General Appearance
The Maltese is a toy dog covered from head to foot
with a mantle of long, silky, white hair. He is gentle-mannered and
affectionate, eager and sprightly in action, and, despite his size,
possessed of the vigor needed for the satisfactory companion.
Head
Of medium length and in proportion to the size of
the dog. The skull is slightly rounded on top, the stop moderate. The
drop ears are rather low set and heavily feathered with long hair
that hangs close to the head. Eyes are set not too far apart; they
are very dark and round, their black rims enhancing the gentle yet
alert expression. The muzzle is of medium length, fine and tapered
but not snipy.The nose is black. The teeth meet in an even,
edge-to-edge bite, or in a scissors bite.
Neck
Sufficient length of neck is desirable as promoting
a high carriage of the head.
Body
Compact, the height from the withers to the ground
equaling the length from the withers to the root of the tail.
Shoulder blades are sloping, the elbows well knit and held close to
the body. The back is level in topline, the ribs well sprung. The
chest is fairly deep, the loins taut, strong, and just slightly
tucked up underneath.
Tail
A long-haired plume carried gracefully over the
back, its tip lying to the side over the quarter.
Legs and Feet
Legs are fine-boned and nicely feathered. Forelegs
are straight, their pastern joints well knit and devoid of
appreciable bend. Hind legs are strong and moderately angulated at
stifles and hocks. The feet are small and round, with toe pads black.
Scraggly hairs on the feet may be trimmed to give a neater
appearance.
Coat and Color
The coat is single, that is, without undercoat. It
hangs long, flat, and silky over the sides of the body almost, if not
quite, to the ground. The long head-hair may be tied up in a topknot
or it may be left hanging. Any suggestion of kinkiness, curliness, or
woolly texture is objectionable. Color, pure white. Light tan or
lemon on the ears is permissible, but not desirable.
Size
Weight under 7 pounds, with from 4 to 6 pounds
preferred. Overall quality is to be favored over size.
Gait
The Maltese moves with a jaunty, smooth, flowing
gait. Viewed from the side, he gives an impression of rapid movement,
size considered. In the stride, the forelegs reach straight and free
from the shoulders, with elbows close. Hind legs to move in a
straight line. Cowhocks or any suggestion of hind leg toeing in or
out are faults.
Temperament
For all his diminutive size, the Maltese seems to be
without fear. His trust and affectionate responsiveness are very
appealing. He is among the gentlest mannered of all little dogs, yet
he is lively and playful as well as vigorous.