frequently asked QUESTIONS
There are always questions when adding a new family member to your household. See if the answer to yours are here. Don’t see what you’re looking for? No worries – get in touch and we’ll do our best to answer your questions. (Just give us a bit of time to respond – we’re likely busy doing something with the dogs)
frequently asked
QUESTIONS
There are always questions when adding a new family member to your household. See if the answer to yours are here. Don’t see what you’re looking for? No worries – get in touch and we’ll do our best to answer your questions. (Just give us a bit of time to respond – we’re likely busy doing something with the dogs)
Our breeding program is done with the purpose and goal of improving the maltese breed. All of our dogs are pedigreed and come from champion lines. We DNA test our dogs to screen out any identifiable health concerns prior to including them in our breeding program. They are registered with the AKC (American Kennel Club) and we participate in AKC sanctioned shows/events to allow our dogs to earn titles as champions. Titles serve as professional unbiased proof of line quality and conformation to the breed standard.
Our puppies are raised in the home with our family, well socialized and exposed to an enriched environment from a very early age. This along with only breeding dogs with sound, delightful temperaments produces puppies that are outgoing and confident in their world and ready to be a happy, loving member of their family.
The first step is to complete our new owner questionnaire.
Once your application is approved, we will invite you to join our waiting list and learn about our available puppies.. We will provide you access to our nursery page and you will see weekly videos of the little one you express an interest in. We want our puppy’s family to feel very involved and included in their baby’s life from as early as possible.
After we notify you that your application has been approved, we’ll also be able to share where you are on the waiting list. Maltese litters are small – usually 3 puppies or so with some litters as large as 5 and other litters just a single puppy. Families that are more flexible on the sex of their maltese are likely to come up on the list faster simply because we simply never know how many of each we’ll have until they’re here. If you have your heart set on a particular gender and are on a timeline – it may serve you well to get on the waiting list of several maltese breeders to increase your odds of coming up more quickly.
Following recommendations from the American Maltese Association, our puppies stay with their mother until 12 weeks of age.
It’s not very common but it is always possible that there may be a puppy that requires a bit more time with mom before leaving – for instance if they are smaller than usual. We want to provide you a happy, thriving puppy and while we do not breed to produce very small dogs (our breed standard prefers 4 to 6 pounds) sometimes nature can give you a surprise. As we include our puppy families in their lives from early on, you would watch their development together with us and be well aware of any variation from the usual timeline.
No. Amore Maltese is a small, preservation breeder of maltese dogs only.
We include a 1 year health guarantee for any proven, congenital, life-threatening health issue diagnosed until the puppy reaches 1 year of age.
Breeders often get more inquiries for girls compared to boys. When we ask why – the feedback is usually related to concerns over marking behaviors. But what many people don’t know is that any unaltered dog – boy or girl – may be inclined to mark. Yes girls mark too – they just have better PR on the topic. Where a little boy may be very obvious, girls will sneak in a discrete little squat that you might miss. As breeders we love all of our children and feel the boys get an undeserved bad rap on that topic.
Another interesting piece of feedback we get is how affectionate boys are with their new families. If you want a little white shadow that considers you to be their whole world – you might consider a boy. Not to say that girls aren’t affectionate – all of ours race to pile on when we take a seat on the couch for movie night. It’s just that we hear it pretty much universally reported across the breeder spectrum that girls can be more independent than the boys.
Ultimately the maltese is an ancient breed whose only “job” throughout history has been to be your best friend and our experience is that both do their job beautifully. Male or female – we don’t think you can go wrong either way with this happy, high spirited, playful little companion by your side.
The first step is to complete our new owner questionnaire. Once your application is approved, we will invite you to join our waiting list and share more with you about our available puppies.
Often more than one family may be considering a puppy, so puppies are ONLY reserved upon receipt of a $1000 deposit. We want families to come to the decision to move forward in their own time and way – and so we will not “push” by reaching out to let you know there are other interested parties. We do not want FOMO to be your decision driver when selecting a new family member.
Deposits are non-refundable. The only exception to this rule is if something happens that we are not able to offer you the puppy you have reserved.
Occasionally we have an older puppy available. Usually this is because we held them back to show and then later decided to place them with a family. They’re a few months older because puppies are not eligible to compete for titles in AKC events until they turn 6 months of age. So we work on the show training while waiting for that 6 month date to roll around. Then for some reason – plans changed.
