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Looking for a sweet ball of fluff with a playful nature and who loves spending quality time with their humans? Look no further than the gorgeous Maltipoo breed!
A mix between the Maltese and Miniature or Toy Poodle dog breeds, this precious little pup can take on the personality and look of either of their parent breeds, making each one truly unique. Maltipoos tend to be very outgoing and sociable, forming close bonds with their owners and having a deep love of play and getting out and about.
Both the Poodle and the Maltese are known to be active and alert, so your Maltipoo may be a bit of a chatty pup! But this means they can make excellent watchdogs, and overall make a wonderfully loyal and affectionate companion for new and experienced dog owners alike.
In this blog, we will dive deeper into the world of this delightful dog breed, taking a look at the history of the breed, how to care for them properly, health issues to keep an eye out for, as well as how much it can cost to bring home your own Maltipoo.
Lifespan
10 - 13 years
Size
Small
Weight
5-20 pounds
Height
8-14 inches
Colors
White, cream, yellow, fawn, gold, liver, brown, chocolate, blue, black
Size of home
The Maltipoo breed is small and can therefore fit comfortably into an apartment or smaller house environment.
Exercise
The breed is known to have high energy levels despite their small size, so a minimum 30-minute walk a day, preferably 1-2 hours, paired with some stimulative playtime to keep them entertained should do the trick.
Grooming
Even though the Maltipoo is low-shedding, their fluffy, curly coats still require appropriate grooming to keep them in top condition. The fur of their coats is often very fine in texture, meaning that it can be prone to matting and will require daily brushing. They should also receive a monthly bath and fur trim to keep their hair out of their eyes, as well as regular nail and teeth checking and maintenance.
Maltipoos are known to be friendly and playful, with an outgoing nature that suits pretty much everyone. They are gentle, kind, and often easy to train due to their super smarts, making them an excellent pet choice for families with children or new pet owners.
They often get on well with other animals, even cats if you can believe it! The breed is pretty mellow and adaptable, and due to their small size they can fit into basically any home - small or large, busy or calm, the Maltipoo will find their feet in no time.
This pup is an excellent all-rounder, loving some active walks and stimulative playtime, as well as snuggles and time spent on their owner’s lap - these little dogs have a heart of gold and a lot of love to give once they find their forever home.
Maltipoos are extremely new to the world of official dog breeds, having only been bred in the 1990s as a designer dog breed to be lap dogs. They are the product of their parent breeds, the Maltese and Toy/Miniature Poodle, who have long and illustrious histories!
Poodles originated as duck hunters in Germany and were a favorite amongst French aristocracy, even earning themselves the title of national dog of France. The Toy breed came about soon after and was a renowned circus performer breed and favored lap dog.
The Maltese breed has something of a mysterious history, tracing back some two thousand years - they were even spoken about by Aristotle and have been seen painted on Ancient Greek pottery! They are thought to have originated in Malta, later becoming a favorite amongst French aristocracy, as well as within the British royal family, being owned by famed royalty such as Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth the First.
Maltipoos are soft little scraps of fur with a face! The breed is small, only weighing up to 20 pounds and growing up to a maximum of 14 inches, with floppy folded ears and fur which are often wavy or curly, a gift from their Poodle heritage. Depending on who they take after, a Maltipoo may have more features similar to either a Maltese or a Poodle, meaning that each pup will have their own unique look.
They have something of a teddy bear look about them, with fuzzy feet and long face fur which will need to be controlled so they can see clearly. Their eyes are bright and they tend to have a range of expressions, much to their owner's amusement!
Their coats come in a range of beautiful colors, from white, cream, and fawn, to black and brown, even boasting fur in rarer shades such as blue and liver.
The Maltipoo breed is fairly faultless as a companion breed - they are highly affectionate, fun-loving, super friendly, and tend to get on with children and other pets beautifully. They have a confident and outgoing nature, loving to socialize and spend time with their chosen humans, with playtime being a very big part of their daily routine.
They do have a tendency to bark and have a natural sense of alertness, which can lend itself well to a role as a watchdog; this paired with their loyal nature can make them a great choice for a family pet, as you can rest assured they will alert you to any threats that may make themselves known.
