[Ainsley]

Hi guys! I'm currently in the process of buying a Maltese puppy, and I'm attaching a pic of the one I've got my eye on right now! This was just a quick sneak peek pic, I'm waiting for more pictures and videos from the breeder. But I was wondering if you guys would be able to help me determine what type of coat she has from the picture? The breeder said her coat looks gorgeous so far and I agree but I can't tell if it's going to be the silkier type of coat or the more fluffy/wooly kind. I'm erring on the fluffy/wooly side, but I'm new to the breed so I would love to hear your feedback!

Thanks everyone!

 

[edelweiss]

I would agree from the photo, but one can't really go by the puppy coat. It depends on the parentage---did you see the sire & dam? Who is the breeder?

 

[Ainsley]

These are the parents. The sire is from the breeder I'm using, her business is called Tatortot Pup, and the dam is from another breeder.

 

[edelweiss]

I went to this web-site---it IS a puppy mill. It offers various breeds, "tea-cup" pups, will not allow a home visit. yada, yada, yada!!!!!! There are so many red flags! There is also no record of any confirmation in regard to breeding. Please keep you $$ and go to the AMA web site & find a reputable breeder. You have no guarantee that the puppy you see in a video is the one you will receive either. Puppy's come w/tear stains---that is the norm when they are teething.
You have come here for sound advice & we want to spare you much heartache---please step away from this pup & do your research on this site of how to choose a breeder. Please!

 

[maggieh]

I agree with Sandi. There are many indications that this is a breeder after money, not protecting the qualities of the breed. Anyone who tells you they are breeding for a specific "look" like baby doll face is suspect. Reputable breeders breed to meet the standard, not for a particular look.


Also, she wants your deposit before you even get to meet the puppy? And only meet in a public place? Please look for a breeder who shows for conformation or who has retirees, or consider a rescue.

 

[Snuggle's Mom]

Please heed the advice of the two individuals who posted in response to your question. They both know exactly what they are talking about and only want to help you make the right decision when seeking out your new Maltese Puppy. I hope that you will truly think it over before you make a purchase from the Breeder.

 

[edelweiss]

If you go to the black "search" bar above you can hit this & type in "how to search for a breeder." Please read the postings there---you will find good advice. Please keep in mind that finding the "right" puppy is a process, but it pays off in the end. There have been lots of members here who have been "scammed" and ended up w/a puppy that has serious health issues. Part of the mission of SM is to help prevent that.
People in the business of making lots of $$$ off puppies speak a slick language---they know how to entice. NO breeded will want to meet you in an open place rather than the home "to protect her other dogs."
You will want to secure a breeder w/whom you can have on-going contact, one w/a reputable reputation. The internet makes it ivery easy to get taken. Please read as much as you can & come back to us w/questions about particular breeders.

There is usually a maltese show coming up---google Eukaneuba---it should be soon---probably in FL. Where are you located so we can make geographical suggestions. You can see lots of dogs at once, meet maltese breeders, some of our SM family go there & would be glad to help if you introduce yourself around. That is the BEST way to meet good breeders.

 

[zooeysmom]

I'm frustrated because we already took the time out of our busy days to give you feedback and help you look for a good breeder on your previous thread. Please take a step back and keep researching about how to buy a puppy safely. I can't imagine more red flags than the breeder(s) you are looking at right now.

 

[Ainsley]

Thank you all so much for the information, I've already given this woman a deposit about a month ago. I live in Los Angeles, and most of the local breeders I've found were charging more money for puppies that weren't true teacup puppies. I know that "teacup" is not a real AKC term and is just used colloquially to describe the size of smaller puppies. I have PTSD so my main reason for getting this dog is as an emotional support companion. I want a tiny dog that I can easily take with me out in public, primarily in a carrier so as not to draw as much attention.
I will say this breeder has been very good about ongoing contact, always answers my calls and emails promptly, and has provided me with photos and videos of all the dogs I've asked about. She also offers to facetime/skype so you can see the dogs in her home and she has a youtube channel where she posts videos of the dogs in her home environment as well. She has bought her dogs from Korea, but they are her dogs that she breeds in her home.

