A Complete Pricing Guide for the Maltese

Maltese

It is not once that you meet with an adorable teeny-tiny puppy with white flowing locks, and you were completely hypnotized, right? This cute puppy was most definitely a Maltese which is a breed of dogs in the toy group. So, are you looking to get yourself this gorgeous pup? Read on as we explore the various factors you need to consider before purchasing one.

Maltese Dog Price

Given their aristocratic looks, it’s not surprising that Maltese dogs are quite expensive. On average, a Maltese dog can cost anywhere from $600 to $10,000. The price, however, depends on several factors associated with their breeding. According to Bubbly Pet, some Maltese can cost up to $10,000, depending on whether they are top-quality shows Malteses. Pet quality Maltese generally cost between $2,000 and $4,000. Here are some of the other factors that affect the price of these lustrous dogs.

Reputation of Breeder

Dog breeders are a major determining factor in the price of the dog. This is as a breeder is charged with the big responsibility of maintaining and improving the breeds standards and producing quality puppies for numerous purposes like show dogs, sporting dogs, and companionship dogs. Therefore, a breeder greatly affects the quality of the dog. Reputable and quality Maltese breeders take it upon themselves to produce robust puppies of excellent stature. The reputable the breeder, the more their stock costs, which are only fair given their experience, effort, and expertise. To purchase a Maltese dog from these well-reputed breeders, you will part with approximately $2000 to $10,000. They produce both show and pet-quality dogs.

Types of Breeders

A dog breeder might be an individual or a group whose main role is to mate male and female dogs to produce puppies for sale. However, like any other aspect of life, there are levels in the quality of breeders. They are classified mainly by the quantity and quality of care they provide for their dogs and their compliance with ethical standards during breeding, upbringing, and, finally, sale. The various breeders are as discussed below.

Puppy Mills

As the name suggests, puppy mills are factories involved in large dog breeding operations. They produce large puppy litter from different breeds living within a common space separated by tight cages. According to ASPCA, refer to puppy mills a harmless-looking but very shady and cruel. This is as breeders who run these farms ignore the needs of their puppies and show no care towards them. Puppies and their mothers are denied necessities like good food, clean water, and veterinary care. The methods used by these breeders are shady and questionable, with their only preference being making profits. They mainly sell their puppies through internet sales, online classified ads, pet stores, and flea markets. Most of these puppies tend to suffer from various health issues that may be unnoticeable during the purchase but will create a series of issues for you as a pet parent. Nonetheless, puppy mills are the cheapest places to buy a puppy from.

Backyard Breeders

These are another set of breeders who can get a puppy at a low price. Like puppy mills breeders, these breeders’ practices are questionable in that they don’t adhere to the recommended breeding standards. However, unlike puppy mills, backyard breeders take good care and attachment to their puppies. Often, these are first-time breeders and may not know much about health care and genetics. Therefore, they are not the best choice if you are looking for a puppy with specific traits.

Hobby Dog Breeders

Hobby dog breeders breed their one dog by mistake if they leave their dog unsupervised or by hobby if they want their female dog to experience motherhood. Unlike puppy mill breeders, they have genuine affection for the dog. These are not focused on the money as they even offer their puppies for free adoption. They are dedicated to performing extensive research to come up with ways of taking better care of their dogs. They produce puppies of high quality that can participate in the various show activities, given that they assess their stock before performing the breeding procedures.

Professional Breeders

Professional dog breeders perform breeding as a legitimate, sustainable business that is registered and taxed. Like hobby breeders, they have extensive knowledge about their dogs and are reputable, ambitious, and prepared. They maintain ethical standards, and their dogs also participate in shows.

Specialist Maltese Breeders

These types of breeders specialize in breeding pure Maltese dogs. They adhere to ethical standards and keep up to date with the latest practices in the industry. Additionally, they are highly knowledgeable about their dogs and produce high-quality dogs that participate in the show. These puppies will cost you an arm and a leg, but they are worth it given their genealogy and expertise of the breeder. These breeders are often a combination of both professional and hobby breeders who have an attachment to the dogs they breed.

Quality of the Puppies

The quality of a dog is a great determinant of its price. Dogs are categorized as pet quality and show quality. However, some disreputable breeders may produce dogs that do not fit any of the categories.

Pet Quality Maltese

Pet quality Malteses are normally dogs that cannot successfully become show dogs due to lack of a few traits or undesirable traits. However, these faults are superficial or aesthetic and do not affect the dog’s pet potential. Pet quality Malteses are cheaper and more readily available than show quality Malteses. They are not considered breeding quality and are thus sold with limited registration. Such dogs may not compete in breed conformation events but in other competitions such as obedience and agility.

Show Quality Maltese

If you are looking to enter conformation ring competitions and other competitions like those, you should go for a show quality Maltese. Show quality puppies are referred to as show prospects rather than show dogs. Getting yourself such a puppy will cost you at least $5,000. Additionally, these dogs are breeding quality and are fully registered. If you are buying a show prospect, it is important also to examine its parents and check for flaws, especially if you intend to breed it yourself. This is in the sense that even though the fault is not in the puppy, the puppy can be a carrier of the gene. This can later be a problem as the flaw may show up in future generations. Despite being very much sought-after, it is hard to find a breeder who is ready to sell out their show-quality prospects. Most of them prefer to keep many prospects to themselves, increasing their chances of always having the best stock.

