THE MALTESE 579 



at the expense of typical qualities, is much valued ; and it is 

 probably due to this fact that the delicacy incidental to puppyhood 

 may be directly attributable. The maximum weight allowed is 81b. 

 The Maltese is not a variety adapted to a town life, on account of 

 the great liability of the coat to soil ; nor is it a variety that has 

 hitherto been kept with any great chance of success on the show- 

 bench or of profit by the novice. Though it does not require the 

 amount of care bestowed upon its toilet as does the Yorkshire Terrier, 

 yet it runs even that variety very close. Beyond the fact that purity 

 of colour is shown from the first, there are not manifested any of 

 those earlier indications of promise found in many other Toys as 



FIG. 1 18. MALTESE TERRIER CHAMPION SIR GEORGE WHITE. 



young puppies and that are useful as aids to the purchaser when 

 making a selection from the nest. Interesting and beautiful though 

 the Maltese undoubtedly is when in show form, it is not a variety 

 that can be recommended on the score of general utility. 



Recently a Club for furthering the interests of this beautiful variety 

 has been formed and taken up warmly by many of the most ex- 

 perienced breeders and exhibitors, so that the prospects of the Maltese 

 are brighter than probably they have ever been. Mrs. Palmer, who 

 has long been known as an exhibitor of Maltese, is the Hon. 

 Secretary, and anxious to do all she can to extend the operation of 

 the Club. 



During 1902 for the first -time, at any rate in this country, classes 

 were provided for " Other than White," and many persons were 



