Mary your little boy looks so happy. I am glad to hear about your experience with Maltese and see his picture.

Thank you Anna...he is so loving and laid back. He sleeps with me and doesn't get up until I do "he just hangs with me" and watches every move I make. He is ALWAYS ready to go with me in the car. All I have to do is start gathering the trash and he runs and gets into his carrier that he rides in in the car, as he just knows he is going to get to go with "Granny, as I have granddogs too" I am Granny to him too, to avoid confusion with the other dogs that belong to my kids. I have a plaque on my front door given to me by a friend that says "A SPOILED ROTTEN MALTESE LIVES HERE" with a picture of a Maltese. Truer words were never spoken. These dogs don't shed (like poodles) so I keep him trimmed short to avoid too many mats in his fur and try to brush him good.

Most small breeds do not shed. A Maltese would make a wonderful pet. I have a 7 pound Chihuahia now. I have had 4 Toy Poodles in the past and think they are the greatest small dog.

I had a lahso apso (sp, sorry) but they are great dogs. their fur gets long but you can keep it cut short but they don't shed alot. They were bred for guard dogs and do a great job at that plus are very loving. I ran a day care center and all the kids loved her and she loved them. They are small but sturdy dogs and very loyal. She was so funny, we'd give her a bone and she go along side the base board and act like she was digging and put the bone down like she was burying it. Of course then our lab would come along later and eat her bones. Later she learned to hide them under the sofa cushions

I had poodles growing up & I agree... they're great dogs! Smart, silly, sweet, non-shedding... love'em!

I would suggest going to the AKC.org website and putting your breed into the search engine and it will come up with reputable breeders who might be in your area. Beware of puppy mill dogs such as those in pet stores.

akc.org gives a profile of each breed and their characteristics. It is a good resource for ensuring you have selected the right breed. I echo the comments about looking for a rescue. There are so many dogs that need homes. Do not ever buy from pet stores as their animals are breed in horrible conditions. akc.org has links to breed clubs and rescue groups. sometimes you can find a reputable breeder in your area who is looking for a good home for some of their older dogs.

Check the rescues as well ..

Last October, we adopted a rescue Shih Tzu mix, and I have never loved any dog more. There are so many doggies that need good homes. Almost every breed has a rescue group available. There are often puppies available in this way also. Our Buddy is absolutely precious! The purebreeds so often have genetic problems. Our Schnauzers always had skin issues, our mini dachshund has had back surgery that cost us $3500. Buddy is just perfect. I will never buy a dog again. I will always rescue. I've tried to download to picture to share, but I've not been able to do that here for some time.

I have a miniature poodle that is 9 years old and he rules the house! He sounds a lot like your Maltese. He's extremely smart and is "my shadow". He knows when I am getting ready to go out and he runs to his carrier that I have sitting on the floor. If I had left the carrier in in the car he runs to the door - ready to get to the car. However, my Rennie does not shed. He has to be brushed every day and I have him groomed like the Maltese or the Bichon - not like the poodle. I don't like that look. He also knows when he is groomed that he is the cutest thing alive. But, Poodles don't shed - they have hair and are also hypo-allergenic.