The Maltipoo – Maltese Poodle Mix

The adorable Maltipoo dog breed is a result of crossing a Maltese and a Toy Poodle. These playful and intelligent dogs are an excellent family dog and the perfect companion, also making them great for couples, individuals and seniors who live on their own.

These pups are also low maintenance and can also suit those who have never owned a dog before.

The Maltese Poodle Mix is bred to be hypoallergenic and is known as a designer dog. They remain very puppy-like in their appearance even as they age, and their tiny size makes them perfect for taking everywhere you go!

Read on below to find out more about this interesting little crossbreed and see whether they might be the right dog for you.

History Of The Maltipoo – Maltese Poodle Mix

The Maltese Poodle Mix was originally bred to be a hypoallergenic dog. This means they do not shed and are perfect for those with allergies. They were also bred to be an intelligent and playful dog, receiving popular characteristics from both parent breeds.

Because the Maltese Poodle Mix is a mixed designer dog, it is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the Kennel Club. However, both parent breeds — the Maltese and the Poodle — are registered with the AKC.

Breed Origin

To understand where the Maltipoo breed came from, we can take a look at it’s parent breeds and their origins. The Poodle originated from the French and German border in the 15th and 16th century and was associated with the upper class. Because they are excellent water dogs, they were used to hunt water-fowl.

Later on, because of their adorable look, these pups became a very popular dog. The Toy Poodle was bred from the Standard Poodle by choosing the smallest pup from each litter and breeding with them. They were first seen in America in the 20th century.

The Maltese is older than the Poodle and it is thought that was first bred in around 500 BC. However, the breed was miniaturized and bred as we know it today in the 17th and 18th century.

These dogs were very popular companions among the rich because of their size and astonishing floor-length coat. Since 1912, the only breed standard color has been white. Today, the Maltese is one of the most popular Toy breeds out there.

Not much is known about the origin of the Maltese Poodle Mix, but there are some facts we know. The Maltipoo was first bred in the United States around 20 to 30 years ago and is, therefore, a relatively new breed. As we mentioned above, the aim when breeding this dog was to create a playful and intelligent dog that didn’t shed very much.

Characteristics Of The Multipoo

The Poodle Matese Mix is not a purebred breed and is not recognized by the AKC, which means it does not have any specific breed standards. However, there are some obvious characteristics that make the Maltipoo the Maltipoo!

When this dog is bred, because both parent breeds are very small, it does not matter which breed is the sire or the dame. The male and female breed will vary from breeder to breeder. The litter size of the Poodle Maltese Mix is relatively small, with around three to four puppies per litter.

The cost of a Maltipoo puppy can be anywhere between $400 to $2,000. The price range varies significantly and is highly dependent upon the breeder and the parents which they breed from. Always remember to buy from a reputable breeder.

Appearance

The size and weight of a Maltipoo depends which characteristics they inherit from their parent breeds. Some will take the height and weight of their mother, while others their father. They may stand anywhere between 8 to 14 inches tall and can weigh anywhere between 5 to 20 pounds.

The Maltese Poodle mix will be fully grown by about 1 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. This will give you an approximation of their adult weight. Remember, they are a Toy breed so they will always be a small size.

Because these pups are a mixed breed, it can be difficult to know exactly what they will look like. However, they will have floppy ears and often their tail curls over their body. The body itself is often described as square, with a square head and an equally boxy body. Their eyes are usually brown but they can also be blue.

Coat

The coat of a Poodle Maltese Mix is normally short to medium in length and the texture may range from straight to curly. Their coat is somewhat hypoallergenic, although not completely hypoallergenic. This is because they trap more dander than other breeds. If you are an allergy sufferer, make sure you spend a lot of time with your Maltipoo before you bring them home to ensure you are not allergic to them.

We will go into more detail about grooming your Maltipoo further on.

Color

While the breed standard color of a Poodle is white, a Maltese can come in many different colors. This means that your Maltipoo can also come in many different colors and, as they are a designer breed, most likely will be unique in their colorway and design!

You Maltese Poodle Mix could be black, blue, grey, brown, cream, silver or white, although the most common colors are a light beige or white.

Temperament

The Maltese Poodle is a true companion dog who loves to be around people and thrives on human attention. They are very loyal to their owners and will care for you as much as you care for them. That being said, they love all people they meet and will want to be friends with everyone!

However, because they love attention and being by your side, they won’t do well when they are denied this attention or when they are not with you.

You shouldn’t leave them alone for long periods of time because they will begin to exhibit destructive behaviors out of frustration. Fortunately, separation anxiety can be helped with socialization from a young age.

The Maltipoo is also a playful dog. Although they do not have a high activity level, they are very intelligent and require mental stimulation. They will love to play with you and have known to be mischievous from time to time!

Lifespan

The typical life expectancy of a Maltipoo is around 12 to 16 years.

Known Health Issues

Unfortunately, as with any dog, the Maltese Poodle mix can develop some health issues. They inherit these health problems from their parent breeds and can, therefore, be more susceptible to issues the Maltese and Poodle are. The most common health problems with the Maltipoo are set out below:

• White Shaker Syndrome — this is a syndrome that is common in small dogs and causes the whole body to shake. It is caused by an inflammation in the brain which is idiopathic. Some owners mistake this for their dog just being cold but if you suspect they are suffering from white shaker syndrome, you should take them to the vets.
• Patellar Luxation — this is a common condition in smaller dogs and is caused when the patella is not properly aligned. This can cause lameness in the leg or an abnormal gait, sort of like a skip or a hop.
• Epilepsy — this seizure disorder can be treated with medication.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy — this is an eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye.

