576 BRITISH DOGS 



as their birthplace, he confesses his inability " to trace any records 

 of the dog, after many inquiries made amongst residents in Malta." 



Whether the dog once known as a Maltese Terrier be a 

 descendant, more or less pure, from the breed Strabo wrote of, it 

 is now impossible to say ; but there is one thing of more practical 

 value, and that is, that the present-day fanciers of the breed should 

 know the sort of dog referred to by that name ; and in the minds 

 of breeders, judges, critics, and fanciers, there should be a clearness 

 of meaning as to the points making up the dog. 



In the 1872 edition of his "Dogs of the British Islands," 

 " Stonehenge " discards the Manilla dog, and gives his readers 

 an engraving of Mandeville's Fido, then at the zenith of his fame, 

 stating the dog's height to be nin. at shoulder with a weight 

 of 6ilb., whilst from tip to tip of ears the dog is said to have 

 measured 2iin. that is, across the head and two ears. In this 

 edition we are told that the coat "should be long, and fall in 

 ringlets, the longer the better." In the 1878 edition it is said : 

 "There is a slight wave, but no absolute curl." 



"The eyes" says "Stonehenge," "should not show the weeping 

 corner incidental to some Toy Spaniels." Inquiry among ex- 

 hibitors would have shown him that "weeping" is one of the 

 most tiresome things exhibitors of Maltese have to contend against. 

 The watery discharge stains the white hair a dirty red. 



"The ears" we are told, "are long," which is not the case; 

 the skin, or flap, of the ear is short, but the hair upon it is long. 

 Further, "the roof of the mouth is black." As proof of quality 

 or purity of breed, we might as well consider the colour of his 

 liver. Finally, " Stonehenge " objects to this dog being called 

 a Terrier, because " it has none of the properties of the Terrier 

 tribe," and that "it approaches very closely to the Spaniel." Rather 

 strange this from the same -pen that wrote: "This beautiful little 

 dog is a Skye Terrier in miniature." However, the Kennel Club 

 has decided that the variety shall now be called Maltese, a dictum 

 that must be accepted by the Fancy. 



By what system of selection these dogs have been brought 

 to their present form it is not possible to say, although it is not 

 difficult to imagine several ways of arriving at the end which has 

 been attained. 



In the writer's experience, Maltese are remarkable for cleanliness 

 in their habits and freedom from doggy taint and smell, but of 

 course they require washing and brushing. The less combing they 

 have the better, as it is apt to break the coat and pull out the 

 hair. If a comb be used, it should be a horn one with coarse 

 teeth, known to the saddlers as mane combs. These might be 

 applied to the hindquarters and tail. In the opinion of many, 

 the use of soap is apt to detract from the desired glossiness of the 



