Maltese

maltese puppy

At one point in time, these cute-looking adorable small dogs were known as “Ye Ancient Dogge of Malta”. Apart from these they are also very famously known as The Maltese Lion Dog and even The Roman Ladies’ Dog.

Their original purpose was as a lapdog and it was the status symbol at that period of time.Now, the main question remains if you have any type of dog regardless of their breed , I believe that there should be some information about the pet that you are owning.

Where do you come from Dear Maltese?

This breed has been on the record for at least 29 centuries. Being so old in the record book this breed has caused a lot of topics to discuss and debate. Some records show that these are Spitz-type dogs, possibly from Sweden. Then there is another theory stating possible ancestor is the Tibetan Terrier from ancient Asia. Now, this doesn’t make sense a bit since the name Maltese is a definite statement that the Maltese breed most definitely became abundant on the Island of Malta. This is a small, beautiful isle off the coast of Italy.

Island-of-Malta-Origin-of-Maltese-Dog
Malta was first inhabited by the Sicilian people of Italy

Hence, the name ‘Maltese’ was derived from Malta. This breed is thought to be the most ancient of all the European toy breeds. Malta’s Roman governor, Publius, who governed in the first century A.D. was known for having a beautiful Maltese whose name was Issa. The poet, Martial, made Issa famous by writing a poem about her. A variety of other celebrated authors have also written about the beauty and intelligence of the breed.

Some facts about the Maltese breed

  • The popularity of this breed increased when the traders started shifting them to Europe.
  • Specially in Egypt, this breed truly ruled. Ancient Egyptian writing system shows us that in Egypt, harem women were given Maltese dogs as companions. This breed was believed to have the power of healing. Ancient Egyptians would place a Maltese puppy in the area in which they slept, with the belief that would then have their health restored overnight.
  • During 1500’s Maltese moved to Britain , as Malta became the part of British colony later on.Owning a Maltese was a symbol of stature and importance. During this time, only the wealthiest could afford to have this breed.
  • Queens of England had been known for taking quite a liking to smaller breeds and then spoiling them; the Maltese was no different. Queens of England pronounced the Maltese breed to be of royalty and they were certainly treated as so.
  • They were give only the highest quality human food and luxurious sleeping areas. 
  • It should be noted that the lemon and tan markings that a Maltese can hold are thought to be due to Poodle color genes. 
  • Following 150 years as a British colony, Malta gained state independency in 1964, became a republic in 1974 and later part of the European Union in 2004.
  • It was in late 1800’s Maltese reached United States and this dog’s popularity spread very quickly, and by 1888 the Maltese was accepted by the AKC.

The Maltese is still a popular dog breed; however, admittedly has fallen in rank somewhat during the 2000’s. 
In 2006 he was at #18.In 2007 he was at #19.In 2008 he was at #21. In 2012 he was at #25 and In 2013 he was at #27

Maltese in England at just recent days

Needs of this breed apart from love and affection.

maltese-dog-running

Small dogs like the Maltese need exercise just like larger dogs do. Everything is relative, so small muscles on a small body need to be maintained. And a small heart on a small body needs to stay healthy. 
In addition, toy breeds like the Maltese that have a boatload of energy may even need more activity (relatively speaking) than their larger counterparts. 

There are quite a few reasons why regular exercise is beneficial.
There are physical reasons including:

  • It is great for the heart, blood circulation, and for boosting the immune system
  • Helps keep bones strong
  • Maintains proper muscle mass
  • Helps to regulate metabolism
  • Encourages more robust eating

And there are behavioral/emotional reasons including:

  • Satisfies the canine instincts of wanting new scents to sniff and new noises to hear. 
  • Prevents the canine equivalent of cabin fever; just being in an outside environment can lift the spirits of a dog that’s been inside too long. 
  • Allows a healthy release of pent-up energy. If a puppy or dog does not have a way to let this out, it may negatively manifest in other ways including excessive barking, jumping, restless behavior, and/or sullen mood. 

