The Maltese Dog Mix and Why It Has No Fear
Many a pet owner has at one point in his or her lifetime seen a Maltese. The Maltese, or maltese dog mix, is one of the more popular pets for owners who like to take their dog on the go. The animal is quite small, and ranges in size from 3 to 7 pounds. While size is a convenient factor, in this breed, it seems to be disproportional to its sense of courage.
Pet owners new to the maltese dog mix have been surprised to find that it is by no means a timid animal. It will be just as social with a Great Dane as it will a Dachshund, which gives it a prominent place in the dog world. It has even been known to get along with cats. Though many claim to know the reasons for this peculiar temperament, the real reason probably comes from the Maltese’s rich history.
The origin of the Maltese varies by expert. Some say that it originated in Switzerland during the time of the Greeks, while Darwin puts the breed’s beginning somewhere around 6000 BC. The most common reference is Roman times, when Roman women would own maltese dog mix breeds as pets. They were and are loyal to their owners and they make great alarm dogs.
The Romans also had a practice that may shed some light on the animal’s intrepid nature. They would raise the Maltese with Rottweilers to acquaint them with each other. Then they would use the pair as a team; the Maltese would sound the alarm and the Rottweiler would provide the bite.
The history of this animal is quite remarkable. Due to its popularity, it has been mentioned in history by the likes of Aristotle, Pliney the Elder, and even writers in the Middle East. It makes a wonderful pet, especially for those that do not have children. It is a neat animal, and requires little cleanup. The maltese dog mix provides interesting types of dogs as well, because it uses the traits of the father or mother to change the animal in a desirable way. Maltese dogs are great companions to have around.
