Among the earliest and most successful of exhibitors of this variety was Mr. R. Mandeville, who for a considerable time held undisputed sway. The last time his celebrated Fido competed was at the Crystal Palace Show, 1878, when the judge placed him second to Lady Giffard's Hugh, and before Lord Clyde, a decision which it is stated Mr. Mandeville expressly endorsed. Hugh and Lord Clyde were brothers, being out of Madge, who was by Mandeville's Fido; and their sire, Prince, was by his Old Fido; indeed, most of the Maltese Terriers of any note then shown were, more or less purely, of Mandeville's strain.

Breeders of this variety have been until lately few in number. Mr. J. Jacobs, Maltese Cottage, Headington Quarry, Oxon, has been for nearly half a century one of the principal breeders. On the show-bench the late Lady Giffard's exquisite little pets, Hugh, Lord Clyde, Rob Roy, Pixie, Mopsey III., Blanche, etc. - each more charming than the other - usually proved invincible wherever they were shown, and nearly all of them claimed Mr. Jacobs as breeder.

Amongst the most successful breeders and exhibitors of later years have been the late Mrs. Bligh Monck, Mrs. Palmer, Mrs.

Milner, Mrs. Langton (with Vee-Vee and others), Miss Harvey, Mrs. Bear, Mrs. Graves, Mrs. McCarthy (with Champion Prince Lilywhite II. Major-General Baden-Powell, and many others), Mrs. Stallibrass (with Santa Klaus, Lady Brass, Queenie Stallie, Sir George White, and several more), and Mrs. R. H. Horlock. All these have shown keen interest in the breed, and its position is certainly more hopeful than it has been for many years.

One of the illustrations to this article is Champion Prince Lilywhite II. (Fig. 117), the property of Mrs. McCarthy, who has been for some years a zealous supporter of the variety, and exhibits at most of the shows in and near London. This dog carries a heavy coat of good colour and texture, and has a good head, ears, eyes, nose, and tail - in fact, is altogether a typical specimen. Still, he would be better if he were a little shorter in back, but at the present time he can beat a great many more than can beat him.

Fig. 117. -Maltese Terrier Prince Lilywhite II.

The other illustration (Fig. 118) is of Sir George White, belonging to Mrs. Stallibrass. He has not been seen a great deal in the show-rings, but has much in his favour, as he is very pure in colour and correct in character of coat, with good eyes, nose, a well-carried tail, and a short back, added to which he is very active and showy. He has sometimes been shown out of coat, and this makes him appear slightly leggy and to have high carriage of ears, but doubtless when in full coat both these points would be considerably improved.

Diminutiveness in the Maltese, so long as it is not obtained at the expense of typical qualities, is much valued; and it is probably due to this fact that the delicacy incidental to puppyhood may be directly attributable. The maximum weight allowed is 81b. The Maltese is not a variety adapted to a town life, on account of the great liability of the coat to soil; nor is it a variety that has hitherto been kept with any great chance of success on the show-bench or of profit by the novice. Though it does not require the amount of care bestowed upon its toilet as does the Yorkshire Terrier, yet it runs even that variety very close. Beyond the fact that purity of colour is shown from the first, there are not manifested any of those earlier indications of promise found in many other Toys as young puppies and that are useful as aids to the purchaser when making a selection from the nest. Interesting and beautiful though the Maltese undoubtedly is when in show form, it is not a variety that can be recommended on the score of general utility.

Fig. 118. - Maltese Terrier Champion Sir George White.

Recently a Club for furthering the interests of this beautiful variety has been formed and taken up warmly by many of the most experienced breeders and exhibitors, so that the prospects of the Maltese are brighter than probably they have ever been. Mrs. Palmer, who has long been known as an exhibitor of Maltese, is the Hon. Secretary, and anxious to do all she can to extend the operation of the Club.

During 1902 for the first time, at any rate in this country, classes were provided for "Other than White," and many persons were surprised to see how many entries came forward. We have so long associated Maltese with pure white only, that it will take some time, as it did in the cases of Poodles and Pomeranians, for the public to appreciate any other shades. Light brown, fawn, and even black - though as yet the last named has not been shown here - have already been produced; while many whites with more or less spots and markings have appeared in the classes for "Other than White." It is not unlikely, as these increase in number and variety, and something like order in classification is evolved, that the Maltese classes will be of much more importance in the schedules of the future than they have hitherto been.

It is well within the memory of living exhibitors when there was but one class and colour associated with the Pomeranians, now one of the most popular breeds of Toy dogs, and with a very extensive range of classes for colour, size, and sex. The same, too, may be said of the Poodles, which began with one class for Whites, and now are divided into Corded, Curly, and Toys, with any number of sub-divisions for colour, size, and sex.

Probably old Maltese fanciers will still keep to the orthodox White, but the writer can testify from ocular demonstration that very beautiful and typical specimens can be, and are being, produced in the ranks of "Other than White." Though owning to a preference for the self-colours, he sees no reason why there should not be a future for those with markings, where the other points of excellence are preserved.

The following are the points of the Maltese as laid down by the Maltese Club: -

I. White

Head

Should be much like that of a Drop-eared Skye Terrier in miniature, but rather shorter and thicker in muzzle ; not mean nor snipy.

Ears

Moderately long, set on rather low, and co\ered with long silky hair, mingling with that on neck and shoulders.

Eyes

Very dark and piercing, bright, and alert in expression.

Nose

Pure black and shiny.

Shoulders

Sloping, and not too wide.

Back

Short and cobby, rather than lanky in shape.

Legs

Rather short than long, with fine bone, well feathered throughout. Legginess is to be avoided. Feet small, and covered with hair.

Tail

Short, well feathered, particularly towards the end, and gracefully carried over the back, its end resting on the hindquarters and side.

Coat

Long, straight, and silky, free from woolliness or curl; when in form it should nearly reach the ground at sides; very profuse on neck, shoulders, and chest.

Colour

Should be pure white all over, without shade or tint.

Weight

Not to exceed I2lb., the smaller the better, other points being correct.

General Appearance

That of a bright, sprightly, active dog, of very taking character.

II. Coloured

The principal points of difference advocated by Mrs. Pryce Hamilton, Comte Henri de Bylandt, and other authorities, between the white Maltese as known in England and the coloured variety until recently only seen on the Continent, are: Weight, which in this variety must not exceed 8½1b. Length of Body, where it is especially sought to preserve a short back. Colour, which may be any self-colour or parti-colours or white with considerable patches of colour, the more colour the better.

N.B. - This Club considers that all white Maltese with faint patches of lemon or black on ears are simply mismarked specimens, and eligible only for the White classes, and to lose marks in same. The Club is informed by Continental authorities that the coloured Maltese are "the little Lion dogs of Malta," properly so designated.