The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-05
The Maltese Terrier

AA~ AVA&kAC&0S A M Il AAA With the view of pleasing the children and the ladies. we usher in the Maltese Terrier, bunch of fluffiness that loves to be petted and combed and brushed It is a handsome little dog for those whc love the silky, snow-white pet; very in- telligent and vivacious.
 Robert Leighton, an authority, says nc doubt has been cast upon the belief that the small, white, silky Canis Melitaeus is the most ancient of the lap dogs oi the western world. It was favorite in the time of Phidias; it was an especial pet of the great ladies of imperial Rome. It appears to have come originally from the Adriatic island of Melita rather than from the Mediterranean Malta, although this supposition cannot be verified, as there were at least three islands to which the name of Melita was anciently applied, the third being adjacent to Sic- ily There is, however, no question that it is of European origin, and that the breed. as we know 1t today, has altered exceedingly little in type and size since
 it was alluded to by Aristotle more than
 300 years before the Christian era. One may gather from various references in literature, and from the evidence of art, that it was highly valued in ancient times.
 Early writers aver that it was cus- tomary when Maltese puppies were born to press or twist the nasal bone with the fingers fin order that they may seem more elegant in the sight of men''-a cir constance which goes to show that our forefathers were not averse to improving artificially the points of their dogs. The snowy whiteness and soft, silky texture of its coat must always cause the Maltese dog to be admired; but the variety has never been commonly kept in England-a fact which is, no doubt due to the difficulty of breeding it and to the trouble in keeping the dogs long jacket clean and free from tangle. Thirty or 40 years ago it was more popular as a lap dog than it has ever been since and in the early days of dog shows many ; beautiful specimens were exhibited. This
 popularity was largely due to the efforts of R. Vaudeville, of Southwark, Eng land, who has been referred to as virtu- ally the founder of the modern Maltese His Fido and Lily were certainly the ] most perfect representatives af the breed during the decade between 1S6t
 and 1870, and at the shows held in Eng land at Birmingham, Islington, the Crys- tai Palace and Cremore Gardens, this beautiful brace was unapproa hable. About 10 years ago, J. w. Watts of
 Birmingham, England. was almost alone in his eminence as breeder and exhib- itor, but We now find many interested in the breed.
 As a companion for out-of-doors the Maltese ranks highly in the estimation of it's admirers, and certainly there are few dogs that are so ornamental in a carriage or in a drawing room. Mrs. Anna R. Judd, whose charming likeness we reproduce on this page is owner of the Melita Kennels of Seattle Wash. Mrs Judd's kennel has the best of imported blood, and she has recently imported grand little Maltese Terrier from England in Champion Impy the first English Champion Maltese Terrier to be imported to the United States whose likeness we also reproduce on this page. He comes from family of cham pions, his sire being the famous late Ch. Snowcloud of Esperance. and his grand parents being Oh. Major Mite and Snow Lassie. He is years old, a proven sire and noted for his small progeny. He will make a grand kennel mate for Normacot Camille. owned by the Melita Kennels who is daughter of the late Major Mite, premiership winner of England Major Mite was considered the hand somest Maltese Terrier in the world Mrs. Judd is booking orders for pup. pies with the best of imported blood The beautiful coat of Champion Impy gives an idea of what you can expect of a Maltese Terrier if given the proper at- tention Mrs. Judd was big winner at the recent Frisco exposition, taking
 many blue ribbons and first prize for best puppy in the show in the toy class Following are the descriptive particu- lars of the Maltest
 General Appearance-That of a bright sprightly. active dog of very taking char acter.
 Head-Should be much like that of a drop-eared Skye Terrier in miniature but rather shorter and thicker in nuz- gle; not lean nor snipy. .a5I Moderately. long, set on rather low, and covered with long, silky hair, mingling with that on neck and shoul- ders.
 Eyes-very dark and piercing, bright and alert in expression.
 Nose-Pure black and shiny. Legs-Short rather than long. with fine bone, well feathered throughout. Leggi- ness is to be avoided. Feet small and covered with hair.
 Body and Shape-Shoulders slopinc and not too wide. Back short and cobby rather than lanky in shape.
 Tail-Short, we'll feathered particu- larly toward the end, and gracefully car ried. turned or doubled into the coat of the back, it's ends resting on the hind quarters and side
 Coat-Long, straight and silky. quite unlike that on any other dog, more of the consistency of spun glass than any thing else. free from wooliness or curl; when in form it should nearly reach the ground at the sides Very profuse on neck. shoulders and chest
 Color-Pure white, without shade or tint. sWeight-Not exceeding F pounds Tn.
 smaller the better, other, points being correct.
 Scale of Points-Head 10. ears 5, eyes
 and nose 10 legs and feet 5, body and ahana 10 tail and ita ca arrio xu 1o s.e.-.