Click here to visit the most complete Maltese site on the WWW
|
Click here to visit the most complete Maltese site on the WWW |
| Please bear in mind when reading topics pertaining to health issues, that most of these questions were answered by helpful Maltese owners with no formal education in veterinary medicine. When in doubt seek a professionals advise. |
|
|
truth now!
by avel
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
DISCUSSION:
The cost for me has been $20.00 every 3 weeks for grooming plus around $30.00 a month for food and treats. The bad things are the same with any dog, housebreaking, chewing, barking etc. One plus is they never ask for money or a college education. They don't shed so clean up is easy. I only have one so I can't help with the other. If you want a pet this breed is great.
Regarding getting two puppies at the same time. From the books I have read, this is not recommended. You want the puppy to bond to you. After approx. 6 months you could get another one. Remember, I am not a Vet, dog trainer or dog psychologist.
Shirley
Avel--I don't know any "bad" stuff about the Maltese. They pee and poop just like any other dog or cat. They get sick and barf all over your carpet/wood floors/linoleum just like any other dog or cat. Maltese do require consistent grooming time if you want to keep him/her in the long coat. They need their toe nails clipped and inner ear hairs stripped. It doesn't cost much to feed this tiny dog--sorry no numbers--but they're so little, how much can it be? The smaller ones have a more fragile build--tiny bones and delicate skin. Vet bills are always going to be there even when they're not sick just for the required annual shots. Some are more yappy than others, but they make great watch dogs. You could always get a Basenji (the barkless dog).
I don't know what else to say....call me biased!
Felicia & Cubbie
Hi Avel, I just have to put my in two cents worth for this question. If your maltese is going to spend a lot of time on its own then I definitely recommend two. This is just my opinion - I'm no expert - but I think it's better to get them at the same time and (assuming you are not considering becoming a breeder) from the same litter, or at least the same breeder, so that the puppies have bonded with each other. You can introduce a second one later if that is better for you (heaps of people on this site have done so with great success) but I've heard that you need to time it right for best acceptance results, either when the first one is still a young puppy or else when it is adult (Jay and the other breeders who post here will know). I don't think there is really any bad stuff, the drawbacks pale into insignificance when compared with the good stuff, but.......be prepared to spend lots of time grooming and bathing them, not to mention lots of time playing with them and just being with them. If you want to keep them in a long coat expect to find fine white hairs everywhere, especially if you wear dark clothes. If you keep them clipped you will spend much less time bathing and grooming them and will have no problem at all with shedding but you will need to pay groomers fees or learn to do it yourself. Also be prepared to want to (not HAVE to, but WANT to) spend more time at home because you just can't drag yourself away from these irresistible bundles of fur and, when you're out with your maltese, to be approached by total strangers of all ages who want to tell you how gorgeous your dog is. How much they cost depends on how much you want to spend. They cost very little to feed, especially if you cook their food, because they are so small. You can buy outrageously expensive food, shampoos, conditioners, toys, brushes etc or inexpensive ones. I can't give you a monthly cost estimate becuse of price differences between the US and Australia but I'm sure that others will be able to. Whatever the cost, it's a very small price to pay for everything a they give back to you. Good luck, you will never regret having a maltese come into your life
Deanna (Moose & Squirrel)
Avel, the worst thing about being owned by Maltese is that you lose large chunks of your heart.***It can be as costly as you want it to be. Groom yourself, take to groomer. Run to the vet if they sneeze, calm down and evaluate. Buy toys every day, every week, or every month. Buy every new grooming product that comes out, stick with the basics. It goes on and on.***Two puppies at the same time, in my opinion, would be a handful. Housebreaking takes a lot of effort sometimes.***As for being related, from the same litter would be nice because their pecking order would already be established. Mine are distantly related, but I don't think they know it. Hope this helps.
Marie
Avel. I take Lexie to the groomer every 2 or 3 weeks. It costs
about $40. However, I could do this myself ( I'm just too lazy).
A 6 pound bag of Flint River Ranch dog food costs $10. It lasts a long time. There are vet bills you would have for any dog.
David
Avel, I take my girls to groomer every 3 weeks. It costs $40.
I buy 10 pound bag of premium dog food costs around $12 and case of can food cost around also $12. They eat half and half. It lasts a very long time. Ofcourse your usuall vet bills you would have for any dog.
I definitely recommend the Maltese as a pet depending on your lifestyle. However, I don't reccomend getting two at the same time. (This is one time I have to disagree with you, Deanna, and agree with David.) The two puppies bond together more than bonding with you, it's MUCH harder to housebreak two at the same time, and training????? It isn't easy tpo take two to classes or to work with them at home on "homework." David is right.....wait 6 months. Better yet....wait a year.
anne
Anne, you are right - I forgot that there are two of us (my husband shares all the chores as well as the fun times). So Avel, if you will be doing this on your own, then I agree with the others who said that two puppies at the same time is a bad idea. Even if there are two of you, housebreaking difficulties are compounded because you rarely know who the guilty party is. And then of course your vet bills for neutering are doubled - now that's a really nasty shock! But I am still glad we did it this way, maybe we were just lucky because both the Beasties bonded to us so well (I am followed everywhere by two little shadows). We did visit them every couple of weeks after they were born until we took them home so I think that this may have helped.
Deanna (Moose & Squirrel)
There are no "bad" things, but one thing to consider is that maltese do not tend to be independent. When you are home they want to be on your lap or in your arms. When you are not at home they want to be with you. We consider these to be good things. Aly travels with me in my purse on most of my weekend errands. The couple times that Aly has been ill has cost us a fortune, $500 The first time (from a virus he got at the dog run) and $250 recently when he had an ear infection. But because he doesn't chew up everything the way large dogs do, he hasn't had many other vet problems. I take him to the groomer a couple times a year ($45) but in between I keep him in a puppy coat myself. Food is around $15 to $20 a month. We feed him a lot of broccoli and carrots as treats. You will need to train to keep the barking in check but we love the fact Aly "talks" to us all day. When we travel the airlines charge us $60 each way. On the other hand most hotels and bed and breakfast inns have welcomed him and we've never had to pay for a kennel. Best Wishes!
Kristine and Aloysius