298 DOGS AND ALL ABOUT THEM 



The following is the standard description and points of the 

 Maltese Club of London : 



Head Should not be too narrow, but should be of a Terrier shape, 

 not too long, but not apple-headed. Ears Should be long and well 

 feathered, and hang close to the side of the head, the hair to be wi-11 

 mingled with the coat at the shoulders. Eyes Should be a dark 

 brown, with black eye rims and not too far apart. Nose Should be 

 pure black. Legs and Feet Legs should be short and straight, feet 

 round, and the pads of the feet should be black. Body and Shape 

 Should be short and cobby, low to the ground, and the back should be 

 straight from the top of the shoulders to the tail. Tail and Carriage 

 Should be well arched over the back and well feathered. Coat, Length 

 and Texture Should be a good length, the longer the better, of a silky 

 texture, not in any way woolly, and should be straight. Colour 

 It is desirable that they should be pure white, but slight lemon marks 

 should not count against them. Condition and Appearance Should 

 be of a sharp Terrier appearance, with a lively action, the coat should 

 not be stained, but should be well groomed in every way. Size The 

 most approved weights should be from 4 Ib. to 9 lb., the smaller the 

 better, but it is desirable that they should not exceed 10 lb. 



There seems to be no doubt that the fawn-coloured Pug 

 enjoys the antiquity of descent that is attached to the Grey- 

 hound, the Maltese dog, and some few other venerable breeds. 



Although much has been written on the origin of these 

 dogs, nothing authentic has been discovered in connection with 

 it. Statements have appeared from time to time to the effect 

 that the Pug was brought into this country from Holland. 

 In the early years of the last century it was commonly styled 

 the Dutch Pug. But this theory does not trace the history 

 far enough back, and it should be remembered that at that 

 period the Dutch East India Company was in constant com- 

 munication with the Far East. Others declare that Muscovy 

 was the original home of the breed, a supposition for which 

 there is no discernible foundation. The study of canine 

 history receives frequent enlightenment from the study of the 

 growth of commercial intercourse between nations, and the 

 trend of events would lead one to the belief that the Pug had 

 its origin in China, particularly in view of the fact that it is 

 with that country that most of the blunt-nosed toy dogs, 

 with tails curled over their backs, are associated. 



