Maltese dog
The Maltese dog is more than just a fluffy face—it's a living link to antiquity, a breed cherished for millennia. From ancient Greek philosophers to Roman emperors, this tiny canine has held a special place in human hearts and homes. But beneath its luxurious white coat lies a fascinating, sometimes mysterious, journey through history and selective breeding that continues to captivate dog lovers today. The Maltese dog boasts an ancient lineage, revered by civilizations for thousands of years, yet its precise connection to modern breeds remains a puzzle. Historically a symbol of companionship and luxury, this breed has captivated humans with its elegant appearance and gentle demeanor across diverse cultures. While renowned for its non-shedding, hypoallergenic coat, the modern Maltese emerged through specific breeding practices in the Victorian era, distinct from its ancient counterparts.
AI Summary
The Maltese dog is more than just a fluffy face—it's a living link to antiquity, a breed cherished for millennia. From ancient Greek philosophers to Roman emperors, this tiny canine has held a special place in human hearts and homes. But beneath its luxurious white coat lies a fascinating, sometimes mysterious, journey through history and selective breeding that continues to captivate dog lovers today.
- The Maltese dog boasts an ancient lineage, revered by civilizations for thousands of years, yet its precise connection to modern breeds remains a puzzle.
- Historically a symbol of companionship and luxury, this breed has captivated humans with its elegant appearance and gentle demeanor across diverse cultures.
- While renowned for its non-shedding, hypoallergenic coat, the modern Maltese emerged through specific breeding practices in the Victorian era, distinct from its ancient counterparts.
The term 'Maltese dog' actually refers to two distinct but similar types: an ancient, dwarf, white-coated variety often linked to the island of Malta, and the modern breed we know today. These little companions, including their close relatives like the Bichon and Havanese, have a long and storied past, though the exact genetic thread connecting ancient and modern forms remains largely unknown.
Some researchers, like Nicholas Cutillo, theorize that the ancient Maltese might have descended from spitz-type canines—think dogs with pointed snouts and pricked ears, perhaps similar to early Pomeranians. Intriguingly, it's believed these tiny dogs might have been among the very first canines to be specifically chosen and kept as human companions.
Fast forward to today, and the modern Maltese is instantly recognizable by its signature pure-white, silky coat that drapes elegantly without shedding. Weighing a delicate 3-4 kg (7-9 lb), these dogs typically have hanging ears and a tail that curves gracefully over their back—perfectly suited for their roles as beloved companions, charming show dogs, and simply beautiful 'ornaments' in a home.
A History as Ancient as Civilization
The ancient variety of Maltese appears to have been a true favorite across antiquity, the quintessential household pet. Their images frequently graced vases and amphorae; one Attic amphora from around 500 BC even depicts a small, pointed-muzzled dog alongside the inscription 'melitaie'—a powerful clue to their historical identity.
These delightful dogs earned numerous mentions in the literature of Ancient Greece and Rome. Intriguingly, ancient writers often debated their precise origin, wavering between the island of Malta—known as Melita in Latin—and the Adriatic island of Mljet, also historically called Melita. While the debate once raged, modern scholarship generally points to the island of Malta as their most likely homeland.
In classical Greece, these diminutive dogs were known as 'Melitaion kunídion,' or 'small dog from Melita,' their unusual size often compared to small, agile animals like martens. Even the famously austere Cynic philosopher Diogenes of Sinope jestingly referred to himself as a 'Maltese dog.' Their pampered existence is further immortalized in Aesop's Fables, where a spoiled Maltese's luxurious life is humorously contrasted with an ass's endless toil.
The historical confusion over their origins persisted among scholars for centuries. Callimachus, a Hellenistic poet around 280 BCE, placed their home on the Adriatic island, a view recorded by Pliny the Elder. Yet, Lycophron, a contemporary, and later Strabo in the early first century AD, firmly attributed their origins to Malta, cementing the island's enduring association with the breed.
Their status as cherished pets is underscored by Theophrastus, Aristotle's successor, who wrote of individuals so proud of their taste that they would erect memorial slabs for their 'scion of Melita' when their dog passed. Athenaeus, in the 3rd century CE, even recounted how the notoriously refined Sybarites preferred the company of their 'Melite lap-dogs' to other humans, bringing them everywhere—even to the gymnasia!
