Maltipoo: Maltese Toy Poodle Mix Facts, Traits & More

The Maltipoo is an adorable Maltese Toy Poodle mixed breed. This designer dog breed has become popular due to its intelligence, loving personality, and hypoallergenic coat. If you are searching for a fuzzy companion pup that loves to cuddle and play, a Maltipoo might be the perfect fit for your family.

Maltipoos are one of those breeds you will remember due to their adorable looks and sweet nature. They are incredibly smart and outgoing. As a crossbreed, the Maltipoo can have some unpredictability in both looks and appearance and can take after either parent.

Our breed overview reveals the Maltipoo’s history, physical characteristics, temperament, and weight and size. We will also look at their nutrition, life expectancy, health considerations, grooming requirements, and cost of ownership. If you are considering a Maltipoo pup, this guide is an excellent introduction to this adorable breed.

Breed History

The Maltipoo is a tiny cross between a Maltese and a Toy Poodle. Sometimes a Mini Poodle is used to create a pocket-sized pup. These little pups are usually only found in the US, UK, and Canada. The Maltipoo was developed and first bred in the United States in the 1990s. He was created to mimic the intelligence of the Poodle with the adorable Maltese coat. The result is this modest-sized breed, usually weighing 6-20 pounds and standing between 8-14 inches tall.

This mini mixed designer dog is very popular as a family pet because he does well in just about any setting. He is an ideal choice for small living spaces as long as he gets regular access to outdoor exercise. One thing to take note of is that this pup has several names. The most common is Maltipoo, but he is also known as the Malt-A-Poo, Moodle, Multapoo, Maltepoo, Malt-Oodle, and Maltese Poodle.

The Maltipoo is an intelligent and affectionate canine, making him a popular companion. He is high in spirit, super social, and loves cuddling with his owners. A Maltipoo enjoys always being around people and appreciates the company of other pets. All in all, he is a perfect pint-sized companion.

Parent Breeds: Maltese Mini Poodle Mix

To get to know any mixed-breed canine, one must look to the parents. Remember that mixed breeds are a gamble, and one never knows what parent one will take after. In most cases, these dogs pick up the characteristics of both parents. Some are bred for specific physical traits or personalities. Mixed-breed canines are often healthier and live longer than both parent breeds. Let’s take a quick look at both the Poodle and Maltese.

Toy Or Mini Poodle

Poodles come from Germany, where their name “pudel” means “splash in the water.” Originally bred as water retrievers, Poodles were used to help their owner retrieve small game, like birds. They are no longer popular for this purpose, but all retain the skills and instincts to do so. Poodles come in three sizes, Toy (4 to 6 pounds), Miniature (10 to 15 pounds), and Standard (40 to 70 pounds).

Poodles are very intelligent and can be taught all kinds of tricks and skills. Without proper mental and physical engagement, these pups of any size can become destructive and mischievous. They are also very high in energy and get along well with other animals and people. Poodles are known for their hypoallergenic curly coats and are a popular breed to create mixes with. These mixes are called Doodles and come in all shapes and sizes.

Maltese

The Maltese is a breed that has been around for an exceptionally long time. They are said to be the oldest toy breed traced from Europe and are referred to in history as ‘Ye Ancient Dogge of Malta.” Where precisely the breed originally came from is hard to pin down. After all, they have been around for thousands of years. They have existed for at least 29 centuries, making them older than most known breeds. Depictions of these tiny pups are seen on ancient Greek vases and figurines dating back to 8000 BCE. Many were kept as pets of history’s kings and queens.

Maltese are well-known as lap dogs in modern times and are popular with the rich and famous. They have very bold personalities and love making their owners laugh. These doggies are brave and stubborn and need quite a bit of supervision. They stand out for their luxurious and unique appearance. Maltese always have pure white, long, silky, hypoallergenic coats, and cute-as-can-be Doodle faces make them almost irresistible companions.

Temperament

He has the intelligence and trainability of a Poodle with the sweet, loving personality of a Maltese. This little guy will always be ready to play, any time of day or night. He is a loud, enthusiastic, and sometimes constant barker and makes a very effective watchdog, alerting owners to all possible threats. Happy is an excellent way to describe this mixed puppy.

Both parent breeds are smart and stubborn and are willingly trainable to do all kinds of tricks and commands. The mixed offspring are likely to be the same. He always wants to be the center of attention and, despite his small size, expects to have the same treatment as a full-fledged family member. This includes having his own space, furniture, lots of toys, tasty treats, and plenty of your attention.

He can be a bit sensitive and may tend to pout. He responds to positive reinforcement. Negative feedback just makes things worse. He needs an owner with a lot of patience because he may test your patience if he only sometimes gets his way. Be ready for lots of love and fun while setting firm boundaries. Otherwise, he will quickly become your boss.

