By: Judith Burney

Judith Burney — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 10:20:25 +0000

I concur with the supposition that Maltese Puppies of California, appears to be a scam website. Most of the puppy scam sites follow a prescribed pattern and this one has all the markings:
Many pictures of really cute puppies posed with equally cute names written on the photo .
All puppies appear to be about the same age.
There is rarely a telephone number.
There is never an address – maybe for the state
or a town. It does not matter, they are not
there anyway. They are probably not even in
the USA.
This particular scammer let’s you choose whether you want a “teacup” Maltese (2 – 4 lbs) or a “regular” size (I think it said 4 – 7 lbs). One, there is no such thing as a “teacup” Maltese. The breed is a “toy” – AKC preferred weight of 4 to 6 lbs.
Two, ask any reputable to guarantee what any particular 8 week old puppy will weigh when it an adult. They will tell you it is impossible to know for sure. They can guess, based on the parents and growth charts, but it is only a guess.
Three, who in the world in their right mind would want a 2 lb adult Maltese? The vet bills would have to be astronomical – the smaller an adult dog is, usually the more health problems it has.
If you check a list of AKC registered Maltese breeders, it is very difficult to find puppies. You gotta hit it just right. Litters are very small (1 to 3 puppies) and many responsible breeders not breed their females but once a year, if that often. All reputable breeders have a waiting list. You don’t just go to a website, look at a galley of photos and pick out the puppy of your choice, as these scammers expect you to believe you can do.
Any puppy you pick out will be available. It does not matter which one it is. Each puppy will be whatever your criteria is. Sometimes they will mark one of the pictures with “Sold” across it. That gives prospective buyers a sense of urgency. Better buy before they are all snapped up.
So, a red flag should be waving when you see a web site such as the one from Maltese Puppies of California. Run away. Run far far away.

I never suggest supporting puppy mills by buying a puppy from a pet store; but, at least you actually get a puppy when you pay your money. Most will be boy Maltese at a pet store because the puppy mills keep the girls to breed.
One more thing: beware of web sites, ads or the nice couple in the grocery store parking lot selling “purebred” Maltese puppies. Very few will be 100% Maltese. Just last weekend my husband took a picture of a 7-week-old “purebred” Maltese puppy being offered for sale in a grocery store parking lot for $1,000 & sent it to me. Cute puppy, but definitely not a Maltese. Maybe a Maltese mixed with Poodle, but more likely Bichon Friese. Mom is a Maltese. They had her with the puppy, but dad was no where in sight.
The price of purebred Maltese sold without breeding rights (meaning the puppy will be spayed/neutered) usually start at $2,500 and can go up to $5,000. There is an adoption contract. The breeder wants to know who you are and that the puppy will be going to an appropriate home. Purebred Maltese from responsible breeders are not sold until they are at least 12 weeks old.
Just beware. Remember what Mom always said: “If it sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true.”

Comments on: Malteseofcalifornia.online

By: Judith Burney