The Maltese dog, an ancient dog of Malta, has been considered an aristocrat of the dog world for more than 28 centuries. Artifacts of the Maltese dog make an appearance in many time periods and in many cultures. At the time of the Apostle Paul, Publius, the Roman governor of Malta had a Maltese dog named Issa. 
It is said that the Greeks erected tombs for their Maltese, and a fine model of a Maltese was unearthed in Egypt, suggesting that the Maltese dog may have been one breed of dog worshipped by Egyptians.
Today their adoring families primarily worship the Maltese dog. This member of the American Kennel Club (AKC) toy group is described as a spirited companion, gentle in manner and almost irresistible, with a silky long white coat.
The Maltese dog is a toy-sized dog, weighing in as an adult at 4-6 pounds. That long coat is a single coat, with no undercoat. It lies flat on the body, falls almost to the ground and must be pure white. The hair on the head is often done up in a double topknot. However, don't be fooled by this dainty appearance. The Maltese dog is known for its fearless attitude and vigorous health. This dog may be a toy, but he is by no means delicate.
Very active indoors, the Maltese dog is fine in a home without a yard, and is probably a good choice for apartment dwellers. Keep in mind, though, that like many small dogs, the Maltese dog is not hesitant about using his or her bark, so make sure you have understanding neighbors. The Maltese dog enjoys a daily walk or a good session of frolicking in the park, but does have a tendency to jump into puddles, so a bath after a walk may become a regular routine in bad weather.
The Maltese dog is considered the most gentle-mannered of all small dogs. They are known for their loyalty and devotion to their masters and family, and make good watchdogs with their tendency to bark at suspicious sounds. It is important to made your Maltese dog a sociable creature so that it does not become overly suspicious or jealous of strangers.
Not surprisingly, it takes a certain amount of commitment to keep your Maltese dog looking lovely.
It isn't necessary to keep the coat worn long like those seen in the show ring, but there is still a good amount of care required to keep that pure white coat in good condition. Gently brush or comb your Maltese dog daily. The area around its eyes should be cleaned gently to prevent tears from staining it. Clean its beard, after eating, for the same reason.
Although your Maltese dog will be perfectly happy to stay beside you while you read or watch TV, don't be fooled into thinking that having a Maltese dog will in any way restrict your mutual activities. Maltese are popular show dogs and many have won the AKC's Canine Good Citizen Award. Maltese dogs are also proven obedience and agility dogs, and can be true crowd favorites because their enthusiasm level is wildly disproportionate to their size.
Be sure to visit a reputable breeder when looking for your Maltese dog. A loving, sprightly companion who may sometimes seem to be determined only to amuse you will reward you many times for your investment. The Maltese dog has, after all, had 28 centuries of experience of being a scintillating companion.
