maltese dog

Question
My Maltese is AKC registered and she is 1 year old. I'm concerned about her hair. It looks very wavy at the base and it gets fuzzy or fly away appearance at the top. I thought her hair should be straight. I comb her 2x's aday with a metal tooth comb. Do you feel she may not be totally full blood maltese?I paid alot of money for her. I'll love her no matter what. I just would like her hair to be long and silky in appearance. any suggestions? Thanks, Linda

Answer
Hi Linda,

You selected a breed that requires extensive coat care and I commend you for combing your Maltese twice daily!

The AKC standard for Maltese hair is silky, long and flat. I have seen cotton-y, "poofy" and wavy hair. Much of it depends on the sire and dam. Standards are adhered to in show lines but that doesn't mean an occasional puppy won't deviate from the standard. When that happens, the puppy is sold as pet quality.  

The price you paid for your puppy, sadly, has little to do with quality. All puppy mill puppies sold (mostly) in pet shops are usually exorbitantly priced, which has little to do with their quality, temperament and overall health. AKC papers are really just a birth certificate, which guarantees both parents are registered with AKC. I know a 5-year-old AKC Golden Retriever that has degenerative arthritis AND hip dysplasia. He also deviates far from the correct conformation standard.  He was expensive and both parents are registered with AKC.

Few people -- outside of the animal field -- know what makes a breeder reputable. A prudent puppy buyer will not take the breeder's word that their puppies are from a healthy dam and sire; instead, it's imperative that you ask to see all health certificates i.e., hips, eyes, elbows, heart, etc. Understanding test results and numbers is, in itself a difficult task.

If you wonder if your breeder falls into the reputable category -- you will have a spay contract within your possession. Reputable breeders do not sell unaltered pets. The breeder also will readily make test results available and the test results will be within the good to excellent rating.

Your Maltese doesn't have AKC standard hair texture but it doesn't mean she is not purebred. I'm glad you love her despite her "fuzzy" hair!

Thanks,
Becca