curly hair mom
by Judy S.
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
Hi, it's me again--the one concerned with the homecoming age of our new puppy. I went to visit the pup in question, and she's precious and sweet, but I have a concern. Her mom's hair is really curly. The pup's hair is straight and silky at present, and the breeder said that it will stay this way because the dad has straight hair. (The dad isn't there, and the breeder doesn't have a picture of him) Have any of you had experience with curls? I don't intend to show or breed our pet, but I really do love the look of the classic maltese. Please LMK as soon as possible---someone else is interested in MY puppy!!! Thanks
DISCUSSION:
Hi Judy, I can't agree with the breeder thinking that because the sires coat was straight and the dams curly that the pup would therefore have a straight coat. It sounds to me she was just telling you what you wanted to hear. If you were looking for a curly coat..how would she have responded? Most would think that if one parent had a curly coat and one did not that the final result would be a combination of the two. I don't believe that would be the case. I would say that if there were say...3 pups in the litter, two would favor the dams coat and one the sires or vica-versa but not a combination of the two. If coat texture is that important to you in choosing a pet, I would look for BOTH parents to have the desirable coat or look for a puppy that was more than 8-9 mos old and then you would take all the guesswork out of what the adult coat will end up as.
Jay
My little Chico doesn't have curly hair, but rather a bit of a 'wave'. I never saw the parents, so I don't know how much curl either of them had, so I can't help you there. However, what I can tell you is that I hardly notice the wave in his hair. Immediately after brushing, his hair looks straight, but as the day goes on, the wave comes back a little. I keep his hair long, and I don't think that the slight wave detracts from the 'classic Maltese look'. He's still cute and adorable!
Dean and Chico
My adult male (Turbo) has a very thick and very straight coat. His "wife" MOMA has a coat so curly it looks like she has a perm. Their two children (both male) - the first one looks EXACTLY like the father. In fact, when they run around together - it's confusing which one is which. His coat is thick, straight and very silky. The second pup (Diesel) has a "mix" coat. It's very silky but it looks more like a body wave vs. a perm. It's nowhere near as curly as the mother's coat. (i really like his because the coat is not very thick - so it's easy to groom)
In terms of knowing what your puppy will eventually turn out to be - that depends - i think they're just like people - until they reach full adult stage - there's always room for change.
As for my two pups - you could tell from the point of 2 months - which pup took after which parent. It's really funny - but the one witht he straight hair - had straight hair as a little puppy. His had a slight wave inthe very very beginning - but that was probably due to the length it was at. Whereas the 2nd pup had nice ringlets and waves all over him -- veeeerrrrry cute.
As for the coat preference - i think it really doesn't matter. If you find a puppy and get to know it - you won't care what it's coat looks like (that's how i feel anyways)
betty & Turbo & Diesel
I know it's very common for people to use a stud that is borrowed in order to sire a litter - however, I would not get a pup without seeing both parents. How can you judge the temperment - size - coat - health - etc? Yep - if Mom is curly and Dad is straight then the possibility does exist for some pups to be curly and some to be straight. Genetic flukes occur all the time with both straight hair parents and curly hair parents, but the incidence will definitely increase if one parent has curly hair. If your criteria for a pet includes certain requirements then you should hold off until you find one that fulfills this list and/or satisfies your needs/wants. Perhaps if you prioritize these itmes on a list it will help you with your decision. Good luck
Leslie R
I would find another breeder. One who breeds to the standard. A curly coat on a Maltese is a major fault and shouldn't be bred. If you speak to that breeder again, suggest she have her bitch spayed so that trait isn't passed on to future generations of our Maltese.
TZ
I almost never ever enter into anything controversial on this site. I love this site and the last thing I want to do is get into an argument with anyone. However, I absolutely agree with TZ. Even though Angel falls short of the breed standard in several areas (the most obvious being her size) and I love her with all my heart, I feel TZ is correct....a good breeder should be trying to perfect the breed and a curly coat is an obvious fault.
Sandee
Judy: I don't know your breeder nor would I care to,but from everything you have said, selling the puppy at 8 weeks, real curly coat on the mom, and the father unknown, "somethings rotten in Denmark". The owner of the stud must not be reliable either if they would allow it to be bred with such a poor specimen of the breed as the mom. I would be concerned about health problems too.
I agree with what someone else said about curly being cutsy. Its real cute--on a poodle or bischon. Don't jump into anything, take your time and find what you are looking for in the coat.
Linda
Judy: How many pups were in the liter? How big is your pup right now? How big is the Mom? Also, was someone else there that wanted to buy your puppy while you were there--or did the breeder just tell you someone was? I have heard that some people will breed a maltese with a bischon to get more pups to sell and for other reasons as well. So, your pup may be a maltese/bischon mix. I would be very cautious. I personally would search for another breeder. Good Luck!
Angel
It is a proven fact that pups get 85 - 90% of the looks from the father and 70 - 85% of the temprament from the mother. So, I wouldn't worry a whole lot about the looks. Clov's coat was wavy from the beginning, so as long as the dam was a good temprament, I would say you're getting a pretty good puppy. But then again, Its pretty weird the breeder doesn't have any pics of the sire...usally they brag as much as possible about the sire. I would be sceptical, but in a pet temprament counts.
~Karen & the C-dog
Karen & Clover
Karen, please don't take this wrong because I'm just asking - not challenging, but from where do you get your information regarding what a pup gets from whom?
Judy, I would be very concerned about a breeder who claims the best traits this puppy will have come from the sire, but doesn't have a picture of him to show you. I smell something rotten here.
Marie
Taffy had wavy fur when she was a puppy, and it got curlier. Her Dad had straight hair, an her Mom had wavy/curly fur. I think the curly fur matts much easier too. I know she is not show quality, but I love her like she is and never wanted a show dog anyway. It depends on what you want. But I would question a "breeder" who does not have pictures of both parents, and one who is pushing by saying someone else is interested. If she were respectable, she would give you the time neccessary, just my two cents worth!
Robin M. & Taffy
| 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. |
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