Little dogs like this often have powerful personalities. They need solid boundaries and frequent reminders of expected behavior. Be careful and sensitive to their vulnerable temperament. They view negative feedback poorly and may retreat and become sullen.

Size & Appearance

Maltipoos are small dogs, usually weighing 6-20 pounds and standing between 8-14 inches tall. He has expressive, almond-shaped dark eyes, a round head, and an adorable button nose. His ears are floppy, and he has a long, low-set tail. His eyes range from amber to chocolate brown. These perfect little pups are remarkably strong and athletic. They have powerful, muscular bodies and are astonishingly agile and active.

He can be smaller or a tad larger, depending on if his parent was a Toy or Miniature Poodle. It will be around 11 to 13 months old when he reaches full size. He will be a very petite breed. Depending on his Poodle parent’s size, a Maltipoo can be a Toy, Teacup, or miniature size. Toy and Teacup are extremely small, reaching only a few pounds. Due to their small size, this is an excellent breed to consider crate training for. He often gets stuck in small spaces. Additionally, He is adept at finding trouble easily and ways to escape. Knowing they are safe and secure is better for the pup’s safety and will prevent damage to furniture or belongings.

Coat & Colors

The Maltipoo has a hypoallergenic coat, making them an excellent fit for people with allergies. His coat is likely to be medium to long and can be straight, wavy, or curly. These little guys can come in any color of their parent breeds, meaning there is a wide range. Many come in the snow white of their Maltese parent, but others can be other colors and sometimes have bicolor, tricolor, sable, merle, and tuxedo patterns. They come in various colors, including white, cream, apricot, black, blue, red, fawn, brown, chocolate, yellow, gold, and gray. Merle is an incredibly rare kind to find.

Remember that though this breed has a hypoallergenic label, all breeds produce allergy-inducing proteins. Due to both parent breeds producing lower levels and having low shedding coats, Maltipoos have the distinction of being hypoallergenic, but no 100% allergen-free canine exists.

Exercise Requirements & Living Conditions

Though he is a smaller breed, the Maltipoo still needs daily exercise. He is not a breed to leave outdoors unsupervised, even in an enclosed yard. His size and stubborn streak make it risky to be outside alone. This is an active breed and loves to play and run around. Providing him with plenty of activities is vital to keep him mentally and physically stimulated.

Take your Maltipoo on regular walks and hikes, and provide plenty of toys and puzzles. You can also take your buddy to the dog park or sign him up for doggie daycare. Refrain from overworking him, but make sure he gets highly interactive playtime daily. He may be an excellent pup to try a treadmill or dog wheel.

The Maltipoo loves to play and interact with his owners, so make sure to set aside some time to play with him daily. He needs this time with you and will become sad and bored otherwise, which affects his overall health. This will also help to bolster the bond between you and your pup.

Training

The Maltipoo is intelligent and quick to pick up on new things. He has an eagerness to please and will quickly learn commands and tricks. It’s important to start training your four-legged family members as soon as possible. Start with basic commands, such as sit, stay, and come, and be sure to reward him handsomely for good behavior.

It is also important to socialize your Maltipoo early on. Enroll him in puppy classes to set your behavior expectations. Introduce him to people and other pets when he is young to help him acclimate to different environments. This will help to ensure that your Maltipoo grows up to be a well-behaved and well-socialized pup.

Health

The life expectancy of a Maltipoo is between 10-15 years. This is a relatively long lifespan for a small dog, and it’s crucial to ensure that he gets all the necessary nutrition, exercise, and veterinary care to keep them healthy. It is important to watch for any health issues and take your pet to the vet for regular checkups. It is also essential to ensure that your bark buddy is up to date on all his vaccinations. This will help to protect him from any illnesses or infections. you may also want to look into pet insurance, as it can help cover long-term, regular, and emergency care, depending on the plan.

Maltipoo’s most common health concerns include eye problems, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and patellar luxation. White shaker syndrome is also a concern, as is a portosystemic shunt.

