Click on THIS 9 WEEK OLD MALTEESE PUPPY to watch him run in a circle around your feet then lay down. I HAVE A MALTESE HE IS 3 YEARS OLD AND WHAT A GREAT FRIEND, HE SHARES THE HOUSE WITH 2 FERRETS,A SILKY HAIR ,AND A BORDER COLLIE. OH AND HIS BROTHER A BLACK CAT. HE THINKS HE IS THE KING OF THE HOUSE....TELLING EVERY OTHER PET WHAT TO DO. HE IS TO FUNNY AND DOES NOT KNW HOW SMALL HE IS. HIS NAME IS TIKI Build: Tiny, compact, slightly longer than tall Weight: 4-10 lbs. standards Height: 7-9 inches (21-25cm.) Coat: Luxurious silky white, shiny, thick, heavy hair about 8½ inches (22cm.) long hanging straight to the ground on each side of a center part line, single, with no undercoat, and should not be wavy, curly or kinky. These dogs shed no hair off of their coat. Note, however, that in most cases tear staining affects the white sheen of the coat around the eyes. Color: Pure white (light ivory acceptable) Head: Slightly rounded Teeth: Even, edge-to-edge bite, or a scissors bite Eyes: Dark, round, large, deep, with dark rims Ears: Long, pendant Tail: Long-haired plume carried gracefully over the back Limbs: Fine-boned Feet: Small and round Life span: Median 12-15 years As an aristocrat of the canine world, this ancient breed has been known by a variety of names throughout the centuries. Originally called the "Melitaie Dog" he has also been known as "Ye Ancient Dogge of Malta", the "Roman Ladies' Dog," the "Comforter Dog," the "Spaniel Gentle," the "Bichon," the "Shock Dog," the "Maltese Lion Dog" and the "Maltese Terrier." Sometime within the past century, he has come to simply be known as the "Maltese." The breed's history can be traced back many centuries. Some have placed its origin at two or three thousand years ago and "Darwin" placed the origin of the breed at 6000 BC.[2] The Maltese is thought to have been descended from a Spitz type dog found among the Swiss Lake dwellers and bred down to obtain its small size. Although there is also some evidence that the breed originated in Asia and is related to the Tibetan Terrier, the exact origin is unknown [3]. Maltese are generally associated with the island of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea. The dogs probably made their way to Europe through the Middle East with the migration of nomadic tribes. Some writers believe these proto-Maltese were used for rodent control[4][5] before the cuteness factor gained paramount importance. The Isle of Malta (or Melitae as it was then known) was a geographic center of early trade, and explorers undoubtedly found ancestors of the tiny, white dogs left there as barter for necessities and supplies. The dogs were favored by the wealthy and royalty alike and were bred over time to specifically be a companion animal. Some royals that purportedly owned Maltese were Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria, Josephine Bonaparte and Marie Antoinette. Some famous people that has owned malteses are Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Halle Barry, Mia Farrow, Liberace, Lee Remmick and Heather Locklear. In fact, the Maltese were so favored by the Roman emperors, they choose to breed them to be pure white - something they considered a 'sacred color'. Before then, there were other light colors that Maltese come in - still seen again at the puppy stage, normally. "The tiniest dog Nature has ever produced --" "Her coat of long hair, whiter than ermine," "Her movements exquisitely graceful and" "Matchless elegance of appearance."