maltese breed

moneylover

does anyone have a Maltese? They look lovely little dogs and they are a breed I will consider when I go to Discover Dogs at Earls ccourt on Sunday. Would def cut coat short! But have read that they can be very very yappy and also can exhibit some undesirabe tendencies if not really really well trained.
Currently considering a cocker spaniel but my daughter thinks too mad. And she says not a big dog becuase although a perfectly fit 63 year old I might still have to walk the dog when I am 80!
Many thanks
Hilary

catlou

No.........But!! Hopefully someone else will come along and help you!

Have you considered a Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, Tibetan Terrier, Bichon Frise or maybe a miniature/toy poodle. All would need grooming and/or can be kept short. I think "generally" they are calmer breeds than a Cocker?

Have a look when you are at discover dogs - I would LOVE to go to that although would prob come away wanting 100 dogs!!

Kittendreich

Don't know any Maltese, but just from the last post - poodles aren't usually that calm. I know quite a few and they are all very energetic and very intelligent (i.e. need to be kept busy and tired!) - great dogs though...

Lots of little dogs can be yappy & get away with much worse behaviour than a big dog would (as they can be picked up or easily restrained on a lead). Training & exercise are key for all dogs (no matter what size) - tired dogs who know 'the rules' are generally much more contented and easier to live with.

puppypants

I have a Lhasa Apso who I rescued. She was three years old and had been a breeding !!!!! in a puppy farm and badly neglected. She is the most fantastic little character now but it took a lot of patience for the first 18 months as she had never been in a house or on a lead. She couldnt believe that she could go out the door and come back in again. I think she thought there was only one side to a door! Please consider rescueing an ex breeder. Also have a look at Many Tears website, they have lots of little dogs needing homes. Good luck with your furbaby when you eventually get one, mine is the funniest, cutest little creature who Im glad came into my when she did.

Rosie X

chris_n_tj

Hi Hilary my friend has a Maltese, he is beautiful. The Maltese coat is a bit easier to manage than a Bichon Frise, the coat isnt as thick. If you spend a about 15 minutes a day you can manage the longish coat very well.

They can be yappy but if you put the time in then you can overcome this. The good thing about Maltese and Bichons is they will walk forever with you, but they are also happy just running about in the garden. Best of both worlds really.

They are creatures of habit, so you need to be careful about feeding and treat giving, lol they only need to have something twice then they expect it same time forever.

Of course i wouldnt swop my Bichon Firse lol.

Which ever you chose you wont go far wrong. Below is a photo of Freddie he is beautiful isnt he. My friend keeps him lovely.

moneylover

thank you so much for taking the time to send this - what an absolutely beautiful photograph. I think that the dog you have is quite similar in some ways? But there seems to be a huge difference in price! I have to say that I do like the puppy cut on the maltese. I am curious - is it really possible to reduce the yappiness with good training? Never having had a dog before......
At Discover Dogs which I am going to tomorrow there is a seminamr on the importance of dog training but its full up - I am going to try and sneak in though! It seems to me from what I have read that if you train a dog well its all much better both for dog and owner. I would have to hope so as my husband thinks dogs shouldnt be allowed to bark/yap too much!
Hilary

lala20382

My family had a maltese for 13 years, she completely ruled the house (including our german sheppard). She wasn't particularly yappy as think she thought she was bigger than she was. Very gutsy little thing that is still missed by the entire family. Hope that helps!

lostinrates

I'd just like to say thank you for making the choice carefully and going to Discover Dogs. The people on all the breed stands I've ever dealt with are fantastically helpful and good ambassadors for their breeds. Be aware that most of us are biased towards our breeds and would make any situation work for them, so anything not right discussed with you about the breeds you are looking at must be considered seriously! You don't have to make your final choice at DD, go to some breeders of dogs on your short list, see the dogs in a home environment (most breeders will have some or all of their dogs in the home some or all of the time).


For me, if I didn't have my big brutes of dogs I'd have an Italian greyhound like a shot, dh has his beady eye on a tougher little dog, the bedlington terrier, who will be more up to the bustle of our farm and the big dogs. We always come back from Crufts DD with a huge list of dogs we'd love to live with if our lives were different in some way!