It can be for all sorts of reasons:
Maybe they don’t enjoy it and walk with their tail down in the ring. (not everyone likes to show off) Maybe their bite went off at the last minute. (braces are not an option here) Maybe they didn’t grow quite large enough. Maybe we held back a pair and then chose the one we thought best suited to show. (showing dogs is a time consuming labor of love that necessitates you focus on the best of your best)
The great news is that show dogs are usually paper trained, lead/leash trained, well socialized and used to lots of grooming time. So these babies can be a great fit for someone who worries that beginning those things from an earlier stage is a bit much for them but still wants some puppyish enthusiasm.
We also have a much more clear picture of their personality – Are they cuddly couch potatoes? Are they independent and adventurous or a little more cautious? Do they demand to be the center of attention? We want to match you with your perfect puppy and for some folks, an older puppy is a better fit than a younger one.
Amore Maltese NEVER works with brokers, puppy mills, pet shops or 3rd party placement services. Homes for our puppies are carefully matched so that we ensure the best fit between our babies and prospective families.
We consider our new puppy parents as part of our family. We want the pictures, stories and the serious stuff too when it comes to our puppies. We want to be your first call anytime you have questions or are mulling a decision that affects your puppy. We are committed to our puppies for their entire lifetime.
If we are unable to help you in your puppy search, we are happy to point you in the direction of another reputable show breeder should you ask. This is merely a character reference to someone we consider an ethical breeder with quality lines. We have no involvement in any business you conduct with another breeder apart from wishing you well in your search for your new family member and hoping you find your puppy love match. We’ve been in your shoes looking for our next best friend and as a small entry breed with small litters, we greatly appreciated the referrals to other ethical, reputable breeders.
Dependent upon a variety of factors, our puppies sold as pets range from $4,000 to $7,000.
The answer to this question and others coming soon!
The answer to this question and others coming soon!
The answer to this question and others coming soon!
This article taken from the American Maltese Association website:
Perhaps one of the hottest topics in the dog world right now is the subject of vaccinations or more specifically, over vaccination.
Since vaccines were first introduced, we have always been advised to have our canine friends vaccinated on a yearly basis.
Now numerous studies are showing overwhelmingly that yearly vaccines are not only unnecessary, but may well be detrimental to the dog’s health!!!
It is not our intent to recommend a certain vaccination protocol, as there is still much controversy as to what may be appropriate and everyone has his or her own opinions. Instead, our intent is to get breeders and pet owners to question and investigate their current vaccination schedule.
Many vets continue to insist not only on yearly vaccinations, but also vaccines that may not be even be required. Does a Maltese living in a condo downtown in a large city need to be vaccinated for Lyme disease? Hardly! Should a Maltese that is in contact with a lot of other dogs through boarding, dog shows, grooming shops, etc. have the Bordetella vaccine for “kennel cough”? Certainly is a good idea!
Everyone seems to agree that the “core vaccines” Distemper and Parvo are important. “Noncore vaccines” such as Lyme, Leptospirosis, Corona, Canine Influenza and Bordetella are considered optional and should not just automatically be given.
Rabies is required by law by pretty well all states and municipalities. Most states will allow the Rabies to be done every 3 years, while others are still in the dinosaur age and require yearly Rabies vaccinations. Check with your officials to see which is required in your area.
There is a major Rabies study underway to prove that Rabies vaccines provide protection for much longer. It is hoped once this study is completed that it is possible that a Rabies booster may not be required for 5, 7 years, or maybe never again for the lifetime of that dog. More information can be found at: http://www.rabieschallengefund.org/
So what do the experts all agree on?
–Never vaccinate a puppy before 8 weeks of age (unless that puppy never received the mother’s colostrum).
–Never give Rabies at the same time as any other vaccine. Rabies should always be given separately.
–Also, if a noncore vaccine is to be given, have it given separately from other vaccines as well.
–When giving various vaccines be sure to separate the shots by at least two weeks. This gives the body’s immune system to recover in between.
**Only vaccinate a healthy animal. This can’t be emphasized enough! NEVER vaccinate a dog/puppy that is sick, stressed, or immune compromised.
