body, cheeks, and ears. HEIGHT AT SHOULDER--About ten
inches. WEIGHT--The size desirable is from 4 lb. to 9 lb. The smaller
size is preferable if good shape.

CHAPTER XLVI

THE MALTESE DOG AND THE PUG

No doubt has been cast upon the belief that the small, white, silky
_Canis Melitaeus_ is the most ancient of all the lap dogs of the
Western world. It was a favourite 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.
There is, however, no question that it is of European origin, and that
the breed, as we know it to-day, has altered exceedingly little in
type and size since it was alluded to by Aristotle more than three
hundred 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. "When his favourite dog dies," wrote
Theophrastus in illustration of the vain man, "he deposits the remains
in a tomb, and erects a monument over the grave, with the inscription,
'Offspring of the stock of Malta.'"

The "offspring of the stock of Malta" were probably first imported
into England during the reign of Henry VIII. It is certain that they
were regarded as "meet playfellows for mincing mistresses" in the
reign of Elizabeth, whose physician, Dr. Caius, alluded to them as
being distinct from the Spaniel, "gentle or comforter."

Early writers aver that it was customary when Maltese puppies were
born to press or twist the nasal bone with the fingers "in order that
they may seem more elegant in the sight of men"--a circumstance 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 dog's long
jacket clean and free from tangle. Thirty or forty 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 Mr. R. Mandeville, of
Southwark, who has been referred to as virtually the founder of the