The Maltese is a toy dog covered from head to foot with a mantle of long, silky, white hair. He is gentle-mannered and affectionate, eager and sprightly in action, and, despite his size, possessed of the vigor needed for the satisfactory companion.

The coat is single, that is, without undercoat. It hangs long, flat, and silky over the sides of the body almost, if not quite to the ground. The long head-hair may be tied up in a topknot or it may be left hanging. Any suggestion of kinkiness, curliness, or wholly texture is objectionable. Color pure white. Light tan or lemon on the ears is permissable, but not desirable.

For all his diminutive size, the Maltese seems without fear. His trust and affectionate responsiveness are very appealing. He is among the gentlest mannered of all little dogs, yet he is lively and playful as well as vigorous.