Finding a Responsible Breeder

Originally posted by Laceys mom@Aug 24 2005, 06:35 PM
Wish everyone who was getting a dog read about the type of dog they want to get.  I see so many people complain about how there dog acts...full of energy, too big,  or something.
<div align="right">index.php?act=findpost&pid=93804

Click to expand...

[/QUOTE]

You bring up such a good point, Lacey's Mom. People fall in love with Maltese, but say they just want to get a pet so they get one from a pet store or BYB. What they don't realize is that if the breeder isn't breeding to the breed standard, not only can you end up with Maltese thatis phsically very different than the standard, but you may not get the typical Maltese personality either. How often do we see posting on these forums from frustrated owners who have hyper or aggressive Maltese when they expected a laid back little lap dog. In each and every case I have read, the puppy came from either a BYB or pet shop. I have never heard a complaint about disposition from anyone who got their puppy from a reputable breeder.

What I've learned from my experience with Lady is that it is much cheaper in the long run to save a bit longer and get a puppy from a reputable breeder than to get a "bargain" puppy who may need expensive surgeries or have big vet bills its entire life due to a genetic illness or need expensive training to correct inbred behavior or dispostion problems.

For many of us, the first one is the learning experience and no matter how much we love them, it teaches us how important buying form a reputable breeder is the second time around.

When I adopted Lady, I knew she was originally from a pet store and really thought I was pretty educated about pet shop puppies. Since Lady was 4&1/2 already and had been healthy all her life, I had no idea that she would "fall apart" physically so late in life. In the first two years I had her, this "healthy" dog was dx first with epilepsy, then diabetes, then allergies, and severe inflamatory arthritis (so bad I had to walk her in a sling - she was unable to walk).

Thanks to many, many medications and fantastic vets, she is doing amazingly well at nearly 11. She has surprised everyone. But with what I have spent on her, I could have easily bought a show puppy from one of the top breeders!

I sure did luck out on her personality, though. She has a perfect, laid back mellow disposition. My sister who manages a vet office always tells me about the "funny looking" Maltese they see with the nasty dispositions. She keeps saying it's hard to believe that they are even the same breed as Lady. They had one a lady brought in to be put to sleep. He had been through 3 owners, bit everyone and was so hyper he'd even attack the television! One of the vet techs adopted him and has done very, very well with him, but he's still more like a terrier than a Maltese my sister says.