I think I'm in love...

[clem21]

But not with a girl

You see, since I wasn't doing anything work-wise today I decided when I got back from the inauguration to check out the new pet shop that just opened in my neighborhood. They had a bunch of dogs hanging around and playing and the manager let me chill out on the floor with this little 2 month old Maltese doggie. After playing with him for a little while the little guy literally climbed into my arms and rested his head on my elbow while I scritched and rubbed him. I asked the manager about a lot of my concerns (Small apartment, not home a lot) and he managed to allay most of them. My question is: Does anyone on the Bored have a Maltese or know a lot about them and if so, am I utterly crazy for thinking I can get and take care of this little guy with my current typical college lifestyle? Will he go stir-crazy during the day in a zero square foot apartment. I don't have much brakeable or damageable stuff but how hard is it to train a Maltese? The manager made it sound like these things weren't hard but he was trying to sell me the dog...

[Estonut]

But not with a girl

And I thought you must have walked by a mirror...

[clem21]

But not with a girl

And I thought you must have walked by a mirror...

Yes but I'm already used to that...

Don't get me wrong it was hard not to stop walking at a mirror for a while...

[WheresFanny]

But not with a girl

You see, since I wasn't doing anything work-wise today I decided when I got back from the inauguration to check out the new pet shop that just opened in my neighborhood. They had a bunch of dogs hanging around and playing and the manager let me chill out on the floor with this little 2 month old Maltese doggie. After playing with him for a little while the little guy literally climbed into my arms and rested his head on my elbow while I scritched and rubbed him. I asked the manager about a lot of my concerns (Small apartment, not home a lot) and he managed to allay most of them. My question is: Does anyone on the Bored have a Maltese or know a lot about them and if so, am I utterly crazy for thinking I can get and take care of this little guy with my current typical college lifestyle? Will he go stir-crazy during the day in a zero square foot apartment. I don't have much brakeable or damageable stuff but how hard is it to train a Maltese? The manager made it sound like these things weren't hard but he was trying to sell me the dog...

Judge Judy has a Maltipoo!

My family has always had dogs like Great Danes and German Shepherds, so I can't give any personal advice. But I can say that, if it's at all possible, it's so nice to have another heartbeat in your house.

I think little yip yip dogs are very cute, but seem very high strung and high maintenance. My aunt has always had Pomeranians and some other little artificial hybrid that I can't think of the name right now and she has always had more trouble with them than I can say.

But my dental hygienist has Yorkies that she brings to work and are the the coolest, laid back little lovers you'd ever want to see.

Tgirl and Luuucy (and hermillion, I think) both have little dogs, maybe they could give you some tips and pointers.

[goongas]

My Maltese is a stubborn little thing. She will bark at any noise she hears. We have not trained her to do much. We got her from a Manhattan apartment dweller, so they can be raised in an apartment. However, they are people dogs, and they like a lot of attention. An old photo of her is my avatar.

[ulysses5019]

My Maltese is a stubborn little thing. She will bark at any noise she hears. We have not trained her to do much. We got her from a Manhattan apartment dweller, so they can be raised in an apartment. However, they are people dogs, and they like a lot of attention. An old photo of her is my avatar.

She's barking cuz she doesn't want to get dressed up all frillylike.

[a1mamacat]

http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/maltese.htm

Lots of info here.

Dogs do not really do so well with alot of alone time, so that would be a huge consideration.

[goongas]

She's barking cuz she doesn't want to get dressed up all frillylike.

She enjoys her wardrobe. What she doesn't enjoy is evil squirrels.

[cindy.wellman]

I agree, there's a ton to talk about with you.

Yes, we have two small dogs and one large one. The two small ones are both bichon frise. They have their heads all swelled up right now because they were featured last night on Animal Planet's, "Dogs 101" I tried to tell them it was their BREED, not them personally, but hey....

