Content
O Maltese Bichon is a toy-sized breed, which arose in the Mediterranean, with Italy taking over the sponsorship of the breed. The origins are associated with Italy, Malta and the island of Mljet (Croatia), yet its origin is somewhat uncertain. It was the Phoenicians who brought the ancestors of this breed from Egypt over 2000 years ago. In the tomb of Ramses II you can see stone statues in the form of the modern Maltese. The breed was genetically selected to get smaller and smaller individuals and thus reach a miniature size.
Source- America
- Oceania
- Cuba
- Isle of Man
- Jamaica
- Group IX
- short paws
- toy
- Small
- Medium
- Great
- Giant
- 15-35
- 35-45
- 45-55
- 55-70
- 70-80
- more than 80
- 1-3
- 3-10
- 10-25
- 25-45
- 45-100
- 8-10
- 10-12
- 12-14
- 15-20
- Low
- Average
- High
- Balanced
- Sociable
- Intelligent
- Active
- Tender
- floors
- Surveillance
- Cold
- Warm
- Moderate
- Long
Physical appearance
It is a very small dog which in general is between 3 and even 4 kilos and also does not measure more than 25 cm in height. Due to its size, it adapts perfectly to small apartments. Its white coat with only one layer stands out, which is smooth, long and silky. Organizations only admit the white color although we can find it with golden stains. They have dark eyes, long ears, a thick tail and short legs.
Character
Overall, it's a dog happy, fun and affectionate with its owner. He is a good companion dog and not lonely, he likes to be with people and other pets. He is protective and likes to have toys and other elements to bite at his disposal. He's a bit nervous and playful and therefore suffers too much time alone at home.
Health
Although in general it is a healthy dog, it can have problems with the knee or kneecap (dislocation). Overweight aggravates and promotes this disease. You must make sure that the amount of food you receive is adequate for your size and daily physical activity. They may also suffer from allergies to certain human foods. The fur type can also cause conjunctivitis or eye irritation.
Other diseases that can affect them are cancer, heart disease or kidney failure. A periodic visit to the veterinarian will prevent and facilitate detection of these problems.
care
They need extra care that is not so common in other breeds. Due to its long and fine hair, we must take care of the brush regularly with special brushes. It is possible that skin problems or knots appear and, for this reason, some owners bathe too frequently (the normal is usually every month and a half). At the hairdresser, they inform us about the types of hair cuts for the breed. The most characteristic is to leave the fur long and cut only the ends (typical in exhibitions), although many prefer to cut the fur drastically, achieving the effect of a puppy.
You should also take into account the daily hygiene which includes eye cleaning, tear stains and muzzle. This is a good way to prevent brown spots from forming around these areas.
They don't need a lot of physical exercise and just 2 walks a day will have enough to cover their needs. Ideal for people with limited mobility. Still, we recommend that you take tours with him so that you don't lose the social habit and enjoy the environment.
It is advisable feed them good quality feed. since it is a dog that will ask us in a friendly way and in excess of human food, if this behavior is encouraged, it may even refuse the food. You must not tolerate this behavior. Feeding human food is a problem as it lacks some enzymes that certain foods catalyze and this can trigger an allergy.
Behavior
It is an ideal dog for adults although it can not getting along with children that require too much play, mess with it too much, or treat it like a toy. If we explain to you how to relate to the dog, there will be no problem.
We should also bear in mind that due to its small size, the Maltese can see other puppies as a threat, so it is important to encourage them to play and socialize with other pets, so we can enjoy the company of several dogs at once.
education
It is a very smart dog who will have no difficulty learning tricks and being disciplined. You can train them to do pirouettes, stand on their hind legs, etc. It is important to socialize him from an early age, as he may start to show hostile attitudes towards people who give him affection or attention.
As for the relationship with children it's a bit complicated because both its long hair and its special character don't always fit well with them. He likes to be treated with respect and affection, so never hurt him or pull his fur, and although this is not a general statement, it may not be the most suitable dog for them as they can get upset if they don't feel well. In addition, due to their small size, it is common for them to break bones or fracture if children play with them abruptly.
The Maltese perfectly accepts the company of other dogs and pets, although he likes those of his own race better. Very communicative and active, he will play a lot with his companions.
Curiosities
The Maltese is one of the oldest dogs in Europe, they stood out at the time of the Roman Empire where they were stray dogs that eliminated rats from the cities. At some point they will catch the attention of the nobles and they will settle in the big houses where they were very pampered and loved. Centuries later in the Renaissance they were also the company of people with high economic possibilities.