Ladies’ To yy Dogs. 97, 
distinct marking form the principal points in these dogs ; 
but _perhaps hardly any toy dog requires a more experi- 
enced eye. As all “toys” are beautiful by comparison, 
no one can form a correct estimate of a dog’s relative 
value unless he is pretty well informed upon-the subject, 
and the-rivalry of breeders leads to one excellent example 
giving place to another. 
A narrow or pointed nose is a very great disfigurement ; 
so is a woolly or dead coat. The coat should be sleek 
and shining, short, and soft to the touch. Round feet’ 
are also bad, so are white toes, or indeed, white any- 
where. If the black of the mask melts gradually into 
_ grey, and is softened until it mingles with the fawn, the 
. dog loses much of its value. 
‘The points of a pug we give below:—Head, 10; ears, 
©; pure colour, 15 ; distinct mask, 10; black trace, 10 ; 
cheek moles, 5; quality of coat, 10; curl of tail, ro; 
compactness, 10; hare feet, 1o—total, 100. 
The Maltese Dog resembles in general appearance a 
diminutive Skye terrier, differing chiefly in being of much 
less size, shorter in the back, and far more silky in coat, 
which should be of the purest white. Most of the breed 
are very animated in expression,’and in every way are 
well adapted to be made drawing-room.pets. Mr. Mande- 
ville, of London, has of late years carried all before him 
at the various shows, and indeed, has had little. opposition, 
so completely have the claims of his strain been recog- 
nised. 
This pretty, diminutive animal has long been an 
especial favourite as a pet or parlour dog, but by some 
strange absurdity has been commonly spoken of as a 
terrier, of whose blood not a drop flows in his veins. 
His pedigree is long, stretching away far back in the 
annals of the ancient races. Few, if any, older variety 
exists. History associates them with the high-born 
dames of Greece and Rome, who lavished large.sums on 
the importation of the Maltese lap-dog. What they were 
in those days it is impossible to say, as to form, size, 
colour, coat, and actual weight. Records .are strangely, 
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