Maltese

BREED HISTORY
The Maltese is the most ancient of the European toy breeds, and
among the oldest of all breeds. The island of Malta was an early trading
port, visited by Phoenician sailors by 1500 BC. Maltese dogs are
specifically mentioned in writings as early as 300 BC. Greek art
includes dogs of Maltese type from the fifth century on; there is
evidence that they even erected tombs to favored Maltese. Although
the dogs were often exported and subsequently widely distributed
throughout Europe and the Orient, the core population on Malta
remained relatively isolated from other dogs, resulting in this distinctive
pure-breeding dog that bred true for centuries. Though the Maltese's
hallmark is its long, silky, dazzling white hair, early Maltese came in
colors other than white. By the early fourteenth century, Maltese had
been brought to England, where they became the darlings of
upper-class ladies. Writers of the succeeding centuries continually
commented upon their diminutive size. Still these little dogs were never
commonplace, and an 1830 painting entitled "The Lion Dog from Malta
- Last of His Race" suggests that the breed may have been in danger
of extinction. Soon after, two Maltese were brought to England from
Manila. Although originally intended as a gift for Queen Victoria, they
passed into other hands, and their offspring became the first Maltese
exhibited in England. At this time, they were called Maltese Terriers,
despite the lack of terrier ancestry or characteristics. In America, the
first Maltese were shown as Maltese Lion Dogs around 1877. The name
lion dog probably arose from the habit of dog fanciers, particularly
those in the Orient, of clipping the dogs to look like lions. The AKC
recognized the breed as the Maltese in 1888. The Maltese slowly
increased in popularity, and now in ranks as one of the more popular
toys.
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