Need help identifying dog!

[DoggUncertainty]

I’m hoping someone can help me, my mum has recently bought this gorgeous puppy. I’ve attached some photos.

DISCLAIMER: I know nothing about dogs and different breeds!

The lady who sold him to her said he’s a pure Maltese, however since she’s had him, 4 separate people who’ve seen him have told her he looks like a Maltese/Shih tzu mix breed.

Anyone got any ideas from these pics? She wasn’t given a certificate of his breed or anything like that, but on his vaccination record it says he’s a Maltese, so surely that’s confirmation enough? However she’s now doubting it due to the comments of others.

This is all horrendous OP, that poor puppy. Is the breeder going to give your mum a full refund? It all sounds dodgy as hell :-( Please be careful that these people don't turn nasty or want the dog back but don't return your mums money. Those people are liars and con artists.

Undescended testicles is really common in a lot of breeds, especially those from poor breeders. It is genetic. Was your mum planning to castrate? If so, it’s a slightly more risky procedure and slightly more costly but that is the treatment. The risk of cancer is usually if not castrated years down the line. Most vets will castrate small breeds from around 6 months (ideally a little older to see temperament but in this case the recommendation would be to castrate regardless).

We did this. 18 breeds! It was fascinating.

Your mum should not get another dog she’s not fit to own one

It's a puppy. Of course it's lively...

That’s putting it very lightly.Op mother is really irresponsible.Dog is not a toy,all puppies are lively.Poor puppy shouldn’t be given back to horrible greeders.Please rehome him via genuine dog rescue,chalk wasted money to experience and never get another living creature.

This.

Dogs aren’t fucking accessories that you dispose of because you used a backyard breeder and aren’t happy. Let’s be honest, if the dog was the age your mum thought it was and a pure bred she would keep it. She just doesn’t want THIS dog and all the other stuff is window dressing.

Poor little bastard. Being dumped because his owner can’t be bothered.

I hope she doesn’t get another dog.

It does sound dodgy however the woman has now contacted my sister who went there with my mum on the day they collected him. My sister helped with getting in contact initially to organise the sale so the woman has her number. Shes apparently upset and distressed about the whole situation and she is adamant that when she took him to the vet to be checked weeks ago, they offered her microchipping but she said she’ll leave it to the new owner. The vet was fine with this she says. The testicle issue wasn’t picked up on at all so she says this is news to her. And she’s apparently very upset about him being unsettled and messed around, she said she’s trying to find a new owner for him now.

Apparently my mum was quite rude to her and accused her of scamming her 😬

My sister is a very good judge of character and said she didn’t get any dodgy vibes at all when they went to the house, and that the woman seemed very genuine but obviously you can’t always tell.

No idea what’s happening about the refund, this is all such a mess and I’m upset for the little dog, he doesn’t deserve all this.

Thanks for this info, very helpful. Yes she was planning to castrate him but obviously won’t be now 😕

Last few comments I have to agree with. I’m really disappointed and upset with her tbh. She was already struggling with him though before she knew all of this so it’s not a vanity thing, she just didn’t make a sensible decision.

its no excuse and I wasn’t going to mention it but she lost her husband, my stepdad, a few months ago and is overcome with grief and loneliness. She was hoping getting a dog would help her with this, but lesson learned now.

All puppies are full of energy and hard work. Your mum might’ve been better off getting an older rescue dog.

Hopefully the puppy won’t end up going back to the previous owners.

I really hope it all works out for the best for both your mum and the puppy.

Hi,OP please step in and do right thing by this little poor boy.£700 down the drain is nothing in comparison to what this puppy may go thru if returned to ,,breeders,,.Contact local charities and surrender him.They will find him right,responsible owners after careful home checks.Then report idiots who sold him to your mother.They’re full of shit with their tales,good at it,because they lie for living.

This was the original plan for quite a while, she really wanted a rescue and then my sister found this one and she met him and adored him immediately. He apparently didn’t seem that lively on first meeting.

I’ve spoken to her just now and she doesn’t want him going back to these breeders, she’s going to try to find someone else.

Sorry meant to say thanks for your kind wishes, I hope so too.

Yes agree with you, he needs to go to someone else. And will report these people too. I’m just so upset by all this.

I’m sure it will work out - it’s always a risk when you go to see a puppy. The cute factor takes over and it’s tough to say no. Or even,”I’ll think about it!” All the best.

It’s probably crossed with a poodle, as most crosses are these days.

Poor puppy. This is why it's so, so important to do lots and lots of research before getting a dog. They're all so very different and finding someone who matches your needs and temperament is so important for both a happy owner and a happy dog!

If your mum really is desperate for a companion dog (understandable if she's recently lost her husband), might I recommend a rescue greyhound? I know people are immediately put off by "oh my god it's an athletic breed it'll need so much exercise" but they're the opposite. Total couch potatoes, and the most loving, cuddly, affectionate dogs you could hope for. And very, very chill. The opposite of lively. My old greyhound is quite literally my soulmate, he's the best friend I've ever had and has seen me through some really shit times.

You've all learned quite a valuable lesson here, I hope everything works out well for you all and Puppy!

Thank you ❤️ Yes that did happen a bit I think. I’ve asked her why on earth decide within 20 minutes that you want him, why not go away and think first? And she said he was so adorable and so affectionate she couldn’t bear to leave him! It should ALWAYS be about the dog ultimately which is why I don’t have any, because I’d be an inadequate owner!

Oh interesting! Never thought poodle. Apparently the vet today said he did look Maltese but confirmed that without genetic testing it’s impossible to know.

Thanks so much for your kind words. I agree, lots of research is very much needed before committing to a dog, I did tell her this. She’d decided on an older rescue then the next thing we knew she wanted a Maltese puppy.

Oh wow I love greyhounds! I know nothing about them and probably like others, assumed they are energetic and would keep you on the go constantly so that’s amazing that they like to chill! Your boy sounds wonderful and so loving, they would be ideal for my mum and is exactly what she’d be able to cope with. I will have a look with her, but she said earlier she doesn’t feel able at the moment to have another dog after this has happened, so maybe for the future when she’s processed her grief a bit more.

I'm so sorry, OP. What a mess. The poor puppy.

Has your mum thought about getting a cat instead? They're wonderful company and so much less work than a dog.

What a horrible mess, OP, but good to know your mum is going to find him a home and not send him back.

She must see that she's made a big mistake, so this is going to be tough for her too when she is already grieving.

No one benefits - not the poor little dog, not her, not you or your sister who just want her to be happier - except the people pocketing £700.

I would never EVER buy a dog off the internet. Certainly never Pets4Homes. Ever.

Just read the updates. I'm so sorry OP. Your poor mum. And the poor dog.