Maltipoo dog breeds: Maltese Poodle Mix

Maltipoo Dog Breed Overview

Maltipoos are a designer dog mix that are bred to be small, hypoallergenic companion dogs.

Due to the similar size of both parent breeds, it varies from litter to litter, and depends on which breed is the father, and which is the mother. For some litters, the mother is a toy poodle and the father is a Maltese.

In other litters, the mother is the Maltese and the father is a teacup poodle – this creates a teacup Maltipoo.

The history of the Maltipoo is a little bit unknown, but some facts we do know:

• They were first bred 20 to 30 years ago.
• The Maltipoo was first seen in America.
• Breeders wanted a small, low shedding companion dog.

Little is known about the Maltipoo dog’s history, however the history of both parent breeds is well documented.

The Maltese is a very old breed from Malta that was first bred in 6000 B.C. They have long been associated with luxury and some famous owners include Elizabeth Taylor and Britney Spears.

The Poodle is a much younger breed that has been used as a gundog since the 15th century. First bred in Germany they also have celebrity owners such as Barbara Streisand and Grace Kelly.

Maltipoos have followed in their pedigree parents’ footsteps and have been owned by Ellen DeGeneres and Grace Beverly.

The Maltipoo is a very popular breed because they are easy to train and do not shed much. This makes them well-suited to a wide variety of owners including people who have pet allergies.

These little dogs come with a whole lot of love and make the perfect pocket-sized companion.

Maltipoos are actually a hybrid breed. They are bred by crossbreeding two recognized purebred dogs (the Maltese and Poodle).

This means that Maltipoos are not classed as pedigree dogs.

As the Maltipoo is a mixed/hybrid dog, they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club or the Kennel Club.

Another reason these dogs are not recognized by kennel clubs is because their characteristics are less predictable than purebred dogs.

Why We Love The Maltipoo

There are many reasons why people purchase Maltipoo puppies. Here are five reasons why they have surged in popularity over the past 20 years, and why you might consider adopting one!

How Much Does A Maltipoo Puppy Cost?

• Maltipoo prices vary between $1,000 and $1,500 if you purchase them from a respectable breeder.
• You can expect to pay $1,500 for a puppy with purebred parents registered with a kennel club.
• This high price can cause irresponsible breeding from breeders purely seeking purely financial gain. This makes it even more important to make sure you buy from a responsible breeder who is invested in finding a good home for their puppies.
• The breeder should be interested in your lifestyle and determine if you are a suitable to adopt their puppy.

Maltipoo Puppies

• Because the Maltipoo is not registered with any kennel clubs there is no easy way to find a reputable breeder. You will need to take extra care to avoid funding a puppy mill.
• Make sure you avoid any breeder that can’t introduce you to the mother of the pups or has multiple litters of puppies.
• Ask about recent health checks for both parents too.
• Maltipoo puppies are normally born in litters of 3 to 7. They will be ready to take home at 8 weeks old.
• It is important to remember that these puppies will be very small and fragile and precautions should be taken to stop them from injuring themselves.
• When they first come home, they should be kept in one or two rooms, avoiding stairs whenever possible.
• Beyond this, it’s advised to keep puppies from climbing on the furniture, to prevent injury.
• The Maltipoo is full grown by the time they reach one year of age. A good way to estimate the weight of your full-grown dog is to take their weight around 4 months and double it.

Maltipoo Rescue Centers

• Because Maltipoos are often bought in response to celebrity owners and current trends they are much more likely to be abandoned and need rehoming.
• If you are looking to adopt a dog, you can often find them in dedicated Maltese rescue centers. But because of their popularity, they are often in local shelters too.

Maltipoo Appearance, Color and Size

• The Maltipoo is about as close as you can get to a living teddy bear! Especially those who decide to style their dog’s coat a little longer.
• As this dog is a mixed breed, they often take on the characteristics of one or both of their parent breeds.
• Their eyes are usually brown, but in rare cases they can be blue.
• They have floppy ears and often their tail curls over their body.

Maltipoo Size Variations

• The size of this dog can vary quite dramatically based on the size of their parents. That is why there are teacup maltipoos, toy maltipoos and standard sized variants.
• These dogs can be anywhere from 8 to 14 inches tall and weigh between 5 and 20lb.
• Because Maltipoos are not registered with any kennel club they have no official size classification. However, their approximate height and weight mean that they are likely to be classified as a toy breed.

