1 88 THE BOOK OF THE DOG, 



coat has been well brushed, and combed out with a coarse-toothed comb, which renders it less 

 likely to become tangled and matted by the water. After the Maltese, or other Toy, has been 

 well washed in a small tub of warm water, in which a very minute quantity of soda may be 

 placed when the animal is undergoing his ablutions preparatory to state occasions, with a 

 squeeze of the blue bag added as well under such circumstances, he should be taken out of 

 the water and plunged in another tub of clean tepid water, to rinse all the soap-suds out of his 

 jacket. When removed from this second bath, his attendant should most thoroughly dry him 

 before the fire, care being taken to see that the interior of the ears, the feet, tail, and under 

 the elbows, are as well dried as the body, or a heavy cold will be the most natural consequence 

 of neglect in this respect. After the performances with the towels are completed, it is well to 

 stand the dog in a clean open wicker basket before the fire, so that he can get thoroughly dry, 

 without an opportunity being afforded him (which he would otherwise be sure to avail himself of) 

 to rub himself on the carpet and soil his jacket. When well dried he can be combed and brushed. 

 Having thus alluded to the Maltese, we will proceed to give a description of the points 

 which are now desired in a good specimen. 



The Skull is rather wide, and appearing round from the position of the ears, and is covered 

 with silky hair. 



Muzzle, tapering towards the nose. 



Nose and Eyes, black, the latter not so large and prominent as in the case of the Pug. 



Ears, set on high, and well covered with long white, silky hair. 



Body, deep in chest, well ribbed up with a level back. 



Legs, short, and placed well under the body. 



Tail, well feathered, and carried over the back in a curl. 



Colour, a pure white: lemon markings being a disqualification. Many good specimens are 

 touched on the ears with this colour, and suffer occasionally thereby. 



Coat, long, soft, and silky, with no curl, which is a bad fault if present 



Size, from 5 to 7 pounds, or even more. 



General Appearance. A compact little dog, excitable when released from restraint, but 

 palpably unfit for anything but an in-door existence. 



The dog chosen to illustrate the Maltese dog is Hugh, property of Lady Giffard. He 

 was bred by owner in 1875, and measures from nose to stop, i inch ; from stop to top of 

 skull, 2.\ inches; length of back, 8 inches; girth of muzzle, 4 inches; girth of skull, 9 inches; 

 girth of neck, 7 inches; girth of brisket, lU inches; girth round shoulders, II inches; girth of 

 loins, 9 inches; girth of forearm, 2\ inches; girth of pastern, if inches; height at shoulders, 

 7 inches ; height at elbows, 4 inches ; height at loins, -j\ inches ; length of tail, 5 inches ; hair on 

 tail, 7 inches; length of coat, II inches; length of ear with hair, 7^ inches; weight, 4 Ib. 10 ozs. 



SCALE OF POINTS FOR JUDGING MALTESE. 



Value. 



Skull, muzzle, and nose ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 



Eyes 3 



Ears ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 7 



Body and legs ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 



Tail ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 



Coat 10 



Colour ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 



General appearance, size ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 



5 



