Hi Everyone,

I have been looking and ringing around several adverts for a maltese puppy - i have been looking for 4 weeks now and still have had no joy. Could someone please help and suggest where i can find a maltese puppy??? (From someone whos not dodgy and wants to fly the puppy to me - yeah right)!!

My husband and I have a lovely house with large garden and no other pets. I really wanted the puppy xmas time so I could have 2 weeks without leaving the puppy on its own at all so it could get used to its new surroundings, although the most it would be left when we are back to work is 3 hours. I just felt it was more fair for the puppy to get used to things and feel secure and safe before I left it at all.

I thought 4 weeks would be enough time to get one, but there are so many scammers out there I just didnt realise......

If you can help me out at all and suggest where i could find one I would be sooooo grateful. (I have grown up with dogs all my life when living with my parents, and now im 29 and responsible I would really love one for me and my husband)

Kind Regards

Lisa

4 weeks really isn't enough time as usually puppies Will b e booked before birth, especially in toy breeds that have smaller litters.

The way to ensure you get a healthy well bred puppy is through the breed clubs.  Breeders who are serious about the breed they have will belong to one or more breed societies and have a reputation to maintain among their peers.

Breed clubs will have a code of ethics regarding breeding standards and health testing.

Breed Clubs and Societies

MALTESE CLUB. Sec. Mrs C Hemsley. Tel No: 01276 857786
MALTESE CLUB OF SCOTLAND. Sec. Mrs Grant. Tel No: 0131 666 1308

If you do find a litter advertised you can always check the breeders reputation with the breed club, but good breeders rarely advertise in the mass media, generally confining themselves to their breed club lists, the kennel club, and canine publications.

Please do not right-off breeders soley because they are not members of a breed club. There are many good and experienced and reputable breeders out there that refuse to have any association with breed clubs. Prefering to distance themselves from the petty politics and other such rubbish that can occur in some breed clubs. By all means contact the breed clubs, but keep in mind that this is no guarantee of quality or experience of breeders or their stock. You would be better to find a breeder who carries out all the necessary health checks prior to mating and avoid any breeder whom informs you that their breed does not require any health checks. The breed club will be able to tell you what health checks that need to be carried out in their particular breed.  Please also be aware that a some breed clubs do not enforce their own codes of conduct. Again, buyer beware.

Genrally speaking though even if they are not members a good breeder will be a kn9own quatinty to a breed club and certainly can be checked out by contacting the club, politics apart.

For a novice buyer this is probably still the safest bet.

I am afraid to find the right puppy will take much more than 4 weeks, and could take over a year. Most good breeders will have homes for all their pups before they are born, and many before they are even conceived! A good puppy cannot usually be bought "off the shelf", and needs to be planned.
I woudl suggest that you start approaching breed clubs for the names and details of recommended breeders, and enquire about upcoming litters. I also suggest that you do a lot of research ito the breed, and get as prepared as you can, so that when you meet a breeder they will consider you as a serious potential owner. In addition, not many responsible beeders will let a pup go at christmas.