Dog Breeds Maltese Terrier. However not everyone agreed and so the maltese was simply referred to as a maltese dog from there onwards. The maltese dog was a lapdog favoured by both the ancient greeks and romans especially their children and appears on amphorae with the word μελιταιε melitaie.

The maltese dog was a lapdog favoured by both the ancient greeks and romans especially their children and appears on amphorae with the word μελιταιε melitaie. It is thought to have originated in south central europe from dogs of spitz type. The maltese dog is one of the most ancient of the toy breeds with a history that can be traced back at least two millennia.
References to the dog can also be found in ancient greek and roman literature.
The maltese is a breed of dog in the toy group. He is gentle mannered and affectionate eager and sprightly in action and despite his size possessed. It is thought to have originated in south central europe from dogs of spitz type. References to the dog can also be found in ancient greek and roman literature.