Who is Mig?
Mignonne, or Mig, is a Maltese who was born on April 26, 2001. She weighs 6 pounds and is about 9 inches at the shoulder. She's the standard size of a Maltese; anything much larger may have been bred with another kind of dog since the breed's look and size really hasn't changed at all in the past 8000-3000 years.

Her name is pronounced the same as "Fillet Mignon" and means something very much like both "sweet" and "tiny" in French. (As in: "Oh, what a sweet little thing!") Mignonne has a very gruff voice but is a very girlie little dog. She's also huntress at heart.

As a puppy she was rescued from a top AKC breeder who was acting no better than a puppy mill. The state and humane society shut the "breeder" down and removed over 230 dogs from poor conditions such as stacked-up crates in her house and garage. Some of the pregnant mothers where even blind and deaf. Many of the dogs were in such bad condition that they had to be euthanized. This "breeder" had been charging over $2000 for each of the puppies and selling ill puppies by faking health certificates. Puppies that were not well enough to pass off as healthy were abandoned at local shelters- if not possibly worse. Keep in mind that these dogs even came from champion lines... So, please, even if you are going to buy a pure bred dog from, what you hear is, a respectable breeder; insist to view the facilities at which the dogs are kept as well as the puppies parents! If it weren't for the concern and efforts of the breeders customers, the state and humane society never would have been able to act, let alone have even been aware of the situation.

The AKC on the Maltese breed:
The Maltese: A toy dog covered from head to toe with a mantle of long, silky white hair, the Maltese is gentle-mannered and affectionate, known for being lively, playful and fearless despite its small size. Maltese are intelligent little dogs that are very fast learners if they feel sufficiently rewarded. Today, their refinement, cleanliness and portability make them a popular choice as a companion dog.

A Look Back
The Maltese was once known as "Ye ancient dogge of Malta," for that is where they were first recognized and how they received their name. The breed has been an aristocrat of the canine world for over 28 centuries, owned by royalty all over the globe. Even as far back as the 1500’s they were claimed to be sold for $2,000. And while other companion dogs such as the Pomeranian have been bred down from larger sizes, the first Maltese were the same size as the dogs we see today. Their place in antiquity is well documented. At the time of the Apostle Paul, Publius, the Roman governor of Malta, had a Maltese name Issa of which he was very fond. Issa was the object of the poet Marcus Valerius Martialis (Martial), born in A.D. 40 at Bilbilis in Spain, in one of his celebrated epigrams:

Issa is more frolicsome than Catulla’s sparrow. Issa is purer than a dove’s kiss. Issa is gentler than a maiden. Issa is more precious than Indian gems... Lest the last days that she see light should snatch her from him forever, Publius has had her picture painted.

This picture was said to have been so lifelike it was difficult to tell the picture from the living dog.

Many similar accounts in ancient doctrine address the Maltese as an object of beauty and value. The Greeks erected tombs to their Maltese, and from the ceramic art dating to the 5th century innumerable paintings of the little dog are evident. Literary accounts detail Maltese maintaining a place of esteem and privilege in Royal households, a status the Maltese has maintained throughout history. The first Maltese exhibited in the United States was white and listed as a Maltese Lion Dog at Westminster’s first show in 1877. The American Kennel Club accepted the Maltese for registration in 1888. Perhaps due to the popularity of the Maltese for centuries as household pets of people of culture, wealth, and fastidious taste, the Maltese has remained a dog of refinement, fidelity, and cleanliness. It should be noted that the Maltese possesses a healthy and spirited temperament, even though tiny and artistic in appearance.

Right Breed for You?
Even though the Maltese is a very small dog, they tend to be brave and without fear. They are one of the most gentle mannered of all little dogs, but are also full of energy and very playful, making them great family dogs. Maltese should be brushed daily, and groomed often to prevent mats from forming in their long, white coat.

• Toy Group; AKC recognized in 1888.
• Under 7 pounds; 4 to 6 pounds preferred.
• Companion dog.

Breed Standard: (Toy Group)

1. General Appearance
   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.
2. Head
   Of medium length and in proportion to the size of the dog. The skull is slightly rounded on top, the stop moderate. The drop ears are rather low set and heavily feathered with long hair that hangs close to the head. Eyes are set not too far apart; they are very dark and round, their black rims enhancing the gentle yet alert expression. The muzzle is of medium length, fine and tapered but not snipy.The nose is black. The teeth meet in an even, edge-to-edge bite, or in a scissors bite.
3. Neck
   Sufficient length of neck is desirable as promoting a high carriage of the head.
4. Body
   Compact, the height from the withers to the ground equaling the length from the withers to the root of the tail. Shoulder blades are sloping, the elbows well knit and held close to the body. The back is level in topline, the ribs well sprung. The chest is fairly deep, the loins taut, strong, and just slightly tucked up underneath.
5. Tail
   A long-haired plume carried gracefully over the back, its tip lying to the side over the quarter.
6. Legs and Feet
   Legs are fine-boned and nicely feathered. Forelegs are straight, their pastern joints well knit and devoid of appreciable bend. Hind legs are strong and moderately angulated at stifles and hocks. The feet are small and round, with toe pads black. Scraggly hairs on the feet may be trimmed to give a neater appearance.
7. Coat and Color
   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 woolly texture is objectionable. Color, pure white. Light tan or lemon on the ears is permissible, but not desirable.
8. Size
   Weight under 7 pounds, with from 4 to 6 pounds preferred. Overall quality is to be favored over size.
9. Gait
   The Maltese moves with a jaunty, smooth, flowing gait. Viewed from the side, he gives an impression of rapid movement, size considered. In the stride, the forelegs reach straight and free from the shoulders, with elbows close. Hind legs to move in a straight line. Cowhocks or any suggestion of hind leg toeing in or out are faults.
10. Temperament
    For all his diminutive size, the Maltese seems to be 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.