Deciding about getting a Maltese

I am interested in obtaining a maltese for my wife. Her brother has one and we both fell in love with her. We currently have two cats but no dogs. Some questions: 1. What sex should we consider? We're not interested in breeding as much as having a nice pet. 2. We both work during the day, so the dog will be alone for 8-9 hours. Can a maltese thrive in that type of environment? 3. Should we get a pup or an older, already housebroken dog? It makes no difference to us, but we are not experienced in training dogs. Would an older, non-show dog be better for us? We really love the breed, and any help you could give us would be greatly appreciated.
Glynn

Congrats! you have picked the Choosen Breed. I like getting a Puppy so I can train it myself and not receive some elses problems. You should differently consider Crate Training. There are several good books available on dog training. Be sure to read one before you bring you new baby home. Most dogs sleep while you are away from home. Your dog will work her way into your life if you are consistant. We have found the best results with a Spayed Female. Both our babies were 12 weeks old when we adopted them. At that age they should have some blatter and bowl control already, but when they are not in the crate I take them out every 1 1/2 to 2 hours to piddle and always take them out after eating. I never paper trained, but I live in FL. My Maltese hate the cold weather so they do their thing and want to go inside immediately during the winter months. Because you both work, go to 2 meals a day immediately. Good luck, I know you will have lots of joy.
Shelley
I can only answer one question. While I was searching for my little one I wondered whether to get a female or a male. After seeing quite a few pups I realized it didn't matter. Every Maltese has a different personality! Good Luck.
Jackie
I don't think the sex matters as much as the personality of the dog, and as you look you will see this to be true. Definitely contact a breeder in your area, Jay has provided listings for you on this website. I have a 5 year old female, that I delivered myself and since she didn't turn out show quality (too small) she has become my apartment dog. I work 8-5, leave at 7 and get home at 6. She is house trained to a white towel that is in the kitchen, because she spent the first year of her life in our kennel, she really hates going outside unless it's to play. I leave dry food down for her to crunch on during the day, and I feed her her evening meal as soon as I get home. When I get home she gets all of the attention for about an hour, we sit on the couch and watch the news and wheel of fortune, and then she feels likes she's gotten some one-on-one attention. While I'm gone during the day I leave the tv or radio on for her, and this seems to work great for me. Sometimes ! I come home at lunch to check on her (about twice a week). Maltese need alot of attention, they are very devoted to their owners and need to know that they are loved, so as long as you spend some quality time with your dog each day, I don't think the time that you are gone is going to be too bad for them. As far as the age you should get, since you can't be home during the day, you might consider an older already housebroken dog, although you would miss out on the fun of a brand new puppy, I would suggest talking to several breeders from Jay's list and they will be able to help you determine what would fit your needs and lifestyle the best.
Taram
Lucy is the first maltese I've ever had and also the first female. Based on my experience with little boys in the past and the potty training experience with Lucy, I'd say girls are faster to housebreak and more likely to refrain from using the indoors on even the rare occasion. Lucy was 12 weeks when I brought her home. It so happened that I was working from home, so was with her during the critical housebreaking period 24 hr a day. She got the idea very, very quickly and was 100% accident free within a month. Even during the housebreaking she didn't have more than a couple of "accidents." With my male dogs I could always count on them to "hike a leg" from time to time in the house (to say nothing of when we were visiting other folks). So, on that issue, I'd pick a female over again. However, every Maltese puppy I've met has been just as smart and adorable as the next, so sex may make no difference in this case.
Cathy Brown
Our male Maltese is 5-l/2 years old--wonderful, wonderful dog which we purchased from a breeder in Portland, OR. House-trained FAST-- uses either puppy pads or goes outside when weather is nice-- doesn't like cold or rain; prefers his ancestoral Mediterranean climate! We are away at work 9 hours--he sometimes gets taken to the office or we go home at lunch for a walk and playtime, but as long as he gets lots of attention when we are home, he is fine. He does OK when we take short trips without him (our daughter or son housesits), but our advice would be never to kennel a Maltese-- they are very sensitive and would probably languish or even become very ill. Ours had "separation anxiety" the first few times. Be prepared to lavish love and attention as well as training and to commit yourself to living the "Maltese way"--you'll be rewarded many times over.
Paula
Wonderful choice! A maltese is more like a human than a dog i swear! (my friends say i'm puppy-whipped) I've had experience with adopting older malteses, they do adjust well, but it may take a few weeks for them to adjust to your routine, but alot of love & patience will take care of that. As for crate training it's a wonderful way to make sure your dog is safe & secure when you are away. I leave my sweet dolly in her "room" while I'm at work (about 7 hours) and just give her alot of attention when I get home. many breeders & trainers will recommend crating your maltese. First off, the dog may be more secure, dogs in the wild live & dens & feel secure when they can get their back up against a wall. A big empty apt/house can be scary for a little maltese. Another advantage is that it keeps the dog safe, my maltese had pulled the shower curtain down on herself when i left her just in the bathroom. My sweet dolly likes her little "room" when i'm getting ready to go to work or go out, I tell her that i have to get ready to go out/work & she will be curled up in her room before I'm ready (often right after I get out of the shower, guess she doesn't know that you can't go to work naked!) it doesn't hurt that she gets a milkbone when I close up her door. Lately i've had to leave her door open to paper in the bathroom since she's on medication that makes her urinate often, but she'll still curl up in her room before I leave.
Good luck, malteses are the best, they're sweet, gentle, affectionate, & very, very smart!
Patty