Why are maltese dogs so expensive and hard to find?

Question

I mean, they are! We have been searching for them for ages and can't find any apart from ones from the US and way up north (I live in London). I mean, compare the bichon frise to a maltese! Basically the same dog only with different hair-dos! Yet bichon frises are everywhere and are about £350, wheras malteses are NOwhere, and cost approx £1500!!!
Any dog people know why? I want a maltese more than a bichon frise!!!!!

(I prefer their hair-dos which is why lol)

Answer 1

Here, in the USA, Maltese are expensive, but you can usually find one. They are so expensive because most Maltese females have to have a vet deliver the puppies by
C- section. That procedure alone is a very expensive operation. Also Maltese do very poorly with anesthesia, so
they usually require a longer stay at the vet hospital than other dogs who have c sections. For this reason, most maltese females are only physically capable of having 1 litter in their life time. Usually there are only 3 or 4 puppies per litter, sometimes just 2 puppies.
Most breeders are very selective about who they allow to purchase these special puppies. The biggest majority
of breeders are going to be looking for the following
qualities in a buyer before they approve one.
1. Older adult or couple. 30s and up preferably.
2. Stable home enviornment. (Good job, owns home or pays a mortgage, plans to live in area a long time.)
3. Has owned or does own another adult dog.
4. Has superb vet references regarding care provided to that dog.
5. Has fenced back yard.
6. If they have young children, are the children well behaved and under control. If not, the dog usually won't be...so no sale.
7. Is the house neat and reasonably clean ?
8. Non smokers are preferable, as small dogs especially develop lung problems around cigarrette smoke.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

$2,500 for a MUTT? Where the hell are you buying from?? A Labradoodle is not a breed, it is a mixed dog and you paid that amount? You were scammed. $1,250 is even FAR too much for a mutt. You can get the SAME dog in a shelter for around a measely $150. You are buying from a scam Backyard Breeder, whatever this breeder is claiming to breed for any other fancy crap...they're lying. Run away from BOTH of these so-called "breeders" as they are the irresponsible, scammer breeders we warn so many about on this site. You are being taken for a sucker. There is no such thing as a "designer" breed, it's just a way for breeders to suck people in to their backyard breeding and puppy mill practices. You are falling for it hook, line, and sinker.

Answer 3

I got my pure breed Maltese for $400. It took me like a week to find her and she 1 1\2 month old.

Answer 4

You already asked this question and had several answers. I don't think you need another pet!! You have several, some of which you call "insignificant." If you are getting a dog that you don't want in the first place, then it won't be treated right. I think you need to care for and spend time with the animals you already have. If you really want a Maltese, wait until you find one and are better prepared to care for it.

I simply can't believe that you are considering getting a puppy that you "don't even want." I also can't believe that you would ask if you can straighten a dog's hair. Those are two reasons that you DON'T need to get ANOTHER pet.

Answer 5

Didn't you already ask this question? If you didn't like the answers you received, then why are you asking again?
You are 16 years old? You're not old enough to take care of yourself, Princess, much less anything else....LOL Maltese dogs are not hard to find, the breeders are probably screening you and not letting you near their litters for a very good reason. What is your address? Should animal control pay you a visit?
There is a reason why you are not legally able to be on your own....duh!

Answer 6

long hair is nice but requires upkeep and u have to grow that out for a long time