1. Eye Issues – These pups are at high risk of developing conjunctivitis or pink eye. Glaucoma, Lyme disease, and eye injury are also common. Unfortunately, this doggo is also at risk for progressive retinal atrophy and developing eye infections. Keeping his eyes and the hair around him clean is a lifelong task. If it is not done, he can suffer frequent, painful eye infections. Tear duct malfunctions are a big concern, so watch for these as well.
2. Hip dysplasia – This condition affects mobility and can cause pain. A deformity of the hip joint causes the joint to be loose. It happens during growth, but some dogs may not show symptoms or have pain until they are older.
3. Epilepsy – Unfortunately, this breed has the predisposition to develop epilepsy. This is a neurological disorder that causes unpredictable seizures with no known cause.
4. Patellar Luxation – Patellar luxation affects the kneecap. It can be congenital or caused by injury. The kneecap will pop out of place, cause pain, and lead to injury and hyperextend the leg.
5. White shaker syndrome – Shaker syndrome is a condition in which dogs have tremors in their head and body. It is a common condition among small-breed, white dogs. It is not painful but may worsen if your pup is stressed, excitable, or has too much physical stimulation.
6. Portosystemic shunt – This occurs when the portal vein of the liver does not form properly and does not connect to the liver. This leads to the blood going from the abdominal organs to the bloodstream instead of passing through the liver. It can cause restlessness, seizures, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and even seizures, and coma. This is profoundly serious and will need surgery to treat.

Nutrition

Feeding your Maltipoo a high-quality diet is essential to keep him healthy. The best diet for him is a balanced diet that includes a variety of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. First, look for foods that list meats, organ meats, and other natural proteins. Stay away from those with lots of filler, especially corn and wheat gluten.

This is a small breed, but they can still be prone to obesity. It is critical to ensure he gets the proper nutrition and exercise to stay healthy. Look for a small breed-specific formula if possible. Puppies have different dietary needs than adults, so make sure to only feed them puppy chow for the first year. You can look for human-grade fresh dog foods and freeze-dried foods to give him a boost of flavor and protein.

The Maltipoo has a small stomach, so it is important to feed him several small meals throughout the day rather than one large meal. This will help to keep their energy levels up and to prevent them from becoming overweight.

Grooming

The Maltipoo is an excellent fit for people with allergies, as his coat is hypoallergenic. He is also very low shedding, making him a perfect pick for allergy sufferers. It’s important to bathe your pup every few months to keep his coat healthy and free from dirt and debris.

Make sure to clip his nails regularly. This is very important so as not to cause injury to his paw or to people. He will also need frequent teeth cleaning. You want to avoid dental disease, which can be prevalent among smaller dogs. Regular cleaning is the best defense. Pay special attention to his face and keep the areas around his eyes clear to avoid infections.

Breeders & Puppy Costs

Maltipoos are designer animals and have a higher price tag than most. These little guys range from $500 to over $4,000. The price depends on the quality of the puppy, if they are a companion dog, age, and location. Higher quality and specialty breeders will cost between $2,000 and $4,000, even more in some cases. Private breeders and sellers will be lower, anywhere from about $1,000 to $3,500 or more. Breeders will spend more on health screenings to test for congenital and hereditary issues. They will also likely have higher-quality bloodlines.

The time of year and geographical location of puppies also adds to the price. People always want puppies in the spring, which may cost more then, but they are available year-round. Always ask questions of breeders, ask to see parents, and inquire about health testing and how many litters are born a year.

Rescues & Shelters

This mixed pup is sometimes found in some shelters. Look for him in both Maltese and Poodle rescues. Doodle groups are also a fantastic place to look for rescue pups. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations, and check with national groups like the Animal Humane Society. Social media is a fantastic tool to connect with other designer dog groups and find specialty rescues and breeders.

Rescue dogs range in price from about $25 to $500. You can also save money by adopting an older dog. Shelters are full of older pups who need a second chance. These are wonderful options for people who do not want a puppy and can give a dog in need a new leash on life.

As Family Pets

The Maltipoo is a fantastic family pet. He fits in homes and families of all sizes. This breed makes lovely pets for homes with kids and those without. This guy is highly affectionate and stubborn, so he needs firm boundaries. This little guy can quickly become the boss, so be careful not to let him take charge. He will keep you on your toes but will keep your heart full. This pup is perfect for any living situation. He’s small enough to fit in anywhere, does not need a yard, and gets along with other pets.

Maltipoos are prone to some health conditions and are pricier than most to adopt. However, he can eat regular dog food and does not need any kind of special diet or care unless he has an underlying medical condition. You will never be lacking in love with this pooch for a pet.

Final Thoughts

The Maltipoo is an adorable, intelligent, and affectionate pup. He is an excellent companion for people with allergies with his hypoallergenic, low-shedding coat. Though a small dog, he is surprisingly robust and active. He’s an easy-to-train pooch and loves to cuddle and play. It is crucial to ensure that he gets the proper nutrition, exercise, and veterinary care to keep him happy and healthy for a long time. This strong-willed pup may be small in stature, but he has an enormous personality. If you want a companion pup that loves to cuddle and play, a Maltipoo is a perfect fit for you.