When
looking at a Maltese, it's like looking at a mantle of white silk
covering a gentle mannered toy dog from the tip of his head to pad
of his toe, the Maltese ideally weights 4 to 6 pounds and is a
purebred of unstinting quality and vigor. His head is medium
in length and proportion, slightly rounded on top with a moderate
stop. The ears are set rather low and drop naturally, covered
in heavy feather. Eyes are not set too far apart, dark and
round with black rims necessary for proper expression. The
nose is black and his muzzle is fine and tapered, not snippy, of
medium length. The neck is of sufficient length to carry the
head high. The neck is of sufficient length to carry the head
high. A Maltese's body is compact, back is level and ribs well
sprung with the chest fairly deep. Legs are fine and bonded
and straight while hinds are moderately angulated and feet are small
and round. His tail is a long plume that is carried gracefully
over back. The coat is single and there is no undercoat.
Long and flat, it drapes over the sides of the body nearly to the
ground. The head may be topped with a knot. Coat is
never kinky, curly, or woolly in texture. Color must be solid
white, though lemon or light tan on ears is permissible.
The Maltese is a very
delicate dog, but shines as an intelligent and intuitive toy dog of
fine regal bearing. Ideally this is the perfect toy dog, sweet
and responsive, strongly bonding to his or her owner. As with
all the toy breeds, owners are warned against spoiling these dogs,
thereby avoiding a tendency towards yappy insecurity and pouty.
They are among the most beautiful of all dogs, and are quite sturdy
and hardy under all their silken fluff.
