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All blogs my own personal experience and opinions.
Cheap Maltese
All Maltese are not created equal.
If you equate them to say a shoe, you could not compare a Walmart sneaker to Louie Vitton pump.
There are show breeders, hobby breeders, back yard breeders, accidental breeders and puppy mills.
The value of a show breeder or a hobby breeder is superior quality to that of two friends breeding their pet dogs together because the want puppies.
In order to create a quality Maltese, first you must look at pedigrees and not breed very closely related dogs. Next, choose a male and female that compliment each other. One may have better pigment, another need a better coat etc.
Next is to DNA test them for genetic issues and compatibility.
You would not want to bring puppies into the world that carry a bad gene on both sides.
You must secure a quality reproductive Veterinarian or Surgical Vet because the incidence of assisted whelps or C- sections is high.
You must be prepared financially to cover the costs of medical care, quality feed and treats, equipment, bedding, toys, cleaning supplies, and personal medical experience including tube feeding, pulling puppies, resuscitation, an incubator, specialized small feeding and medication supplies. Etc.
You must also have grooming skills and lots of time socializing and training, endless cleaning and laundry.
Maltese just don’t happen. A good breeder is devoted, loses sleep, doesn’t vacation much if ever, constantly researches and improves their breeding program.
Yes, you can buy a cheaper puppy but a puppy raised with a proper foundation is a far worthy investment.
Maltese Size
I get a lot of questions about Maltese size. Especially TEACUP Maltese.
So many phone calls start out saying, I want a teacup dog under 15 pounds.
Or I don’t want a dog over 2 pounds.
I politely recite the Akc breeder standard.
There is no such thing as a teacup in Maltese. There are no official classifications in AKC Maltese. The breed standard reads that Maltese are to be 4 to 7 pounds but 4 to 6 is preferred is preferred but overall quality is favored over size. That means there can be a smaller or larger champion.
Quality refers to adherence to the AKC description of a Maltese.
Silk coat, straight topline, black points, jaunty gait, correct facial features and structure, etc
That being said, show breeders prefer to abide by the 4 to 7 pounds range. Most people believe teacups are dogs that are less than the breed standard. We prefer not to use this term.
Please read the entire AKC breed standard to understand what is to be expected as a breeder. If you are a pet owner, it will help you understand the principles that drive the goals of a dedicated breeder.
Cheers!
Tammy
Bring Home your puppy
There are tremendous variations on how each breeder will recommend how to safely acclimate your new puppy to your home.
It doesn’t mean one way is wrong, and another is right, they may just be different. It does really depend on the breed. The smaller dogs need more consideration. This blog is focusing on Maltese.
I suggest calling early time your first vet appoinment one week after you receive your puppy. A new environment and travel are big s
I recommend using and exercise pen until your puppy is acquainted with her new surroundings. It will make the puppy feel safe and secure. Of course open the pen when you are actively supervising or training the pup, but at night or when you are away, keep the pen door closed.
I do not recommend putting the pen in a far off laundry room, bathroom or out of sight. The puppy needs to be included in the daily activity of the home as well as be observed, especially in the initial days.
Be prepared with grooming supplies, washable beds, a leash and a harness that is adjustable, stainless steel dishes, water bottle and water feeder tank, several washable wee pads,the proper foods, toys, safe chews and a heating pad made for puppies. Enjoy your early puppy days by being prepared early.
It is best to plan a schedule for your puppy to have consistent meal times and potty times to make house training most effective.
Male or Female? Is one "Better"?
Pink or Blue? Its up to you….But have you really considered why you prefer one gender over another?
A Veterinarian may say its relative to the environment, such as if there are other dogs in the home, how the puppy is trained or what age sterilization is performed or if left intact.
A breeder with lots of male puppies may tell you boys are more protective and girls more aloof. I do not agree with that statement.
My thought are if you raise a puppy with love then you are going to receive back the effort regardless of gender.
A very strong factor is the age of neutering. If male pups are neutered appropriately before the hormones are engaged, then you are more likely to have a happy experience with a male pup that does not lift his leg or display those negative behaviors male dogs may display..
A female can safely be spayed at 6 to 8 months of age before her first heat without any negative impact on her personality.
So with all that said, males are more readily available because more are born in most litters and therefore, more available. This doesn’t not mean females are “BETTER” than males or that males are “Better” than females.
Either gender will be a wonderful addition to your family. Both take training, devotion and love to become a great pet.
One or Two?
Many people have asked me if it’s better to get one puppy at a time, or two to keep each other company. Being that Maltese are fragile, emotional and bred specifically to be companions, I would say two if you are prepared financially, and have ample space and time. Of course this decision is a personal preference.
I thought I would list some pros and cons.
PROS
1. They are just so darn cute together! The way the play, run, pounce, and hop is just precious. Seeing two together is a pure delight to watch.
2. They grow up together. They form a strong bond not only with you but to each other. They expect to sit on your lap together, walk with you together, snooze in the same bed, etc.
3. They help each other with separation
Temperament
We live with these little dogs. They’re a part of our everyday lives, piling on our laps in the evening and at our heels following us around the house all day. They require a great deal of grooming, whether clipped or kept in coat. If the dog is neurotic, fidgety, won’t be still to be groomed, is overly possessive and snarls, bites, or barks incessantly, eats it’s own feces and leaves you wondering why you ever wanted a Maltese puppy, it’s highly likely the dog will end up in a shelter. Temperament is extremely important and because many of our puppies grow up to become therapy dogs and service dogs, it’s more important than ever that they have correct temperament. According to the AKC Maltese Breed Standard 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. Correct temperament is, at least here at Storybook Maltese, ranked higher in importance than the other factors.
Overall appearance
Every time we look at our dogs, our hearts flutter. They’re just so beautiful and alluring. Our personal preference is a shorter muzzle with larger eyes that give that ‘baby doll’ look that captures the heart. Whenever it won’t jeopardize our higher priorities, we strive toward this particular ‘look’.
Coat
Certainly, the coat plays a very significant role in the Maltese show ring. According to AKC Maltese Breed Standard, 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.
When it comes to everyday grooming, a great coat will make life easier for both owner and dog. Coats that are curly, kinky, etc., are more likely to become a matted mess.
Size
AKC Maltese Breed Standard dictates size to be 4-7 lbs with 4-6 lbs being preferred. Most of the families that we place our puppies with do not want a very large Maltese of 8-20 lbs, as we’ve seen in some places. We also do not strive to breed ultra tiny micro pocket puppies of 2-3 lbs. The tiny teacup version of Maltese is usually plagued with health issues.
Occasionally, we have a pup that will be on the smaller side. These pups require a special home to survive and thrive and extra care is taken to make sure they go to a home where they’ll be properly cared for. We will never breed a dog that doesn’t conform to the breed standard and therefore, all Storybook Maltese fall within the acceptable range.