Maltese bichon | Facts & Information

Temperament: playful, gentle, docile, intelligent, active, courageous

Origin

The Maltese dog breed has a long and special history. As the most striking-looking member of the toy breed group, their long, hanging white robe may have been the reason for becoming Queen Elizabeth I's favourite.The Coat Of The Maltese Bichon requires daily care.

The origin of this dog, also known as the Maltese Bichon, is somewhat unclear. It is appreciated that his ancestors traveled a long way through Europe, throughout the Middle East, along with migrating tribes.

The island of Malta – a shard of rock in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea has been a center of trade and an important stopover for seafarers in the Mediterranean basin since very early, and it seems that the first specimens were left by merchants on the island as payment in exchange, possibly as food supply.

Raised in tight pens, on ships or on land, the first representatives of the breed, suffered a constant shrinking of the waist. The great Darwin himself, the author of evolutionary theory, places the starting point of this breed of dog somewhere 6000 or even 8000 years ago!

Aristotle makes several references to the existence of this race in southern Europe, and his 'brethren': Timon, Callimah, Aelian, Arthimidorus, Epaminodus, Strabo, Pliny the Elder and Saint Clement of Alexandria remember him in their writings.

Roman women of the high aristocracy wore it in the sleeve of their dresses and slept with them in bed, and yet the dog maintained its share of sympathy among the men of the era. The Roman Emperor Claudius owned a Maltese, and the governor of Rome in Malta, Publius, had a Maltese, Issa, who meant more than anything to him, as evidenced by the poem written by a certain Marcus Martialis: 'Issa is more frisky than a canary/ Issa is whiter than a pure dove,/ Issa is gentler as a virgin girl,/ and more precious as the jewels of India...'. Impressive, huh ? It can be seen that the rich Romanian men of that time did not have a white Rolls Royce in terms of options !

The Maltese had its share of glory in Ancient Egypt (the oldest representations date from approx. 600 B. C. E., At Fayum), here the Pharaohs giving it to the ladies of the suite or harem. He always slept with his Masters, and at one time he was attributed curative properties!

Doctors recommended placing the dog on the pillow at the end of the suffering person. Due to this practice as well as due to the small waist, affectionate character and warm body, the Maltese was called in the era "the comforter".

Maltese Bichon Food

Maltese Bichon needs a balanced diet of vitamins, minerals and proteins.

The main source of protein is meat of various types (pork, fish, etc.).

Corn and chocolate are not recommended.

Read more about ... dog food

Appearance Maltese Bichon

Maltese is a small white breed of dogs belonging to the group of pets and poodles.

The Maltese Bichon does not lose much hair and is covered from head to toe with a silky robe of white fur.

An ancient species associated with the island of Malta has retained its distinct appearance for centuries.

They get very attached and very often get along well with other dogs. Lacrimal secretions form red spots around the eyes, and therefore their fur should be taken care of very carefully.

Behavior Maltese Bichon

The Maltese Bichon is a companion dog suitable for families, devoted and loving.

It can spend hours on the owner's knees, enjoying the moments of attention given, since they are small, not recommended for families with young children, very energetic or older children put on cuddles.

The Maltese is an excellent dog for the elderly.

Dogs of this breed are distinguished by long fur that "flows" along the body and can reach almost to the ground.

The hair on the head of this puppy can be tied in pigtail. These dogs are always white, with truffle and black cushions.They are very cute and playful.

Maltese Bichon Dressage

The Maltese is a complete pet.

Apart from acquiring obedience, he does not require further training.

Read more about ... Pet Dog Training

Features Maltese Bichon

Their long and hanging hair requires daily brushing.

People who are unable to brush them daily sometimes choose to shorten their hair.

Maltese Bichon Diseases

Patellar dislocation is a disorder that involves the migration of the patella (kneecap) from the sliding groove to the distal extremity of the femur.

Hypoglycemia is a blood glucose lowering disorder characterized by attacks of fainting and loss of consciousness with dog stinging (generalized contracture). Cryptorchidism is a disorder represented by the lack of descent of one or both testicles into the scrotum.

White shaker disease is a condition of tremor seen in small white dogs.

In addition, Maltese are susceptible to blindness, deafness, stagnation of tears and blockage of tear ducts. All this requires a visit to the veterinarian regularly.

The average lifespan of Maltese is 12-15 years.