Malti-Pug

		Malti-Pug
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Central Mediterranean Basin <> China -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Malti-Pug

Here's a specific crossbreed dog for those who love all things miniature and fluffy. The Malti-Pug is a little bundle of fur with delightful markings and an affectionate, outgoing personality. It's a cross between the affectionate Maltese and, you guessed it, the lovable Pug. Ideal for people living in small homes with little time for exercise, the Malti-Pug integrates well into urban apartment living. About the size of a pint, though sturdy, this is a small cross-breed dog that is robust enough to be around young children, but should always be supervised for its own safety. They have a straight coat that should grow longer than that of their Pug parent, and are known to shed a lot.

History of the Malti-Pug

Experts believe the first Malti-Pug was probably bred in the late '80s or early '90s, making it one of the original trademark dogs. A mix of brave Pug and cheeky Maltese, the Malti-Pug is a tiny dog with a big personality. A gregarious character who gets on well with most people and animals, this hybrid is a good choice for an already established household with children and perhaps a few extra pets.

	A little of the Maltese
	Lively and affectionate, the Maltese is an ancient breed, recorded in the written history of Aristotle and Pliny almost 2,500 years ago. This is a small breed dog with a big personality that's playful and energetic. Maltese live very well in small spaces and are therefore ideal for indoor and apartment dogs. They thrive on human companionship, benefit from constant attention and can suffer from separation anxiety and boredom if left alone for long periods. They are considered a toy breed, although they are thought to share common ancestry with Spitz breeds. Although they appreciate physical contact and affection, Maltese can be prone to biting if overwhelmed and are therefore not considered ideal company for young children.

	Standard of the Maltese
	A little of the Pug
	Having enjoyed a resurgence in popularity over the last two decades, many will be surprised to learn that the Pug is not a new breed at all, but has been around for several thousand years. Although we don't know where they first came from, they were certainly present in China by 400 BC, where they were highly prized by the local upper classes and aristocracy. It wasn't until the 1500s that they were introduced to Europe, then imported to Holland and became the official dog of the House of Orange. Although they are currently appreciated for their unusual squashed face and pig-like barking and snoring, we now understand that by giving them a shortened nose and pronounced facial folds, their health has seriously deteriorated. Vets are now demanding that breeders take action and start building up a new population of Pugs with longer faces and fewer respiratory problems.

	Standard of the Pug

Appearance of the Malti-Pug

The Malti-Pug is typically such a good mix of each parent breed that it can be difficult to determine from whom they were bred. Rather than looking like a mix of Pug and Maltese, they've quickly become a breed in their own right, with a look all their own. As the Maltese is not considered a brachycephalic breed, its muzzle is relatively long in relation to its skull, and there is more room for the soft tissues of its head. For this reason, the Malti-Pug should have a much less nuanced appearance than the Pug with a more pronounced muzzle. Perhaps their most dominant features are their dark, circular eyes, which give them a lively, alert expression at all times. They may inherit the Maltese's small, pendulous ears or the Pug's rosebud, which are generally set higher on the skull. Their body is square-shaped with short limbs. Their tail curves over their back, though rarely as dramatically as that of their Pug relative. While many retain the fawn body and darker face mask typical of some Carlins, others will have a plain coat that can be fawn, black or white. Their fur is straight and rather hard, rarely growing as long as the elegant flowing coat for which the Maltese is renowned.

Temperament of the Malti-Pug

Outgoing and with a mind of its own, the Malti-Pug will be affectionate and gentle, but can sometimes have a stubborn streak. Very sociable, they'll get on well with all other family members, including four-legged ones. Most Malti-Pugs are good little watchdogs, as they like to guard their territory and bark loudly at the arrival of new people. However, this trait can create a noisy period when the letter carrier or his neighbors pass by. Because of its small size and gentle temperament, the Malti-Pug is not an effective guard dog.

Needs and activities of the Malti-Pug

The Malti-Pug is an energetic, playful animal, but it doesn't require much effort to ensure it gets enough exercise every day. Generally speaking, between 20 and 40 minutes of vigorous physical activity a day is enough to maintain this canine form. The small size of this animal means that it can have this activity in a relatively small space, and indoor games of fetch or hide-and-seek can provide much of this stimulation. This hybrid is just as comfortable in a larger home as in an apartment, as its exercise requirements are minimal and it is generally quiet, but some parents of this hybrid may choose to invest in a covered patio or indoor dog litter box, as both parent breeds are notoriously difficult to keep at home.

Maintenance of the Malti-Pug

Malti-Pug grooming needs may vary from dog to dog, as each individual may inherit traits from one breed or the other. Both coat types will need to be washed approximately once every three weeks to a month, but brushing and combing techniques may differ at this point. Dogs with shorter coats inherited from the Carlin side will only need to be brushed once to three times a week, mainly to remove dead hairs and control their rather high shedding rate, as well as to contribute to the proper distribution of body oils on the coat. Dogs that inherit the longer Maltese coat tend to shed slightly less than those with a Pug-like coat, but they are more prone to developing braids and tangles. They therefore need to be brushed more frequently. Some of these dogs may have wrinkles on their faces, as Pug dogs generally do, and will need to have their faces wiped regularly. This hybrid may be more susceptible to dental disorders than other dogs, and should have its teeth brushed and examined regularly.