Know to many as "ye ancient dogee of Malta",
the Maltese breed has a history that traces back many centuries.
This beautiful silky-coated little white dog has a rich and exciting
history. The admirers of Maltese come from all walks of life from
the pet fanciers and show fanciers to the rich and famous. Few
breeds have achieved such affection and admiration over the years as
the elegant little Maltese.
Many believe that the Maltese originated on the Isle of Malta in the
Mediterranean Sea. However, evidence presented in the Maltese Dogs:
Jewels of Woman, (Miki Iveria,
pub: Maltese Club of Great Britain) and other sources suggests that
the Maltese did in fact originate in Asia. Evidence of dogs
resembling the Maltese have been found as early as 5000 - 2000 B.C
in ancient drawings, art and writings.
Assuming the place of origin of the Maltese to be Asia, the tiny
dogs probably made their way to Europe through the Middle East with
the migration of nomadic tribes. The Isle of Malta (or Melita as it
was known then), was a geographic center of early trade and
explorers undoubtedly found ancestors of the tiny white dogs left
there as barter for necessities and supplies.
As civilization rose in Europe references are seen to the tiny white
dog. An indirect reference of Aristotle's to the Maltese clearly
indicates its co-existence along with other varieties of dogs
indigenous to Southern Europe. Aristotle likens the small dogs to a
"Canis Melitae . . . of the tiny sort, being perfectly proportioned
not withstanding its very small rise." During these times the
Maltese was a favorite lap dog of fashionable men and women about
town, being carried wherever their masters went. The Maltese were
also favorites of the Greeks and Romans of old. There are many
drawings in existence portraying small, long-haired dogs on pieces
of Greek and Roman pottery.
The
ancient Europeans long held the belief that the small dogs came from
one of the small islands off the coast of Sicily, hence the name
Canis Melitae. Two of the geographers of that time named the tiny
island (one of three) differently. Phiny (Admiral of the Roman
Fleet) called the island Melita and Starbo called the island Malta.
The conflicting names caused confusion so early writers and
geographers agreed to call the island Malta. The Maltese is one of
few dog breeds to have retained it name from its known origins.
Malta as an island has a very ancient and noble history. Its
geographical position has always made it an important place in the
Mediterranean since it was settled by the Phoenicians some four
thousand years ago. It developed a culture and a race of people with
distinctive characteristics, and a race of dogs in the little
Maltese that differs from almost every other breed. Malta's
geographic situation gave it an ecology that remained undiluted by
outside influences for many centuries. Maltese as dwellers of the
island of Malta were bred as purebred dogs as far back as the early
1500's.
Maltese were
first imported into Britain during the reign of Henry VIII. They
were certainly favorites in the time of Queen Elizabeth I. By the
middle of the 19th century the breed was well established as a pet
dog in Britain, and when dog shows began, the Maltese were featured
among the early exhibits. Many of the Maltese in the US today trace
their heritage back to English imports.
The Maltese
in the US
Maltese were first seen in the United States in the late 1800's to
the early 1900's. Maltese were participants in the earliest versions
of the Westminster Kennel Club shows in the 1870's. Registrations
with the American Kennel Club studbook in that time frame were made
on the basis of show winnings. The first registrations of Maltese
occurred in 1888, when SNIPS and TOPSY -- both bitches -- appeared
in the studbooks. Where the early Maltese in the US were imported
from is not known. What is know is that the Maltese lines in the US
today have resulted from the importation of Maltese from Great
Britain, Canada, Germany, France and Italy.
Some Maltese Who Made History
The first Maltese champion recorded by the AKC was Ch. Thackery Rob
Roy, owned by Mrs. C. S. Young, whelped in 1901. The first Best In
Show winner is reported to be Ch. Sweetsir of Dyker in 1912, owned
by Mrs. Carl Baumann.
During the 1940's Dr. Vincenzo Calvaresi was one of the prominent
members of the Maltese fancy in the US with his Villa Malta breeding
program producing over 100 champions. Toni and Aennchen Antonelli (Aennchen's
Maltese) in the 1950's were the main force in establishing the
Maltese breed in the US. One of the best know Maltese from their
breeding program was the lovely female Ch. Aennchen's Poona Dancer,
winner of 37 Best In Shows and owned by Larry Ward and the late
Frank Oberstar. The top winning Best In Show record of 43 for
Maltese was held for many years by Ch. Joanchenn's Maya Dancer,
owned by Mamie Gregory, until recently broken in the 1990's.
The Maltese Today
From the first Maltese in the late 1800's through the 1950's the
numbers of Maltese registered with the AKC grew slowly. However
since then, the breed's popularity has increased dramatically among
breeders, fanciers and pet owners. In the 1990's the breed ranks in
the top 15 of all breeds with more than 12,000 Maltese registered
annually. Maltese are one of the most popular breeds among
spectators at dog shows and they do not let down their many fans.
They are frequent winners of the Toy Group in which they are shown
and have an excellent record in Best In Show competition.
The Best In Show record was broken in the 1990's by the lovely male
Ch. Sand Island Small Kraft Lite, bred and owned by the late Carol
Frances Andersen and handled by Vicki Abbott, who amassed 82 BISs.
Henry, as he was known, was the winner of the Toy Group at the
Westminster Kennel Club as well as ranking as one of the top ten
dogs all-breeds in the US while he actively being shown. The lovely
female Ch. Ta-Jon's Tickle Me Silly, bred and handled by Tammy Simon
and owned by Marion And Samuel Lawrence has 103 BISs wins, the
all-time top winning Maltese.
The
ancient Europeans long held the belief that the small dogs came from
one of the small islands off the coast of Sicily, hence the name
Canis Melitae. Two of the geographers of that time named the tiny
island (one of three) differently. Phiny (Admiral of the Roman
Fleet) called the island Melita and Starbo called the island Malta.
The conflicting names caused confusion so early writers and
geographers agreed to call the island Malta. The Maltese is one of
few dog breeds to have retained it name from its known origins.
