Maltese Puppies for Sale in South Carolina
Table of Contents
Maltese are people dogs that love to be with their families. Their affectionate nature makes them great family dogs, and they get along well with children and other animals.
Maltese are very intelligent and easy to train, but they can easily become spoiled if not trained properly by firm owners who set rules. They will learn their boundaries eventually, but it can take a while for Maltese to adjust to new people in the home since they bond closely with their owners.
One Thing You Need To Ask Your Dog Breeder
Maltese shed minimally throughout the year, but do shed profusely during seasonal periods called blowouts where they lose massive amounts of hair all at once only to have it grow back in time for the next shedding period.
Maltese do not require extensive exercise beyond daily walks, but they do need to be taken for a good walk at least once per day. They are very playful and energetic indoors, so if left alone in the home without enough mental stimulation or exercise they can become bored and destructive.
Maltese are generally healthy dogs who live an average of 15 years. Potential health concerns include liver shunt, cataracts, patellar luxation (slipped kneecap) and sebaceous adenitis (a skin disease). Their small size makes them prone to injuries like broken bones from jumping off furniture or falling downstairs.
Maltese are happy, loyal dogs that make great family pets as long as their owners are willing to provide extra attention and training to them.
If this sounds like a good fit for you, check out our list of reputable Maltese breeders in South Carolina down below.
Maltese Breeders List in South Carolina
Breeder | Location | Phone | Website |
---|---|---|---|
Eastwick Paws | Charleston, SC | 603-405-8401 | No Wesbite |
RoseMark Cottage Maltese | Swansea, SC | 803-413-0465 | No Wesbite |
Sally Wiggins | Moncks Corner, SC | 843-899-5940 | No Wesbite |
Marilyn Hoffman | Clover, SC | 704-460-9220 | No Website |
Maltese Breeder Details In South Carolina
Eastwick Paws
Charleston, SC
Call: 603-405-8401
No Wesbite
RoseMark Cottage Maltese
Swansea, SC
Call: 803-413-0465
No Wesbite
Sally Wiggins
Moncks Corner, SC
Call: 843-899-5940
No Wesbite
Marilyn Hoffman
Clover, SC
Call: 704-460-9220
No Wesbite
Alternative Places to Purchase a Maltese Puppy
Maltese Breeders in Neighboring States
- Maltese Breeders In Florida
- Maltese Breeders In Georgia
- Maltese Breeders In North Carolina
- Maltese Breeders In Tennessee
For the complete list please see our Maltese Breeders List page.
What Is The Average Price for A Maltese Puppy in South Carolina?
Maltese puppies in South Carolina range in price from $950 to $2,500.
.Bloodlines and lineage influence the price, just like with any other breed. A puppy that has show quality or champion bloodlines behind it will generally cost more than a puppy with no bloodlines.
Also, rarer colors such as apricot, grey and black will generally cost more than a Maltese puppy with white or cream coloring.
The price also varies depending on the breeder selling the dog. Reputable breeders will charge higher prices due to their dedication to maintaining high ethical standards in producing superior puppies, while backyard breeders or other disreputable sources may sell Maltese for lower prices.
Is It Possible to Find A Free Maltese Puppy in South Carolina?
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a free puppy. Breeding Maltese for free without any kind of compensation is illegal and unethical, and more than likely the person breeding dogs in this way will not be able to provide documentation on health clearances or certificates proving that the parents have been health tested for genetic defects.
Reputable breeders practice ethical breeding and do not let their dogs produce litters of puppies without being fixed. They also typically require an application process and interview potential owners prior to letting them take home one of their dogs to ensure they are qualified to care for a dog responsibly.
How to Find A Responsible Maltese Breeder in South Carolina
Dogs are an investment, and they should always be treated as such. When purchasing a Maltese puppy in South Carolina from a breeder, it is important to find one that you can trust will provide the best possible care for your dog.
Reputable breeders will typically charge anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500 per puppy even though there is no registration or licensing involved with dog breeding. This ensures that reputable breeders are not focused on profits but instead spend their money on maintaining ethical standards in producing healthy dogs while also providing necessary medical care through vaccinations and preventative medications like heartworm pills or flea treatment.
They should also be found at all of the major dog shows throughout the year as well as other activities, such as educational seminars, that allow you a chance to meet the parents of a puppy before getting one.
The best way to find a reputable breeder is to ask for a referral or recommendation from people you know who currently own Maltese.
Visit Your South Carolina Maltese Breeder in Person
Visiting your South Carolina Maltese breeder in person is the best way to ensure that you are choosing a reputable breeder. It allows you to see where the dogs live, interact with them and their parents while also giving you a chance to ask any questions or get information about available puppies.
You should be able to tell whether or not this person is someone you feel comfortable doing business with based on their facilities, appearance of employees/volunteers, cleanliness of the kennel and general attitude towards potential customers.
If they are not willing to let you inside or do not have very many animals at their facility then chances are that the conditions are not ideal for living which could result in health problems down the road for your puppy.
Questions to Ask
Ask for References from Your Maltese Breeder in South Carolina
Even though you should always do your own research to ensure that a breeder is reputable, asking for references from the breeder themselves is another good way to find out more about their services and facilities.
