450 
As a companion for out-of-doors the 
Maltese ranks highly in the estimation of 
its admirers, and certainly there are few 
dogs that are so ornamental in a carriage 
or in a drawing-room. The temper of the 
breed is said to be snappish; but this is a 
fault which ought to be controlled by early 
training, and it is not an innate character- 
istic. Probably the Maltese dog is inferior 
in intelligence to the King Charles and 
the Pekinese. Centuries of pampering and 
coddling have diminished whatever mental 
acuteness the race may originally have pos- 
sessed. Nevertheless, the Maltese is quick- 
witted enough when it is permitted un- 
hampered to exercise its natural attributes. 
Owners who keep their canine pets in jewel 
caskets have only themselves to blame if 
the little things fail to exhibit the intelli- 
gence which comes of unrestrained enjoy- 
ment of a free life. The Venetian ladies 
were in the habit of keeping their Maltese 
dogs enclosed in tin canisters so that they 
might remain diminutive, and many modern 
owners similarly keep them tied up in bags 
so that their feet may not have room to 
scratch and their coats may not be soiled. 
It is well to preserve the beauty of a silky 
white robe, but not at the sacrifice of its 
owner’s physical comfort and freedom. An 
imprisoned dog will always become snappish 
and debilitated. The best way to keep a 
Maltese is to give it plenty of open-air exer- 
cise, to feed it judiciously, and to let the 
coat be subjected to as little grooming 
and washing as will serve merely to preserve 
it from tangle and from dirt. If it is in- 
tended for exhibition there will be plenty 
of time to get the hair in condition a fort- 
night or so before the show. 
THE NEW BOOK 
OF THz DOG, 
DESCRIPTIVE PARTICULARS OF THE 
MALTESE. 
1. General Appearance.—That of a bright, 
sprightly, active dog of very taking character. 
2. Head.—Should be much like that of a drop- 
eared Skye Terrier in miniature, but rather shorter 
and thicker in muzzle ; not lean nor snipy. 
3. Ears.—Moderately long, set on rather low, 
and covered with long silky hair, mingling with 
that on the neck and shoulders. 
4. Eyes.—Very dark and piercing, bright and 
alert in expression. 
5. Nose.—Pure black and shiny. 
6. Legs.—Short rather than long, with fine bone, 
well feathered throughout. Legginess is to be 
avoided. Feet small and covered with hair. 
7. Body and Shape.-—Shoulders sloping and not 
too wide. Back short and cobby rather than 
lanky in shape. 
8. Tail.—Short, well feathered, particularly 
towards the end, and gracefully carried, turned or 
doubled into the coat of the back, its end resting 
on the hindquarters and side. 
9. Coat.—Long, straight and silky, quite unlike 
that on any other dog, more of the consistency of 
spun glass than anything else, free from woolliness 
or curl ; when in form it should nearly reach the 
ground at the sides. Very profuse on neck, 
shoulders and chest. 
to. Colour.—Pure white, without shade or tint. 
11. Weight.—Not exceeding 12 lb. The smaller 
the better, other points being correct. 
Scale of Points. 
Head . 
10 
Ears 5 
Eyes and Nose ae) 
Legs and feet 5 
Body and shape . 10 
Tail and its carriage 10 
Coat 20 
Colour 15 
Condition 10 
Size 5 
Total 5 é » 100 
RL 
