To MyMaltese
The aim of this site is to bring Maltese admirers wherever they may be together, in order to share their experiences be it they are happy, sad or funny, any exiting news or happenings. Contributions news and comments can be sent to our e-mail address. We do not look down our noses on Maltese with no papers of pedigree, all are welcome. We will appreciate if you leave a message in our Guest Book or if you leave your flag on our Guest Map or Mini Add section which is intended solely for Maltese.
MyMaltese is a personal web site and any information contained herein is for reference purposes only. For professional advice you should visit one of the sites dealing with specific issues. Any comments are solely the writer's opinion.
How it all happened: I have admired the Maltese breed ever since I can remember and it has always been my dream to have one of my own to cuddle. As years went by, there always seemed to be a reason for not being able to own one, a) Living in an apartment where the owner did not allow animals, b) financial, c )children were too small, d) too busy working, etc. One day unexpectedly my husband read an advertisement in the newspaper. I immediately called the breeder and at that point in time, I did not care less whether the puppy was registered or not as I did not intend to attend shows or start breeding. All that really mattered to me was having a companion that I have wished for for so long.
Looking back now I am convinced that fate was certainly at work to shape events as they were meant to be today. I believe that everything happened at the right time and at the right place.
And the future: The future cannot be foretold however, our intention is to breed excellent show quality Maltese.
I bought Snow-White some years ago as an eight week old puppy. Although she was extremely hyperactive as a pup (never having time to eat but nibbled in passing) she was a very good and obedient little pup, never leaving my side. She did not cry for her mom the first night as most pups do on their first night away from home. When evening came, she climbed into her basket next to by bed and slept the whole night through. Although Snow-White has a mind of her own, she has grown up to be a real fine lady with delicate manners.
Ramses on the other hand was not so active as a puppy but he was adorable just the same. He has a tremendously thick coat and patiently bears brushing each day. He is not afraid of anything and would happily attack bigger dogs if he felt in endangered. He has a very gentle and romantic nature. With gestures and a certain look in his eyes he is capable of communicating exactly what he requires. Like a real gentleman, he will willingly sleep somewhere else than chase the cat out of his basket.
Then came Cleopatra. She has a devilish look in her eyes and is full of mischief. Extremely active, continuously re-organizing everything, vigorous and confident. She demands respect, loves routine and very quickly lets us know if we forget something. He name seems to suit her well. History repeats its self.
In the first half of 2009, four puppies were born to Snow-White, one male and three females. One female stood out amongst the litter, not only because she was lovely, but because of her beautiful personality. As it was far too difficult to resist, Sha'uri stayed with us for ever.
Our Maltese are one hundred percent purebred and are direct descendents of famous Dams and Sires. They have become the joy of our lives and have the entire family twisted around their little paws.
Maltese need special care and attention whether they are show dogs or just cuddly pets. There are a lot of professional Maltese breeder sites dealing with all aspects of the Maltese breed as well as step by step groom advice for show dogs as well as pet Maltese. These are extremely helpful and I would recommend that each new puppy owner gathers as much information as possible in order to care for their pet in a way that Maltese deserve.
Many people do not have the time, patience or finances required to own a show dog and therefore, they are quite happy to own a puppy without papers of pedigree. There is certainly nothing wrong with that. A pet Maltese can look just as beautiful and well groomed as a show dog if it is looked after correctly.
Owing a Maltese or any other breed with papers of pedigree does not necessarily mean that it is a pure bred nor does it mean, that it will grow up to be a good quality show dog. It also does not mean, that it will grow up to be a good breeding dog either.
Every registered breeder will advise on purchasing a puppy with papers of pedigree. This is true for really responsible breeders as the Maltese is commonly bred with other breed, not only to further express its intelligence and temperament, but also to ensure large litters. This is where the 7 - 9 Kg so called purebred Maltese come from. Some with inherited handicaps and diseases which are likely to surface at a later stage.
Papers of pedigree are not a certainly that the puppy still is a purebred. Registration papers arrive by post and there is nothing to stop breeders from registering two truly purebred puppies and an additional two from another which are not purebreds to the same parents. This is common practice. A new owner will do well to insist on a DNA test from the breeder.
I have great respect for honest and responsible breeders and to my mind they are doing wonderful work. Maltese as well as other dog breeds would not be where they are today if it were not for breeders who have practically devoted their lives to breeding. It is through my own little Maltese lady that I have had the opportunity, honour and pleasure to meet one of the most wonderful Maltese breeders imaginable. Her patience and dedication is honestly something to be admired. It would really be a joy of all breeders were like her.
One can breed pedigree Maltese out of love for this breed, but one cannot breed Maltese for the purpose of making a profit. This is where some make a mistake. There is a lot of had work and patience involved and not everyone is prepared to accept the consequences. A breeder once acquired a pedigree female Maltese with the sole purpose of breeding her and making a profit. Due to an infection of the ovaries and uterus in conjunction with inadequate care, she did not become gravid. The breeder decided this was a burden and sold the little female. Fortunately, in the right hands and correct treatment she was completely cured and boasted a healthy litter of quality puppies.
How to discover, if you're a Maltese addict.
When you have more toys, beds and dog clothing than they have in a pet store.
When you remember other people's Maltese names but don't remember theirs.
When your parents come over to dog-sit instead of baby-sit.
When you have more photographs and albums of your Maltese than of your entire family.
When you pull our ribbons and wraps from your pockets instead of your business cards.
