As an aristocrat of the canine world, this ancient breed has been known by a variety of names throughout the centuries.  Some have placed its origin at two or three thousand years ago, and Darwin himself placed the origin of the breed at 6000 BC.  Originally called the Melitaie Dog, the breed has also been known as Ye Ancient Dogge of Malta, the Roman Ladies’ Dog, the Comforter Dog, the Spaniel Gentle, the Bichon, the Shock Dog, the Maltese Lion Dog, and the Maltese Terrier.  Sometime within the twentieth century, it has come to be known simply as the Maltese. 

The Maltese is thought to have been descended from a Spitz type dog found among the Swiss Lake dwellers and then bred down to obtain its small size.  There is also some evidence that the breed originated in Asia and is related to the Tibetan Terrier, although its exact origin is unknown.  Maltese are now generally associated with the island of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea.  The dogs probably made their way to Europe through the Middle East with the migration of nomadic tribes.  Some believe these proto-Maltese were used for rodent control.  Malta, or Melitae as it was then known, was a center of trade due to its geography, and the breed’s ancestors likely traveled there with traders.  The dogs fell into favor with both the wealthy, and the nobility.  Over time, they were bred to act as companion animals.  Some royals who reportedly owned Maltese were Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Victoria, Josephine Bonaparte and Marie Antoinette.