Their parent breeds are known for their intelligence and aptitude for training and competing as show dogs, meaning that the Maltipoo is often very receptive to commands and easy to train, although they can also possess a stubborn streak at times, so encouragement in the form of treats may be required!
The parent breeds of a Maltipoo are renowned for their smarts and sporting/show dog status, traits which seem to have rubbed off on the Maltipoo. Poodles are known for their high levels of athleticism, while Maltese is a favorite in the show dog world, as a result, the Maltipoo is often very easy to train - there are some super smarts under all that fluff!
Maltipoos are active and playful, enjoying between 1-2 hours of walking a day and lots of stimulative playtime to keep them entertained and in good mental and physical health. They also seem to enjoy learning games and tricks, being receptive to more intricate training which in turn helps build a closer bond between dog and owner.
While Maltipoos tend to have a low prey drive, they can still be prone to chasing furry creatures when out and about, so lead and harness training is essential to keep them safe and out of mischief. While the breed often has a sociable nature, it is important to socialize them from a young age to ensure that they build confidence around other people and animals, as well as getting to grips with obedience and etiquette inside and out of the home.
These little fluff balls have a lot of hair to contend with, and while it may be low-shedding, and therefore an excellent choice for pet owners with allergies, the hair itself is fairly fine and as a result is very prone to matting. Maltipoos should be brushed every day to get rid of any tangles, especially if they have been out in wet or windy conditions.
The look and coat of a Maltipoo dog will vary depending on whether they take after the Poodle or the Maltese parent breed. Maltese hair tends to be longer and more silky, while Poodles have a distinctive tight curl to their coat - a Maltipoo may have one or the other coat types, or even a mix of the two.
It is recommended that a Maltipoo is washed and has their hair trimmed every month, especially around their face as this hair can grow quite long and obstruct their vision, as well as become a tangled web of food, dirt and bacteria. You may want to invest in a reputable groomer who will be able to give your pup a thorough once over and keep their hygiene in top condition.
Poodles are known for suffering with an excess growth of hair inside their ears, which can lead to soreness and infection, an affliction that can also affect Maltipoos, therefore it is vital to keep on top of your Maltipoo’s ear care and hygiene to avoid these issues.
Toy breeds are known to have a faster metabolism than larger breeds, so they naturally burn energy a lot faster, however their stomachs are small and so cannot cope with large meals all in one go. This means that the best way to feed smaller breeds is to adopt the little and often method, meaning that their small tummies can digest the amount of food, but they are still being given enough energy to keep them going throughout the day.
Maltipoos should be fed a breed size and age appropriate dog food, as these foods will be nutritionally tailored to smaller breed dogs to have the right levels of nutrients, as well as the right sized kibbles that will help with chewing and digestion. Your dog should always have access to fresh water, even more so in hot weather and if they are fed solely on kibbles to help keep them happy, healthy and hydrated.
Individual dogs may have certain allergies and intolerances, some of which may not be obvious from the off and may present themselves further along the line. This can mean that your dog’s nutrition and daily diet may need to be altered to ensure they are getting everything they need. If you are at all concerned about your dog presenting certain symptoms or are worried that they are eating not enough or too much, consult your vet to rule out any underlying causes and come up with an appropriate diet plan to suit your individual pooch.
Like all dog breeds, the Maltipoo breed will be naturally predisposed to certain health issues and diseases, and knowing the signs and symptoms of these issues can help pet owners get their fur babies diagnosed sooner rather than later:
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that can cause extreme seizures in dogs, which can be unpleasant and distressing for both dog and owner. The symptoms of a seizure can range in severity and may be fairly mild, however the main things to look out for are if your dog collapses, begins to paddle their limbs, if they begin to shake erratically or become stiff, and they may also lose control of their bladder and bowels.
If you are present for a seizure, you will be able to minimize the risk of further injury by making sure your dog doesn’t collapse onto a hard surface, and anything that could cause them harm is removed while they wait out the seizure. If your dog is on their own, the risk of injury due to a seizure could be increased.
