The Maltese lapdog is a funny, faithful and very smart dog that is friendly with the acquaintances of the owner and is friendly towards animals. She is always cheerful and energetic, it is convenient to keep her in an apartment, but the growth of her popularity is still hampered by the complex and laborious care for a delicate white coat. In the rest it is a healthy dog, which is quite content with a small exercise, although it can also make long walks. As you know, the movement is health, and all the boys, including Maltese, are long-livers, often live up to 16 - 18 years and longer. Despite the fact that the dog breed Maltese lapdog (or maltese) requires careful care, it is worth it.
What lies in the title?
The name Maltese bolognese, or maltese, gave the Mediterranean island of Malta. Translated from the Italian "Maltese" or "Maltese", as we sometimes say, apparently guided by the English pronunciation of the same word, which in a similar writing sounds like "Moltese" means "Maltese" or "Maltese" (resident islands of Malta). In Russia, these dogs are known for a long time and have a traditional name - Maltese lapdog. All the white shaggy dogs in our country began to be called bolognese after they were first brought from Bologna. Similar dogs from Malta were called Maltese lapdogs. It should be noted that Italy breeds an independent breed of bolognese, in our opinion - all the lapdogs of a lapdog. In addition, Maltese, or the Maltese lap-dog, in our and foreign literature until recently was often called the Maltese Pinscher (sometimes even the Maltese terrier, which is completely wrong). Probably the most correct name for this breed in Russian would be "Maltese dog" or "Maltese".
Flickerless glory.
Maltese dogs for many centuries were extremely popular and loved. In ancient Greece and Rome in the rich houses kept special servants and even doctors to care for pets. Often the presence of Maltese dogs testified to the high status of the owners and their wealth. The Greek poet Oppian said that white dogs fill the leisure of their owners, amusing them. Pliny claimed that, endowed with a "curative property", these four-legged people heal the human soul, comforting it. About the lapel of one of the rulers of Malta, the ancient Roman poet Martial wrote: "Issa is more playful than a sparrow, Issa is more charming than a pigeon kiss, more graceful than a virgin, more precious than Indian treasures."
During the Crusades the Maltese dogs came to many European countries. The knights brought their silky white gifts to their ladies. Maltese dogs have fallen in love with all European royal courts. They were with the Spanish King Philip II, the French King Louis XIV, the Empress Catherine II.
Artists also could not ignore the attention of such notable four-legged ones: Bolonok, sitting on the hands of noble persons, can be seen in the paintings of many famous artists - Titian, Veronese, Durer, Goya, Rubens, Tintoretto.
Modern history.
At the first English exhibitions, Maltese dogs were shown under the name "Maltese Terrier, or" Maltese Spaniel "(the love of the English for terriers and spaniels was reflected in the names of breeds from Tibet, nothing to do with the British dogs not having: the Tibetan terrier and the Tibetan spaniel). Some of the exhibited dogs were spotty, some were trimmed under a lion.
Selection and breeding on the desired traits led to the formation of different breeds of bolonok. In the book "Modern Dogs" (1894) Ravdon Lee argued that because of the complex care of the coat Maltese dogs will never be popular. (At the time, the flowing wool of the "Maltese" was combed for a straight parting, without stitching strands of hair on the head, so that the dogs reminded our Lhasa Apso.) However, fortunately, the author was mistaken: now the breed is widespread. I must say that, of course, the pets that live next to the owner, were more fortunate. For them, some negligence in the "hairstyle" pays off with freedom and an interesting pastime. Unfortunately, this can not be said about modern exhibition maltese, especially those that are bred by large nurseries: show stars are forced to live like birds in cages, because the trail of snow-white wool, which is much longer than the dog, requires complex special care. However, loving owners find the opportunity, on the one hand, to keep the fine wool, so necessary for the victories at exhibitions, in order, and on the other hand do not deprive the pet of walks in the fresh air, and like the other dogs, they like very much.
Representatives of this breed always belonged to the category of "luxury" dogs, those remain even today, even if they appear before us in the form of a puppy with a funny special haircut. It is in this form that the hostess, French singer Patricia Kaas, faithful Tequila accompanies her everywhere; they part, perhaps, only when the star needs to enter the stage.
At the exhibitions specialists distinguish between two types of maltese: European and American. European dogs are slightly larger, with a more extended body and a longer head (mainly due to the muzzle). American are smaller in size, more compact addition and so-called "puppet face", in which a shortened muzzle (which is often accompanied by a direct bite) gives the dog a touching expression, supplemented by low-set ears, completely invisible in the coat.