Gender

Prospective owners more prefer female Maltese puppies compared to male counterparts. This is as a female Maltese is considered more adorable and can be dressed up to look even more charming. Additionally, the female dog tends to be friendlier and more affectionate. However inaccurate it might be, female pups are more sought after and cost more than male pups. Male Maltese puppies are also easily sold out as breeders usually have more males per stock and are more than willing to sell them. Many buyers also prefer to buy female Maltese puppies to avoid secondary sexual behaviors like marking and humping which are displayed by maturing male dogs that are not neutered early enough. However, unspayed female puppies also display aggressive and territorial behaviors.

Location

The location also affects the price of a puppy. If you purchase your puppy in a location with many breeders, the prices may be a bit lower than a location with fewer breeders. Nonetheless, if the location has a lot of reputable breeders, the prices could be higher.

Stock Size

Breeders tend to sell their puppies at discount rates when they have a large stock of puppies and few customers to purchase them. This, however, does not make the puppies of less quality.

Age

Most buyers prefer buying puppies compared to adult dogs, given that you get to see your puppy grow up. For this reason, puppies are much more expensive than older dogs. There is little to no chance of finding a breeder selling an adult dog as most of them prefer to sell their dogs while they are still puppies. However, if you find one, an adult dog is a cheaper way to get these cute little aristocrats for yourself.

Place of Purchase

Typically, the common ways to get a puppy are from a breeder, pet shops, or pet shelters. However, where you purchase your dog determines the amount of money you will pay. Puppies bought from breeders are naturally more expensive than puppies purchased from a pet store or a shelter. Puppies from pet shelters are especially not expensive as they only seek to find pet a family that will love and care for it.

Overall Maintenance Cost for a Maltese Puppy

According to Bubbly Pet, the initial prices for a Maltese puppy include registration fees and other purchasing fees. It also caters for the cost of the initial medical examination which should be done before or immediately after your purchase. This can add up to $90 but is dependent on the condition of the puppy and the clinic. That being said, we all know that the initial cost of acquiring a pet is just the initial outlay. This is no different for the Maltese puppy. Many other necessary costs will be incurred during its upbringing. Being a pet parent is an expensive task, and you should know what to expect before buying one. So, let’s dive into the various expenses you will incur as a Maltese puppy owner.

Medical Expenses

Generally, the Maltese breed is healthy. However, there are several medical fees to consider to ensure your puppy is in good shape. According to Spirit Dog Training, the first year is the most expensive, and the costs decrease gradually as your puppy grows older. For the medical expenses, the price could be anywhere around $600 per year, covering vaccinations, fecal examinations, and three trips to the vet. Most breeders recommend a vet for you. Additionally, it will cost you another $150 for your puppy’s deworming and flea treatment, which saves you the trouble of dealing with diseases caused by intestinal parasites and flea infestation. Many other health expenses will be incurred during your puppy’s upbringing, and the cost can easily double or triple up if your puppy experiences serious health problems. We cannot tell when our dogs will fall ill or get an injury, but pet insurance is one way you can be on the safe side. This way, you don’t get caught off-guard by unexpected medical fees. Pet insurances can cost up to $1000 and come with specific terms.

Diet Expenses

Dogs require high amounts of quality proteins, fats, and minerals to maintain their strong bones and robust stature. It is a requirement that young puppies eat at least twice a day. Food is, therefore, an essential expense. On average, you will spend approximately $15 to $25 weekly on food for your Maltese puppy.

Spaying & Neutering

Neutering in males castration and spaying in females is the removal of the testicles of a male Maltese, and the removal of the female reproductive organs of your female Maltese. It is an essential cost if you are looking to avoid the secondary sexual behaviors of dogs growing up. The cost of neutering varies from different vets but will cost you around $150 to $600. Luckily, these are once-in-a-lifetime procedures.

Grooming Expenses

Given its long, silky white coat, the Maltese dog is a high-maintenance breed that requires a lot of grooming. If not groomed, their hair can grow too long and cover their eyes, blocking their vision. They are also needed to be washed regularly to maintain their coats nice and white. Grooming expenses for your Maltese dog can add up to $50 annually unless you opt for a dog groomer in which you will part with $100 per month.

Training Expenses

Pet training, especially for dogs, determines whether your dog is a great or bad pet. It is a crucial part of owning a dog. There are many types of training, but potty training is the most common one. You can opt to train your dog personally or use a professional trainer. The latter, however, is the most efficient and recommendable. This will cost you anywhere about $1000 annually.

Bottom Line

We hope that you have enjoyed our guide on the Maltese dog. It is now up to you to research places you can get these adorable puppies near you and prepare yourself to welcome the newest member of your family.

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