Breeding to the "Standard"
What the Maltese Breed Standard Means to Jacob Maltese
When I am out in the community with my dogs people will frequently ask what kind of dogs they are. When I tell them they are Maltese they often look puzzled and will say something like, “Well my friend, (or my Mother, etc) has a Maltese but it doesn’t look like that???” I don’t argue with them about it as I would never want someone to feel bad about their dog, no matter how far from the Standard it is, they should still love and enjoy it to the fullest. I just smile and know in my heart that my goal is to produce dogs which represent what the Maltese Breed is supposed to be.
Every breed recognized by the American Kennel Club has a published "Breed Standard." This is the description of a "perfect" dog of the breed. Below I have added my comments (in blue) about what the Standard really means to me as I make decisions about breeding particular dogs.
ACK Breed Standard for Maltese Dogs
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.
We got our first Maltese as a companion and that is why most people get one. One of my top priorities is to produce dogs which are affectionate, want to know everything that is happening around them and think your lap is their designated spot for life. But we also want that companion to be pretty and give us joy when we look at it.
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.
Although the Standard doesn’t use the word balance that is what I think when evaluating the head. The ears shouldn’t be too big or too high – Maltese ears should not stand up like Westie ears or be extra long like Cocker ears. The muzzle shouldn’t be too short or too long and the teeth and bite should be correct so that hopefully they can maintain their teeth throughout their lives.
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.
Maltese are not just pretty dogs they are dogs of substance and their body should reflect this. The level topline not only makes them pretty but indicates strength of carriage and the taut, strong, loins allow them to jump with great ease (sometimes you might prefer that they couldn’t but it is a reflection of their wonderful spirit which makes them want to jump up to where you are.)
Tail
A long-haired plume carried gracefully over the back, its tip lying to the side over the quarter.
Tail sets are a genetic mystery to me as two dogs with great tail sets can produce babies with either low or stiff tail sets and dogs with not perfect tail sets can produce dogs with that lovely plume so desired. It is apparently a recessive trait so it is not enough to just look at Mom and Dad but also at the prior generations – which is really true of most characteristics.
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.
The coat is probably one of the most distinctive features of the Maltese. From the moment they are born we are watching and feeling of their coat to see if this breeding has produced that wonderful silky coat which is most desirable. But honestly, many Maltese have coats which are far from perfect and the genetics seems complex as breeding a very silky coat to another silky coat doesn’t always produce a silky coat. We must make the best breeding choices which we can make but also know that the wee one who surprises us with a kinky coat, but who has wonderful structure and spirit is still a great representation of the breed.
Size
Weight under 7 pounds, with from 4 to 6 pounds preferred. Overall quality is to be favored over size.
Oh, the dreaded scales! Is he too big, too small? I think the Standard is clear that overall quality should be favored over size. But Maltese are Toy dogs and they should be under seven pounds at maturity.
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.
In my opinion this wonderful temperament is the essence of the Maltese and is a critical factor in my decision to breed any particular dogs.
Approved March 10, 1964