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The history of the Maltese has been written many times, yet we still have no authentic data of the land of origin. many countries in the Mediterranean have claimed their origin. Broad modern speculation suggests they could even have come from the Orient and be distantly related to the Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso. As a breeder of Maltese over many years, one has sometimes pondered of that possibility relating to the Maltese. Many people today refer to the Maltese dog as a "Maltese Poodle" or a "Maltese Terrier". The former may have arisen because many Maltese have the stand out kinky type of coat of the Poodle, indicating a mixture of Poodle blood in the ancestry. Many consider that the Maltese dog has all the attributes of the terrier and should be called a Maltese Terrier. Others think the dog is more of a Spaniel type. Whatever may be one's individual opinion in the matter, the question has been put at rest by the decision not only of the American Kennel Club, the England kennel club and perhaps others, that the Maltese is neither Terrier, nor a Spaniel and the correct designation of the dog is "The Maltese Dog". In 1902, for the first time, classes were provided for Maltese [other than white] and there were many entries of coloured Maltese in the show ring. Some light brown, fawn others all black, or white with coloured markings. Some beautiful specimens were exhibited. Different standards were established for the coloured Maltese and while general characteristics were the same, a distinction was made as to the weight - the white Maltese not to exceed 12 pounds - the coloured Maltese not to exceed 81/2 pounds. As to the coloured varieties, any self-colour or parti-colour, or white with considerable patches of colour and the more colour the better, was permissible. The white Maltese were required to be white all over, without shade or tint. The coloured Maltese were obtained from the south of France and being unable to obtain these dogs to mate to existing dogs, breeding discontinued. It is interesting to note that the Kennel Control of Victoria's first edition of the "Standards of the Breeds" July 1950, mentions under "Colour" - "any self colour is permissible, but it is desirable that they should be pure white, slight lemon markings should not be penalised". It would be more acceptable if the present day standard used the word "biscuit" instead of lemon which is seldom if ever seen, whilst most puppies are born with biscuit coloured ears and often body coat, which fades as the puppy develops up to adult age and acceptable as an indication of pigment, so important to the breed. No doubt a genetic history repetition from the coloured Maltese. These biscuit marking also being found in white Poodles and Samoyeds and many other white dogs. The description in the 1950 Standard of the Breeds also reads - "Head and Skull: head should not be too narrow, but should be terrier shape, not too long but not apple-headed, nose should be pure black." The mind boggles at the words "a Terrier shape". Which Terrier?? There are many, with many different shapes of heads. Thankfully the present day standard does not continue with such a description, but confusion over type still remains and is very varied. There is no doubt that there is some "Terrier" influence in the breed, equally as "Spaniel", as these two types of head continue through the breeding of today, both dominant in their own right, as an informant of their ancestry. In 1946 a male Tenerife Terrier was imported from South Africa to England, but no female was to be found to continue the breeding at that time. The breeder noticed at a show sometime later, that two young Maltese entered had curly coats and resembled the Tenerife Terrier. Years later, when talking with their breeder, she inquired about those curly coats. Quote "Those Maltese were just like my Tenerife. Then she told me that she had bought a bitch back from Africa and asked the British Kennel club to register it. She had a pedigree but no breed on the pedigree. The Kennel Club recommended her to take the bitch to one of the old Maltese breeders who would certify whether the bitch was a Maltese. This she did and so a Tenerife was registered as a Maltese. This breeder asked if she could see my Tenerife and as soon as she saw him, she was sure hers was a Tenerife. She was just as disappointed as I was that she had not known about him, we could have started the breed here. I am sure that is were our curly and wavy coats come from". end of quote. I have yet to see a picture of a Tenerife Terrier and have made many efforts to find one, but I understand that today a Tenerife Terrier is what we know as the Bichon Frise. It is no small wonder the Maltese breed over the years has struggled against these odds to retain and produce good straight coats of correct texture. In the 1952 Royal Agricultural Show catalogue in Melbourne, the earliest records I have of Maltese being entered, were as follows:OPEN DOG: Willaura Tip whelped 31-12-50 OPEN BITCH: From this era onwards, the interest in the breed developed in all states of Australia. There have been and still are, many loyal and dedicated breeders who have paved the way for the breed, importing new bloodlines to try to improve and also retain the work already done. There are a few more books on the breed which have been released recently, but as yet, non to assist the newcomer who is still dependant on Club Newsletters and the generosity of some who are willing to share their knowledge. The Maltese is a breed very demanding of time, love and labour, none of which can be learned in a short space of time. The Maltese has the arduous task of being bathed and groomed, it seems forever more, and they tolerate it and return over again, the love they have to give for being made to look so magnificent and adorable by those they own, who are unselfish enough to want to keep them that way. Written by: [Some phrases have been partially taken from "The Maltese Dog" by Virginia Leitch - Revised- Denis Carno and the Royal Agricultural Show catalogue, Victoria, 1952.] |
