[CyberKitten]

There are some wonderful Maltese on Petfinder. (and puppymill rescue groups who specialize in small breeds also have superb dogs - and they may charge $500- $800 but they are just recovering costs, they never make money from their work.)

If you want a purebred dog from a reputable breeder, you must be prepared to pay for it. Ontario Greys is right - a byb dog can bring you heartache, which is tougher than the medical/vet costs ever will be.

If your heart is et on a purebred Maltese from a reputable breeder - you want to show her or just want knowledge that your dog will be healthy and comes from healthy parents and grand parents - you should save the money and plan for her. If you simply want a Maltese to love, I would look at Petfinder or other rescue groups. Most Maltese (like many small dog breeders) have long waiting lists no matter where you live. And even when they charge $2,000, they usually are not recouping their costs either. Credible breeders only breed their dogs maybe once a year and if they have a couple puppies from them, may have to give one to the sire, leaving them with one or maybe two dogs to sell. Most good breeders also do not have that many females - as for a byb, stay away from them!!! (as well as puppy mills where you will pay enough but much more in the long run, as Ont. Greys has so eloquently pointed out.)

I paid more than $800 for my Siamese cat and for a family member who you will love and care for all of her life, it really is a small price to pay. If money is an issue, I would look at rescue groups.