Maltese dog

Breed of long-coated lap dog. Its white coat is straight and silky and parted from head to tail and the short tail is doubled into the coat on the back. Maltese dogs have dark eyes, long drooping ears, and small feet. The ideal maximum height is 25 cm/10 in, and the weight is 3-4 kg/6.5-9 lb.

Maltese dogs are the most ancient lap-dog breed, their characteristics having been preserved for over 2,000 years.