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Originally Posted by livingdustmops  You have said this before but different websites say they don't know? I think it is interesting that on the AKC website the Maltese can have different colors. American Kennel Club - Breed Colors and Markings house of maltese; breed originated 8,000 years ago; The Kennel Club; Maltese dog"; About the Maltese Breed -- Maltese History and Origin
Maltese (dog) Origin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maltese_(dog)
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 [6]. 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 and pig herding. [7][8] before the appearance of the breed 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. In fact, the Maltese were so favored by the Roman emperors, they chose 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. |
I've never questioned her claim about the maltese being the only pure dog, or whatever it is she is claiming, because I did not take the time to research the information, So I am glad that some one took the time.
But since all dogs came from wolves, i had my dolubts that all of a sudden a wolf prodeced a dog that looked like a maltese without going through some selective breeding.