Maltipoo Yorkie Mix Guide
Nowadays, there are so many hybrid dog breeds that it can be difficult to differentiate between them. Anyone interested in dogs such as Malteses, Poodles, and Yorkshire Terriers but can’t seem to decide, you might want to consider a Maltipoo Yorkie because it may be the perfect pick.
These cute, cuddly, and furry hybrid mixes can be the perfect addition to anyone’s household. There isn’t much information or overall knowledge on these particular dogs. For this reason, this article will break down some of the most essential information on Maltipoo Yorkie mixes.
What is a Maltipoo Yorkie Mix?
As mentioned above, Maltipoo Yorkie mixes are a hybrid dog breed that consists of Maltese, Poodle, and Yorkshire Terrier. These dogs are also sometimes known as Morkie Poos or Morkie Doodles. These dogs are known for their gentle and sweet nature as well as their non-shedding coats. They are relatively small dogs that are adaptable to any living space, regardless of size. Maltipoo Yorkies are also known for being very energetic but also extraordinarily devoted and loving with their families.
Physical Characteristics
When it comes to the physical characteristics of Maltipoo Yorkies, there are slight variations that can appear. The most significant contributing factors of these variations are the parent dogs used for breeding. For example, the size and color of the parent dog greatly influence the size and color of puppies. Luckily, with Maltipoo Yorkies, these variations do not tend to be as extreme as other breeds because both Maltese and Yorkshire Terriers have a relatively uniform appearance across the breeds. However, Poodles greatly vary in size and color. Hence, the Poodle parent contributes more to the variations that are present in Maltipoo Yorkies.Color
The most common colors of Maltipoo Yorkies are white, black, brown, tan, white mixed with tan combined or tri-colored. As we mentioned before, the most significant contributing factor of color variation is the color of Poodle used for breeding. This is because both Maltese and Yorkshire Terriers have relatively uniform colors. Maltese’ are always white, and Yorkshire Terriers are typically black and tan. There are occasional variations in Yorkie coats that make some dogs blue and tan or blue and gold. However, there is relatively little difference in appearance between these dogs.On the other hand, Poodles come in a large variety of colors. You can have white, black, apricot, red, cream, brown, blue, and silver Poodles. Sometimes you may even have a Poodle that is a combination of these colors. Therefore, Poodle color plays a significant role in determining the color of the Maltipoo Yorkie puppies, resulting in many different colors and color combinations. It is also important to note that it is difficult to predict the color of a puppy before it is born. Because of the different possible variations, the only way to know what a puppy will look like is to wait and see. However, one thing is guaranteed with these dogs: regardless of their color, they are all adorable.
How Big Are Maltipoo Yorkies?
Maltipoo Yorkies are typically very small in size because of their parents. These dogs tend to be about 6 to 10 inches tall and 4 to 12 lbs in weight, making them very tiny companions. Both Maltese and Yorkshire Terriers are approximately 7 to 12 inches in height and weigh less than 8 lbs. Therefore, these genetics influence the small size of the puppies. On the other hand, Poodles can be anywhere from 9 to 24 inches in height and can weigh anywhere from 6 to 90 lbs. However, typically when breeding Maltipoo Yorkies, the Poodle parent is on the smaller side of the spectrum.Therefore, Teacup or Toy Poodles are usually the ones being used in producing these hybrid dogs. The other important factor to consider when it comes to the size of your Maltipoo Yorkie is the gender of the dog. Generally speaking, female dogs are smaller than males. In this case, female Maltipoo Yorkies are 4 to 8 lbs in weight and 6 to 8 inches tall. Males are usually larger at 6 to 12 lbs and 7 to 10 inches tall. Therefore, if you want the smallest option possible, you should opt for a female.
Coat
The coat texture of Maltipoo Yorkies depends on which parent dog they take after more. If the puppy takes after the Maltese or Yorkshire Terrier parent more, it will have straighter hair. Both these breeds are known for their long, straight, and silky hair. Whereas, if your Maltipoo Yorkie takes after the Poodle parent more, it is likely to have curlier hair that sometimes looks frizzy (though still very cute). One of the best parts of Maltipoo Yorkie’s is their hypoallergenic coat. Maltese’, Poodles, and Yorkshire Terriers are all non-shedding dogs, making them great for anyone who suffers from allergies. Therefore, regardless of which parent breed your puppy takes after more, it will still be non-shedding.
Grooming
Because of their non-shedding coats, Maltipoo Yorkies will need regular grooming. This grooming includes brushing, bathing, trimming, and other miscellaneous tasks.Brushing
The frequency in which you brush your Maltipoo Yorkie is mainly dependent on the texture of its coat. If your dog takes after the Maltese or Yorkshire Terrier parent more, its coat will be straighter and silkier than those that take after the Poodle more. If you keep this hair long, you may have to brush your dog every day. However, straight hair that is kept shorter only requires brushing around 2 to 3 times a week.On the other hand, if your Maltipoo Yorkie takes after its Poodle parent more, you will likely need to brush it daily. This frequent brushing results from the matting and knots that many Poodle mixes face because of their dense, curly hair. Therefore, knowing what type of coat your dog has will help with determining how frequently it needs to be brushed.