The Romans called them 'catuli melitaei,' and their affection for these tiny dogs is beautifully captured in verse. The Roman poet Martial famously penned descriptive lines about 'Issa,' a beloved lap dog owned by his friend Publius. While the precise lineage is debated, many claim Issa was an ancient Maltese, making her an early literary celebrity of the canine world.
From Ancient Pedigree to Modern Breed
Despite their profound ancient history, dog genomic experts tell us that the modern Maltese cannot be directly linked by pedigree to these ancient canines. Instead, the breed as we know it truly emerged in the Victorian era. It was then that breeders began to meticulously cross existing varieties, carefully selecting for specific traits to create a standardized type that could be formally registered. This process, often involving a genetic 'bottleneck,' refined a handful of petite canine varieties into the beloved Maltese and its close relatives like the Bichon and Havanese.
The passage of time saw the original ancient Maltese fading from local memory. As early as 1536, Abbé Jean Quintin, a secretary to the Grand Master of the Knights of Malta, noted in his historical work that while classical authors spoke of Maltese dogs, the local islanders of his time were no longer familiar with such a species, hinting at a lost lineage.
Even as late as the Elizabethan era, there was some confusion. John Caius, physician to Queen Elizabeth I, described 'Melitei' as women's chamber pets from Malta, yet his descriptions often aligned more closely with Spaniel types, like the popular King Charles Spaniel. These red and white 'mantled' toy dogs, including the Blenheim variety, were all the rage from the 17th through the early 19th centuries, sometimes blending with or being mistaken for what was called a Maltese.
The 19th century saw a resurgence of interest, leading to the development of the modern Maltese. In 1837, Edwin Landseer painted 'The Lion Dog from Malta: The Last of his Tribe,' a portrait of Queen Victoria's mother's dog, Quiz. Around this time, London's dog enthusiasts began importing Chinese Spaniels, crossing them with pugs and bulldogs. Surprisingly, some 'Maltese' strains of this period, like one from breeder T.V.H. Lukey, were reportedly imported not from Malta, but from the Manila Islands in 1841!
By 1862, a strain of this type of dog was officially accepted at the Agricultural Hall Show in Islington. Breeder R. Mandeville dominated shows for years, his kennels furnishing the finest stock for future Maltese breeding. It was during this period that the iconic demand for an exclusively pure white coat emerged. Despite the often unknown origins, by the late 19th century, most English writers, without concrete evidence, firmly associated the breed with Malta.
The breed’s journey to formal recognition continued across the Atlantic. A white dog dubbed a 'Maltese Lion Dog' was showcased at the very first Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City in 1877. After occasional crossings with poodles, a stud book was established in 1901. The American Kennel Club officially recognized the Maltese in 1888, and it received definitive international acceptance from the Fédération Cynologique Internationale in 1955, solidifying its place in the world of purebred dogs.
Modern Characteristics and Care
Today's Maltese boasts a coat that is dense, glossy, and exquisitely silky, falling gracefully without any curls or an undercoat. While pure white is the ideal, a pale ivory tinge or light brown spotting is sometimes permitted. Females stand about 20–23 cm (8–9 in) tall, with males slightly larger, embodying a lively, calm, and deeply affectionate nature. Importantly, the Maltese does not shed, making them a popular choice, though their white fur can be prone to tear-stains.
Like all breeds, Maltese dogs can be predisposed to certain health conditions. Owners should be aware of potential issues such as luxating patella, as well as liver and heart problems. Regular veterinary check-ups are crucial to monitor for conditions like Patent Ductus Arteriosus, ensuring these charming companions live their healthiest lives.
A truly noteworthy characteristic of the Maltese is its classification as a hypoallergenic breed. For individuals sensitive to dog dander, this can be a real game-changer. Because they shed very little fur, many people with dog allergies find they can comfortably share their homes with a Maltese, experiencing fewer allergic reactions.
Beyond their role in competitive exhibitions, Maltese dogs excel as devoted companions, enriching the lives of their families. They rank respectably in intelligence, placing 59th out of 79 breeds assessed by Stanley Coren. With good care, their life expectancy is quite promising; recent studies suggest they typically live around 11 to 13 years, a testament to their robust small stature and the loving homes they inhabit.
