Breed Spotlight.. Maltese
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The Maltese is lively, vivacious, playful, gentle, and loving. They are intelligent and loyal to their masters. They make wonderful little companions. Although the Maltese is generally good with children and other pets, they may snap if handled roughly by a child.
Grooming Requirements – The trademark of this breed is their silky, white, flowing hair. They need to be brushed daily and shampooed often. As with most white dogs, the eyes must also be wiped regularly to prevent tear staining. The Maltese sheds little to no hair.
Activity Level – This dog loves indoor play, and doesn’t necessarily need a yard. They do have a tendency to jump in puddles when outside.
Size – These are very small dogs, usually weighing in at 4-6 pounds.
With springtime upon us, lots of people are probably starting to plan vacations. What do you do with your dog while you’re away? Boarding or pet sitting services are always an option, and you could always leave fido with a friend. As for me, I’d much rather take my furry friend along for the ride. This poses a new problem - finding a hotel or resort that allows dogs. And what about air-travel? 
The Shetland Sheepdog, or Sheltie, as they are more commonly called is known to be one of the smartest breeds of them all. Some people call them a miniature collie, which they are not. The two are entirely separate breeds, although they favor one another. Shelties are obedient and loyal, loving and affectionate towards their owners, but weary of strangers. They make excellent watchdogs. They are fairly active, and love to chase. This can probably be attributed to their herding ancestry. Shelties will do okay in homes without a yard, but need to be walked regularly. Mental and physical stimulation is essential for these dogs. They are smart, easily trained, and eager to please. Shelties don’t require bathing very often, but they may need to be brushed from time to time. They shed their undercoat twice per year. They typical weight for a Sheltie is between 14-27 pounds. 
According to medical research, owning a pet lowers blood pressure and cholesterol. Pets can also alleviate stress, depression, and anxiety. The simple act of petting a dog is relaxing and calming. Of course pets encourage us to be more active. Walking dogs and playing with them gets people moving when they might otherwise sit on the couch and watch television. The companionship provided by pets can decrease feelings of loneliness and isolation. They also encourage us to be more social. I’ve met many neighbors out walking my dogs. Conversations strike up easily by asking “What kind of dog is that?� or “Oh, what a cute dog you have!� 
3. Prolonged or incessant barking, with moderate to long intervals between each utterance: “Is there anybody there? I’m lonely and need companionship.” This is most often the response to confinement or being left alone for long periods of time.
Cheerfulness is the hallmark of this breed. Bichons are fairly small dogs, with puffy white hair and dark, inquisitive eyes. They usually weigh between 10-16 pounds. They love to be with people and bond easily with their families. They are playful, but not hyper, and good with other pets as well as children. Bichons do well in apartments or homes without a yard. They do need to be walked, but are happy to play indoors. This breed is very easily trained, and can be taught tricks. 
Vet bills can be so expensive and unexpected. Pet Insurance may be worth looking into. It’s sounds weird when you first think of it.. insurance for a dog. After I gave it a little more thought, it made sense. There are several companies out there who offer pet insurance. It doesn’t work quite the same as human insurance, and it’s definitely less expensive. For a young dog in good health, it will probably run around $20 - $30 per month. Older dogs will cost around $40 or $50 per month. 
Breeders market these puppies as “designer” breeds, and claim that when mixing two breeds you get the best of both worlds. What they don’t tell you is that you might also get the worst of both worlds. The truth is that most responsible breeders commit to one breed, and would never consider mixing them. The point of breeding is to create healthy dogs, who also meet the breed standards as specified by the AKC. Certain breeds are prone to certain health problems and behavioral traits, and breeders strive to eliminate as many problems as possible. When two breeds are mixed, the risk is creating a dog that holds the undesirable traits of both breeds. 
