Cross Breeds

What Questions should be asked when interveiwing a Breeder about their Maltese Puppies?

Public Comments

1. Are the parents at least 2 yrs old? (should be at least 2 yrs old) Are they show dogs or at least within the standard for the breed? (Undesireable faults & traits should not be used for breeding. And there is no such thing as Oversized or Teacup, it's just a sugar coated way of saying NOT WITHIN STANDARD) Are the parents health tested? (standard health testing and breed specific health screening) Any hereditary issues in the pedigree? (if they don't know the pedigree, find another breeder) How many litters has this female had? (if bred before 2 and had more than 1 litter a year, find another breeder) How many other dogs do you have? How many different breeds do you breed? (If they breed more than 2 breeds, find another breeder) What type of health guarantee do they give? (If no reasonable guarantee, look elsewhere) If you can't keep it when it's like 5 will the breeder take it? (If they won't rescue their own, they shouldn't be breeding) Just my opinion
2. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=302 has a good list of questions to ask when looking at any breed
3. Everything! Health problems, lineage info, Ask about the parents health and trainability, natural ailments, foods, health guarentee, everything. reptileden0@lycos.com
4. http://www.malteseonly.com/breedque.html hope i helped :)
5. Here are some suggested questions one can use to determine if a breeder is truly responsible: 1. Is she an AKC registered breeder of good standing and an active member of her breed Parent Club? 2. Are there AKC Champions listed on the pedigree, showing that the breeder spends her time & money to prove the quality of her breeding stock through competition? 3. Are all the animals kept in clean, comfortable, healthy, loving circumstances? 4. Did the breeder conduct extensive interviews with you and every member of your family? 5. Have the sire & dam received all available health clearances, (eg. OFA Hip & Eye, Thyroid testing, THESE VARY FOR EACH BREED) 6. Is she willing to honestly discuss any possible genetic defects that may exist in her line? 7. Does she have a Sales Contract? 8. Does the contract contain a clause stipulating that you spay or neuter the puppy before it reaches a certain age? 9. Does the contract contain a clause stating that if at any time in the puppy's life, you can no longer care for it, it must be returned to the breeder? (This ensures that no animal bred by this breeder will ever end up in a shelter). 10. Will the breeder maintain contact with you for the life of the puppy to answer questions and help in general?
6. How old the sire & dam are, are they on site, what age do they start breeding & how often. You can check through their registration, what is their health gaurantee, is it champion sired, is it registered, (AKC does not mean the breeder is reputable) ask how long they've been breeding, ask for info on past buyers, (or have breeder contact them with yours) get all the info you can get from their vet, most of all visit their facility. Make sure they're not a puppy mill. If they are raising more than 2 breeds, or making "designer puppies" find another breeder. Good luck.
7. General questions to ask a breeder before buying any breed puppy: 1.) Age of parents? (Should be at least 2 years old.) 2.) How many litters has Sire Fathered? (Not just to this Dam but total, I do not reccomend it be more than 7.) 3.) How may litters has Dam had? (Dont want to buy from someone that over breeds their Dam. If she has produced a litter sooner than 12 months after her last litter stay away. If she has had more than 3 litters I would avoid it. Too many litters is not good for her.) 4.) We both the male and female fully tested prior to mating? ( Make sure that both the male and female had a full health certificate prior to mating, this will have included STD's and other diseases. Any breeder worth their weight will care enough to be sure that both Sire and Dam were in top health prior to breeding to ensure that not only their health but the health of the puppies as well.) 5.) How old are the puppies? (Never buy a puppy from a breeder that is willing to let them go prior to 8 weeks of age.) 6.) Have the puppies had their first shots, and how many times have they been wormed? ( a good breeder will have wormed the pups at 2,3,4,6, and 8 weeks old. They will also have had their first vet exam and shots at 6 weeks old. At that time the vet would have checked for health of each pup and can issue good health certificates. I have my vet issue health certificates for each pup to prove to buyer that they are in good health as well as the worming dates and shots given and instuctions on all shots yet due.) 7.) Will there be a Health Guarantee on the puppy? ( A good breeder will give a health guarantee on all puppies sold, Mine states that you have 7 days to take the puppy to the vet of your choice at your expence and if they find any thing wrong with the puppy that would be attributed to breeder such as health issues etc. I will buy the puppy back at full price paid with a letter from the vet that examined the puppy. I also go on to say that if at any point in the puppies life you decide you can no longer care for the puppy for any reason I may buy back the puppy as long as it has always maintained proper vet care and has no diseases that could be passed on to other animals in my home.) 8.) Does the breeder question you? This is not a question for you to ask them but take care that a breeder questions you about your home. I actually start interviewing potential buyers when the puppies are 2 weeks old. I also encourage them to come by frequently to visit the puppies and to get to know each of the puppies before buying one. I also on the first interview give them a pamplet I made up on breed info so they are aware of the positives as well as the negitives of the breed. Make sure you have totally researced the breed so you have a complete understanding of what you will be getting. If is question any part of the info on the breed maybe you should research other breeds until you find the right one for your family. But leary if the breeder does not question you about your home and other pets and children, etc. 9.) Now on to temperment testing the puppies. Never pick a puppy based solely on the looks. Pick it up and hold it like a baby in your arms on its back. If it struggles a little bit but soon calms down that is a good sign. Next pick up its paws as if you were going to trim its nails and see its reaction. If it fusses a little thats ok but be certain it does not show aggression to grooming. Next play with its ears as the vet would do, take care to look inside the ear anc be sure there are no mites, although a minor issue, make sure the dog shows no aggression to that as well. Next gently open its mouth and look at its teeth. You are doing all this to be certain you are not getting a dog that will be aggressive. They shoul put up a bit of a fuss but then mellow out if they growel or nip at you avoid that dog. Never pick a dog that sits off by its self and does not act playful and ennergetic as they may have an illness you do not want to get involved with. You may not find the perfect puppy until you have visted several breeders or you may find it at the first one but all this will ensure that you get a healthy puppy who has been well cared for since before it was conceived. That is what you want! Hope this info helps you out and good luck!!!!
8. As you have several questions regarding small breeds and breeders on the site, you've obviously not done your homework. All breeds have the possibility of congenital health problems. That depends largely on their lineage. Know your breeder. Regardless of the breed, make sure you get references, both professional and non; be sure breeder allows you to see their kennel set up; you want to see the sire/dam; you want quality health guarantees; you want time to let your vet check out your pup (usual time is 72 hours). YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: how much time do you have to give to a new puppy, do you have the patience and time to train and play with them, volunteer at the humane society or shelter to walk their dogs - it should give you a better idea of what you're looking for, the humane society and friends for life usually give you a period of time 7-14 days to see how things work out; do not let the cutest puppy necessarily be your choice; DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!!