Maltese Exercise Requirements

Frequency – This breed does best with two walks per day. 
Timing – Generally, a morning walk and an evening walk are best.
Duration – The walk should last for a minimum of 20 minutes and up to 30 minutes is fine for most Maltese. 
You may take your Maltese out for even longer walks or to any sort of event in which there will be a lot of walking; however, you will want to plan for a break every 20 minutes or so for your puppy or dog to rest (preferably in the shade if it is hot out), and to have plenty of water to re-hydrate. 

Grooming issue of the breed

maltese-dog-long-clean-coat
One of the major beautification of the breed-It’s hair..

When a Maltese is having issues with the coat, this may include poor hair texture. It may be dry or brittle, or hold a rough texture that is unlike the expected silky feel that the Maltese is known for. 
While bad hair texture can be due to poor breeding practices, in most cases these sorts of hair problems are due to outside factors.
Another common problem is thinning coat. This may occur in just some areas or it may be an all-over thinning. In some cases, affected areas may become nearly or completely bald.

Here will will cover the common causes for hair issues seen with this breed, including those that affect the skin, since skin and coat health go hand-in-hand. 

Possible Reasons for Hair Issues and Hair Loss

Inferior food – Low quality food can cause a host of issues. And one commonly seen detrimental effect is poor skin and coat health. 
There are a lot of elements that a great, quality food will provide such as wholefoods, good protein sources, antioxidants, and balanced nutrition. However, the top brands also offer Omega 3 fatty acids. 
These can be derived from fish (salmon, herring, whitefish, and/or menhaden) and/or from certain oils such as flaxseed oil.Quality omega 3’s help promote a healthy immune system, aid in both brain and eye development with young puppies, and play a huge role in both skin and coat health. If your Maltese’s main kibble is lacking this, it can lead to chronic dry skin and hair issues.

Another problem with low-quality food is the presence of artificial additives including flavoring, coloring, and/or preservatives. It is very common for Maltese to have reactions to these chemicals; this can also lead to all types of skin and coat issues including dry skin and poor coat quality. 
What to do: Reassess what you are feeding and opt for a brand that you know you can trust like wellness for small breeds. And, we will go over the element of adding supplements ahead. Low quality coat products
Every product that you use on your Maltese’s coat will either be beneficial or detrimental. And while this is true for any breed, it is particularly relevant for the Maltese due to his single layer of hair. 
Incorrectly balanced shampoos and conditioners can be very bad for the coat. And if you are not using a daily leave-in spritz, the coat is not being protected, which can lead to problems. 
What to do: Reassess the products that you are using both for when you give it the bath  every three weeks, and in regard to all of the coat products of the shampoo to be sure that you are only using those that boost coat health. 

Itching and scratching
Chronic itch that causes a dog to excessively scratch or chew at himself will end up having quite an effect on his hair. There may be hot spots of very irritated skin which leads to thinning hair or even bald spots. 
What to do: There are two steps for this.
1. You will want to immediately offer relief. This can be via a hot spot spray and/or specialized shampoos. We will cover this in more detail ahead, in the treatment section. 
2. You will want to determine the underlying cause of the issue. If not, the issue may keep reoccurring. 

Severe itching may be due to:

  • Allergies – Common allergy symptoms include itching and skin rash. Other signs may include wheezing, coughing, eye issues (runny, red, and/or itchy), and/or runny nose.
  • Fleas – It is very easy for a dog to catch fleas, even in the cleanest of homes. All it takes is for a Maltese to be within 6 feet of a dog that has fleas, because this is how far fleas can jump. Treatment will involve ridding the entire home of fleas, and flea treatment for the Maltese which is usually a flea dip and topical treatment. 
  • Mites – The Cheyletiella mite is highly contagious and burrows deep into a dog’s skin, causing intense itching. It is very common for dogs to scratch to the point of hair loss. To get rid of mites, this involves treating all pets in the household and all living areas with an insecticide to eradicate mites. If your Maltese has long hair, the coat may need to be shaved down. 
  • Skin yeast infection – With this, you may notice a bad musty smell that is there even after baths are given. For this, a specialized shampoo can often resolve this.

Sometimes love ain’t just enough but do not ignore them as if they are not part of the family.

A Maltese with it’s responsible owner

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