We cannot guarantee the actual adult size of your puppy. Maltese come in many different sizes due to the fact there are many “types” of Maltese being bred out there. The AKC Maltese standard states “4-6 pounds”. Some Maltese breeders do not breed to AKC standard, so the Maltese may be quite a bit larger and often they are bred to be even smaller than the 4-6 pounds due to the popularity of the marketed “teacup maltese”. The “teacup Maltese” is not part of the AKC Maltese standard, however, the Poodle does have three AKC sizes. There is only one AKC standard for the Maltese dog breed. As a rule of thumb, the puppy can be weighed at 12 weeks old the weight can be doubled and half a pound added to estimate an adult size. Please keep in mind there are many factors that can effect the growth or weight of a dog. The best indicator is the shoulder height of the parents and grandparents. As we breed to the AKC Maltese standard, our dogs are under 10 inches at the shoulder, and usually between 4-7 lbs. Four to five pound dogs may be considered "teacups" by the general public, although again there really is no such size distinction for Maltese or even Poodle.
We doo guarantee against life threatening congenital birth defects for 1 year. You can receive a full refund or pick out a new puppy. We do not reimburse vet fees. Please be aware that vaccinations sometimes fail for various reasons, and a dog does not develop full immunity to some diseases until they are a full year old and have had ALL their puppy shot, including a booster at the age of 1 year. The ideal method of guarding your new puppy against illness is to keep it away from other puppies less than 1 year old, older dogs who have not had vaccines, any dog who is ill, and places where other dogs have been doing their business or other dogs have been ill until your puppy is at least one year old and has had his/her final booster. Obviously this isn't practical or possible in many cases. Keeping informed is a good alternative and a strict adherence to all vaccination schedules and a veterinary program is a must. There are many illnesses that can affect dogs. For a more in-depth look at health vaccines and how various illnesses can affect your puppy, please look up "dog diseases" on the internet. Puppies under a year old (especially toy breeds) are especially vulnerable to a few diseases. For serious inquiries regarding more detailed guarantees and limitations, please e-mail or call.