I can’t find a decent Maltese breeder in or near Toronto!!!

[Violeta]

I would like to get a Maltese. After many months I’ve decided to try to get it from a reputable breeder. So, I call the kennel club then the Maltese club and a lot of breeders. The “good” breeders would not even talk to you with ought $2000-$2500 CAD and the rest …

Well, I’ve been lied so many times it’s not funny. No wonder ppl get fed up and go to the store or the puppy mill.

So, after 3 months, I am still looking for a breeder in or near Toronto that would have Maltese for sale. I would like a female – just because my favorite dog was a female- around 2.5 months old, full grown within standard of the Maltese – I don’t want a “t cup” but not a very large dog either – very socialized, not aggressive or fearful as this dog hopefully will become a therapy dog. I would pay up to around $800 CAD.



If anyone can help I would appreciated.

[kaytris]

I doubt you'll find a toy breed for that price - even the petstores charge more than a thousand for the wee ones. When each litter has only one or two puppies, the high price is sort of understandable.

My advice would be to find a breeder you like and trust, get on their waiting list (chances are good that you are going to have to wait up to a year) and start a savings account for the puppy. Try south of the border (Michigan or Wisconsin) as well.

[Violeta]

I am not stuck at $800 but really I would not pay 2000-2500 and up for a dog …

Sorry but I think that it’s ridiculous

[Prin]

Why not adopt one then?

Like these:
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/...?petid=6530448
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/...?petid=6678921

[kaytris]

Then your best bet is to keep checking on petfinder.. try the classifieds there too.

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/MI116.html

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/ON56.html

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/MI115.html

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/MI321.html

[OntarioGreys]

This article here explains the breeders pricing

http://www.malteseonly.com/prices.html

You may say you still won't pay that much for a dog, so you find one from a byb in your price range, an improperly bred maltese can have stifle or patella problems so your $800 purchase pup will now need $3000 worth of orthopedic surgery to walk properly and be pain free if the defect is only in one leg though most have both legs affects your pup could now be a $7000 dog without even factoring spaying /neutering, heartworm wellness testing and vaccines . Other health problems can include shaker dog syndrome and portosystemic liver shunt, when responsible breeders sees this occur in one of their dogs or offspring the breeding lines are ended, a byb breeder is out to make money so does not care, so you could up at about a 10 months after buying a pup, seeing it become very ill, hundreds of $ later after testing is completed learn the way to save its life is through surgery.

If you still want to take the gamble on a "bargain" price pups check Kijiji.ca and make sure to set aside a savings account and bank $200 a week the first 10 months to ensure there is money available for vetting just in case it would give you $8,000 to cover spay/neuter vaccines, possible dental in a years times, and should be enough to cover potential liver shunt "or" leg joint surgeries if needed, you could check out vet insurance but make sure to learn what exclusions they have, they may have limits both annually and by procedure, many won't pay for inheritable diseases so it could end up being an added rather than a savings. Paying more for a pup initially by going through a reputable breeder can often be the far better bargain in the long run.

[Kerrye]

You could try a rescue dog. Someone posted the website for petfinder.com. Thats where I got my dog. He is absolutly perfect. I think he is a poodle schnauser cross - but who cares. Pet finder has lots and lots of dogs listed that are looking for homes. The postings are fairly detailed about the temperment and condition of the dogs. It's the best thing I have ever done. After adopting Mikey I could never buy from a breeder. There are too many resuce dogs that desperatly need homes. I call them slightly used. Anyway think it over.

[mastifflover]

I agree nothing better than a rescue dog. If you find one and there are a ton of Maltese available on petfinder if the dog is in the states a lot of rescues will help you to make arrangements to ship the dog to you. You would get the dog and probably not even spend the 800 with all of that and you would still have money left and you would be most importantly saving a life. Much better idea than giving money to a byb or a puppymill because that is where pet store dogs come from. Ontariogreys is right if you go this route you will need to have a nice savings account for vet bills because you will need it. I have a friend who would not listen and bought a pug at a pet store for way too much money and in the first weekend she had 1800 in emergency vet bills which the store would do nothing about she has since sued them and has also spent about 4000 in vet bills in 2 years. She has since changed her tune about byb and mills. Please be very careful

[Marion63]

I just want to reply, there are so many dumped dogs at the pounds, incl. a maltese or other small furbabies.
The dogs from the petstore come from BYB..sadly..and in many cases the puppies are sick.
We need to stop the BYB from profitting and breeding the girls back to back, I am sorry but it all animal abuse.
There are many homeless dogs here in Canada and in the US and yes, many people are willing to work with you in transporting the dogs.
Good luck..
A rescue dog is a saved dog!
Marion

[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.