Maltese Dog Breed Purpose
References to the dog can also be found in ancient greek and roman literature.
Maltese dog breed purpose. Although no one can be 100 percent sure where it came from originally most believe the maltese come from the island of malta in the mediterranean sea hence its name. Charles darwin dated their breed origin to some 6000 years ago and certainly there are pictures of them on vases and references to them in literature dating from the greek and roman eras over 2000 years ago. Small breed between 7 35 lbs the akc classifies the various dog breeds into 8 groups according to their function and into 5 groups according to their size. The maltese is a toy dog covered from head to foot with a mantle of long silky white hair.
They have always been primarily bred as lap dogs and companions rather than as working dogs. They were possibly brought by phoenicians and was spread around by them. The maltese dog is one of the longest established dog breeds. Early writers attribute its origin to melita however there were two islands named melita at that time with one being in the mediterranean and the other being in the adriatic sea near dalmatia which.
Maltese was kept as a family companion and as a symbol of a fashion statement in its city malta. Aristotle mentions the dog around 370 bc. They were on the verge of extinction but chinese breeder kept on protecting them after that. The maltese temperament still reflects this role today.
Maltese dog breed history health characteristics history of maltese dog. Toy or companion dogs size. He is gentle mannered and affectionate eager and sprightly in action and despite his size possessed. Maltese is an ancient dog breed whose exact origin is not confirmed but it is believed that they are from malta a tiny island south of sicily italy.
They were crossbred with other small dogs to revive the breed and this. The maltese has remained a dog breed of distinction highly esteemed and quite sought after. In fact charles darwin placed this breed as far back as 6000 b c. This breed became popular among upper class ladies in england in the 1300s.
Companion comforter classification akc according to function. The maltese is known as the oldest of all dog breeds and the oldest of european toy breeds. The american kennel club is the largest.