Maltese lap-dog - description of the breed and character of the dog

For many years, unnatural popularity has remained on dogs of miniature type, the Maltese lapdog is not included in the list of exceptions. Four-legged friends of this breed are loved for their beauty, picky character, and also a lot of other positive qualities. This is not only a great companion, but also a family friend. The historical summary contains many events, one way or another connected with the elegant breed Maltese. That’s what the lapdogs are called now, let’s look at everything connected with them.

A bit of history

The external characteristics of the breed are unparalleled, many years ago, Maltese gained a foothold in various countries and every year their popularity only grows. Thanks to the activity of breeders, the breed was able to be maintained every time the risk of its disappearance appeared. But, fortunately, this has not happened for a long time.

Of the family of lapdogs, the oldest dogs are called molosses. They are somewhat similar to modern dogs. Some professionals contested this theory for a long time until C. Darwin delivered his verdict.

By nature, a naturalist who spent most of his life traveling, he describes the early ancestors of the Maltese lapdogs. Judging by the time frame, descriptions are characteristic of references up to the 6th century BC. That is, you can still argue that the Molossians were the forerunners of lapdogs or vice versa.

If you do not pay attention to verbal descriptions, which are only figures sculpted from clay, in the form of dogs that are similar in breed to lapdogs. They were discovered in ancient Egypt.

According to confirmed data, most of the Maltese breed settled on the island of Malta, partly this place played a decisive role in the formation of the name of thoroughbred animals.

However, according to the second version, the name came from the island of Mljet, which is located in the Adriatic Sea (and Malta - in the Mediterranean). The two indicated options are still considered true, because disputes are conducted at every opportunity.

From the historical summary it is also interesting to mention that dogs of the given breed roamed the world with such intensity that they soon won general acclaim. They perfectly tolerated the road, so they were often taken on ships and exchanged for precious silk. In those days, paraphernalia of this kind were measured in gold.

Maltese have always been highly regarded; in European countries their numbers were strictly controlled. If a wealthy family wanted a dog for herself, she had to pay a tidy sum for acquiring a puppy. To this day, puppies are presented as a gift, they were previously a tribute to.

The French were very fond of miniature dogs, so a larger population was concentrated in this country. The dog could only be obtained from a narrow circle, because Maltese was widely sought after and appreciated.

The Queen of Great Britain Victoria wanted to make a lapdog, as a result of which they were delivered straight from the Philippine Islands. But during the transportation, the kids, so to speak, lost their appearance and did not look presentable. The ruler did not receive the dogs, they got into the kennel to the mastiff breeder.

This event gave rise to the beginning of tribal activity in England. Each time there were more and more lapdogs, and soon they were already subdivided into several world standards. The first is an American lap-dog, the second is a classic, Italian.

External characteristics of the breed

Based on the standards declared by the Kennel Union of America, the weight of the dog should not exceed 2.7 kg.While the International Kennel Federation (ICF) puts a weight limit in the region of 3-4 kg. It all depends on the classification of the lap-dog and the country of origin. If an exhibition pet, you need to focus on the IFF. Particular attention is paid to the size of the animal, bitches reach 23 cm, males are larger, from 22 to 25 cm.

