What's the difference between a male and female Maltese??? - Maltese Dogs Forum : Spoiled Maltese Forums

**J Smith** · 12-13-2012, 05:52 PM

Maybe this is a silly question, but what exactly is the difference between a male and female Maltese? In my quest for the perfect pup, I am seeing huge price differences between the males and females. I'm seeing the price difference even for females who are spayed. Is this because females are more likely to be show dogs? I intend on having both a male and a female, and I would like to confirm the price difference is the norm. Thanks!

**CloudClan** · 12-13-2012, 06:30 PM

Yes, it is primarily a supply and demand question. For a pet both the male and female should both be fixed, so that would not be part of the pricing.

Breeders do not need to keep as many males to maintain a quality breeding program. So when they have females, they are more likely to keep them for themselves (especially show breeders who are not breeding just to sell as pets, but rather to have something for themselves to show and then to produce the next generation of show dogs). So as soon as puppies are born, the breeder would have more boys to place right away.

Then you have to factor in the issue that most people see our dogs as "girlie" and they tend to be favored by women as companions anyway. Many people want a girl they can dress and put bows on. So breeders typically have a harder time placing the boys. (I have heard that there are some breeds which are considered more masculine and the boys are in higher demand, but this girls over boys issue is generally true of most companion dogs, not just maltese).

I have been contacted by a lot of people since I was added to the AMA breeder list. I would say roughly 80% of the people who contact me are looking for girls.

My first Maltese was a male. He was the blessing of my life and the inspiration of this passion I have for Maltese, so I have a huge soft spot for the boys. I am blessed to have had both for a long time now and I do not feel one is better than the others (although I do believe there is some truth to the idea in many cases that the girls love us but the boys are "in-love" with us).

**J Smith** · 12-13-2012, 06:46 PM

Ok, that is what I thought. I'm glad isn't not anything to do with some sort of tendency of males to do things that females don't do!

**shellbeme** · 12-13-2012, 07:17 PM

I have two boys, some day I will have a little girl to dress in pretty overpriced little dresses

and I will put pink bows in her hair. But she might be yorkie, and I will name her Lillian, and call her Lilly for short.

I think when I talk about it, all DH sees is more dollars marching out the door....

but, my boys are great.

**munchkn8835** · 12-13-2012, 07:29 PM

Love, love, love my little boy Ollie. He is cuddly, happy, full of energy .... a sweetheart. Some day I hope to have another maltese (when I can talk the DH into it) and it will be a girl so I can dress her up and fix her hair!

**Summergirl73** · 12-13-2012, 08:40 PM

Bella is our only Malt, but we had 2 beautiful mixed breed rescue babies (went to the Rainbow Bridge when they were 15 years old). One was a girl and the other a boy. I must say that out of our 3, Lucky (our boy) was BY FAR the easiest. His personality was the most loving, least demanding ~ he was darn close to perfect.

**Furbabies mom** · 12-13-2012, 08:48 PM

I have ,and have had, both male and female! I think it depends on the dog's personality. My female that I have now is probably the most affectionate of any Malts that I've owned. She is silly and carefree! My male is still a puppy so it's all about playing right now. Up until I got my male puppy I thought that females were easier to house break, but my male came to me at 12 weeks completely trained. I take no credit, the breeder trained him. I have no preference, they're both wonderful!!

**lynda** · 12-13-2012, 09:29 PM

I have three beautiful girls that I love to death and one little boy that is a heartbeat at my feet. I never wanted a boy but my breeder talked me into it. If she had not I would not know the joy of owning and loving a little boy. He is by far my biggest cuddler, I can't imagine life without him.

**TLR** · 12-13-2012, 09:47 PM

Ben is my first Maltese and I couldn't be happier with him. He is very loving and loves to cuddle. He is truly our heart dog. He was easy to train and is just a pleasure to be around. He goes everywhere with us. If I were to get a second dog, it would be a hard decision as to wether I would get another boy or girl because of the experience we have had with Ben. I know each dog is different and have their own personalities but I always hear from owners that the boys are real lovers and Ben certainly fits that description.

**Orla** · 12-13-2012, 09:49 PM

I've never had a girl maltese but do have 2 girl dogs and a boy maltese. Milo is way more dependent and attached than the girls. He's definitely more cuddly too

He was easier to toilet train but a million times more difficult to train for obedience commands.

If it weren't for the cute and girly clothes and bows, I would get another boy for my next dog.

12-13-2012, 05:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
J Smith Newbie Name: Jackie Dog's Name: Blizzard Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Alaska Posts: 38	What's the difference between a male and female Maltese??? Maybe this is a silly question, but what exactly is the difference between a male and female Maltese? In my quest for the perfect pup, I am seeing huge price differences between the males and females. I'm seeing the price difference even for females who are spayed. Is this because females are more likely to be show dogs? I intend on having both a male and a female, and I would like to confirm the price difference is the norm. Thanks!