Coat Color

The Maltese dog can only be white (their breed standard demands it), but the Poodle comes in many different colors.

As a result, depending on the color of the Poodle parent, your Maltipoo may be:

• Brown
• Silver
• White
• Cream
• Gray
• Black
• Blue
• Red

However, the color of your Maltipoo is a genetic lottery. The most common variations are black maltipoos. Additionally, there are some rare color variations such as red.

As with any designer dog, as well as their color, their coat can vary a lot too.

Their coat is often thick and curly like the Poodle, although, occasionally they will inherit the longer, flowing coat of the Maltese that is soft to the touch.

These dogs often inherit hypoallergic characteristics from both breeds that results in very little shedding!

Personality

• This is a companion dog at heart, who loves to be by their owner’s side.
• They are companion dogs through and through, making them great for all those looking for a close canine companion.
• Their Poodle instinct to chase occasionally comes through and makes them want to play, but overall, they prefer to take a nap on their owner’s lap.
• They are known to be a little nervous around new things, especially due to their smaller size, so be sure to introduce other animals slowly and cautiously.

Maltipoo Temperament

The Maltese is one of the oldest companion breeds and this shines through in the Maltipoo. Maltipoos are some of the friendliest dogs you will ever meet!

They love to spend time with their owners and thrive on attention and affection.

This love and affection can also cause protectiveness and guard dog characteristics to sometimes emerge.

They are confident little dogs but, because they were bred to be a companion dog, shouldn’t be left alone for long periods. They can be prone to anxiety and nervousness when separated from their owner.

These dogs are rarely destructive but depriving them of attention may result in a lot of barking.

Barking can be a significant problem with Maltipoos. Although they are small dogs, they can become very protective of their owners and take on a guard dog role.

They can get on well with other dogs and animals and are rarely aggressive unless they feel threatened.

Are They Good Family Dogs?

• Yes. This breed makes an excellent family pet.
• The Maltipoo can get along well with almost any person or animal. They have the potential to make a fantastic family dog.
• They love to be around children, as play is one of their favorite pastimes.
• Their patient and loyal temperament mean they cope very well with any antics that children may throw their way.
• The only concern you should have is with very young children who may not be able to distinguish between play and putting the dog at risk. Maltipoos are quite a small breed and it is easy to injure them.
• Maltipoos have a relatively low prey drive so they do very well with other family pets too.

Do Maltipoos have health problems?

• The most common health issue with the Maltipoo is white shaker syndrome that is a condition characterized by body tremors. This condition earned its name as it is commonly seen in little white dogs.
• It is often first seen in dogs aged between one and two years of age and will clear up with medication.
• Epilepsy is also commonly seen in this breed – the most common symptom of which is seizures. It is possible for your dog to live quite happily with epilepsy as anti-epileptic drugs are readily available.
• Poodles have a predisposition towards developing eye issues, a trait they have unfortunately passed to the Maltipoo too. It is likely this mix will develop cataracts or a condition known as progressive retinal atrophy.
• As with all small dogs, there is a chance of developing Patellar Luxation or incorrect formation of the cartilage in the knee joint. This can be corrected with surgery, or in more mild cases, can be managed with pain medication.

How Long Do Maltipoos Live?

The average Maltipoo lives to be between 10 and 13 years old. When most dog breeds are considered, this lifespan can be placed somewhere right in the middle! It’s on the higher average side, and makes Maltipoos a generally long-lived breed. When you consider all their traits and their friendly character, you’ll understand that they are quite the companion pets. If you were looking for a stout but petit four-legged friend, this might be it!

Care Guide (Grooming, Feeding & Exercise)

• The Maltipoo is very easy to look after.
• They are very adaptable to different environments, and do well in smaller spaces, making them ideal for those in the city.
• Maltipoos are relatively easy to train and have low exercise requirements too. This makes them a great match for first time or senior owners.

