I'm a little worried about taken a small breed dogs home so early. One of the reason Maltese breeders and Yorkie breeders say 12 weeks is that the mother teaches the pup important things even after it weaned. For example, she will teach inhibition of the biting reflex, this is an important thing for a puppy to learn. All dogs bite at one time or another, but a puppy well socialized by it's mama will earn not to bite with all of it's force. It might nip at your child sometime and you don't want it to use all of it's force. Also, the mama can help start teaching the pups good pee pad training and will push to pup over to a pee pad when she smell it has the urge to urinate. House breaking difficulties and biting are one of the main reasons people give up their dogs. Good breeders understand this and want to place a dog in it's forever home, not just a home that will keep him for a while. I'm also not convinced Yorkies or Maltese make great dogs with children, and mixing the breeds does nothing to enhance the health and stability. Maltese and Yorkies have many of the same health problems. I'm sure it's will be a cutie, but that should be your smallest consideration. How does you mom feel about this? Training a puppy is hard work. Small children have to be trained how to handle the puppy. For example, Britney Spears toddlers threw her Yorkie and it wound up with a broken leg. Seriously, you have to change your whole lifestyle with a puppy. |