeters or more. The coat color is pure white, sometimes allowing for a light fawn or lemon color in the ears, but not considered optimal.
• BODY: The trunk is compact, the back is level, and the ribs are extended. There are feathery decorative hairs.

 

Character traits

• Temperament: Maltese are docile, lively, affectionate and loyal to their owners.
• Likes to interact: They are very fond of interacting and playing with people, which makes them suitable as family pets.
• Sensitive and delicate: Although the Maltese is small in size, they are very sensitive and can hardly tolerate noisy environments.

 

Feeding and Care

• Diet: Maltese need to be fed about 125 grams of meat food per day with an equal amount of starchy food. If with dry food, you need to add 1/2 cup or 1 cup of water.
• Exercise: Maltese don't require much exercise, but they still need a moderate amount of exercise to stay fit. You can take them out for a walk or play for a while each day.
• Coat Care: The Maltese's coat needs to be thoroughly combed and brushed every day to prevent tangles and keep the coat shiny. Since they do not shed, it is important to dry and blow dry their long coat after every outing on rainy days.
• Tear Stain Problem: Maltese are prone to tear staining problems, so they need to pay attention to eye cleanliness. Eye drops can be given before and after bathing to avoid contaminating the coat with tears, and dirt around the muzzle should be wiped clean after eating.

 

Historical Background

• Origin: Maltese dogs are native to the island of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea and are so named. They are one of the oldest dog breeds in Europe originating from the Mediterranean region in the Middle Ages.
• Popular History: As early as during the reign of King Henry VIII of England, the Maltese was popular among the upper class because of its elegant, graceful, beautiful and charming appearance, which won the favor of the royal aristocracy. Queen Elizabeth I has also frequently praised the Maltese in court documents.

 

Breeding and Mating

• Sexual Maturity: The Maltese usually reaches sexual maturity in 6-8 months and physical maturity in 12 months.
• Breeding: The Maltese that reaches physical maturity can be mated and bred, coming into heat twice a year in the spring and fall, with a gestation period of 5,865 days, and each litter can give birth to 46 pups.

 

In summary, the Maltese is an elegant, charming and family-friendly small breed. They need careful care and attention from their owners to maintain their beautiful and charming appearance and healthy body.