Maltese dog - A small dog breed.

The Maltese dog appears to be as old as ancient history. It is thought to be the oldest of all the European toy breeds. Grecian, Egyptian and Roman art objects adorned with Maltese picture images, and predating Christ, have survived to this day. Ancient Phoenician seamen took them everywhere throughout the Mediterranean world, using them to barter for goods. The breed was well established on the island of Malta long before the Roman occupation. Catullus, a well known and admired Roman poet of that era, wrote, in very flattering terms, of the little dog, "Issa" who belonged to Publius, the Roman governor of Malta, in the first century.

Whether they were brought to England by invading Romans or returning Crusaders later on, is uncertain. The Maltese dog was admired by Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603). Upper-class ladies adored and pampered them. Descendants of a pair brought to England in the 1830s, became the first shown there. The Maltese dog breed was called the Maltese terrier although it didn't exhibited any terrier traits whatsoever. It is of the spaniel family, not the terrier. The name Maltese terrier is still erroneously heard today. One was shown as the Maltese Lion Dog, at Westminster in 1877. The AKC recognized the Maltese dog in 1888. The first registrations in Canada occurred in 1901-1902

The Maltese dog is bright, loving, gentle mannered one moment, then very energetic, playful the next, which makes it so endearing. The long white, silky, single coat hangs almost to the ground. It attracts dirt and sheds a little, and therefore needs daily brushing. It is perfectly happy in a small abode, and needs minimal exercise. It usually bonds to one person. A Maltese puppy although generally healthy and robust, should be discouraged from jumping off high objects like sofas, and from rambunctious play where developing hind leg knees can be over stressed. Patella luxation can be a problem either from heredity or trauma. A Maltese puppy profits from early training.