Maltese Dog Breed History

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.

Maltese dog breed history. The maltese is an ancient breed one of several small bichon dogs found around the mediterranean for thousands of years. Although the ancient greeks and romans believed the dog originated on the island of malta they called the breed the. References to the dog can also be found in ancient greek and roman literature. The maltese dog is one of the longest established dog breeds.

T he maltese descends from one of the most ancient dog breeds to be found in recorded history. Maltese breed of toy dog named for the island of malta where it may have originated about 2 800 years ago. Dating back so far has caused a bit of debate as to the exact origin of this dog. The maltese breed has existed for at least 29 centuries.

The island of malta off the southern coast of italy was colonized by the phoenicians about 1000 bce. Were fascinated by the maltese s geometric beauty and left behind a rich legacy of breed specific treasures. They were possibly brought by phoenicians and was spread around by them. Maltese was kept as a family companion and as a symbol of a fashion statement in its city malta.

It has a long silky pure white coat hanging ears a compact body and a plumed tail that curves over its back. A brief history of the breed. The greeks of the fourth and fifth centuries b c. If you look far back long ago descendants are thought to be spitz type dogs possibly from sweden.

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. His exact place of origin is a mystery with conjecture including sicily egypt and southern europe but most historians pinpoint malta for the development of the breed. History of maltese dog. It has been estimated that the breed originated around 6 000 b c or 8 000 years ago.

It is possible that these small white dogs were brought to the area by the. The melitaie dog is depicted. Artists poets and writers immortalized this small dog in the early. Called ye ancient dogge of malta and the roman ladies dog this breed stands out with its fluffy white coat and springy personality.

The maltese dog was a lapdog favoured by both the ancient greeks and romans especially their children and appears on amphorae with the word μελιταιε melitaie. It stands about 5 inches 13 cm and weighs up to 7 pounds 3 kg. The maltese dog is one of the most ancient of the toy breeds with a history that can be traced back at least two millennia. 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.

They were on the verge of extinction but chinese. A little dog with a big heart and even bigger personality the maltese has been known by many names says the american kennel club. Another possible ancestor is the tibetan terrier from ancient asia.