Maltese Dog, also known as Maltese, is derived from the British territory of Malta, which is located in the Mediterranean. It has a long history and is one of the oldest dog breeds in Europe.
The Maltese Dog comes in three colors: pure white, brownish and light yellow, among which pure white is the most precious. The Maltese Dog is very beautiful, with an elegant appearance that is very attractive. It also has a lively personality and rich emotions, making it deeply loved by people.
The Maltese Dog has a deep affection for its owner, is loyal and obedient, and very clingy; it is also very friendly towards humans, but wary of strangers. It is gentle and graceful, and although it is small in size, it is very brave, as if it doesn't know what fear is. Its confident appearance is fascinating.
Among all small breed dogs, the Maltese Dog has the gentlest attitude, but it is also the most lively and energetic. However, it does not have high demands for exercise. It likes to play with children or roam freely at home. It has a strong physique and is healthy and long-lived.
The Maltese Dog is an ancient breed with a history of over 3,000 years on the island of Malta. It has always been a popular companion dog, and many countries import this breed. It is widely known worldwide.
It is said that as early as ancient times, around 500 BC, the Phoenicians sailed to the island of Malta. The breed that came with them went through years of breeding and reproduction, resulting in the Maltese Dog. After being introduced to France in the 15th century, it became a precious pet dog carried by noble ladies, rather than a watchdog. Therefore, it quickly became the beloved dog of nobles and other upper-class individuals. It was introduced to England in the 19th century and developed rapidly, becoming a favorite worldwide.
In the few preserved crafts and artworks along the Mediterranean coast, vivid artistic images of Maltese Dogs can often be seen. It is said that around 55 BC, it even accompanied the Roman army to England. It is also said that dog statues very similar to the Maltese Dog were found in Egyptian tombs dating back to the 13th century BC.
As early as the 4th century BC, the Maltese Dog was already beloved by Roman and Greek noblewomen as a companion dog. In the 15th century, it gained favor in the French court and became the cherished pet of royals. It is said that its ancestors may have been the earliest companion dogs from Europe. They were brought to England during the reign of Henry VIII, becoming the intimate companion dogs of the court. This roughly indicates the time when the Maltese Dog was introduced to Europe.
During the reign of Henry VIII in England, the Maltese Dog began to flourish and became the favorite dog of court ladies. In 1877, a Maltese Dog appeared for the first time in the United States as a Maltese Lion Dog. In 1879, a colored dog was exhibited as a Maltese Terrier. In 1888, the American Kennel Club officially registered the Maltese Dog.
Maltese Dog, also known as Maltese, is very popular and many people want to have this kind of dog. It can be said to be impeccable and is the most suitable breed to be kept as a pet. However, its fur is very long and requires a lot of time for grooming every day. The owner needs to have patience and energy, and the hair should be dried promptly after bathing.
Maltese Dog has a gentle temperament and is a beloved pet in every family. It can play with children with peace of mind. In general, the health condition of this dog is good enough, even in old age, it is still full of vitality and energy. Although it is small in size, it is very hostile to strangers and absolutely loyal to its owner, so it can be an excellent guard dog.
It has a lovely temperament and sometimes plays pranks with a distinctive personality. It doesn't require much space due to its small size, so it is very suitable for adults or families with gentle-natured older children. However, because of its thick and silky fur, it requires careful maintenance, so it is not very suitable for busy people to keep as a pet, but it is best for retired elderly people with more free time.
1. Heart disease
Dog heart disease is often related to obesity and old age. When dogs have heart disease, they mainly show symptoms of fatigue and shortness of breath. Dog heart disease is difficult to detect, and by the time owners notice it, the dog is already severely ill.
2. Infectious diseases
Canine distemper and canine parvovirus are common and highly fatal infectious diseases in dogs. Dogs that have not been vaccinated in time are very susceptible to these two infectious diseases. Once they get sick, symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea will appear.
