Maltese History
The Maltese is known as "ye ancient dogge of Malta", which for more than 28 centuries has been an aristocrat of the
canine world. The Maltese descends from one of the most ancient dog breeds to be found in recorded history. It has been
estimated that the breed originated around 6,000 B.C., or 8,000 years ago. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed the
dog originated on the Island of Malta. They called the breed the Melitaie Dog, Melitaie being the ancient name for Malta.
The earliest known representations of Maltese dogs on artifacts found at Fayum, Egypt (600-300 B.C.), suggest that the
Maltese was one of the dogs worshipped by the ancient Egyptians. Numerous pictorial respresentations of the Maltese occur
in Greek ceramic art, such as the vases found at Vulvi (about 500 B.C.), and the dog is mentioned in the writings of many
Greek and Roman philosophers, and other ancient poets and historians, including: Aristotle, Timon, Callimachus, Aelian,
Artimidorus, Epaminodus, Martial, Strabo, Pliny the Elder, and Saint Clement of Alexandria. Notable ancient owners of
Maltese include Roman Emperor Claudius and Publius, Roman governor of Malta.
The Maltese emerged untarnished from the Dark Ages and continued to be recorded as the dog prized by the upper class,
aristocrats, statespersons and royalty. The Maltese was even believed to possess medicinal powers of healing. The ailing
would place the dog on their stomach or chest for comfort. Because of this practice, and the dog's warm, affectionate nature
and small size which made it easy to hold in one's arm or lap, the Maltese became known as "The Comforter." The dog was
particularly popular in England during Elizabethan times (the late 16th century). Two notable owners of Maltese in those
times were Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots.
This toy dog breed has a coat of long silky white hair that hardly sheds. It has no undercoat, and hangs evenly down each
side from a parting that extends along the center of the back from the nose to the root of the tail. Other characteristics of
the animal are a slightly round skull, a black nose, dropping ears generously covered with long hair, very dark and alert
eyes, short legs, and a graceful, well feathered tail. The dog is intelligent and an extremely affectionate pet. He makes a
great companion and needs exercise at least 30 minutes daily. He is among the most mild mannered of all the little dogs.
The Maltese is known as "ye ancient dogge of Malta", which for more than 28 centuries has been an aristocrat of the
canine world. The Maltese descends from one of the most ancient dog breeds to be found in recorded history. It has been
estimated that the breed originated around 6,000 B.C., or 8,000 years ago. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed the
dog originated on the Island of Malta. They called the breed the Melitaie Dog, Melitaie being the ancient name for Malta.
The earliest known representations of Maltese dogs on artifacts found at Fayum, Egypt (600-300 B.C.), suggest that the
Maltese was one of the dogs worshipped by the ancient Egyptians. Numerous pictorial respresentations of the Maltese occur
in Greek ceramic art, such as the vases found at Vulvi (about 500 B.C.), and the dog is mentioned in the writings of many
Greek and Roman philosophers, and other ancient poets and historians, including: Aristotle, Timon, Callimachus, Aelian,
Artimidorus, Epaminodus, Martial, Strabo, Pliny the Elder, and Saint Clement of Alexandria. Notable ancient owners of
Maltese include Roman Emperor Claudius and Publius, Roman governor of Malta.
The Maltese emerged untarnished from the Dark Ages and continued to be recorded as the dog prized by the upper class,
aristocrats, statespersons and royalty. The Maltese was even believed to possess medicinal powers of healing. The ailing
would place the dog on their stomach or chest for comfort. Because of this practice, and the dog's warm, affectionate nature
and small size which made it easy to hold in one's arm or lap, the Maltese became known as "The Comforter." The dog was
particularly popular in England during Elizabethan times (the late 16th century). Two notable owners of Maltese in those
times were Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots.
This toy dog breed has a coat of long silky white hair that hardly sheds. It has no undercoat, and hangs evenly down each
side from a parting that extends along the center of the back from the nose to the root of the tail. Other characteristics of
the animal are a slightly round skull, a black nose, dropping ears generously covered with long hair, very dark and alert
eyes, short legs, and a graceful, well feathered tail. The dog is intelligent and an extremely affectionate pet. He makes a
great companion and needs exercise at least 30 minutes daily. He is among the most mild mannered of all the little dogs.
