How to Adopt
Step 1:
Adoption Application
Step 2:
Adoption Form
Step
3:
Order Pets & Vets for
your 5 Year Health Warranty
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Breed Standard
General Appearance
The Maltese is a toy dog covered from head to foot with a mantle of long, silky,
white hair. He is gentle-mannered and affectionate, eager and sprightly in
action, and, despite his size, possessed of the vigor needed for the
satisfactory companion.
Head
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. 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 snipy.
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.
Body
Compact, the height from the withers to the ground equaling the length from the
withers to the root of the tail. 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 chest is fairly deep, the loins taut, strong, and just slightly
tucked up underneath.
Tail
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. 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 a neater
appearance.
Coat and Color
The 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 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.
Size
Weight under 7 pounds, with from 4 to 6 pounds preferred. Overall quality is to
be favored over size.
Gait
The Maltese 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.
Temperament
For all his diminutive size, the Maltese seems to be without fear. His trust and
affectionate responsiveness are very appealing. He is among the gentlest
mannered of all little dogs, yet he is lively and playful as well as vigorous.