When you'd much rather give your Maltese a bath than cook the Sunday meal.
When you stop visiting friends in order to spend time with your Maltese.
When you prefer your Maltese sleeping with you rather than your partner.
When your bathroom cupboards are full with expensive grooming products but you buy the cheapest brand on the market for yourself.
When you hide your Maltese under your coat during a winter walk.
When you discover that you spend most of your time surfing the web for Maltese related sites instead of doing something more constructive.
Maltese Facts
There are many theories as to where Maltese originated from and in which century. The fact remains that Maltese have been a favourite with the ladies, the gents, the royalty and the rich and the famous ever since the very beginning.
Some distinct Maltese characteristics are as follows:
Long silky luxurious straight white coat Black outline of the eyes
Black shiny nose Black lips
Weight 1.75 to 4.5 kg High 15 to 35 cm
Lifespan 13 - 17 in some cases 21 years Litter between 1 and 4
Maltese are loving friendly and devoted to their masters with a lovely disposition and are ideal pets for apartment owners but also enjoy daily walks tremendously. Maltese love children but families with small children should opt for another more suitable breed. Maltese bones are very fragile and it is very easy for a small child to hurt them unwillingly and many accidents do occur. A professional breeder will refrain from placing a puppy into a home with small children.
Maltese get along with other dogs pretty well but will always want to be the leader of the pack, specially the females.
References have been made to black Maltese. Black Maltese do not exist. This is a breed referred to as a Maltepoo, and is a hybrid of the Maltese and a black Poodle.
Occasionally it does happen that a Maltese puppy is born with one or both blue eyes, some owners panic, but under no circumstances does it mean that is cancerous or that the pup will be blind. It simply means, that sometime in the passed, an irresponsible breeder bred a dog with this deficiency.
Breeders will obviously not agree but it is very disappointing and sad that the classic breed of Maltese is rapidly disappearing. Each and every Maltese of the old classic breed was an individual, Each one looked different, had a different face, different coat structure and was of a different size. Today all Maltese seem to look exactly alike. Breeders seem to be competing and following modern trends and breed Maltese very small in size with a very thin coat structure and are very similar to one another. If ten Maltese are lined up next to each other, one gets the impression that they are all cloned.
Maltese Hints
Maltese are not he kind of dogs that can be kept in an outdoor kennel. Maltese need to be groom and bathed regularly. Brushing and combing should be a daily ritual and should be a pleasure for both the Maltese and the owner.
Although our Maltese are not show dogs, we take pride in their long silky coats and would never cut it short. A long coat is as natural to a Maltese as a tail is to a Boyer. It is worth it to invest into quality cosmetics, combs and brushes. There are shampoos and conditioners specially designed for various coat types which really make grooming a pleasure. Although ere there are a lot f cheaper brands on the market, long term consequences can be catastrophic and it could many long moths to repair the damage.
It is convenient to paper train pets as well in order to avoid having to go outdoors in very cold or any bad weather.
Good nutrition is essential at any age to keep Maltese in the best of health. Maltese should visit a grooming parlour about every three months, depending on how fast their coat grows. Finding the right groomer can be difficult. The best groomers are usually Maltese breeders themselves. It is advisable to select a groomer who does not accept more than two dogs from one owner at a time.
Puppies enjoy chewing on anything and everything they come across. Out of my own experience, I would warn against letting them chew on sticks or wood of any kind. Splinters can get stuck in their pallets and throat and because the symptoms are uncommon, it could be too late by the time, if ever, the actual cause is determined.
Puppy Talk
Purchasing a new puppy and bringing it home is always exiting and should be a happy occasion for both the new owner and the pup. Care should be taken not to stress the puppy too much. On the other, over pampering could have a negative effect. As mentioned previously, gathering lots if information about the breed prior to bringing it home is very useful. Some resources on the internet may be outdated therefore, it is worth checking when the site was last updated.
Care should always be taken when deciding on a new puppy. Quality and good health should take precedence over a low price. It is not advisable to purchase a puppy from a breeder who offers to deliver the puppy to a destination of your choice prior to having seen the puppy beforehand. Chances are a) puppy will not live long, b) it is not a purebred, c) breeding conditions at the breeder are atrocious.
Puppies should not be take from their mother earlier than between 8 and 12 weeks of age. During the last few weeks, the young ones learn a lot from their mothers as well as from other dogs and animals. They learn to socialize with people and as a result, they can go to their new owners un-timid, well socialized and are seldom home-sick the first few nights in their new environment. This extra time is important for the breeder too, as he can watch the puppies as they grow and develop in terms of health, quality and character. They are able to communicate this information to the new owner.
Puppies are like small children and it is necessary to puppy-proof its new home to avoid unnecessary incidents taking place. It is advisable not to leave the puppy alone at home for first few days. Being separated from its mother is already a traumatic experience.
Puppies love toys and need a nice bed or crate where they can snuggle and rest uninterrupted. Snow-White sleeps behind my head on my pillow during the night, but during the daytime, she likes to relax in her own bed where she knows she will not be disturbed. Ramses does not like heights. He always feels more secure in his own basket. Cleopatra is not that particular about where she sleeps. Anything goes as far as she is concerned. Sha'uri prefers to have her siesta on our boxers back.
The breeder will happily supply information about feeding and vet care. The rest - house-breaking and training is up to the new owner. We went through a lot of trials and errors with our first Maltese and we continue to learn as time goes by.
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