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Guide to Buying a Maltese Puppy

When you contact a breeder about buying your Maltese Puppy, remember that they will be interviewing you as well. Good Breeders will not sell a Maltese Puppy to someone they do not think can or will take very good care of them.

In this article, we will be discussing some of the questions you need to ask the breeder about the Maltese Puppy you are thinking of purchasing.

You should ask the breeder how long they have been in business or how long they have been breeding dogs in general, then specifically how long they have been breeding Maltese Puppies. Ask for references from previous puppy buyers, their veterinarian or other breeders. You may also ask AKC if they have a "negative file" or pending action or investigation of a particular person.

Ask your breeder how frequently they breed Maltese Puppies. If a breeder suggests they are always breeding and always have Maltese Puppies available, be leery, because most good breeders strive for quality and aren’t just out to produce as many Maltese Puppies as possible to fill the market needs.

Another good question to ask is; “What specific traits do you breed for?” And, “Do you breed to produce puppies that meet the official Standard of the breed?” If you are looking for a show dog, you must ask these questions to be sure your Maltese Puppy meets the standards for being a champion.

Ask about the bloodlines of the Maltese Puppies they sell. Ask if they furnish a Pedigree. A pedigree lists your Maltese Puppy’s ancestors and should go back three to five years at least. Remember the Maltese Dog is one of the oldest breeds on the planet.

AKC registration papers are issued as a validation that the dog is pure-bred, but is not a guarantee of the dog's quality or health or the reputation of the breeder. Ask to make sure they do have the registration papers from the AKC, though, because if the Maltese Puppy is purebred, you still need proof of that.

Ask the breeder what he or she feels are the disadvantages to owning a Maltese Puppy. Ask them what their lifespan is. Ask how easy they are to housebreak and train and do they have any tips for you that would be helpful in training your Maltese Puppy. Then, ask your breeder what they think are the advantages to owning a Maltese Puppy versus owning other types of toy dogs.

Some of these questions are to help you determine that the seller or breeder is very knowledgeable about Maltese Dogs. If they don’t know the answers to these questions, it may be a bad idea to purchase your Maltese from them.

Ask them what Dog Clubs they belong to. If they tell you they belong to the AKC, they don’t. Only Dog Clubs are Members of the AKC, not individuals. Some people join Specialty clubs (like the A.M.A.) or all-breed clubs. It should NOT be assumed that memberships in these clubs assure either integrity, honesty or responsibility.

What kind of contract does the breeder offer or require is another important question. You want to know what guarantees they are offering and what requirements they have before they will sell you a Maltese Puppy. Make sure you understand all of the conditions and requirements and that all guarantees are in writing before you finalize your purchase of any Maltese Puppy. Your contract should include at least a six-month health guarantee as well.

All of the veterinary needs of the Maltese Puppy should be in writing. Immunizations, treatments, and other medical information should be available in writing, if they are a reputable breeder. The seller should allow you a reasonable time (48 hours or more) to take the puppy to a veterinarian of your choice for examination and to discuss any concerns you might have. Be sure you and the breeder discuss your options should the veterinarian discover a problem. Contracts and guarantees are the breeder's option to provide; there are no rules forcing them to do so.

We hope these tips help you ask all the right questions when purchasing your Maltese Puppy. A Maltese Puppy is a welcome addition to any family.
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