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Maltese dog
Engraving by William Turner Davey, 1844, from Landseer's painting The Lion Dog of Malta
Long-haired Maltese groomed for showing
Maltese dog refers both to an ancient variety of dwarf, white-coated dog breed from Italy and generally associated also with the island of Malta, and to a modern breed of similar dogs in the toy group, genetically related to the Bichon, Bolognese, and Havanese breeds. The precise link, if any, between the modern and ancient breeds is not known. Nicholas Cutillo suggested that Maltese dogs might descend from spitz-type canines, and that the ancient variety probably was similar to the latter Pomeranian breeds with their short snout, pricked ears, and bulbous heads. These two varieties, according to Stanley Coren, were perhaps the first dogs employed as human companions.
The modern variety traditionally has a silky, pure-white coat, hanging ears and a tail that curves over its back, and weighs up to 3–4 kg (7–9 lb). The Maltese does not shed. The Maltese is kept for companionship, ornament, or competitive exhibition.
Maltese dogs in antiquity
Maltese dog
The old variety of Maltese appears to have been the most common or favourite pet, or certainly household dog, in antiquity. Dogs of various sizes and shapes are depicted on vases and amphorae. On one Attic amphora from about 500 BC, excavated at Vulci in the nineteenth century and now lost, an illustration of a small dog with a pointed muzzle is accompanied by the word μελιταῖε, melitaie.
Numerous references to these dogs are found in Ancient Greek and Roman literature. Ancient writers variously attribute its origin either to the island of Malta in the Mediterranean, called Melita in Latin, – a name which derives from the Carthaginian city of that name on the island, Melite – or to the Adriatic island of Mljet, near Corfu and off the Dalmatian coast of modern Croatia, also called Melita in Latin. The uncertainty continues, but recent scholarship generally supports the identification with Malta.
In Greece in the classical period a variety of diminutive dog (νανούδιον/nanoúdion -"dwarf dog") was called a Μελιταῖον κυνίδιον (Melitaion kunídion, "small dog from Melita"). In its unusual smallness it was variously likened to martens (ἴκτις/iktis) or pangolins. The word "Melita" in this adjectival form, attested in Aristotle, refers to the island of Malta, according to Busuttil. The Cynic philosopher Diogenes of Sinope, Aristotle's contemporary, according to the testimony of Diogenes Laertius, referred to himself as a "Maltese dog" (κύων.. Μελιταῖος/kúōn Melitaios). A traditional story in Aesop's Fables contrasts the spoiling of a Maltese by his owner, compared to life of the toilsome neglect suffered by the master's ass. Envious of the spoiling attentions lavished on the pup, the ass tries to frolic and be winsome also, in order to enter his master's graces and be treated kindly, only to be beaten off and tethered to its manger.
Around 280 BCE, the learned Hellenistic poet Callimachus, according to Pliny the Elder writing in the Ist century CE, identified Melite – the home of this ancient dog variety – as the Adriatic island, rather than Malta. Conversely, the poem Alexandra ascribed to his equally erudite contemporary Lycophron, which is now thought to have been composed around 190 BCE, also alludes to the island of Melite, but identified it as Malta. Strabo, writing in the early first century AD, attributed its origin to the island of Malta.
Aristotle's successor Theophrastus (371 – c. 287 BC), in his sketch of moral types, Characters, has a chapter on a type of person who exercises a petty pride in pursuing a showy ambition to be particularly fastidious in his taste (Μικροφιλοτιμία/mikrophilotimía). One feature he identifies with this character type is that if his pet dog dies he will erect a memorial slab commemorating his "scion of Melita." Athenaeus, in his voluminous early 3rd century CE Deipnosophistae (12:518–519), states that it was a characteristic of the Sicilian Sybarites, notorious for the extreme punctiliousness of their refined tastes, to delight in the company of owl-faced jester-dwarfs and Melite lap-dogs (rather than in their fellow human beings), with the latter accompanying them even when they went to exercise in the gymnasia.
The Romans called them catuli melitaei. During the first century, the Roman poet Martial wrote descriptive verses to a lap dog named "Issa" owned by his friend Publius. It has been claimed that Issa was a Maltese dog, and that various sources link this Publius with the Roman Governor Publius of Malta, but nothing is known of this Publius, other than that he was an unidentified friend of Paulus, a member of Martial's literary circle.
