Maltese Picture Gallery

Maltese Breeders

Maltese Clubs/Associations

The Full Maltese Description

The Maltese becomes attached to the whole family and enjoys the company of well-behaved visitors, as well as other animals. He's got a lot of sparkle in his personality. He likes to be treated like the adorable baby of the family, but will happily respect commonsense rules.

Did you know?

The Maltese is known as "ye ancient dogge of Malta," which for more than 28 centuries has been an aristocrat of the canine world.

So you want to own a Maltese?

The coat requires daily brushing to keep its elegant appearance.
Despite his size the Maltese is without fear. The Maltese is a good choice for people who live in small apartments because of his size, but for the same reason it is not a good candidate for those with small children, unless the owner can provide constant supervision.

Indicative Breed Standard

General Appearance

Smart, white-coated dog, with proud head carriage.

Characteristics

Lively, intelligent, alert.

Temperament

Sweet-tempered.

Head and Skull

From stop to centre of skull (centre between forepart of ears) and stop to tip of nose, equally balanced. Stop well defined. Nose black. Muzzle broad, well filled under eye. Not snipey.

Eyes

Oval, not bulging, dark brown, black eye rims, with dark haloes.

Ears

Long, well feathered, hanging close to head; hair to mingle with coat at shoulders.

Mouth

Jaws strong, with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Teeth even.

Neck

Medium length.

Forequarters

Legs short and straight. Shoulders well sloped.

Body

Well balanced, essentially short and cobby. Good spring of rib, back level from withers to tail.

Hindquarters

Legs short, well angulated.

Feet

Round, pads black.

Tail

Feathered, carried well arched over back.

Gait/Movement

Straight and free-flowing, without weaving. Viewed from behind, legs should neither be too close nor too wide apart.

Coat

Good length, not impeding action, straight, of silky texture, never woolly. Never crimped and without woolly undercoat.

Colour

Pure white, but slight lemon markings permissible.

Size

Height not exceeding 25 cms (10 ins) from ground to withers.