So how Much?
Priching for a purebred Maltese from a reputable breeder who has put a lot of time, effort, and monry into making sure that little bit of fluff you bring home is the best Maltese he/she can possible be can vary and is based on many different factors. No the Maltese is not a cheap pet. Pricing can range from $600 to $5,000. Pricing is usually based on a number of factors, and will vary between breeders. An average price for a Maltese, will probably average around $1,00-2,500 from a reputable breeder. The amount of the money the breeder spends on nutritional supplements, veterinary bills, puppy shots, nursery accommodations, and food (not to mention lost of sleep!) also veries by breeder. Maltese live very long lives (an average of life 14-16 years) so if the cost of the puppy is $2,500 and he/she lives 15 years, your cost per year would be roughly $166. In short, the price reputable breeders charge, the ones that stand behind their puppies and offer health guarantees, who put a lot of their own money into making sure each puppy born is the best it can possibly be, are worth it. For an average price of $166 per year, you will receive a return on your investment ten-fold in the enjoyment you will receive from owning a Maltese.
Male or Female?
Actually either sex makes satisfactory pets. The male Maltese is equally as affectionate and loving as the female. A neutered male does not "mark" his territory if he is properly housebroken and neutered at an appropriate age nor does he exhibit other undesirable traits associated with male dogs. You picked a breed in which there are generally more male puppies born in a litter than females. For that reason, it may be hard to keep thoes females for future breeding. If a breeder feels thata dog is not of breeding quality, although it would make an excellent pet, he may obtain a limited registration certificate for such a dog. This means that the offspring of the dog cannot be AKC registered. Breeders will prefer you to spay or neuter your pet Maltese to prevent breeding and future health problems.