Care of the coat.
It will be subdivided into three periods.
The first: from 3 to 6 - 8 months. A short soft (puppy) coat, which is just beginning to grow, requires a thorough daily combing. Sometimes it needs to be done even several times a day.
The second: from 8 to 12 - 18 months. The dog's coat begins to change and acquires sufficient length. Already by the age of 10 - 15 months the length of the dog's coat becomes equal to its growth. There is a need to remove it in the papillot, to protect it from dirt and injury.
Third: from 12 to 18 months before the end of the exhibition career. Wool is a dense snow-white mantle, exceeding the growth of a dog by 3 - 10 cm. Such wool must always be removed in the hairpins. Each time when combing, the ends of the coat must be trimmed to achieve an aesthetic line below.
In the event that you are not able to comb the dog every day, and you are not going to participate with it in exhibitions, cut it "under the puppy." So it will be more convenient for you (much less combing), and your dog. Short fur coat, if it is properly washed, does not fall into the coils, and the skin breathes freely.
Bathing a dog.
It is necessary to thoroughly wash the dog at least once every 7-10 days for dogs participating in exhibitions, and once every 10 to 14 days for family pets. The frequency of washing depends on the time of the year, whether the dog walks for a walk and how much it gets dirty. (In summer you can completely wash the maltese every 5 to 7 days.) Without this procedure your pet will turn into a foul-smelling animal with gray unattractive hair.
For washing it is necessary to use the means specially designed for the wool of dogs of this breed. In addition to shampoo, you will need a high-quality moisturizing and hair-nourishing cosmetics that includes an air conditioner balm to facilitate combing and prevent tangles and damage to the coat. In the balsam, as a rule, a few drops of oil specially designed for wool maltese (colorless, leaving no yellow spots) are added.
Papillot.
One of the main moments in the care of exhibition maltese is the use of papillotok. The wool is divided into strands along the body of the dog and is put into a small piece of paper (a hairpin). When stacking, you need to make sure that the paper for the papillotok is not too thin, and the elastic band, which fixes the papillot, is not too stiff and does not overtighten the strand. Maltese wool is different from the yorkshire terrier and shih tzu: in the representatives of these breeds it is more rigid. A soft wool maltese easily damaged by incorrectly wound papillotkami. In any case, you can not remove the wool from the hairpins. Before wrapping the locks in the hairpins, it is necessary to clean the washed hair thoroughly along the entire length of the hair with a special oil. You can not use burdock or castor oil, which too burdens the hair (strands stick together, and until the end of this oil is completely impossible). When picking up oil for your dog, give up the one that leaves an indelible fawn scurf on the wool, causes sticking of strands after combing and does not allow the wool to scatter freely. The use of oil or a substitute for it is very important in the care of maltese wool, it protects the hair from damage and tangling, and also feeds it over its entire length. However, it must be remembered that every maltese can have an individual reaction to the used cosmetic products.
When laying the wool in the hairpins, it is very convenient to use a spray containing oil. Such a spray not only facilitates combing (it makes it easy to disassemble the coils if they have appeared), but it also nourishes and moistens the wool.
Care of the eyes.
Unfortunately, many Maltese lap-dogs lose their attractiveness not only because of poorly maintained hair, but also because of unpleasant stains under the eyes of a rusty hue. Their appearance may be due to hereditary causes, inappropriate nutrition (some products cause allergies), lack of eye care, and the ingress of wool into them. Just the right care, which includes daily washing and eye care, and the use of a balanced diet, are a guarantee that your Maltese will look truly dazzling.
Beautifully decorated head of the dog breed Maltese lap dog - the real pride of the owner. Lightweight version: several neatly braided braids, if the coat is long. If it is still too short for pigtails (in puppies from 3 to 5 - 7 months), then you need to accustom the dog to the tail. To fix it, only special soft gums that do not injure the dog's hair are suitable. For the dog show, one or two (depending on the exterior and aesthetic preferences of the owner) are made with a top note.
The Maltese lap dog is an amazingly beautiful breed, little changed since antiquity. The aim of modern breeders and simply loving owners is to preserve its representatives in a classic form: white flowing wool, a proudly raised head, a fluffy tail with a long suspension thrown over its back! It is important to remember one thing: your dog will look beautiful exactly as much as the correct and careful care for it you can provide!