Bathing
It would be best if you bathed your Maltipoo Yorkie every 15 to 30 days. This also depends on the type of coat your dog has. Maltese’ and Yorkies both require washing every 1 to 2 weeks to keep their hair healthy. This is not very common for other dog breeds because bathing this frequently can cause dryness and irritation of the skin. For example, Poodles only require bathing every 3 to 4 weeks, or their skin can become dry. Therefore, 15 to 30 days is the perfect compromise between these breeds, leaving your dog’s hair clean and healthy while ensuring the skin does not become irritated.When you do bathe your Maltipoo Yorkie, use dog-specific shampoo. Both Maltese’ and Yorkies also require conditioning for their hair to remain silky and smooth. If your dog has long, straight hair like these breeds, then conditioning is also recommended. You can find the appropriate products at pet stores. Your veterinarian can also refer you to the right products to keep your Maltipoo Yorkie looking and feeling its best.
Trimming
Since Maltipoo Yorkies do not shed, they require regular trims to prevent their hair from becoming too long and unruly. These dogs need a haircut approximately once every month. This may differ slightly based on the length of coat you prefer on your dog. If you want your dog to look more like its Maltese or Yorkshire Terrier parent, you will want to keep the hair longer and only trim when necessary. If you want your dog to resemble the Poodle parent more, you can shave it down to any length. Suppose you want your dog to have a specific hairstyle or are uncomfortable grooming it yourself. In that case, you may want to visit a professional groomer.Miscellaneous Grooming Procedures
Along with brushing, bathing, and trimming, you should include some other miscellaneous grooming procedures in your Maltipoo Yorkies’ everyday life. First, you should trim their nails whenever you are trimming their hair. Nail trimming is a precise procedure that requires great care and attention. If done improperly, there is a possibility of cutting the nails too short, which will cause your dog pain. Professional groomers and veterinarians also provide this service, so if you are nervous about doing this yourself, they are happy to help.
Additionally, you should clean your Maltipoo Yorkies’ eyes regularly. Because of their Maltese parents, these dogs are susceptible to excessive tearing of the eyes, which can cause tear stains and other eye problems. Therefore, it is essential to wash your dog’s eyes every couple of days to prevent excessive tearing from building up. You can do this with a warm, damp cloth. Suppose you find this particularly problematic with your dog.
In that case, you should talk to a veterinarian about getting medicated wipes for your dog’s eyes. Lastly, you should clean your dog’s ears. Because these dogs have floppy, closed ears, it is essential to keep them clean. Dirt and debris can get caught in your dog’s ears, causing ear infections and other problems. Therefore, you should clean your Maltipoo Yorkies’ ears regularly with vet-approved ear drops to prevent these problems from occurring.
Temperament
Maltipoo Yorkies are known for their beautiful temperaments. These dogs are incredibly loyal and loving towards their families. This devotion means your Maltipoo Yorkie will love to follow you around, but it also sometimes causes separation anxiety. If you plan on getting one of these dogs, you must have lots of time to spend with it. Additionally, Maltipoo Yorkies are very active. They are small, but they have lots of energy for their small size. Therefore, they need exercise every day.It is also important to note that it is not recommended that you allow your Maltipoo Yorkie outside alone because of their small size. These dogs can become victims to birds of prey or other large animals. They also have a hunting drive because of their Yorkie parent, so they are a potential flight risk if they catch the scent of another animal. These dogs are also independent and confident. They don’t let their small size stop them. Maltipoo Yorkies may try to assert their dominance with strangers by barking. Therefore, they need to be socialized at a young age to ensure they are comfortable around new people.
Health
Maltipoo Yorkies are generally healthy dogs with a long lifespan of 10 to 13 years. However, hybrid dogs are susceptible to different health problems from all parent breeds. Therefore, Maltipoo Yorkies are exposed to the common health problems found among Maltese’, Poodles, and Yorkshire Terriers. Below you will find a list of the most common health problems encountered among this hybrid breed.- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Hypoglycemia
- Tracheal Collapse
This does not mean your puppy will have all these problems; some dogs never experience any issues at all. It just means that there is a greater possibility of your dog inheriting these problems because of genetics. The easiest way to avoid hereditary illnesses is to adopt your puppy from a reputable source. Reputable breeders always conduct health tests on parent dogs before breeding. If they find a dog has predispositions to specific problems, they will not use it for breeding; this minimizes the possibility of puppies being born with these problems.
Where Can I Find Maltipoo Yorkies?
Maltipoo Yorkies are a relatively new hybrid breed. That said, whether it’s looking at breeders or different rescues and shelters, they may be difficult to find simply because they are three different dog breeds combined and many breeders don’t have access to all three dogs.
Often, the closest thing found to a Maltipoo Yorkie is a Maltipoo, which is just a Maltese and Poodle mix. Rather than wait for a Maltipoo Yorkie to become available at a rescue or shelter, the smartest thing is to find a breeder that sells both Maltipoos and Yorkies and inquire about breeding them to create the perfect Maltipoo Yorkie mix.
With Maltipoo Yorkies becoming more popular, this is worth a try. Dog breeders are constantly trying to breed the cutest, most in-demand dogs and Maltipoo Yorkies are just that.
Final Thoughts
Packed with scruffy charm and small enough to suit nearly any living situation, Yorkie Maltipoos are understandably attracting interest from dog lovers. While it’s easy to fall under the spell of this breed, make sure you’re prepared to provide the socialization, exercise, and attention that they need before bringing one home. Yorkie Maltipoos may be petite, but the responsibility of pet ownership is still as big as ever.