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. 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. 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. 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.
Maltese dog breeders of top quality AKC reg maltese show and pet puppies. These
breeders are breeding for healthy happy maltese dog puppies. The AKC Standard for the
Maltese Dog Breed. The Maltese Dog 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. 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. 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. 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.