Canis lupus familiaris
Maltese
Featured photomaltese.jpgThe Maltese is a 2,500-year-old Mediterranean toy lap-dog — Aristotle's 'canes melitae'. The Maltese is one of the oldest documented toy breeds, with small white lap-dogs of the Maltese type described by Aristotle in the 4th century BCE and depicted in central-Mediterranean (Greek, Etruscan, Roman) art from the 5th century BCE onward.
Quick facts
- AKC group
- Toy
- Origin country
- Central Mediterranean (Malta / Italy)
- Origin period
- Antiquity
- Coat type
- Long
- Coat colors
- Pure White, Light Lemon or Light Tan permitted on the ears under FCI standard
- Average lifespan
- 12-15 years
- Recognition
- AKC 1888 · FCI 1955 · UKC 1948 · Group 9 — Companion and Toy Dogs (Section 1: Bichons and related breeds)
Origin
Small white toy lap-dogs closely matching the modern Maltese are documented in central Mediterranean (Greek, Etruscan, Roman) art from the 5th century BCE onward. Aristotle's Historia Animalium (4th century BCE) describes small white dogs as 'canes melitae' (Maltese dogs); the geographic origin is contested between the Mediterranean island of Malta and the Sicilian town of Melita (modern Mdina). Roman matrons kept the dogs as 'Roman Ladies' Dogs', and the breed appears continuously in European aristocratic painting from the Renaissance to the 19th century — featured in works by Tiepolo, Goya, and Reynolds. The Kennel Club registered the breed in 1873 and the AKC followed in 1888.
Recognition
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 1888, the United Kennel Club followed in 1948, and the Federation Cynologique Internationale published the international standard (FCI No. 65) in 1955. The FCI assigns the breed to Group 9 — Companion and Toy Dogs (Section 1: Bichons and related breeds).
Standard
The AKC and FCI standards describe a small, gentle, well-balanced toy with a long, flat, silky coat that hangs straight on either side of a centre-parting from the muzzle to the tail. The defining feature is the coat: a single coat (no undercoat), long, dense, of silken texture, glossy, falling heavy, plain, hanging straight along the body without curl or undulation. Pure white is the standard colour; FCI permits light lemon or pale tan on the ears, but pure white is preferred. The breed stands 20-25 cm at the withers and weighs 3-4 kg.
Sources & further reading (3)
- kennel-club-registry — accessed 2026-05-04
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-05-04
- fci-standard — accessed 2026-05-04
Frequently asked questions
What is the Maltese's AKC group?
The American Kennel Club places the Maltese in the Toy Group. The Toy Group gathers small companion breeds historically kept as lap dogs and household companions, including the Pug, Pomeranian, Maltese, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The breed's foundation working role was as a 2,500-year-old Mediterranean toy lap-dog — Aristotle's 'canes melitae'.
When was the Maltese officially recognized?
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 1888; the United Kennel Club followed in 1948; the Federation Cynologique Internationale published the international standard (FCI No. 65) in 1955.
What is the average lifespan of a Maltese?
Kennel-club longevity surveys place the Maltese's average lifespan in the 12-15 years range. The figure here represents the spread reported by the major parent-club studies and the Kennel Club (UK) purebred-dog health surveys.
