Maltese Poodle Mix – Maltipoo Breed Information

Parent Breeds:

Maltese & Toy Poodle

Breed Nickname:

Maltipoo

Size:

Small

Height:

8 to 14 inches

Weight:

5 to 20 pounds

Life Span:

10 to 13 years

Coat Colors:

White, black, gray, brown, cream, blue, or silver

Friendliness

Intelligence

Good for First-Time Owners

Good with Children

Easy to Train

Exercise Requirements

Ease of Grooming

Amount of Shedding

Amount of Drooling

Tendency to Bark

What Is A Maltese Poodle Mix called?

The offspring between a Maltese and a Poodle is called a Maltipoo. However, these dogs have a vast number of alternative names that they’re also known by.

These include Maltidoodle, Malt-A-Doodle, Maltoodle, Maltapoo, Maltesepoo, Maltesedoodle, or the Moodle.

This hybrid is small but mighty, with the Toy Poodle genes keeping this dog bitesize. They were bred for the simple purpose of being small and cute.

The results of breeding did not disappoint, although their small dog syndrome might make them less affectionate than other dogs.

Want to know more? Keep reading our ultimate guide to Maltipoos.

The Maltipoo was first bred in the United States, most likely during the 1990s or early 2000s.

Small dogs were all the rage at this point, with celebrities parading them around in handbags and purses for all to see. Dogs were used as an accessory, so the smaller the better!

The Maltipoo was created for this exact purpose, but to make them more allergen friendly. Maltese dogs aren’t hypoallergenic, and Toy Poodles aren’t small enough for a purse.

So, breed them together and you’ll get a tiny dog with a hypoallergenic coat.

Maltipoos were instantly adored once they were introduced to the world and demand soared. Many celebrities were seen owning Maltipoos soon after, which made them all the more desirable.

Now, 30 years later, Maltipoos are still very much loved. Fans have created the Maltipoo Club and Registry despite the fact that this is not recognized as a true breed.

Many Maltipoos are still bred first generation, although some breeders are now breeding Maltipoos with other Maltipoos.

The Maltipoo is known for being cute and cuddly, with a well-mannered temperament. They have been described as alert, energetic, intelligent, and lively, as well as gentle and loving.

They don’t care for too much exercise – they’d rather be snuggled up on the couch with you!

However, don’t let that fool you into thinking that this dog doesn’t love playtime. They will play with their favorite toy for hours and are always ready for a game of fetch.

They love playing with older children, but it’s not recommended that you keep them with younger children. Small dogs are more likely to get injured when playing with children who don’t understand how to properly play around them.

Maltipoos are known for being loud, so they might not be the best for apartments with lots of neighbors.

They also shouldn’t be left home alone for long periods of time either, as they can get bored and start barking or howling for attention.

There are a number of health issues that you should be aware of when owning a Maltipoo.

These dogs aren’t guaranteed to get any of these illnesses, but they’re worth knowing to keep your dog as healthy as possible.

• Epilepsy: This can cause seizures in dogs and needs to be controlled with medication. It cannot be cured but Epilepsy can be managed to lead a normal life.
• White Shaker Syndrome: This shows up as body tremors, lack of coordination, and rapid eye movements. Episodes tend to be rife when the dog is excited or stressed.
• Patellar Luxation: Many small dogs suffer from this ailment, and it’s when the leg bones don’t line up with the knee properly. It can cause a number of other issues such as Arthritis.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy: This is an eye disorder that causes the eyesight to diminish until complete blindness.
• Portosystemic Shunt: PSS is where there is an abnormal flow of blood between the body and the liver. This means that the body cannot properly detoxify itself, with symptoms including low blood sugar, lack of appetite, and stunted growth.

The Maltipoo should be taken to routine vet checkups every year to ensure they remain in good health.

Maltipoos are not the best to train due to their small dog syndrome. This is where a small dog feels the need to compensate for their small size by acting bigger.

You might see this in the form of stubbornness, which can make training all the more difficult.

However, Poodles are known for being excellent at training thanks to their intelligence.

So, whether your Maltipoo is trainable or not will depend on the traits they inherit from their parents. Remember that positive reinforcement is always the best way to train any dog!

Maltipoos need around 30 minutes of exercise a day. They love walking, running errands, and playing fetch with their owners.

Thanks to their small size, they’re great for living in apartments, although they might need more outside time if they don’t have access to a yard.

Maltipoos are great for single households who don’t have much time to take their dogs for walks. They’re also good for families with older children, and they even get on well with other animals!

Maltipoos will need around one-half to one-and-a-half cups of premium dog food a day. Premium dog food should always be given to small dogs as lower-quality food might be too tough on their teeth.

Small dogs are prone to gaining weight quickly so make sure you only feed them the correct amount for their weight. You can ask your vet about this if you’re unsure at your yearly routine checkup.

You may also be interested in:

• Best Dog Food for Malteses
• Best Puppy Food for Malteses

Maltipoos are very popular dogs so expect to pay between $1,000 and $2,500 for a puppy. Always choose a reputable breeder to minimize the health risks your dog might suffer from later in life.

Ongoing costs include insurance, vet bills, food, toys, grooming appointments, and more. Costs will be lower if you decide to do all of their grooming yourself instead of a professional groomer.