1. Head. Despite the miniature size of the pet, the head is quite large. It can reach 1/3 of the size from the floor to the withers. Due to the wide skull, the lapdog looks cute, with a haircut it is somewhat reminiscent of a toy. The back of the nose is at right angles to the head. The muzzle is square or rectangular. Neat lips, cheeks not visible, cheekbones too.
2. Teeth. Individuals that comply with the standard have the correct bite. Neither the upper nor the lower jaw protrudes forward. Teeth of medium power, but strong. There are no gaps between the fangs.
3. Nose. Small, black, regular shape. Pigment spots are unacceptable, a different color (except black) is also a deviation. The nostrils are round, small.
4. The ears. Triangular, hanging, slightly standing at the base. The ends are rounded, but after cutting, the hair creates the appearance of a square shape. Ears are pressed to the skull. When the dog is interested or excited playfully, they rise a little and protrude forward.
5. Eyes. Not sunken, not bulging, like buttons on toy dogs. Shine distinctly, dark in shade. The eyelids are also black. If you look into the eyes of a pet, no proteins are visible. Round eye section. Almond-shaped or beveled is considered a defect. The more saturated the shade, the better the individual.
6. Body. The body is elongated, one third longer than the height of the dog from the floor to the withers. Due to the long coat, no relief is visible. The skin is perfectly tightened, does not sag, according to the standard, there may be some pigmentation in the form of small spots. There is no apparent bend along the body to the neck. The withers are not clearly visible, the back is straight, there is some inclination in the region of the rounded croup. He slightly descends to the hips, as a result of which the back looks squat. The chest is developed, but not massive.
7. Tail. Thin, not too long, tapers towards the end, almost like other similar breeds. The length is about ½ part of the growth from the floor to the withers. A dog wears a ponytail high, especially when playful or interested. The tail bends into a half ring, as a result of which it touches the croup.
8. Limbs. Muscle tissue is moderate, it can not be called highly developed. The muscles are strong, joints and bones are hardy, plastic, therefore, when moving, the dog looks free, and not cramped. If we consider the individual from the side, the limbs of the ass / front are straight, without bends. The elbows are directed backward, not inward to each other. The pads on the paws are only black, other colors are unacceptable.

Training and nature of the breed

1. If the puppy is brought up correctly, he will grow up a caressed individual with love, who will be respectful to his master. At the same time, do not forget that Maltese are the best companions. Not for nothing in historical paintings they are depicted next to women rulers.
2. By mistake, many owners do not pay enough attention to training Maltese. Dogs cannot survive on their own, because they have in nature a constant presence next to the owner. The first thing to learn and consolidate is the “Come to me!” Command. Especially if you let the pet go without a leash.
3. The main positive feature of lapdogs is that they are able to concentrate and understand a person well. Therefore, pet training begins from an early age. They are prepared for the exhibition or taught tricks for general development as a favorite of the family.
4. By its nature, a lapdog is extremely energetic, it needs to communicate with a person and regular physical shakes.It’s okay if you take the dog for a run or let go run in the park. The main thing is that the dog must know the team so that later it does not have to be caught throughout the district.
5. Maltese always chooses one master, who will be the "leader of the pack," authority, head. Therefore, do not try to make the pet listen and respect all family members at the same time. If the dog chooses you, there is no doubt in its loyalty.
6. If a cat lives in the same housing with Maltese, most likely they will make friends. The main thing is not to give preference to anyone so that both pets of the family feel comfortable. As for children, the lap-dog gets along well with them, but with strong attacks it can snap back.
7. This is not to say that a lapdog is a true guard. But if an alien appears on the horizon that causes a threat, she will show herself aggressively and may very well bite. This is necessary to know for owners who often have a lot of people in their house (friends, colleagues, etc.).
8. Another positive feature of the breed is that the lap-dog quickly gets used to walking on the tray, like all small dogs. You can easily teach your pet a diaper. But you should understand that this does not cancel walks in the fresh air. Otherwise, the dog may spoil things and furniture to release energy.

Color and type of coat

1. If you look at the photographs of the breed, you can conclude that the dog is more like a toy or figurine. This impression is due to the long, smooth and silky coat.
2. With proper care, the coat will not fall apart and curl. If you pet the dog, you can feel that the coat is quite dense, heavy and silky. Even the hair on the head of the pet falls on the body of the animal. The area of ​​the bangs and beard harmoniously dissolves in the total mass of the fur coat.
3. Many breeders prefer a pure white or cold color. Among the standards, a shade of ivory or beige is allowed. But if you live see a dog with this coat color, you may get the impression that it is dirty. Therefore, a similar shade is not welcome.
4. Separately, it is worth noting that the breed in question can be an excellent pet, even for people with allergies. The main feature of dogs is that they do not have an undercoat. The coat itself does not provoke allergies, an exception may be a skin discharge in an animal.
5. If you have an allergic reaction, it is recommended that you contact him several times before acquiring a pet. If you have not revealed a negative reaction, you can safely take the puppy. If you have any questions, feel free to ask the breeder.

