Maltese Dog History

A famous Roman emperor from AD 41 to 54, Claudius was said to have owned a Maltese dog and treated it like royalty.

Publius Helvius Pertinax was the Roman emperor in AD 193. He was so obsessed with his Maltese that he created numerous works of art and poetry to immortalize his dog.

Queen Elizabeth I ruled from 1558-1603. She had a Maltese that she kept as a companion and lap warmer. The Maltese dog breed has been a favorite of royalty and the aristocracy throughout history and is often pictured in their art.

Mary, Queen of Scots ruled from 1542 to 1567. Her life was quite unstable; the only consistent thing in her life was her love of Maltese dogs. They were her constant companions from birth through to her reign on the throne.

Lhasa Apso dogs are a thousand year old breed who were given the job as watch guards at large palaces and monasteries in the Himalaya mountains.

The Tibetan Terrier is often called the "Holy Dog of Tibet." It has long been an ancient watchdog and companion of Buddhist monasteries. 

The Pekingese dog was originally created for the ruling class of ancient China. They were a lapdog and companion dog for the royalty of the Chinese Imperial court.

The Tibetan Spaniel was bred centuries ago for sentinel work on the walls of Tibetan monasteries. The served both as companions and watchdogs.

"Melitae Dog"
"Ye Ancient Dogge of Malta"
"The Roman Ladies' Dog"
"Comforter"
"Spaniel Gentle"
"Bichon"
"The Shock Dog"
"Maltese Lion Dog"
"The Maltese Terrier"

During the Renaissance, the poet Ludovico Ariosto in a few lines of his literary masterpiece, Orlando Furioso, describes a dog which is probably a Maltese.

"The tiniest dog Nature has ever produced --
Her coat of long hair, whiter than ermine,
Her movements exquisitely graceful and
Matchless elegance of appearance."
(Vol.II Canto 43) 3