THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SHOW AND PET

DO YOU WANT A REAL MALTESE OR A REPLICA OF A MALTESE?

As a breeder of Maltese, I hear all the time from prospective puppy buyers that they don't want a "show" dog. They aren't going to show it and there isn't any need to have one. As a breeder of Maltese, I think back to the time that I thought the same thing. After being on both sides of the fence on this subject, let me tell you you do want a dog that represents the "show" dog. Breeder's who show, do try to follow the Maltese Standard to the best of their ability. Breeder's who do not show, or have never been to a show, most do not breed to the Maltese Standard and their dogs look "different". Most non show breeders have never seen a well bred Maltese. They believe their Maltese do represent a well bred Maltese.

When I started trying to find and purchase a "show potential" Maltese I scoured the WWW and found a breeder in Frankfort, Kansas. I explained to her that I was looking for a "show" dog, a female. Nan said that she had several female Maltese available and were show quality. Nan bred Maltese with the local veterinarian. http://www.rlittlepuppies.com/

I figured that Nan and the Veterinarian knew what a "Maltese" was suppose to "look" like. I was wrong and learned my lesson. The puppies that I was shown looked just like the two Maltese I all ready had. Nikki and Jassmine. The puppy was 8 weeks old. She came with a vaccination record and nothing else. I took her home and began my adventure, I presumed, to getting started in showing a Maltese. Boy, was I wrong. It took lots of emails and phone calls to get the AKC papers on Moriah. Then as Moriah grew she started looking "different". She didn't quite look like Nikki or Jassmine. Her head was rounder, she had different coat texture, and a different personality. Obviously, it was thought she might have some Bichon Frise in her.

I am posting pictures of what Moriah looked like after I brought her home and was trying to get her into show coat and learn how to show. I am posting pictures of Maltese I did purchase later and did show them to their AKC Championship.