in a tight curl over the back.  It should be profusely feathered so as to give the appearance of a beautiful “plume” on the animal’s back.  COAT—­Profuse, long, straight, rather silky.  It should be absolutely free from wave or curl, and not lie too flat, but have a tendency to stand out, especially at the neck, so as to give a thick mane or ruff, which with profuse feathering on thighs and tail gives a very showy appearance.  COLOUR—­Either black and white or red and white, i.e., parti-coloured.  The term red includes all shades, sable, brindle, lemon or orange, but the brighter and clearer the red the better.  The white should be clear white, and the colour, whether black or red, should be evenly distributed in patches over the 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.