getting another maltese?
by Susan P.
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
Our Maltese is going to be 7 years old this year and has been a joy the whole time we have had him (since a puppy). We have not had any behavior problems or serious health problems and I pray that it continues that way. My husband and I have talked off and on about getting another Maltese. Like another person on this forum, I am afraid getting a new puppy will change the personality of our Maltese and that we will have behavior problems. Also, I am scared. Reading through the forum there are a lot of people with Malteses who have serious health problems! Are Malteses prone to so many diseases? Is it just that most of the people with healthy Malteses do not write into the forum? I'd love to get another dog. Cotton is good at playing by himself and I play with him everyday when I can. His favorite thing, though, is laying on top of Dad all night. He is attached to my 12 year old stepdaughter, but she is only at our house two weekends out of the month. Would bringing another puppy in at this later stage of his life, cause problems?
DISCUSSION:
I think people start looking for help when there is problem or they need information and Maltese have no more health problems than any other dogs. I had a Maltese for 13 years and she was a dear gentle soul but from the time she was 5 she had heart problems - while she was still young I wanted to get another Maltese but my husband wouldnt hear of it - well husband got sick and died and by then my maltese was too old and in declining health to subject her to a rambunctious puppy. I now have a 14 month old Bichon and 8 month old Maltese - they get along super - play, wrestle, run around the house and hang out together. When I took the Bichon in for his surgery he had only been alone at home in familiar surroundings never with strangers and he had panic attack - when I took him to groomers they both went and he was fine. Get the second dog while the first is still in good health and they will play and get along well - as dogs get older like humans their health deteriorates - fact of life.
SHIRLEY
Hi Susan: I've had my 7 yr old Bichon since he was 3 mos old and rescued my 1st female Maltese, Chrissy, 18 mos ago and then resucued my 2nd male Maltese 10 months ago. Based on my experience, which is not a professional one by any means, I find that my Bichon is always at the vet for some form of illness. He is a perpetual conehead and we love him to pieces. My Maltese visit the vet for their annual shots and check ups but have never been treated for disease, illness or injury. However, I have not had them since they were pups or for a long period of time. But so far they are quite healthy, happy, and a complete joy to have around. In my home, they have accepted each other, play together, eat together, sleep together and have their spats together. They have a pecking order which I respect and stay out of, so long as none get hurt. That is a dog thing that they will work out and preferably without human interferance if at all possible. Once the pecking order is established all dogs are content knowing who will rule the roost. I will say this....in my house, the Maltese stick together. My Nicki Bichon has become a better socialized dog since I have gotten the 2 Maltese. He use to go crazy with excitement when he saw other dogs and now he looks at another dog as if to say....3's plenty and 4 is way too many, so don't even think about it mom! (VBG) Have you considered rescuing a Maltese. They make wonderful pets and will be forever grateful.
Rachel w/2maltese & 1 Bichon
Hi Susan. I think Maltese are a pretty hardy little animal really. Just carefully selecting your breeder and then getting a healthy well adjusted puppy will start you down the right path. As for your 7 year old, my guess is that you will have some adjustment issues for a while after you get a puppy. Your older malt is probably going to be miffed for awhile and may ignore the puppy. I just brought my 2 malt home 5 days ago and thats what we are experiencing. My first malt is only 1 1/2 years old so that is different than your situation. My first malt (Mollie) seems somewhat depressed and confused about the whole thing. But today they have actually played a tiny bit together. So I think although you may have some minor adjustment issues after a while it will probably be fine and your 7 year old will actually like the company!Good luck!
Robin MC
Susan, we got our second maltese, Amber, when our first one, Munckin, was 5 years old. We did not have any problem. Munchkin adjusted well and they are the best buddies. Have a great day!
Zeyneb
| 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 advice. |
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