Maltese (Comprehensive Owner's Guide) - Hardcover

Cunliffe, Juliette

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1593782519 ISBN 13: 9781593782511

Publisher: Kennel Club Books Llc, 2003

Synopsis

Traces the history of the breed, describes breed standards, discusses care and grooming requirements, and includes information on training.

About this title

From the Inside Flap

Flowing strands of pure white silk grace the diminutive Maltese, whose dark eyes unabashedly reveal the breed’s sweet nature and intelligent ways. The Maltese reigns as the most perfect of the Toy breeds, sailing effortlessly in its glorious floor-length coat, proudly carrying its aristocratic head. More than a flawless photograph, the Maltese is a loving, strongly bonding companion dog who lives to be near its owner and share its life with its chosen master or mistress. This book provides the much-needed factual information about the Maltese and its ancestry, character and standard, as well as proper selection, feeding, training, preventative health care and showing. The new owner will welcome advice about puppy-proofing the home, preparing for the pup’s arrival and preventing puppy problems. In addition to an extremely authoritative text, this book presents over 135 photographs in full colour, which prove to be as informative as they are attractive. Helpful hints and important information are highlighted to provide easy access to everything the reader needs to know about life with a Maltese. Whether it’s basic training problems, allergies or fleas, this book is the way to prevention, providing the reader with the necessary guidance an owner needs from puppyhood through the senior years. Recommended by top breeders and trainers, this book is the responsible first choice of every new owner of a Maltese. Topics discussed include: History of the Maltese; Characteristics of the Maltese; The Maltese Breed Standard; Your Maltese puppy; Everyday care of your Maltese; Housebreaking and training your Maltese; Health care of your Maltese; Showing your Maltese.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The Maltese is almost undoubtedly one of the most ancient lap dogs of the Western world, but there has long been dispute over the actual origin of this charming breed. Charles Darwin placed the breed as having existed around 6000 BC, although a model of such a dog, some 2000 years older, has since been found. This is presumed to have been a child's toy. The Emperor Claudius (10 BC - AD 54) had such a dog, and it seems likely that they were taken to Asia by the Romans. Eventually they reached China, where it is believed that dogs of Maltese type contributed to the ancestral breeding of the Pekingese dog known today. The breed has had numerous names during the course of history, including 'Melitae Dog', 'Ye Ancient Dogge of Malta', 'Comforter', 'Spaniel Gentle', 'Shock Dog' and 'Maltese Lion Dog'. The latter name most probably alludes to the fact that several of the early toy breeds had their coats styled into 'lion trim'. This caused some confusion among the breeds, especially with the breed now known for this cut, called the Lowchen (Little Lion Dog).

Edition details

• Publisher: Kennel Club Books Llc
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1593782519
• ISBN 13: 9781593782511
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 5
• Number of pages: 158