THE MALTESE DOG 297 



fathers were not averse to improving artificially the points of 

 their dogs. 



The snowy whiteness and soft, silky texture of its coat must 

 always cause the Maltese dog to be admired ; but the variety 

 has never been commonly kept in England a fact which is, 

 no doubt, due to the difficulty of breeding it and to the trouble 

 in keeping the dog's long jacket clean and free from tangle. 

 Thirty or forty years ago it was more popular as a lap dog than 

 it has ever been since, and in the early days of dog shows many 

 beautiful specimens were exhibited. This popularity was 

 largely due to the efforts of Mr. R. Mandeville, of Southwark, 

 who has been referred to as virtually the founder of the modern 

 Maltese. His Fido and Lily were certainly the most perfect 

 representatives of the breed during the decade between 1860 

 and 1870, and at the shows held at Birmingham, Islington, 

 the Crystal Palace, and Cremorne Gardens, this beautiful 

 brace was unapproachable. 



It is a breed which to be kept in perfection requires more 

 than ordinary attention, not only on account of its silky 

 jacket, which is peculiarly liable to become matted, and is 

 difficult to keep absolutely clean without frequent washing, 

 but also on account of a somewhat delicate constitution, the 

 Maltese being susceptible to colds and chills. If affected 

 by such causes, the eyes are often attacked, and the water 

 running from them induces a brown stain to mar the beauty 

 of the face. Skin eruptions due to unwise feeding, or para- 

 sites due to uncleanliness, are quickly destructive to the silky 

 coat, and constant watchfulness is necessary to protect the 

 dog from all occasion for scratching. The diet is an im- 

 portant consideration always, and a nice discernment is 

 imperative in balancing the proportions of meat and vegetable. 

 Too much meat is prone to heat the blood, while too little 

 induces eczema. Scraps of bread and green vegetables well 

 mixed with gravy and finely-minced lean meat form the best 

 dietary for the principal meal of the day, and plenty of 

 exercise is imperative. 



