Pap-a-WHAT?

When mom bought me she didn't know about "designer dogs"; the practice of deliberately breeding two pure-bred dogs to get a mix-breed puppy. A lot of people don't agree with this practice, because there are already enought mix-breed puppies needing a home without breeding more! Too late -- mom certainly wasn't going to take me back!
When mom started reading up about designer dogs, she found that "hybrid vigor" is a term that is used when a puppy's parents are from two completely different gene pools eliminating some of the  problems of inbreeding. That made mom feel a little bit better about her impulse buy.

The moral of the story:  DON'T think you can walk into a store with puppies for sale and walk out empty-handed. Plan in advance and DO consider a mixed-breed, but look first through reputable rescue organization or at your local pound.

http://www.maltesemaniac.com/maltese-papillon-dogs.html

Here is a Maltese website where mom has been able to look at other
Papitese doggies.