Characteristic Features of the Maltese breed
By nature, this is a breed with a balanced and loving temper. Small-sized, elegant and with a particular physical structure, allowing a special movement when trotting, characterized by short and fast paces, which seems more of a rolling instead of a trot.
The head is long, with a short snout. The snout and the skull have a marked depression. Eyes are big, very dark and round, wide open with a vivacious and smart look, and the size a bit larger than normal. Pigmentation around the eye should be black.
The ears, kind of a triangle, flatten and very high in the head, covered by long hair
The lips and snout are covered by long hairs, just like the ears.
The nose, should be voluminous in relation with the volume of the head; wet and with wide open nostrils. Pigmentation should also be black.
The body is balanced and defined, even though a bit chubby, but still elegant.
The tail is rather thick in the base and thin in the end. Looks like a big curve with long and abundant hair.
The height and weight: 9-10 inches/ 4-7 lbs
The hair is long, shiny, and silky. Despite being bushy is very bright, fine and soft