Buying from a reputable breeder will help to reduce health issues in your Maltipoo. You should also watch out for any signs of the issues about and take your pup for regular health checkups.

Daily Life

Now we have learnt all about the characteristics of a Maltese Poodle Mix, it is time to take a look at what everyday life with one of these pups is really like. Below we cover their food and diet, their exercise needs and their grooming needs.

Food And Diet

As they are a small breed, the Maltipoo doesn’t require a lot of food. The general rule is 40 calories per pound of body weight per day, which can average out to around 200 calories or one cup of food a day.

However, you should always check the bag of the food packet to see the exact amount of that particular food you should be feeding your pup based on their size.

It is recommended that you do not feed your Maltese Poodle in one go and instead break up their food into three to four meals a day. The food you give them should be high-quality dry kibble that is formulated for smaller breeds of dog, so you are sure they are getting the correct amount of energy, protein and fat. Maltipoo’s also love treats, so don’t forget them!

Best Dog Food For The Maltese Poodle Mix

Wag Dry Dog/Puppy Food, 35% Protein, No Added Grains

Genuine poultry is the first ingredient in Wag Dry Dog Food for Puppies, Chicken & Lentil Recipe, because dogs need real poultry to flourish. Your dog will function at his best with enough protein. Without adding any grains, their recipes are created with the assistance of doctors to provide your dog the ideal ratio of protein and fat. Protein makes up about 36% of each meal, keeping your canine co-pilot robust and energetic. Each batch is checked to ensure it meets our high standards, and high quality ingredients are mixed in the USA for quality control.

Exercise

The Maltese Poodle Mix is certainly more of an indoor breed, but this doesn’t mean they don’t like to exercise. These pups should be getting between 30 to 40 minutes of exercise everyday. However, this doesn’t mean you need to walk them for that length of time everyday. This can be split over games, walks and runs to keep them engaged and entertained.

Your Maltipoo will also benefit from mental stimulation. Because they love to spend time with you, playing games with you indoors will be their favorite pastime. They’ll also love to accompany you on trips out, especially to the beach or to the dog park.

Family Compatibility

The Maltipoo is a pup that adapts to any situation and makes the perfect family pet. A loyal companion, they are also excellent with couples, seniors and individuals.

Because they are a little dog, they are also great for apartment and town living and their exercise needs are small they do not require a large yard to run around in.

These dogs get on very well with other animals and will do well in a home with other pets. They are easy to train and socialize too, which means they are a good dog to have if you do not have experience with pups.

The Maltipoo does well with children, but because of their size they are very vulnerable and delicate. You will need to teach your young children to be careful with this hybrid dog otherwise they could hurt them!

The Maltese Poodle Mix is a lap dog that requires a lot of attention and you must ensure you have the time to spend with your Maltipoo before you buy them! They do not do well when they are left alone and like to be around people.

When they are left alone for too long they can begin to exhibit destructive behaviors, so you must make sure you have time to curl up with them on the couch or, even better, take them with you wherever you go!

Training and Socializing

Both the Maltese and the Poodle are intelligent dogs who love to learn. Therefore, the Maltipoo is a dog that is easy to train. You must be patient and consistent with them, but they will pick up basic commands very easily.

You should always use positive reinforcement with your Maltese Poodle hybrid. This includes verbal praise and treats. Never use punishment with them. Because they are so devoted to their owners, they will not understand and be hurt and confused, which can lead to destructive behaviors.

Socializing your Maltipoo is also a simple task that shouldn’t be too difficult. You should do it from a young age and introduce them to lots of different sounds, sights, places, smells and people. Luckily, this breed of dog love both humans and other pets.

Grooming

The Maltese Poodle Mix is a generally easy dog to take care of, although they do need to be groomed often. This is because of their beautiful coat! Whether they have the curly coat of a Poodle or the longer coat of a Maltese, you will need to brush their fur almost every day.

This is especially important if they have the curlier hair of a Poodle because matting can occur and this can become uncomfortable for your pooch.

Their coat will need to be professionally groomed every 6 weeks or so to keep them looking their best. Their ears will also need to be checked and their nails should be clipped by the groomers. Dental hygiene is also important for your doggie to prevent gum disease and dental decay.

Try to brush their teeth as often as you can to keep any health problems at bay.

Regular grooming from a young age will reinforce the bond you have with your Maltipoo. Starting grooming from young will also show them that there is nothing to worry about and they shouldn’t be scared.

Maltipoo Breed Traits

Maltese Poodle Mix FAQ’s

Summary

The Maltese Poodle Mix is an excellent companion dog that will thrive in a number of different situations, including with a family, with a couple, with an individual or with a senior. With low maintenance needs all this pup wants is to be loved and to spend time with you! The Maltipoo needs lots of attention so you must be able to give it to them, but if you do, they’ll become your loyal best friend for life. What do you think, is a Maltipoo for you?