Related breedAfricanis300 CE to 1000 · South AfricaMaltese at a glance
- Origin
- Malta
- Appeared
- 500 BCE to 1888 (uncertain)
- Family
- Poodle
- Type
- Companion
- Size
- Toy
- Life span
- 12 to 15 years
- Recognised by
- FCI, AKC, KC
- Status
- Living
- FCI standard
- No. 65
- DNA clade
- Poodle (Parker 2017)
The name. After the island of Malta (Latin Melita), where the small white dogs were long associated.
Same familyBasenji3000 BCE to 1937 · Democratic Republic of the CongoFamily and relatives
Gave rise to
Same family: Poodle
Bichon Frisé, Bolognese, Coton de Tulear, Havanese, Lagotto Romagnolo, Löwchen
Same time, same continent
Cirneco dell'Etna, Finnish Lapphund, Finnish Spitz, Ibizan Hound, Irish Wolfhound, Italian Greyhound
Close by DNACanaan Dog2000 BCE to 1966 · IsraelClosest relatives by shared DNA
- Havanese125.9 Mb
- Coton de Tulear16.1 Mb
- Bichon Frisé15.3 Mb
- Poodle10.7 Mb
Source: Parker et al. 2017, shared haplotypes in megabases.
Same eraDingo3000 BCE to 1500 BCE · AustraliaPlace in time
The Maltese appears 500 BCE to 1888 (uncertain), in the Ancient World, when 68 breeds first appeared.
A full article on the Maltese is coming. Meanwhile, the Border Collie shows what every breed page will hold: see the Border Collie.