–Keep vaccinations to a minimum. Give enough to provide the necessary protection without overdoing it.
–Only give vaccines that are in sync with the dog’s age, environment and lifestyle.
–Only rabies is required by law. Any other vaccines are personal choice. Don’t let your vet talk you into vaccines you don’t think you want your pet to have.
There is little question about vaccinating puppies, but what about adults?
Much is changing in that area.
Some organizations and experts are taking the middle road and suggesting that adult vaccinations be done every 3 years. The AAHA is one such organization.
Other experts suggest titer testing. This is a blood test to check the level of antibodies for a particular disease. More and more owners are taking this route.
Others even go so far as saying once the puppies have their series and then a booster a year later is done, no more vaccines are ever required (except Rabies, but that is only by law).
Again, it is not our intent to advise any particular vaccine regime, but simply to make Maltese breeders and owners aware of the changing trends on vaccinating and thus allowing them to make an informed decision. Be sure to discuss any changes you want to make with your vet.
The answer to this question and others coming soon!
The answer to this question and others coming soon!
Except in cases where a show home placement is agreed upon, all of our puppies are sold as pets and will come with AKC limited registration papers and an agreement that includes a spay/neuter contract. Initially we are listed as co-owners on the registration, and once the terms of the spay/neuter contract are met, we will drop Amore from the registration documents.
The answer to this question and others coming soon!
The answer to this question and others coming soon!
Local Time in Tampa, Florida
Copyright 2024 | Amore Maltese | All Rights Reserved
This standard taken from the American Maltese Association website:
Official Standard of the Maltese
General Appearance:
The Maltese is a toy dog covered from head to foot with a mantle of long,
silky, white hair. He is gentle-mannered and affectionate, eager and sprightly in action, and,
despite his size, possessed of the vigor needed for the satisfactory companion.
Head:
Of medium length and in proportion to the size of the dog. The skull is slightly rounded
on top, the stop moderate. The drop ears are rather low set and heavily feathered with long hair
that hangs close to the head. Eyes are set not too far apart; they are very dark and round, their
black rims enhancing the gentle yet alert expression. The muzzle is of medium length, fine and
tapered but not snipy. The nose is black. The teeth meet in an even, edge-to-edge bite, or in a
scissors bite.
Neck:
Sufficient length of neck is desirable as promoting a high carriage of the head.
Body:
Compact, the height from the withers to the ground equaling the length from the withers
to the root of the tail. Shoulder blades are sloping, the elbows well knit and held close to the
body. The back is level in topline, the ribs well sprung. The chest is fairly deep, the loins taut,
strong, and just slightly tucked up underneath.
Tail:
A long-haired plume carried gracefully over the back, its tip lying to the side over the
quarter.
Legs and Feet:
Legs are fine-boned and nicely feathered. Forelegs are straight, their pastern
joints well knit and devoid of appreciable bend. Hind legs are strong and moderately angulated at
stifles and hocks. The feet are small and round, with toe pads black. Scraggly hairs on the feet
may be trimmed to give a neater appearance.
Coat and Color:
The coat is single, that is, without undercoat. It hangs long, flat, and silky over
the sides of the body almost, if not quite, to the ground. The long head-hair may be tied up in a
topknot or it may be left hanging. Any suggestion of kinkiness, curliness, or woolly texture is
objectionable. Color, pure white. Light tan or lemon on the ears is permissible, but not desirable.
Size:
Weight under 7 pounds, with from 4 to 6 pounds preferred. Overall quality is to be favored
over size.
Gait:
The Maltese moves with a jaunty, smooth, flowing gait. Viewed from the side, he gives an
impression of rapid movement, size considered. In the stride, the forelegs reach straight and free
from the shoulders, with elbows close. Hind legs to move in a straight line. Cowhocks or any
suggestion of hind leg toeing in or out are faults.
Temperament:
For all his diminutive size, the Maltese seems to be without fear. His trust and
affectionate responsiveness are very appealing. He is among the gentlest mannered of all little
dogs, yet he is lively and playful as well as vigorous.
Approved March 10, 1964
The answer to this question and others coming soon!
The answer to this question and others coming soon!
The answer to this question and others coming soon!
The answer to this question and others coming soon!
Local Time in Tampa, Florida
Copyright 2024 | Amore Maltese | All Rights Reserved