Picking best of litter

My husband and I are on the list for first choice for a female maltese puppy that will be born in a week. We would greatly appreciate any advice on picking the best of the litter, and care of our new puppy. Also, anything on housebreaking her. Thank you!
Chris and Carrie Burress

• Whose defitition of the "pick" of the litter do you want to use. Is it the one closest to the "standard" or the one that will be the friendliest and most adorable pet or the one that just has the prettiest head or the prettiest coat ? Even if you could tell us what you want, it would be difficult to describe to you how to select it, yourself. You are on the right track, though. The litter is, as yet, unborn, and even after it gets here and Mother Nature doesn't make your selection for you by having only one female, or no females, in the litter, you will have several weeks to watch the litter.

  There is a wealth of information available at this website and at others' to provide you with a wealth of grooming tips, etc. You will not really have any serious grooming to do until the pup is a few months old. Also, if the breeder cannot or will not provide you with all of the information on the care of your new "baby" then you are in the wrong place to begin with. If the breeder has not or does not have a very frank conversation regarding exactly what you are looking for in your pet, much more than simply the sex, then they are definitely the wrong place to be looking. Are you inclind to "grow the coat" or more inclined to keep it clipped in an attractive, but "user-friendly" hairstyle ? If you want to grow it you MUST purchase a true-silk coat. I don't care how often you comb. bathe, and brush it, a cotton coated Maltese will NEVER be able to produce for you the "look" that you may have purchased you dog for. Is size more important than temperament ? Is a beautiful head more important than a beautifully moving dog ? If you want it all, then you are definitely shopping at the wrong place because the perfect dog hasn't been bred yet, and if it does come along then the breeder will NEVER part with it, especially if it is a Female !!! Picking a pup is a trade-off and you would be well advised to find a local All-Breed Kennel Club, one either sanctioned or licensed by the AKC, and seek help from them in getting info on the breeder you are currently dealing with, as well as perhaps help in securing a knowledgeable independent local dog person, preferably a toy dog breeder or handler or even an AKC judge - they can often go with you or at least discuss with you your options to help you make your selection. Feel free to contact me if you want any other advice or info.
  Larry Stanberry, Divine Maltese