The Maltese is a small dog covered from head to foot with a mantle of long, silky, white
hair, with little to no shedding. The most popular hair style for family pets (not the show dogs) is a "puppy cut"
- the hair is trimmed short every 6 to 8 weeks, resembling the look of the Maltese as a puppy. She is gentle-mannered
and affectionate, eager and sprightly in action, and, despite her size, possessed of the vigor needed for a satisfactory companion.
Head
The head is of medium length and in proportion
to the size of the dog. The skull is slightly rounded on the top. 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 snippy. 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 head close to the body.
The back is level in top line, 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. Their hind legs are strong and moderately angulared at
stifles and hocks. The feet are small and round, with toe pads black. Shaggy hairs on the feet may be trimmed
to give a neater appearance.
Coat and Color
The
coat is single, 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 is pure white. Light tan or lemon on the ears is permissible.
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, glowing gait. Viewed from the side, they give 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. Cow hocks or any suggestion of hind leg toeing in or out are faults.
Temperament
For their diminutive size, the Maltese
seems to be without fear. Their trusting and affectionate responsiveness is very appealing. They are
among the gentlest mannered of all little dogs, yet they are lively and playful as well as vigorous.
