Page 63 - Buddy Life

BREEd PRoFILE

STORM

IN a TEacuP

The glamorous white coat of the gentle and fearless Maltese
gives him a look of haughty nobility, but looks can be
deceiving in case of this tiny bundle of fur

opular amongst celebrities and of Maltese-like dogs on Egyptian artifacts
royalty, the Maltese’s dark eyes suggest that they were prized by that ancient
and white hair makes him the culture. Even before the Christian Era, the
perfect glamour dog. Forget breed was widespread in Mediterranean
toy poodles and miniature cultures. Ceramic pieces depicting the dogs
Pschnauzers, they are so tiny were found that dated back to the fifth
that Scooter, a Maltese pup, can sit quite century. The Egyptians and, centuries later,
comfortably in a tea cup! He is so tiny, in many Europeans thought that the Maltese had
fact, that its human companion, Ms Cheryl the ability to cure people of disease and would
McKnight, of Auckland, New Zealand, has place one on the pillow of an ill person. This
had to make him a special jumper out of inspired one of its names — “The Comforter.”
a purple sock to make sure she doesn’t By the 15th century, he had found a secure
accidentally step on him. She believes place in the arms and hearts of French
Scooter stopped growing at the towering aristocrats. During the reign of Henry VIII,
height of three inches - almost an inch smaller Maltese arrived in the British Isles. By the end
than another small-dog record holder, Boo of the 16th century, the Maltese had become
Boo, a long-haired chihuahua living in the US. a favourite pet for noble and royal ladies. The
When and where the Maltese originated is not little dog was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth
entirely clear, however, they were a recognised I, Mary Queen of Scots, and Queen Victoria.
breed in Malta at least thousands of years Poems, paintings, sculptures and tombs of
ago, once referred to as “Ye ancient dogge of the breed were created to honour the dogs
Malta.” Despite his prominence in history, the by the royals who owned them. The Maltese
exact origin of the Maltese dog is uncertain. has always been primarily a companion pet
Many believe the breed was developed in the and was kept by royalty all over the world—
Isle of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea from women could be seen carrying them in the
Spitz- or Spaniel-type dogs. Others believe he sleeves of their elaborate dresses and robes.
was developed in Italy, and still others believe Maybe this explains why Maltese love to be
that he was originally from Asia and had a part held! Numerous painters, including Goya and
in developing many of the smaller Asian dogs. Sir Joshua Reynolds, included these small
Wherever he came from, the Maltese thrived. dogs in their portraits of beautiful women.
Artists, poets, and writers immortalized this Although he survived the fall of the Roman
small dog in the early great cultures of Greece, Empire and the Dark Ages, the Maltese
Rome, and Egypt. They were even mentioned was nearly destroyed in the 17th and 18th
by Aristotle. The Greeks erected tombs for centuries when attempts were made to breed
their Maltese dogs, while representations him to be the size of a squirrel. After this

Jan - March, 2018 BUDDY LIFE 63