Feeding Guide

• Maltipoos are high-energy dogs crammed into small packages and need a diet that is specifically formulated for them. To meet their unique nutritional needs, it’s best to settle on a diet rooted in high-quality dry dog food. Kibble is packed with all the essential nutrients in the right ratios, and it’s the most convenient way to provide a well-balanced diet to your pet. For the Maltipoo, you should pick out dry food that’s suitable for their age (puppy, adult, senior), size (small) and activity level (low to moderate). Obviously, not all dogs are the same. So if you are worried about what food will work best for your specific pup, it might be worth consulting with your vet. They will have a better sense of what your doggo needs than any kibble manufacturer.
• As a small breed dog, the Maltipoo will be prone and oral health issues. A quality diet can help postpone tooth loss or prevent it altogether. In addition to healthy food, you should offer dental treats for cleaning plaque and brush regularly, too. There are even toys available that double as teeth cleaners. So, it will be easy to find a system that works for you and your pup.
• Like some other small breeds, the Maltipoo can also become obese if not fed properly. Poor diet in large amounts, combined with lack of exercise, can quickly leave your little friend fat and unhappy. Lethargy, arthritis, and digestive problems are not far to follow. So make sure you pay attention to the diet, and provide your friend with ample exercise. While the Maltipoo is great as a snoozy and cuddly lap dog, they also have their energetic side! They will love to play!

Training Requirements

• They are a very smart dog that loves to learn and be taught new tricks. Their intelligence also means that they adjust well to new environments and settle into new homes with ease.
• This breed is one of the easiest dogs to train because they are very intelligent and love to please.
• Both the Maltese and Poodle are intelligent dogs who love to learn.
• As a result, the Maltipoo is often a fast learner, and learns obedience commands with ease.
• They can be very food oriented so using food incentives such as small pieces of chicken is a great training aid.
• The Maltipoo occasionally likes to create mischief and when they get in these moods you may struggle to keep their full attention.
• When this happens never use any kind of punishment with this breed.
• Maltipoos are entirely devoted to their owners and punishment will create feelings of hurt and confusion in your dog.

Exercise Requirements

Although quite energetic, the Poodle and Maltese mix doesn’t require much exercise. A short brisk walk in the morning and evening will be more than enough exercise to keep the pooch happy. This little fellow loves to play and will happily chase a ball across the floor for hours. As a result, he makes a great playmate for well-behaved and caring children. The Maltipoo is an ideal dog for those who live in small apartments in the city, but is also more than happy to live in the suburbs with a yard of his own. Of course, the Maltipoo should never be left off leash to run unless he is in a fenced yard or secure dog park. That’s true of all pups, after all. Just make sure you are ready to meet Maltipoo’s energy levels! Sometimes these can be high, as these tiny pups would seem ready to run for hours on end!

Maltipoo Haircuts & Grooming

• Maltipoos normally inherit the curly Poodle coat, however some have the long, flowing white coat of the Maltese.
• Both types of coat need brushing daily, this is especially important if your dog has the thicker Poodle-type fur.
• The coat will need to be professionally groomed every 6 week or so. While at the groomers, your dog’s nails should also be clipped.
• Smaller dogs are prone to Periodontal Disease, so regular toothbrushing is an absolute must. Use a doggie toothbrush and toothpaste as frequently as your pet will allow.
• If you regularly groom your puppy from a young age, it will reinforce the bond you have with your dog.

Related Questions

What is the temperament of a Maltipoo?

Maltipoos are well-known for their friendly and affectionate personality. They are also outgoing and rarely shy. The exact temperament of a Maltipoo may vary based on whether the genes from the Poodle or Maltese parent are more dominant.

Are Maltipoos yappy?

Maltipoos can be more vocal than some other dog breeds. Some Maltipoos may be yappy, while others may not be. The dog’s genetics and training can play a role as to whether or not they are yappy.

Do Maltipoos shed a lot?

No, Maltipoos don’t shed very much. They were bred to be hypoallergenic dogs. Their poodle genes limit the amount they shed, but if the Maltese genes are stronger, a Maltipoo may shed some.

Is Maltipoo good with kids?

Yes, Maltipoos are a kid-friendly dog. Their playful and loving personality makes them a great companion for a child. However, Maltipoos are small and could be injured by a rambunctious toddler. It is generally best to only bring a Maltipoo into a home with slightly older children.

Final Thoughts

The Maltipoo is a beautiful teddy-bear like dog that is sure to please everyone. With such a loving and adaptable attitude this dog is suitable for a huge variety of homes.

Their lower exercise requirements make them a great match for owners who aren’t particularly active.

They devote themselves entirely to their owners, but this is not something to be taken lightly. They don’t do well with those who cannot dedicate lots of time to being with them.

Consequently, if leaving them for long periods of time is inevitable, then maybe the Maltipoo is not the right dog for you.

Do you have this dog at home? Leave us your thoughts on this crossbreed in the comments below…