Maltese Dog

　　 The Maltese dog is bred from dogs originally on the island of Malta, with a history of about three thousand years. In many ancient artworks, crafts, and paintings, the Maltese dog is often depicted with high society individuals, so this breed was highly valued in ancient times. The Maltese dog is not regarded as a guard dog but as a noble dog held in the arms of wealthy people, deeply loved by Europeans and even considered world-famous.
　　 Maltese Malteses
　　 Origin: Maltese Island in the Mediterranean.
　　 Height: 20 cm to 25 cm
　　 Weight: 1.8 kg to 2.7 kg. Below 3.2 kg.
　　 Characteristics: Black eyes and black nose are the main highlights, with expressive facial features. The tail is lightly curled over the waist. The coat is long and very elegant. The ears hang down, but if the whole body has long hair, the ears are not visible from the outside.
　　 Personality: Although a small dog, it is calm, brave, loving towards people, sensitive, and lively.
　　 Coat color and texture:
　　 The entire body is covered with pure white silky hair, growing along the body. However, for general household care, if it cannot be brushed daily, the coat will tangle, so it is recommended to have a grooming trimming every 6-8 weeks. Also, unless the weather is extremely cold, long-haired Maltese dogs do not need to wear too much clothing; otherwise, the coat easily tangles.
　　 Care Issues:
　　 The most common problem for Maltese dogs is tearing and eye discharge. It is best to understand beforehand whether it is an eye or ear issue. If this problem occurs, the hair near the inner corner of the eyes should be trimmed short to avoid irritating the tear glands. After bathing, you can apply petroleum jelly (human grade is fine) between the eyes and forehead to reduce hair adhesion.
　　 Daily Care:
　　 The Maltese has a small appetite but is interested in many foods and wants to try them. The care focus is on the long hair; if not frequently trimmed and brushed, the fine and soft long hair easily tangles into mats, leading to skin diseases. Therefore, many owners trim the coat short to reduce trouble. However, the Maltese does not shed much and does not have seasonal shedding, which is an advantage.
　　 The pure white long hair is the Maltese’s signature but also the most difficult part for owners to maintain. They must strive to keep the bright white hair from becoming dirty, yellow, or blackened, especially taking care of the hair around the eyes and mouth.