Care and maintenance

1. The Maltese lap-dog requires special care. Only in this case you can achieve a truly beautiful animal. In a sense, you have to make sacrifices. Such dogs should be kept exclusively at home. Also with the pet you regularly need to walk and give physical activity.
2. Under the care procedure, some rules should be highlighted. Without fail, the dog needs to comb out the hair every day with a wooden scallop. From the first days, try to teach your puppy to comb out. Shedding will occur gradually, since the dog does not have an undercoat. Take the procedure about 25 minutes and there will be no problems.
3. It is recommended to bathe the animal only as it gets dirty. It is a mistake to believe that a dog with white fur should be bathed daily or 2 times a week, this is far from the case, no fanaticism is needed. Due to such frequent manipulations on the contrary, the wool will quickly become dirty. Pet skin problems may also occur.
4. As an excellent alternative to permanent care, it is recommended that you regularly conduct a seasonal haircut. In the hot season, the pet is recommended to cut shorter. Accordingly, in winter, wool should be long.If the dog is preparing for the show, you should forget about the haircut.
5. It is strongly recommended that you inspect your eyes every day and wipe them if necessary. Unfortunately, the breed presented is prone to eye diseases. Therefore, a thorough examination and the slightest suspicion of anything can save the animal's vision. Do not even think to take independent measures, consult your veterinarian. Procrastination can sadly turn.
6. It is recommended to brush your ears once every half a month. In parallel, you can cut the claws. If you purchased shoes for your beloved pet, claw care should be more closely monitored. Also, special attention must be paid to the teeth. Give hygienic goodies that prevent the formation of tartar in a timely manner.
7. Fortunately, all Maltese lapdogs have excellent teeth and an almost Hollywood smile. But this does not mean at all that they do not need to be looked after. All miniature breeds of dogs have a tendency to loss of milk teeth. If you miss this moment, then the fangs or incisors can grow crookedly. As a result, the bite spoils, or inflammatory processes develop.
8. In order to preserve the original appearance of the pet and not to stain his coat during winter walks, stock up on several sets of overalls. You can also purchase shoes. Clothing should be worn exclusively for walks. Otherwise, the formation of warlocks can not be avoided.
9. It is especially important to note one feature of the breed. Dogs are prone to frequent formations in the form of dermatitis. In order to prevent the development of such a pathology, it is necessary to regularly carry out preventive measures. Be sure to carry out processing from fleas and ticks. The procedure should be done every 4 months.
10. Strictly follow the instructions that come with the drug. There are universal flea drops. They protect against such insects for 3 months, and from ticks for only 1 month. Therefore, if you notice that the animal often itches, immediately visit a veterinary clinic.
11. There may be a lot of reasons. Also, do not exclude the most commonplace in the form of an allergic reaction. In other cases, the specialist will take a scraping to determine the cause. It is important to know that the Maltese lap-dog has very delicate and sensitive skin. It is because of this that they often and quickly form dermatitis. In an extreme case, the veterinarian will prescribe a comprehensive treatment.

If you decide to get such a wonderful puppy, you should be prepared for the scrupulous care of the animal. The rest of the dog is not picky and very friendly. A furry pet will become a beloved family member, which simply can not help but fall in love. Regular haircuts are strongly recommended if you are not going to take the animal to the show. As for nutrition, then everything can be purely individual. Therefore, such a question is best clarified by the breeders.

Video: dog breed Maltese lap dog