As a breed that comes in a variety of sizes, the Maltipoo is a great fit for anyone. With their teddy bear traits and loving yet energetic personalities, families and individuals can benefit from having one of these bundles of fun.
Whether your needs are to have a cuddly best friend or a bouncing partner to motivate your exercise, the Maltipoo will fill every aspect of your life. Previously known as a ‘designer dog’, this breed is also a fashionable companion
Highlights:
Maltipoos are fantastic therapy dogs, so they are able to help you get through the tough days so you can enjoy the great ones.
Due to their size, this breed is too small to live outdoors, so it will have to have a place next door to you on the sofa/
This versatile breed is able to balance between calm cuddles and energetic playfulness when required – the best of both worlds.
Maltipoos are easy to identify from their puppy-like appearance with their long ears and fluffy soft coat. However, due to Maltipoos being a hybrid breed - a combination of two purebreds, in this case, a mix between a Maltese and a Poodle – these dogs can be bred in multiple sizes.
A Toy Maltipoo, typically bred as companions are smaller than most other breeds, typically being around 20–27cm at the withers. Slightly larger, a Miniature Maltipoo typically grows up to around 35cm at the withers. This breed weighs around 2kg–9 kg, dependent on the size. Furthermore, this breed can be seen in varying colours, including Apricot, Red, Brown and White.
Although recognisable, the Maltipoo can be mistaken for the Cavapoo, a mixture between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle. However, there are some differences. Maltipoos are more of a barking breed, and will bite if teased too much. Additionally, they can have a slightly shorter lifespan than the Cavapoo, who usually live to be around 13–15 years. With this being said, these two hybrid breeds are very similar and worthy choices of dogs.
How big do Maltipoo dogs get?
Height – 20 – 35cm (both males and females)
Weight – 2 – 9kg (both males and females)
Maltipoos are renowned for their ability to fit into a variety of lifestyles. Their designer label has meant that they are regularly seen around busy towns and cities, as well as enjoying the countryside
Something that is important to note is that these dogs must be trained almost from the beginning due to their intelligence. They have the skill of picking up and understanding new tricks quickly, but it is important to use positive reinforcement with Maltipoos. Although they are not vicious, there is a possibility of them attacking in order to defend themselves or someone with whom they have formed a close bond.
Their loyalty shines through their personality, another train that means they make fantastic watchdogs. However, this relationship with their owner does mean that Maltipoos often have separation anxiety from their family, so cannot be left alone for long periods of time.
Maltipoos absolutely adore playing and will always be up for a tug of war or a game of fetch in the garden. If you are looking to buy a Maltipoo, expect many a day entertaining them with games, and be ready for endless amounts of cuddles once they tire out. What more could you want!
Are Maltipoos intelligent? – Yes
Are Maltipoos affectionate? – Yes
Do Maltipoos have high or low energy levels? – High energy levels, needing lots of playful attention yet equal amounts of quiet downtime
Are Maltipoos loyal? – Yes, they often get extremely attached to one person or a group of people
Are Maltipoos playful? – Extremely!
Are Maltipoos aggressive? – No
Are Maltipoos easy to train? – Yes, but their need a certain level of discipline to be able to not get away with too much
Are Maltipoos good guard dogs? – Yes, they tend to bark at strangers
Maltipoos are a sociable breed, especially with other dogs. However, be wary of introducing them to smaller pets such as rabbits and cats as they might mistake them for something to hunt rather than a friend. For this reason, it is better to keep them on the lead when taking them on a walk.
It is important to introduce them early enough to these animals as a puppy so that they become accustomed to being around them. Furthermore, this breed is fantastic for a family.
They adore playing and if there are children looking for an entertainment partner, Maltipoos are fantastic choices. With this being said, due to their smaller build, care must be taken when playing with them, and therefore slightly older children may be a better fit where they can understand the correct way to behave around them, and not risk causing accidental injuries to the dog.
Do Maltipoos get along with other pets? – Yes, dogs and cats
Are Maltipoos good with kids? – Yes
Maltipoos are a fantastic breed for first-time owners. They will fit into the family and require little maintenance once trained.