3. Kidney disease
Speaking of common diseases and symptoms in dogs, kidney disease cannot be ignored. The horror of dog kidney disease lies in its unconscious process. By the time owners discover it, more than 75% of the dog's kidney cells have already been damaged. When dogs have problems, the symptoms usually include blood in the urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4. Parasites
Intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms are commonly found in dogs. When dogs are infected with gastrointestinal parasites, the main symptoms are weight loss, lethargy, diarrhea, presence of worms in the feces, and pale gums. Heartworms are parasites that parasitize the dog's heart. After a dog is infected, symptoms such as poor vitality, cough, anemia, asthma, and ascites will appear.
5. Canine pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but canine pneumonia is a complication of other diseases and often occurs in dogs with abnormal upper respiratory tract, bacterial infections, canine distemper infections, viral influenza, impaired lung function, and heartworm infections. Coughing, nasal congestion, and fever are the main symptoms of canine pneumonia.
The stomach capacity of the Maltese dog is very small, so it won't eat a lot in one meal. Actually, this is more beneficial for its growth and overall health, which can prolong its lifespan. It is recommended to feed it with 2-3 cups of high-quality dog food per day, divided into three meals.
You can also give the dog some fresh meat and vegetables in appropriate amounts. The food should be soft. Eating these can supplement nutrition. The meat should be cooked and cut into small pieces, then mixed with an equal amount of vegetarian dry food or low-sugar, sugar-free biscuits. After adding water and mixing evenly, feed the dog twice a day, and prepare fresh drinking water at the same time.
During the feeding process, it is important to control the amount of food. Eating too much can easily cause the dog to become fat, dull, and less agile. Maltese dogs are quite active, so they should be given time to freely exercise in the yard every day, or taken for walks, which can help promote digestion and maintain a normal appetite.
The Maltese dog has a pure white coat that is as beautiful as snow, so it requires regular grooming to keep its coat clean and smooth.
The method is to spray hair conditioner or shampoo before grooming, and then comb or brush the coat in order from top to bottom. Only daily grooming can keep the coat clean and smooth, without any knots, and it will always remain clean, elegant, and beautiful.
In addition to dry grooming, it should also be given regular wet washes. After each wet wash, use a dry towel to absorb as much moisture from the coat as possible, then use a hairdryer to blow-dry while combing. As for how often to wet wash depends on the season and climate. Generally, if the weather is cool, the interval can be longer; if the weather is hot, the interval should be shorter, around every 3-5 days.
The dog's nails should also be trimmed regularly, otherwise, it can easily scratch people's skin and damage household items.
1. Do not bathe frequently
When bathing a dog, it should not be too frequent. Giving a dog a bath depends on the dog's hygiene. In hot weather, it can be bathed one or two more times, and in winter, it can be reduced one or two times, but in general, it should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2. Brush regularly
Dogs shed almost every day, especially in spring and autumn. If you want the fur to grow well, regular brushing is an important step. Pet owners can use pet-specific brushes to help the dog remove natural shed fur and prevent mats. Brushing once in the morning and once in the evening for about five minutes each time is sufficient.
3. Sunbathe
Sunbathing is beneficial for the growth of a dog's coat. In addition to making the fur shinier, letting the dog sunbathe can also help kill bacteria. While sunbathing, pet owners can let the dog exercise, which can improve the dog's physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier fur.
4. Deworming
Poor fur condition is closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body and deplete its nutrition, so deworming is necessary. During deworming, it is recommended to treat both internal and external parasites. Also, deworming medication can cause significant harm to a dog's gastrointestinal system, so it is advisable to feed probiotics regularly to alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
If you want your dog to have shiny fur, you must build a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to daily diet. On one hand, feed the dog with nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a brand that is suitable for the dog and provides sufficient nutrition to meet the dog's needs. On the other hand, you can feed the dog with lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and vegetable oil in moderation.
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