Purchasing A Maltese Puppy.

      Should You Meet The Parents?

So, you've decided to purchase a Maltese puppy. You've done your research on the breed. You know what's involved in taking care of the little fella, and you feel that he, or she will be a perfect match for your family. Now what?

Well, if you're lucky, you've been able to find a breeder or two in your area. Being able to visit your puppy, and his/her parents, is definitely an advantage, but how important is it, to meet your puppy's parents? In a word...Very :D

At some point, before you take your puppy home, you should definitely visit his/her Sire and Dam. Now, depending when you speak to your breeder, there may be certain times you wouldn't, be able to meet them. For example, during a heat cycle, or late in a pregnancy. Those are perfectly rational explanations for not seeing them, at that time. You should, however, be able to meet them at some point. You would be surprised, at the excuses some, so called breeders will give you for the in availability of your puppy's parents: Their on loan to another breeder, It upsets them too much to have visitors, I can't risk them catching anything, and the list goes on. If the dogs are kept in a separate kennel area, they'll also give you a million excuses why you can't see that.

I know one lady that went to see her future Maltese puppy, and was given a bunch of excuses why she couldn't see the parents. Meanwhile, there was a white Poodle walking around the house. Well, of course she asked about it, and was told by the "breeder", that she was watching it for someone. Believe it or not, she still, bought the puppy. Her Maltese puppy is a dog now, and it's a very well loved Poodle.

Meeting the parents, not only gives you an idea what your puppy will look like, it also gives you an idea of health and temperament. If the Sire and Dam look clean, and well cared for, generally their puppies, will have had the same attention. Personality traits, or temperament, can also be passed down to puppies. If the parents are aggressive, the pups may also be aggressive. If they're super hyper, or very nervous, the pups may be the same way.

So...if you have the opportunity, take it. Maltese, are a long term commitment. It's best to do everything you can, in the beginning, to ensure you have a healthy, happy, well adjusted pet. You'll both be much happier in the long run :D