The condition can range in severity, and so some dogs may only experience a couple of seizures throughout their life, while others may have them more regularly - medication is often the form of treatment prescribed to help manage the condition.
Small breeds are known to be more prone to dental issues, and Maltipoos are no exception. A buildup of bacteria in a dog’s mouth can lead to issues such as receding gums, tooth loss and bone resorption, which is not only uncomfortable, but can also have a profound impact on your dog’s quality of life.
It is recommended that Maltipoo owners start cleaning their dog’s teeth while they are still a puppy, making it part of their daily routine so that they get used to it. If you have concerns you can always speak to your vet who may also suggest that they get regular check ups and professional cleans.
One of the clearest signs that your dog is suffering from a buildup of bacteria in their mouth is that they will have bad breath, so if you have been cleaning their teeth regularly but notice an odour, your pup may need a little extra help getting into those hard to reach places.
This is an extremely unpleasant and painful condition found in some dogs in which a dog’s kneecap dislocates and shifts sideways out of its natural position.
There are several symptoms that your dog will likely present if they have a luxating patella, these include limping, a hunching of the lower back, and bowleggedness in the hind legs. You will probably notice a distinctive and obvious difference in the way that your dog walks, this often being one of the telltale signs of the condition. They will likely be in obvious pain, either avoiding movement or exercise that they previously loved, and may be struggling to move or whimpering when standing or trying to walk.
Even though this is a very unpleasant condition that will require medical intervention, it is treatable, and catching it as quickly as possible is the first step. Once your vet has identified that your dog is in fact suffering from Patellar Luxation, they may prescribe treatments such as anti-inflammatory medicines, or they may recommend certain changes or alterations to your dog’s daily exercise routine, some of which may include restricting daily exercise or certain vigorous activities while they recover.
If your dog’s condition cannot be treated with medicine or routine change, it may be that corrective surgery is the only way forward. Your vet will be able to determine the severity of your dog’s luxating patella, and subsequently talk you through the best course of treatment.
A condition whereby the blood flow to the top of the femur is restricted, which can result in considerable pain for your pup. Not only is the condition super uncomfortable, if left untreated it can cause the femur to break down or even result in arthritis.
The symptoms of this condition should be fairly obvious; your dog will likely show signs that they are in obvious discomfort, they may start to limp or avoid using or putting weight on the affected leg, or they may avoid movement and exercise altogether.
Your vet will be able to formally diagnose the condition and then give you advice on how it can be treated - one of the treatments for this issue is surgery, which involves removing the part of the bone that has died.
Maltipoo dogs are super adaptable and are a great choice for pretty much any age or living environment. They are a little breed and therefore can live somewhere with less space, such as an apartment or smaller house, and are known to make good family dogs due to their friendliness and sociable nature.
Their playfulness lends itself wonderfully to families with children, and the fact that they are easy to train means that they can be good choices for people who have never had a dog before. It is worth noting that they can have a tendency to bark and have a natural alertness, so if you have neighbours that wouldn’t appreciate a chattier dog living next door, thye might not be the breed for you.
We would always recommend adopting or rescuing pups where you can, as there are so many dogs looking for good homes that may not have had the best start in life and need a whole lot of love. If you are set on buying, always choose a reputable breeder.
Whether you choose to adopt or buy, it is super important to go and visit your pup in person before you buy them. By doing this, you can see for yourself whether the dog has been properly cared for, and ask any questions to the shelter owner or breeder any questions you may have about the history, general care or individual needs or your chosen pup. A lot of health conditions can be inherited from their parents, so it is also important to enquire about the health of their parent dogs.
Depending on the breeder or shelter you get your puppy from, as well as the rarity of their coat colourings, the price of a Maltipoo can differ. Generally, adopting from a shelter will usually cost you between $100 - $600, while buying from a breeder can come to around $2000 - $4000.
And this is just the initial cost of your pup. You will also need to take into account paying out for microchipping and vaccinations, general health checks and unexpected vet bills, pet insurance, pet food, bedding toys and enrichment, as well as training classes and dog grooming should you choose.
Pups are truly a big investment, so it is important to be sure you can afford to provide them with proper care before you bring them home.
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