I'm sorry, I don't mean to sound defensive, I fully believe that all of you have much more knowledge than I do on this topic! However, the more traditional AKC breeders that I looked at in my area were charging roughly the same price or more money for puppies that were just not what I'm looking for as far as size.

 

[edelweiss]

Ainsley, If you will read the SM Welcome greeting you will see that SM does not endorse "tea-cup" or breeders who sell for profit. On-going contact means "after purchase" not while you are still in the process. You are not the first one to be taken in by these slick operators, but I do feel you were warned early on, if Elizabeth was correct. We do not wish you any harm, quite the contrary; however it would seem you are asking us to withold judgement against our better inclinations.
This breeder is definitely a "broker" and that I find very sad as you become part of the problem making it possible for these brokers to continue to stay in the business of scamming people. Some people end up w/sick dogs & they are unable to keep them so they are relinquished to rescue. AMRA is then called upon to fund & rehome them. It is a never ending circle.
I wish I were wrong---- and I understand that a number of SM members have fallen into this trap. I truly hope it goes well for you w/your new baby.

 

[Ainsley]

Thank you so much, Edelweiss. The first puppy I was looking at was from a Korean kennel, so the feedback I received on my first post I definitely did take to heart and began searching for a different breeder. I honestly didn't really understand what a puppy broker was. I thought that by buying from a breeder located in the USA who breeds her dogs in her home that that was okay and responsible breeding practice. She has Korean dogs, but the way she's explained it to me is that she has personally gone to Korea and bought the dogs herself and she now breeds them occasionally as a hobby. I thought that by getting a dog within the USA that had Korean lineage, I was getting the best of both worlds: smaller Korean "teacup" size, through a responsible local breeder. I do think maybe I was a little naive, but I thought that by interviewing this breeder thoroughly and reading reviews from her past clients, I had done my due diligence. I totally understand where all of you are coming from and again I am aware that you are all far more educated on these matters. I have already committed to buying this puppy by putting in a deposit and down payment, and I am absolutely in love with her based on the videos they've sent me! I won't be getting her until the first week of January because although she is a little over 3 months old, she's too small to leave her mother yet so I do appreciate that they aren't taking her away from her mom too early just because they have a buyer.
Again, maybe this is just me being naive but I do have faith that this breeder is well intentioned and cares about the health of her puppies, but I do acknowledge that I should have done more research, even though I thought the amount of research I had done was sufficient at the time.

Sorry, that was long! Basically, I think all of you ladies are much wiser about these things and I appreciate so much all of the info you've given me and I fully admit that I was a bit naive but I am hopeful and optimistic about my puppy and her health and hopefully you guys can still accept me into your lovely community here! I'm definitely not perfect and am eager to learn!

Thank you all again so much for taking time out of your busy lives to help me, I truly appreciate it! <3

 

[edelweiss]

I just looked at this site again & it says 11 available puppies (that is not a hobby breeder who occasionally has a pup available)---that is a huge red flag along w/the others. I honestly wonder how old the pup you are inquiring about really is? Maybe it is much younger since you are post-poned in its' delivery (so as to make it look smaller.) Have you seen the pedigree?
I would respectfully disagree w/your statement that this is a "breeder" (we would call her a "greeder") who is well intentioned & cares about the health of her puppies. I have personal experience w/a friend who bought a dog like this and it was a huge disappointment. I do not wish that for you. I do understand that you have made a deposit, etc. & it is painful for me to realize that so many do this w/the best of intentions.
Please don't think we are not welcoming. We learn through our mistakes. Now it will be your job to instruct others who come w/your same experience.

 

[Ainsley]

I don't think she has 11 puppies available, I just looked on her site and I only see 3 that are currently available to purchase.
I haven't seen any paperwork/pedigree, just photos of the parents. I'm now a little worried about the age thing. :/ I guess I have no way to confirm how old she really is, that's definitely a little worrisome, I never thought about that. Are there any physical indicators of a puppy's age that I might be able to spot in her videos/pictures? I've googled "Maltese puppies 4 weeks/8 weeks/3 months" etc to try to compare, and she definitely looks more developed than the 4/8 weeks.

