|
|
 |
|
with Marion Williams |
 |
Somebody told me Maltese
were "yappy" dogs. Is this true? |
 |
I understand why someone might say that. When both boys are away with me, and I leave the girl behind at home....she NEVER barks! My oldest boy barks, and the house comes down! They ALL think that everyone that comes to our door is coming to see them...not as intruding, but as visitors! The moment you sit down, they hush...smother you with kisses, but they do
hush -- they are a social dog!
|
|
|
I've noticed that some
Maltese some have a more coarse coat than others.
I thought they were supposed to have a soft, silky coat? |
|
It is like our hair, some thick, some coarse, some straight, some curly....a true silk coat is what is most desired, but
unfortunately, at the shows you could be seeing an "ironed" coat. I would just make certain there is no sign of a "cotton feeling" coat. That is most undesirable! Unless you fall in love with the face and
temperament, then it really doesn't matter at all...(See my Tribute to Pancho page). |
|
|
I've heard
Maltese should be no larger than 5-6 pounds full-grown. Is
this the standard? |
|
Yes, this is the breed standard, 4-7 lbs. with 6 being preferred. The ONLY way you can know this is to know the lineage! Sometimes at 12 wks. old, you can multiply the weight by two and get the "near exact" weight of the puppy after if is fully
grown... I said "nearly". |
|
|
I'm not sure on female or male.
What are the true differences, and which one is more apt to be calm natured? |
|
I have had several that I have either owned or boarded, and the males are always more ready to bond with you than are the females. The females tend to be more like a cat. By that I mean, they are more
independent and will come to you when they are ready and not a moment
before - thus... my Callie. She is so funny and I am by no means saying she isn't a love, but it ALWAYS has to be "her idea" and on "her timing".... my boys? They are ready at any given moment to be in my lap or in my face, ready to just love me............such a wonderful feeling!!!!!!!!
As for being "calm natured" I really can only tell you that is in the breeding. Some have an out-going personality, which makes a great show dog, others may be very shy or timid, making it hard to
show. HOWEVER, Poco, my "McWimp puppy boy" who is such a Mamma's boy, finished his championship before his outgoing, show-off, sister! Go
figure... Just watch out for poorly bred dogs who are in no way social. Maltese are by nature, a social dog, bred to be in your face and in your lap! If you see red
flags... stay away! If you don't want to be followed to the bathroom or followed around the
house... these dogs are not for you - they don't understand life to be any other way! |
|
|
I have looked and looked for a rescue
Maltese, but not many are available and the ones that are seem to have some issues,
health or emotional. Is this typical? |
|
I have had ONE rescue that was turned over by an elderly man who was very ill and no longer able to care for his baby of 11 yrs. old.
She didn't seem to miss him, but... she was a bit protective and somewhat aggressive of other males that would come in to our home, she hated this man's son who would torment
her... no wonder - it is hardly ever their fault. I placed her with a divorced woman who had one other female Maltese and they are living happily ever after! When you take on a rescue, be very careful, they can make wonderful pets, but they do come with
baggage! |
|
|
How do you feel about litter box training as Malteses’ are so small? |
|
I have seen a puppy as soon as 6-7 week search out the potty pad and use it! He would cry in the night to get out of his crate to go to the potty
pad - use it, then go back to sleep! TRUE STORY, I can give you his owner's name and
number - she lives right here in Middle, GA. Callie will use the potty pad without fail, Poco the
brother... well, he is a different story. He is not fixed, has not been bred yet, and is not even two yrs. old until September. None of mine like to get their feet wet!!!!! If I watch him close, pay attention or keep him crated when I can't watch him, it is no problem. Let me get on this computer or the phone and it is "wooohoooowoooohaaaaa lets have a ball..........." they KNOW when you are occupied!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are too smart to be dogs! |
|
 |
| You will probably say:
"They won't sleep with
us."...................YES THEY WILL.
"A Queen sized bed is large enough.".............NO IT ISN'T.
"I am tired of cleaning up pee-pee,"...............................
then they smile or lick you.
Really, I could go on and on, but the best one is
this.......
"If I would have had Maltese prior to having
children.........
I COULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN PREGNANT!".
They are a GREAT "birth control" and I am not complaining....I
have two human children. Both complain that I care more for the dogs than I do
them.......booohooo........LOL. |
|
