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The AKC Standard for the Maltese Dog Breed.

General Appearance

The Maltese is a toy dog covered from head to foot with a mantle of long, silky, white hair. The Maltese dog is gentle-mannered and affectionate, eager and sprightly in action, and, despite his size, possessed of the vigor needed for the satisfactory companion.

Head

The maltese dog is of  medium length and in proportion to the size of the dog. The skull is slightly rounded on top, the stop moderate. The drop ears are rather low set and heavily feathered with long hair that hangs close to the head. The maltese dog's Eyes are set not too far apart; they are very dark and round, their black rims enhancing the gentle yet alert expression. The muzzle is of medium length, fine and tapered but not snippy. The nose is black. The teeth meet in an even, edge-to-edge bite, or in a scissors bite.

Neck

Sufficient length of neck is desirable as promoting a high carriage of the head of the Maltese dog.

Body

Compact, the height oof the Maltese dog from the withers to the ground equaling the length from the withers to the root of the tail. The Maltese dog's shoulder blades are sloping, the elbows well knit and held close to the body. The back is level in topline, the ribs well sprung. The Maltese dog's chest is fairly deep, the loins taut, strong, and just slightly tucked up underneath.

Tail

The Maltese dog has a long-haired plume carried gracefully over the back, its tip lying to the side over the quarter.

Legs and Feet

Legs are fine-boned and nicely feathered of the Maltese dog. Forelegs are straight, their pastern joints well knit and devoid of appreciable bend. Hind legs are strong and moderately angulated at stifles and hocks. The feet are small and round, with toe pads black. Scraggly hairs on the feet may be trimmed to give the Maltese dog a neater appearance.

Coat and Color

The Maltese dog coat is single, that is, without undercoat. It hangs long, flat, and silky over the sides of the body almost, if not quite, to the ground. The long head-hair of the Maltese dog may be tied up in a topknot or it may be left hanging. Any suggestion of kinkiness, curliness, or woolly texture is objectionable. Color, pure white. Light tan or lemon on the ears is permissible, but not desirable in the Maltese dog.

Size

The Maltese dog weighs under 7 pounds, with from 4 to 6 pounds preferred. Overall quality is to be favored over the size of the Maltese.

Gait

The Maltese dog moves with a jaunty, smooth, flowing gait. Viewed from the side, he gives an impression of rapid movement, size considered. In the stride, the forelegs reach straight and free from the shoulders, with elbows close. Hind legs to move in a straight line. Cowhocks or any suggestion of hind leg toeing in or out are faults in the Maltese dog.

Temperament

For all his diminutive size, the Maltese seems to be without fear. His trust and affectionate responsiveness are very appealing. Maltese are among the gentlest mannered of all little dogs, yet he is lively and playful as well as vigorous.

	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 first Maltese exhibited in the United States was white and listed as a Maltese Lion Dog at Westminster's first show in 1877.
	The American Kennel Club accepted the Maltese for registration in 1888.