The Bichon is very closely related to the Maltese. I agree with the person who said that any dog doesn't do well with long times away from their owner. I do know that Maltese (as well as Bichons) are very adaptable to the environment in which they live. You could make it work, if you have the patience to do so.

The big thing I would ask you is: Are you ready to make a possible 15+ year commitment to take care of your new family member? These pets truly become family members regardless of the amount of time they end up spending with you.

One great alternative is what PSM did with volunteering. You are able to devote time when you have it to spend with animals whom are most appreciative of you. It is a winning situation because ultimately you might be able to find out if the Maltese breed is right for you. I'm sure that there are Maltese rescue groups near where you live who would love to have you on their volunteer "love" list.

With all that advice, who knows, this might be the right time in your life. I know you'll make the right decision.

[ulysses5019]

I agree, there's a ton to talk about with you.

Yes, we have two small dogs and one large one. The two small ones are both bichon frise. They have their heads all swelled up right now because they were featured last night on Animal Planet's, "Dogs 101" I tried to tell them it was their BREED, not them personally, but hey....

The Bichon is very closely related to the Maltese. I agree with the person who said that any dog doesn't do well with long times away from their owner. I do know that Maltese (as well as Bichons) are very adaptable to the environment in which they live. You could make it work, if you have the patience to do so.

The big thing I would ask you is: Are you ready to make a possible 15+ year commitment to take care of your new family member? These pets truly become family members regardless of the amount of time they end up spending with you.

One great alternative is what PSM did with volunteering. You are able to devote time when you have it to spend with animals whom are most appreciative of you. It is a winning situation because ultimately you might be able to find out if the Maltese breed is right for you. I'm sure that there are Maltese rescue groups near where you live who would love to have you on their volunteer "love" list.

With all that advice, who knows, this might be the right time in your life. I know you'll make the right decision.

From Best In Show:

Stefan Vanderhoof: [discussing the calendar] We're not gonna sell, just give it out to friends.
Scott Donlan: I think we should try to sell it.
Stefan Vanderhoof: Really?
Scott Donlan: Yeah.
Stefan Vanderhoof: Well, if we could give the money to Shih Tzu rescue.
Scott Donlan: They have plenty of money.
Stefan Vanderhoof: Well so do we.
Scott Donlan: What Shih Tzus need rescuing anyway? You don't see Shih Tzus straggling around the streets in an old coat "help, alms for the poor".

[Ritterskoop]

First off, I know zero about Maltese, so I am not answering your question.

You can find an adorable puppy at a shelter who needs you, who will be way cheaper than a breeded dog, and you will not be contributing to keeping puppy mills going. I'm not saying that every breeded dog comes from such a place, but some do, and the only way to stop that is to reduce demand for them. I met a dog who had been a mama at such a place, who needed years of therapy just to learn how to walk (they had kept her lying down all the time).

Mutts are also adorable, and much sturdier than some breeds which have no toughness left.

I am not criticizing anyone who has a breeded dog. I'm sure some breeds are awesome. As a lover of cats, I am not a fan of the breeding process, which makes more cats homeless at the end of the day, by producing fancy cats who get bought instead of people adopting mutts. But folks who have rescue dogs and cats that happen to be breeded, have my admiration.

There are two breeds of cat I would love to live with but will never purchase: Maine coon, and ragdoll. Especially the Maine coons, which are part-bobcat, 25 lbs and sweet. The ragdolls are cutesy-pie but still have some bulk to them.

[a1mamacat]

I agree, there's a ton to talk about with you.


The Bichon is very closely related to the Maltese. I agree with the person who said that any dog doesn't do well with long times away from their owner. I do know that Maltese (as well as Bichons) are very adaptable to the environment in which they live. You could make it work, if you have the patience to do so.

Geez, Wellman, am I that forgetable????

(Appaly)

[Ritterskoop]

I take back my previous statement. I just read up on ragdolls, and they all come from one breeding pair, which will not work out over the long haul. But Maine coons are still studs.