 

[edelweiss]

Babydoll Faced Maltese Puppies for Sale, Korean Lines Maltese Puppies for sale, Teacup Maltese Puppies for sale

I took that off the web-site just now?
http://www.tatortotpup.com

 

[edelweiss]

Even if it isn't 11 available there are enough other red flags---
The best indicator of age are the teeth & you can't see that in a photo---a vet would be able to know. Also, this kind of slick operation might show you any puppy's photos---so try not to fixate on that. My friend who is a breeder had her dogs/bitches photos stolen & they were being used to sell dogs on-line like this. Just sayin/

There is a maltese data base on line if you can get the official names of the dam & sire & the breeders' names.

 

[zooeysmom]

OMG, this puppy mill is even worse than I thought! Red flag right there that you can't visit their home for their "safety." What BS. Any good breeder will WANT you to visit in person to meet you and ensure a good fit. And those prices?!!!?!!! Even Chrisman, which is the most expensive show breeder, charges less for pet puppies. And red flag #50, charging $2000 more if you want to breed the dog. GOOD breeders usually do NOT charge any more for a show dog, it is simply a different contract. And of course, these dogs can't be shown because they don't even have real papers (CKC is a surefire puppy mill association, although AKC can definitely be too). And...they source more than one breed, as I see a Pom on their sales page. They are seriously the worst. They make my blood boil. You'd be wise to eat your deposit and walk away!

 

[zooeysmom]

Even with losing your deposit, you could find a nice female from an ethical breeder for the same price you would've paid for one of those liver shunt deformed "teacups." You do NOT need a dog smaller than 4 lbs. Sorry, no one does. My Malt is almost 9 lbs in her older age, and I can still carry her with no problem. So a 4 lb. one from a good breeder would be very feasible.

 

[edelweiss]

In reading the references I see she offers long haired chis, poms, yorkies & apparently maltese---these are all mentioned. I am not sure which other breeds she could secure. All the dogs seem to be very small that are referenced.
This is why I am calling her a "broker."

 

[Ainsley]

I've already paid most of the cost and have paid for the plane ticket for the pet nanny to bring her to me, so it's a done deal. I'm crossing my fingers that they're being honest and I will get the specific puppy that I've paid for. She looks the same in all of the pictures and videos they've sent me, including videos of her doing specific things. For example, the first video they sent me didn't feature her walking around or playing so I asked them to please take another video of her so I could see her moving around and they were able to provide that for me the next day. I could clearly see that it was the same puppy as the first video and the photos match as well and are in the same location with the same backdrops.

Hopefully that is the puppy I will receive, I believe it will be due to her past positive reviews from people and people have said that they have ongoing contact with her for years after they get their puppy and that she's good about helping them with any questions they have later down the line so I'm hopeful that it will be alright. I do completely understand both of your concerns though.

Honestly I always thought that going through AKC breeders was only important if you planned on getting a show dog or a dog to use as a breeding dog or something, I didn't realize it was commonplace to use AKC breeders for just pets. And I didn't care about getting paperwork for her or registering her or anything so it wasn't a concern of mine.

As far as teeth coming in, she does say this about their teeth in her care guide:
"Tinies tend to wait longer than average toy dogs for their teeth to come in. So do NOT fall victim of the uneducated "tinies" myth about the teeth tell the age. TINIES ARE A DIFFERENT ball park! Once again this shows ignorance on those who don't know tinies!!!! Some tinies don't get their front teeth until 5-7 months old!!!! Between 5 months and 7 months they will be cutting their first teeth so just like a human baby, needs things to teeth on. Plastic teething toys are great as long as they don't chip off. Teething also tends to bring more tears. So if your puppy is staining a bit more from Tears, this is generally very normal. You can purchase a eye wash and a eye powder that would help manage this. Always make sure you supervise anything your tiny is chewing on!"

Has anyone ever noticed teeth coming in later for smaller puppies?

 

[edelweiss]

My Lisi is 8 yrs. old (half Korean, half Italian breeds) she weighs 4.5 lbs & she got her teeth just like my boy who is half Korean & half American (both from great stock). He is almost 10 & weighs 7 lbs. A vet will be able to tell the age (approximate) of any dog you get.

I would not give a puppy plastic toys to chew on!