A negative to this breed is that they love to bark. Although they tend to direct their barking towards strangers or foreign objects and noises, they can sometimes overdo it. Being able to control your Maltipoo’s vocalising from an early age will be a huge help in the long term.
Are Maltipoos good for first-time owners? – Yes
Are Maltipoos hypoallergenic? – Yes
Are Maltipoos prone to drooling? – No
Are Maltipoos a good breed for apartment living? – Yes
Do Maltipoos shed a lot? – No
Do Maltipoos bark a lot? – They can get a tendency to bark a lot, especially at strangers
Can Maltipoos be left alone at home? – For short periods of time
Can Maltipoos handle the heat? – Yes
Can Maltipoos handle cold temperatures? – Not that well
How much exercise does a Maltipoo need? - 30 minutes per day of walking, lots of games and playing around this
Depending on their diet and daily lifestyle, Malitpoos can live a long life all the way up to 15 years. However, this breed can often have genetic diseases that stem from both their Poodle and Maltese ancestors. Therefore, much like other hybrid dogs, attention must be paid to the breeding of the puppy. The more uncertain their parents' history is the higher possibility of there being health issues down the line. Their ears must be checked every so often, as Maltipoos are susceptible to ear infections and other problems.
How long do Malitpoos live? – 10 – 15 years
Whilst they are good fits for apartment living due to their size and temperament, Maltipoos still require ample exercise and playtime to remain stimulated, so it is important that there is access to spaces in which these activities are possible.
How much exercise does a Maltipoo dog need? - At least 1 hour per day
Do Maltipoo dogs like water play? Yes.
As Maltipoos are a small breed, you should be careful not to overfeed them. As with most puppies, Maltipoos require 4 little feeds of puppy food a day. This will help with growth and a healthy upbringing. As adults, this can be reduced to 2 larger feeds every day. Maltipoos should eat hard, smaller, kibble sizes to provide them with the nutrition they require.
Are Maltipoos prone to weight gain? – No
How much should I feed a Maltipoo puppy? – 4 small portions per day
How much should I feed an adult Maltipoo? – 2 feeds per day
On account of being part-Poodle, Maltipoos are hypoallergenic and rarely shed. However, it is important to remember that their long coats do require maintenance. They need their coats to be brushed around every 1–2 days to remove any knots and to avoid the possibility of matted fur.
They also require some trimming of their coats about twice a year, or possibly even more, to keep their faces clean and their fur out of their eyes. In hot seasons, their thinner coats are a benefit to them, allowing them to not overheat too quickly. However, this does mean that in the winter they may require another layer, such as a small jacket or jumper to allow them to enjoy being outside for longer periods of time.
Maltipoos can also suffer from separation anxiety, and therefore cannot be left alone at home for long periods of time. They could become destructive the more stressed they become, and therefore it is important to plan your days to fit around your Maltipoo.
Coming from Malta, Maltipoos first belonged to royal families. Being a relatively new breed being brought to America in the 1800s, they maintained their stature fitting into the social circle and becoming ‘designer dogs’. The standard Poodle came originally from France in the 15th century and then was gradually bred down in size over years to become the toy or miniature sizes that we see in the Maltipoos. Now, this breed is seen all over the world as a fitting companion in many different aspects of life.
The famous singer Rihanna owns a Maltipoo called Oliver;
Maltipoos have become one of the most common breeds seen around the world today;
This breed has first, second and third generations, yet the healthiest and most purebred is the first generation.
As with other breeds, Maltipoos need their owners to be attentive to their lineage. Please see the buying guide that will provide more information on this subject. Also, be careful about puppy scams online and always ensure you visit the puppy and the breeder before you purchase your chosen dog.
How much does a Maltipoo cost to buy? – £1,000 – £2,500
How much does a Maltipoo cost to feed? – £30 - £40
How much does insurance for a Maltipoo cost? - Around £300 per year
Although purchasing a new puppy is a wonderful experience, potential owners should always consider adopting rescue dogs. Please see the links below for education on adopting as well as possibilities of places in the UK to adopt a Maltipoo:
