Background & History of the Maltese Breed
The Maltese Ancestry
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 know 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.
Ch.
"Pixie" - from the author's private collection of rare old books, "Illustrations
Of The Most Celebrated Champions Of Our Time, Drawn From Life", R. H.
Moore, published 1900, John Lane Company, London & New York. Ch. Pixie was
whelped in 1887 in what is now the United Kingdom.
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.
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.
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.
Shown With Pride