The Maltese in modern times
Maltese dog
Dog genomic experts state that despite the rich history of the ancient breed, the modern Maltese, like many other breeds, cannot be linked by pedigree to that ancient genealogy, but, rather, emerged in the Victorian era by regulating the crossing of existing varieties of dog to produce a type that could be registered as a distinct breed. The Maltese and similar breeds such as the Havanese, Bichon and Bolognese, are indeed related, perhaps through a common ancestor resulting from a severe bottleneck when a handful of petite canine varieties began to be selected for mating around two centuries ago.
In his work Insulae Melitae Descriptio, the first history of its kind, Abbé Jean Quintin, Secretary to the Grand Master of the Knights of Malta Philippe Villiers de L'Isle-Adam, wrote in 1536 that, while classical authors wrote of Maltese dogs, which perhaps might formerly have been born there, the local Maltese people of his time were no longer familiar with the species.
John Caius, physician to Queen Elizabeth I, writing of women's chamber pets, canes delicati such as the Comforter or Spanish Gentle, stated that they were known as "Melitei" hailing from Malta, though the species he describes were actually Spaniels, perhaps of the recently imported King Charles Spaniel type. A variation of the latter was the Blenheim toy dog, bred by the Marlborough family, with its distinctive white and chestnut mantle. Red and white mantled varieties of these toy pets, the King Charles or Oxfordshire Blenheim breeds, were all the fashion in the 17th.century, down through the early decades of the 19th.century.
In 1837 Edwin Landseer painted The Lion Dog from Malta: The Last of his Tribe, a portrait of a dog named Quiz, a petite flossy white creature poised next to a huge Newfoundland dog, commissioned by Queen Victoria as a birthday present for her mother, the Duchess of Kent, whose dog it was. According to John Henry Welsh, shortly after Landseer's canvases, the London fancy of toy dog enthusiasts took to importing exemplars of the Chinese spaniel, with their short faces and snub noses, and crossbred these with pugs and bulldogs to select for puppies with a longer "feather" or fleecing on their ears and limbs. Some time later, the London market began to deal in what were called "Maltese" dogs. These had no known connection to that island, and one of the breeders, T. V. H. Lukey, associated with the English mastiff, stated that his own Maltese strain was imported from the Manilla Islands in 1841.
A strain of this type was accepted as a distinct class at the Agricultural Hall Show in Islington in 1862, when a breeder, R. Mandeville, took first prize and continued to do so in subsequent years. From 1869 to 1879, Mandeville swept the board of most shows in Birmingham, Islington, the Crystal Palace, and Cremorne Gardens, and his kennels were considered to have furnished the finest strain for subsequent Maltese breeding. From the 19th. century onwards, the requirement emerged for the Maltese to have an exclusively white coat. Despite the unknown provenance, by the close of the century, the dog-expert William Drury noted that nearly all English writers of that period associated the breed with Malta, without adducing any evidence for the claim.
A white dog was shown as a "Maltese Lion Dog" at the first Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City in 1877. From that time they were occasionally crossed with poodles, and a stud book, based on the issue of two females, was established in 1901. By the 1950s, this registry counted roughly 50 dogs in its pedigree table. The Maltese was recognised as a breed by the American Kennel Club in 1888. It was definitively accepted by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale under the patronage of Italy in 1955.
Characteristics
Maltese dog
Maltese showing tear staining
The coat is dense, glossy, silky and shiny, falling heavily along the body without curls or an undercoat. The colour is pure white, however a pale ivory tinge or light brown spotting is permitted. Adult weight is usually 3–4 kg (7–9 lb). Females are about 20–23 cm (8–9 in) tall, males slightly more. They behave in a lively, calm, and affectionate manner. The Maltese does not shed. Like other white dogs, they may show tear-stains.
The breed may be prone to health problems such as liver and heart issues, and Luxating patella. They should be checked for conditions like "Patent Ductus Arteriosus".
Of note, the breed is also highly recommended for those with dog allergies, as the breed is considered hypoallergenic. Hence, some people with dog allergies may be able to tolerate living with a Maltese as they shed less fur.
Use
Maltese dog
The Maltese is kept for companionship, for ornament, or for competitive exhibition. It is ranked 59th of 79 breeds assessed for intelligence by Stanley Coren.
Health
Maltese dog
A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 13.1 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds. A 2024 Italian study found a life expectancy of 11 years for the breed compared to 10 years overall.