Maltipoo | Dog Breed Information and Pictures

A mixed-breedmixed-breed resulting from a cross between a Miniature or Toy Poodle and a Maltese, the Maltipoo is a loving companion dog for anyone on the lookout for a new best friend. This breed is highly active and fiercely attached to its humans, prone to developing separation anxiety if left alone for too long. Maltipoos are the perfect cuddly companions for families, guaranteed to be a great addition to any loving home.

Origin & History of Maltipoos

These energetic and gentle little pups are perhaps amongst the most famous of the designer Doodle breeds. With widespread fame due to their adorable little face and handbag-friendly size, the Maltipoo is a celebrity favorite and enjoys an incredible amount of popularity on social media. The Maltipoo was bred to essentially serve as a small, hypoallergenic dog. However, whether the dog is actually suitable for people with allergies is the cause of much debate, so it’s best to assess their hypoallergenic nature on an individual basis, as this may vary from pup to pup. These are relatively new Doodles, so most Maltipoo’s are a result of first-generation breeding. The breed is yet to attain official status.

Personality and Temperament

The Maltipoo is an incredibly friendly dog, getting along with almost anyone they meet. They have a highly affectionate nature and are gentle pups. They love to expend all their pent-up energy during playtime and are overall fun-loving little creatures. They’ll be equally happy to play fetch in the yard as they would be curling up in their owner’s lap and falling asleep. The Maltipoo is very alert, due to which they are ideal alarm dogs, but their small size and adorable appearance probably won’t help in keeping any potential threats at bay for long. Like most other dogs, it is important to start socializing the Maltipoo as a puppy to ensure that they grow into happy, friendly, and well-rounded adults. These dogs are incredible with kids due to their gentle nature. However, due to their small size, they aren’t recommended for families with very young children due to the fact that the Maltipoo can very easily be injured by toddlers.

Maltipoo Size

The size of the Maltipoo depends on whether the Poodle parent was a Toy or Miniature, with the dog generally standing at the height of about 8 to 14 inches, weighing anywhere between 5 to 20 pounds.

Maltipoo Health

When getting a Maltipoo, it is important that the breeder provide health clearances for both parent dogs to ensure that the chances of the puppy getting sick with any hereditary illnesses are low. There are certain health issues that the Maltipoo is more prone to than others, and while it is not necessary that the dog will develop any of these issues, it’s important to stay alert and keep a lookout for any potential illnesses. Issues that the Maltipoo may be predisposed to include White Shaker Syndrome (which does not develop until the dog has reached the age of at least 6 months to 3 years), epilepsy, patellar luxation (as issue common in small dogs), eye-related issues such as progressive retinal atrophy (which is a degenerative disease), and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (common in toy breeds).

Maltipoo Care and Training

The Maltipoo, due to their small size and limited need for extra physical space, make wonderful pets for anyone living in an apartment. However, their barky nature may quickly become a nuisance for people living in a shared building. Train them using a lot of positive reinforcement to ensure that your pup keeps the barking at bay and only calls out when necessary. This breed may not be the best fit for any living spaces with noise restrictions. The Maltipoo is an energetic dog and so needs exercise to stay happy, healthy, and calm. Around 15 minutes of daily exercise will easily do the trick, whether it’s running around in a yard, playing fetch indoors, or a walk down the street. Make sure your pup is getting enough exercise to avoid setting off any destructive behavior. Maltipoos are strictly indoor dogs and should not be kept in a kennel or left outdoors.

Feeding

How much food your Maltipoo will require depends largely on their size and age. On average, it is recommended to feed your dog ⅝ or 1.5 cups, divided into two separate meals, of high-quality dog food daily. It’s best to speak to a professional to understand exactly how much food your Maltipoo requires. It is necessary to monitor your dog’s weight to make sure they are not growing overweight since it could lead to a host of varying health issues. If you are unsure whether your dog is overweight, try the eye test and the hands-on test. For the eye test, stand directly above your dog and look down. You should be able to detect a waist, and if you are unable to, it is a clear sign that your dog is overweight. For the hands-on test, place your hands around your pup, with your fingers facing towards the abdomen, and gently try to feel for the ribs. If you are unable to detect the bone, your dog is overweight and needs exercise or a change in its diet.

Coat Color, Types, Shedding

The Maltipoo is the perfect dog for people with allergies due to its non to low-shedding and low-dander coat. On average, the Maltipoo’s coat is soft and fluffy with a texture resembling that of wool. The coat type ranges from curly to wavy and comes in various colors, the most common being cream, silver, and white. The coat can be of either medium or long length, depending on the genes that the Maltipoo has inherited.

Maltipoo Grooming

It is recommended to bathe your Maltipoo at least once a month to ensure a soft and luscious coat, with regular brushing being incredibly important as well to ensure that the dog’s fur is not getting matted. A Maltipoo will require trimming in the head area regularly, preferably once a month, since the hair tends to cover their eyes, affecting their ability to see clearly. In order to ensure that your pup has good dental health, brush their teeth at least twice a week to prevent any buildup and keep dental issues at bay. Nail trim is recommended once or twice a month depending on how fast your Maltipoo’s nails grow. When it comes to grooming, start your dog young and with a lot of positive reinforcement in order to socialize them into enjoying the experience.

Deciding on a Maltipoo

The Maltipoo is a right fit for you if:

You are looking for an affectionate companion dog
You want a dog that can serve as a watchdog, alerting you in case of intruders
You are looking for a dog that is easier to train and can be a good fit for inexperienced owners

The Maltipoo is not a right fit for you if:

You have very young children (below the age of six) that may potentially injure a small dog
You are looking for a self-sufficient dog that does not need too much attention and can be left alone
You live in an apartment with noise restrictions and do not want a dog that barks too often

Getting a Maltipoo

How Much is a Maltipoo Puppy?

A Maltipoo puppy can come in a range of prices, starting from $100 (for rescue pups and older Maltipoos up for adoption) all the way to $4000 for a puppy sourced from a breeder.

Maltipoo Breeders

https://bearcreekmaltipoo.com/
https://windywaypups.com/
For a comprehensive list of Maltipoo breeders in the USA: https://puppyfinder.com/maltipoo-dog-breeders-usa

Rescue and Adoption

While there are several breeders out there specializing in Maltipoos, there is no reason for you not to look for these adorable pups in shelters or through other rescue organizations. When it comes to finding a loving animal companion, it’s always better to adopt than shop. The following is a list of rescue organizations specializing in Maltipoos (among other breeds):