Maltese Dog Breed History

Despite the name it has no verified historic or scientific connection to the island of malta.

Maltese dog breed history. Charles darwin dated their breed origin to some 6000 years ago and certainly there are pictures of them on vases and references to them in literature dating from the greek and roman eras over 2000 years ago. Artists poets and writers immortalized this small dog in the early. Maltese information including personality history grooming pictures videos and the akc breed standard. It has been known to be a prized companion of royalty over the years.

His exact place of origin is a mystery with conjecture including sicily egypt and southern europe but most historians pinpoint malta for the development of the breed. Delicate in appearance but usually vigorous healthy affectionate and lively the maltese was once the valued pet of the wealthy and aristocratic. Dating back so far has caused a bit of debate as to the exact origin of this dog. References for maltese breed were found in ancient greek and roman literature and paintings and their name was also found on an amphora.

The maltese breed has existed for at least 29 centuries. Although the ancient greeks and romans believed the dog originated on the island of malta they called the breed the melitaie dog melitaie being the ancient name for malta there is really no evidence that proves the dog was indigenous to the island but rather that the maltese is descended from a spitz type dog bred by the peoples of the area which is now south central europe. It is thought to have originated in south central europe from dogs of spitz type. History of the maltese the maltese can be traced back over 28 centuries and it is an ancient breed of the island of malta in the mediterranean.

Maltese breed of toy dog named for the island of malta where it may have originated about 2 800 years ago. This dog breed can be found on ancient greek pottery and was mentioned by the philosopher aristotle. History of maltese dog the maltese dog is one of the longest established dog breeds. Another possible ancestor is the tibetan terrier from ancient asia.

If you look far back long ago descendants are thought to be spitz type dogs possibly from sweden. The tiny maltese ye ancient dogge of malta has been sitting in the lap of luxury. The maltese is an ancient breed one of several small bichon dogs found around the mediterranean for thousands of years.