How did we get started? I acquired my first Maltese (Lexi) in 2002. She was as cute as she could be, but was too small to consider breeding and so she is now a pampered pet living with my parents. Lexi was a wonderful teacher for me. She has an outstanding, typy Maltese temperament and patiently allowed me to learn how to grow coat on a Maltese.

What lines do you breed and who has served as your Mentor/Advisor? I have had the great opportunity to be mentored by the wonderful Mary L. Day of C and M Maltese and Cindy Jones of the Senoj Maltese. Both Mary and Cindy have been invaluable to me in teaching me everything that is Maltese. I am very fortunate to have acquired my two foundation girls from Mary.

The line that my foundation is built upon is C and M. C and M Maltese (Mary Day & Carol Thomas) have been breeding outstanding Maltese for over thirty years. Many of their Champions include BIS and BISS title-holders. I love the look of C and M, which includes large dark expressive eyes, heavy silk coats and beautiful movement and structure. All of my foundation girls possess a heritage steeped in the C and M line.

I later acquired two stunning foundation boys, bred by Bonnie Palmer of Angel’s Maltese. These boys too have C and M throughout their pedigrees, but also incorporate the Marcris & Richelieu bloodlines. Both of these boys are exquisitely beautiful and offer strong conformation. I look forward to what the future holds with the combining of these outstanding lines to my current foundation.

I am also grateful to our friends at Showboat Maltese (Barbara Brown), Rijes Maltese (Jeanne Haley) and Tajon Maltese (Tammy & John Simon) for sharing their beautiful boys and lines with us.

How often do you breed? Not often. Showing and loving Maltese is my hobby. I breed on a very limited scale (perhaps 2 – 3 litters/year). I don’t typically have a show dog available for placement, b/c when I breed I generally keep the dogs I want to show for myself. I may have on occasion a pet puppy available and if I don’t, I will try to refer you to a reputable breeder that may have a pet available for placement. If I do have a pet available, they are placed with an agreement that requires that they are spayed/neutered at the appropriate age.

What do we look for in our Maltese? Health must be paramount in my opinion. I want a structurally sound Maltese with a happy outgoing temperament. These three elements are critical. With these elements in place, I will look for the Maltese with lovely overall balance, an expressive beautiful head type and clean front and rear movement, as my first evaluative measures for show dog candidates. Of course, our breed defining characteristic, the long silky white coat is essential in ultimately providing the “icing” on each of our Maltese. Ideally, this coat is a heavy silk, which provides a cleaner edge when trimming a coat that has reached floor length.

How did you choose your kennel name? I love elegant and classical music. I am a fan of the opera and consider each of my Maltese a very special and unique “Aria”…hence, our name. Each of our little “Aria’s” have a very extraordinary place in our hearts and lift the spirits of all that get to know them, whether destined for the show ring, or as a pampered pet in someone’s family.

What clubs do you belong to? I currently serve as the President for the California Central Valley Maltese club and I am an active member in our National Club, The American Maltese Association, along with The Pacific Rim Club.

When I am not w/ my Maltese, I am generally spending time with my family or working full-time as and HR Physician Practice Consultant for a West Coast HMO.