From Tradition to Recognition: Characterizing the Maltese Hunting Dog (Kelb tal-Kaċċa ta’ Malta) in Support of Its Preservation

The Maltese Hunting Dog (Kelb tal-Kaċċa ta’ Malta, KTKM) is deeply rooted in Malta’s hunting tradition, with historical records tracing its presence back to the 16th century. Despite the absence of official recognition, this breed has been preserved and selectively maintained over centuries, thanks to the dedication of breeders. This study aimed to characterize the phenotypic and genomic features of 24 KTKM individuals to support their official recognition and conservation. Morphological analyses defined the KTKM as a mesocephalic and mesomorphic breed, characterized by large pendulous ears, a ”Braque”-type face, and a short coat with white-patched pheomelanic colouration. Genomic comparisons with 46 dog breeds consistently revealed the KTKM’s unique genetic identity and high uniformity, placing it near pointing dogs while highlighting ancient connections with the Maltese Pharaoh Hound. Moreover, despite the small population size and geographic isolation, KTKM displayed relatively low levels of genomic inbreeding. Effective population size was 76, with a trend dropping 12 generations ago. To identify potential introgressed genomic regions, local ancestry inference was performed against nine historically, phenotypically, or genomically relevant breeds. Several emerged regions were associated with key morphological traits -e.g., coat color and length, ear shape, and size-, behaviour, and physical or cognitive abilities important for hunting tasks. In conclusion, the KTKM emerges as a genetically distinct and uniform population belonging to the pointing dog group. Its moderate inbreeding levels and unique genomic characteristics support the possibility of preserving the breed through dedicated conservation efforts. This study underscores the critical need to protect the KTKM’s genetic diversity and cultural heritage, providing a foundation for its official recognition and long-term preservation.