12-13-2012, 06:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
CloudClan Maltese Guru Name: Carina Dog's Name: Cadeau, Cadie, Cacia, CherryB, Cherish & Charm (Cloud, Clancy, Clouseau, Cameo & Calypso @ bridge) Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,747	Yes, it is primarily a supply and demand question. For a pet both the male and female should both be fixed, so that would not be part of the pricing. Breeders do not need to keep as many males to maintain a quality breeding program. So when they have females, they are more likely to keep them for themselves (especially show breeders who are not breeding just to sell as pets, but rather to have something for themselves to show and then to produce the next generation of show dogs). So as soon as puppies are born, the breeder would have more boys to place right away. Then you have to factor in the issue that most people see our dogs as "girlie" and they tend to be favored by women as companions anyway. Many people want a girl they can dress and put bows on. So breeders typically have a harder time placing the boys. (I have heard that there are some breeds which are considered more masculine and the boys are in higher demand, but this girls over boys issue is generally true of most companion dogs, not just maltese). I have been contacted by a lot of people since I was added to the AMA breeder list. I would say roughly 80% of the people who contact me are looking for girls. My first Maltese was a male. He was the blessing of my life and the inspiration of this passion I have for Maltese, so I have a huge soft spot for the boys. I am blessed to have had both for a long time now and I do not feel one is better than the others (although I do believe there is some truth to the idea in many cases that the girls love us but the boys are "in-love" with us). __________________ *~ Carina & the CloudClan ~*

12-13-2012, 07:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
shellbeme Maltese Guru Name: Shelly Dog's Name: Rocky Muffin and Prince Tucker Bean Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,479	I have two boys, some day I will have a little girl to dress in pretty overpriced little dresses and I will put pink bows in her hair. But she might be yorkie, and I will name her Lillian, and call her Lilly for short. I think when I talk about it, all DH sees is more dollars marching out the door.... but, my boys are great. __________________ http://fluffsnstuff.blogspot.com/

12-13-2012, 07:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
munchkn8835 Maltese Guru Name: Donna Dog's Name: Ollie Join Date: May 2010 Location: NC Posts: 1,645	Love, love, love my little boy Ollie. He is cuddly, happy, full of energy .... a sweetheart. Some day I hope to have another maltese (when I can talk the DH into it) and it will be a girl so I can dress her up and fix her hair! __________________

12-13-2012, 08:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
Summergirl73 Maltese Guru Name: Bridget Dog's Name: Lady Bella (and Katie & Lucky at The Bridge) Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,756	Bella is our only Malt, but we had 2 beautiful mixed breed rescue babies (went to the Rainbow Bridge when they were 15 years old). One was a girl and the other a boy. I must say that out of our 3, Lucky (our boy) was BY FAR the easiest. His personality was the most loving, least demanding ~ he was darn close to perfect. __________________ "A weed is just a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered."

12-13-2012, 06:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
J Smith Newbie Name: Jackie Dog's Name: Blizzard Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Alaska Posts: 38	Ok, that is what I thought. I'm glad isn't not anything to do with some sort of tendency of males to do things that females don't do!

12-13-2012, 08:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
Furbabies mom Maltese Guru Name: Deborah Dog's Name: Laurel (maltese), Dewey, Violet and Hardy and Dewey Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 8,593	I have ,and have had, both male and female! I think it depends on the dog's personality. My female that I have now is probably the most affectionate of any Malts that I've owned. She is silly and carefree! My male is still a puppy so it's all about playing right now. Up until I got my male puppy I thought that females were easier to house break, but my male came to me at 12 weeks completely trained. I take no credit, the breeder trained him. I have no preference, they're both wonderful!! __________________ Deborah and my Fluffs, Laurel, Violet , Hardy and Dewey!

12-13-2012, 09:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
lynda Maltese Guru Name: Lynda Dog's Name: Chloe, GiGi, Chachi & Katie Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 3,903	I have three beautiful girls that I love to death and one little boy that is a heartbeat at my feet. I never wanted a boy but my breeder talked me into it. If she had not I would not know the joy of owning and loving a little boy. He is by far my biggest cuddler, I can't imagine life without him. __________________ Chloe, GiGi, Chachi & Katie

12-13-2012, 09:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
TLR Maltese Guru Name: Tracey Dog's Name: Ben Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 2,752	Ben is my first Maltese and I couldn't be happier with him. He is very loving and loves to cuddle. He is truly our heart dog. He was easy to train and is just a pleasure to be around. He goes everywhere with us. If I were to get a second dog, it would be a hard decision as to wether I would get another boy or girl because of the experience we have had with Ben. I know each dog is different and have their own personalities but I always hear from owners that the boys are real lovers and Ben certainly fits that description. __________________

12-13-2012, 09:49 PM	#10 (permalink)
Orla Maltese Guru Name: Orla Dog's Name: Milo & Amber Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 4,601	I've never had a girl maltese but do have 2 girl dogs and a boy maltese. Milo is way more dependent and attached than the girls. He's definitely more cuddly too He was easier to toilet train but a million times more difficult to train for obedience commands. If it weren't for the cute and girly clothes and bows, I would get another boy for my next dog. __________________ Last edited by Orla; 12-13-2012 at 09:51 PM.

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