Reputable breeders will typically be happy to provide you with several referrals or at least one contact number of someone who has purchased a dog in the past so that you can get information about them directly.
If this person does not provide any kind of contact information then it might be because they either did not have anyone purchase a dog yet or that they do not want other people knowing where their dogs came from.
Ask Your South Carolina Maltese Breeder If You Can Meet Past Customers
Don’t be afraid to ask your South Carolina Maltese breeder if you can meet past customers who have purchased dogs from them before.
These people will typically be more than happy to discuss their experiences with the breeder, whether they are still in contact or not, and are generally a good indication of what level of customer service you can expect from this person.
Meeting past customers will also give you the opportunity to see the conditions of the kennel and meet their dogs if they have any available. You can also see the temperament of the past customer’s dog.
Does Your South Carolina Maltese Breeder Have A Good Veterinarian They Use?
Reputable breeders will typically not only have a good relationship with their veterinarian but also be able to provide you with contact information should you need it.
They may even take your puppy themselves to ensure that they are up-to-date on all of the necessary vaccinations and preventative medications.
You can also ask your breeder if they require a pre-purchase veterinary exam, which is something that reputable breeders usually do just in case there are any health issues that come up before or after the sale of a dog.
At this point, if everything goes well then chances are you have found an excellent breeder who cares about its customers and puppies alike.
Look out for The Signs of An Unethical Maltese Dog Breeder in South Carolina
Unfortunately, there are unethical and disreputable breeders out there who give the dog breeding industry a bad name.
Finding an ethical breeder is not always easy but you can look out for certain things that may be signs of an unethical breeder which include:
- Prices that seem unusually low (a good breeder should never sell their dogs or puppies less than $600 to $800 USD).
- No questions asked money-back guarantees where your money will be refunded regardless if your puppy falls ill within a certain time period.
- A lack of information about their facilities such as where they live and whether or not you can visit during business hours. If the person refuses to let you see their home then chances are they could have something to hide.
- High-pitched and whiny yet persuasive sales pitches which you might mistake for genuine concern about the well-being of the dog and its future owner.
- A lack of information about their puppies such as where they come from (if your breeder won’t tell you then there is a good chance that the dogs were not acquired legally).
There are many more signs that may indicate an unethical breeder but these are some of the most common ones.
If your breeder does any of these things, regardless if they claim to be one of “the best Maltese breeders in South Carolina” or make any other outlandish claims, then chances are they do not have the’s best interest at heart and are not an ethical or reliable breeder.
After all, finding the right breeder for your new puppy is one of the most important decisions you will make.
Ask The South Carolina Breeder If Your Maltese Puppy Has Any Health Problems
You should also ask the breeder to provide you with a written health guarantee which states if your puppy develops any illnesses or diseases within a certain time period from purchase then you will be entitled to an immediate refund.
Some breeders may even offer a replacement puppy without any additional charge so it is advisable to request this as well.
At this point, they shouldn’t have any issues providing you with what you have asked for, and if they do then simply thank them for their time and look elsewhere.
Is Your South Carolina Maltese Breeder Selling You A Show Quality Dog Or Just A Pet?
It might also be a good idea to ask what quality of dog they are selling you because not every breeder sells show-quality dogs.
If a breeder is selling you show-quality dogs then this is an excellent sign because they are typically more knowledgeable about the breed and have better quality standards. It also means that your new dog will be of higher quality overall which could warrant a higher price tag in some cases. You can also ask them what their policy on returns are if you are not satisfied with your new puppy even if it was within the required time frame.
How to Prepare Your Home for Your Maltese Puppy
Although a lot of breeders will typically provide you with a list of supplies to prepare for your new puppy, it is advisable to be as prepared as possible.
This means having an appropriate-sized crate ready and sufficient dog food from the moment your puppy enters your home. It could also mean getting the right type of collar and leash because although Maltese make excellent apartment dogs, they still need daily walks which can be difficult if you live in a small space.
Don’t only ask the breeder what type of food he or she will be feeding your puppy but also inquire about potential allergies that may arise after you’ve brought it home because not every dog can eat certain types of food without developing an allergy later on.
Puppy proofing your home is also important because Maltese like to chew on shoes, carpets, and other household items. Make sure to look at any objects that could be potentially dangerous for your dog such as electrical wires, toilet cleaner, bleach, cleaning sprays among other things.
Remember that you are not only protecting your dog but yourself as well because coming home to find chewed shoes or wires could make you highly upset.
The Importance of Crate Training Your Puppy Whether you choose to crate train or simply keep the crate in a designated area where your puppy is free to come and go as he wishes is entirely up to you.
However, it’s important to realize that certain breeds tend to chew more than others.
Potty Training Your New Maltese Puppy
As for potty training, it’s important to take things slowly and try not to get angry when mistakes do occur.
If you are unable to get your puppy outside in time then the best thing you can do is to take him out of his crate and keep him close by. This way, he will get used to your voice and learn to follow basic instructions which should make things just a little bit easier over time.
The Importance Of Socialization for Your New Maltese Puppy
Lastly, socializing your new dog at an early age makes it far less likely that they will grow into an aggressive or unruly adult. Make sure that you take them out in public as often as possible so their exposure to different environments becomes more natural.
Breeders in South Carolina who care about puppies will also encourage you to bring them back for routine visits ever so often.