Maltipoos are one of the most popular mixed breeds out there. They are a combination of Maltese dogs and Miniature Poodles, which means that they are intelligent dogs, with sweet personalities, that come in the perfect size. But before you decide to bring a Maltipoo puppy home, you might be wondering: Are Maltipoos high maintenance?
Well, the truth is that all dogs are high-maintenance pets. All of them have specific needs that have to be met. They require regular grooming, training, socialization, a healthy diet, and regular visits to the vet. Being a pet parent is a full-time job, and you shouldn’t take this role loosely. Maltipoo puppies are sensitive canines that thrive on attention and affection. While they will shower you with their unconditional love every day, they also need to receive something in return.
We have already talked about ‘What are the downsides of a Maltipoo’, where we explained the cons and pros of Maltipoos. When it comes to maintaining these small size companion dogs, it would be realistic to say that they need more grooming than the average canine. But that does not mean that the process will be unmanageable. So let’s take a closer look at what it takes to care for a Maltipoo puppy.
Does a Maltipoo shed?
Many people will choose a Maltipoo puppy because they believe that these dogs don’t shed. Generally speaking, Maltipoo puppies shed very little. Some of them will shed close to nothing at all. However, it’s pretty tricky to predict that. As a mixed breed, the Maltese Poodle mix could inherit the coat from either one of his parents. But only the curly coat of the Poodle is famous for shedding so little. So if your Maltipoo dog inherits the coat of his Maltese parent, or he inherits a combination wavy coat, he will shed a little bit more.
Is the Maltipoo a hypoallergenic dog?
We have to be straightforward with you and tell you that there is no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic dog. Yes, some dogs are better suited for allergy sufferers, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t trigger allergies in anyone. While it’s a known fact that people can develop allergies to dog hair, another common problem for allergy sufferers could be the saliva and dandruff that dogs produce.
So while Maltipoos do shed less than the average canine, thanks to the curly coat of their Poodle parent, they aren’t completely hypoallergenic. But this type of coat could be the perfect choice for people who are only sensitive to the hair of our furry little friends. If you aren’t sure what triggers your dog allergies, ask your doctor, or try spending some time around Maltipoo puppies or other Poodle mixes. See if you will develop any symptoms and if this breed is tolerated by your histamine receptors.
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How often do I need to groom my Maltipoo puppy?
Grooming a dog includes many different things. Brushing their coat, giving them a bath, cleaning their ears, brushing their teeth, trimming the nails, cleaning the ears, and so much more. Some of these things will have to be done on a daily basis, while other things only once a month. Grooming will be time-consuming, and it would be ideal if there were other members in your household to help you with it.
Grooming a dog is equally as important as making sure that he or she eats a quality diet or gets enough exercise. It’s also a great way to bond with your dog. You just have to make sure that you start the grooming process as early as possible so that your dog can get used to it on time. All of your hard work will pay off, and you will have a well-groomed, well-behaved adorable puppy by your side.
Coat brushing
Despite the fact that Maltipoos are said to shed little, you still need to regularly brush your pet’s coat. This means that you should give your Maltipoo a good brush at least two to three times a week.
Maltipoos will either have thick, curly hair like a Poodle, silky and straight hair like Maltese, or a wavy coat that is a combination of those two. No matter what kind of coat your Maltipoo has, you should brush it frequently to prevent mats and tangles.
You should use a double-sided pin and a bristle brush to remove debris, and dead hair, and brush out tangles if your Maltipoo has smooth, straight hair that resembles that of a Maltese. If your Maltipoo’s hair is more Poodle-like, you should use a different sort of brush—a slicker brush made specifically for dogs with curly hair. If your dog has extremely tangly hair, try a coat detangler.
Bathing
Because of their light color and soft coat, most Maltipoos will require a bath every month. Use shampoo and conditioner made for dogs. Since their coats are prone to matting and tangling, Maltipoos are one of the few breeds that actually do need conditioner. If your dog has some skin condition, ask your vet for a special medicated shampoo.
Bathing your dog more than once a month, when there isn’t a need to, could dry out his skin and hair. Dogs still need the natural oils that coat their hair and bathing them too often, or with harsh human shampoo could destroy this balance. If you aren’t sure how to do it, know that we have a whole article on how to bathe a dog step by step. But we will give you a quick rundown.
Place your pet in a sink, massage warm water into his coat, add shampoo and conditioner, and rinse thoroughly after you are finished. If your pet is extra dirty, you can double shampoo. Make sure not to get any foam or water in his eyes by covering them with a dry cloth. The eyes of our dogs are sensitive, and shampoo could easily irritate them.
To properly dry off your Maltipoo, use a hair dryer. Just be aware that your tiny friend might be terrified by the sound of it. If you have the budget for it, consider investing in a special dog dryer, such as the Uahpet dog hair dryer.
Do Maltipoo dogs smell?
Generally speaking, no. Maltipoos shouldn’t smell any more than other similar dog breeds. They are actually very clean dogs that love to be in the house more than anything. These dogs don’t really see much joy in rolling in the mud or getting into something dirty or smelly. However, if you don’t groom them or take care of their hygiene, your pup could become smelly.
Why does my Maltipoo stink?
If you don’t bathe your dog for a longer period of time, it’s a no-brainer that your dog will start to stink. But in addition to that, Maltipoos are also prone to different skin problems. If your dog’s immune system is out of whack, or he is eating a bad diet, he could get a yeast infection such as Candida. This will also cause his skin to have a specific unpleasant odor.
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Oral hygiene
You should never take the dental health of your dog for guaranteed. A healthy set of teeth will make your dog’s life so much more enjoyable. And the only way to prevent dog dental problems is by brushing their teeth on a daily basis. This is especially important for smaller breeds such as the Maltipoo, and they are more prone to different dental diseases.
But you can’t just take a human toothbrush and toothpaste and start brushing. You have to buy special canine products that won’t be too harsh on the tiny teeth of your canine companion. In addition to that, dog toothpaste is also free of all of the ingredients that are safe for humans but possibly deadly to dogs, such as Xylitol. There are also ways to make a DIY dog toothpaste, however, we would still suggest buying it directly from the pet shop.
Plaque starts to build up on teeth as a result of saliva, food particles, and germs. If you don’t frequently brush your Maltipoo’s teeth and get rid of the plaque, it will quickly harden into tartar and lose its ability to be cleaned by chewing. It is crucial to daily brush your dog’s teeth for this reason. Once a week or once a month simply won’t cut it. Even if you give him dental chews in the meantime.
Clean their ears
Cleaning the ears is a crucial part of grooming, especially for dogs with drop ears like Maltipoos. Dogs with drop ears are more likely to develop ear infections because the ear flap traps warmth and moisture in the ear canal. This is creating the ideal conditions for the growth of microorganisms.
Do a thorough inspection of your Maltipoo’s ears before beginning to clean them. Look at the color of the skin of his ears. If you observe colors such as brown or red, or any spots or dots, other than pink, it is a clear indication that something could be wrong.
Ear odors are also unmistakable indicators of a health issue because they are typically highly potent and difficult to overlook. Examine the quantity of ear wax. A tiny bit of wax is natural and required, but too much wax indicates a problem.
You need cotton balls or sterile cotton gauze for routine ear cleaning in addition to an ear cleaning solution. Four to five drops of a solution should be placed in each ear. Then take the cotton balls and spend a few minutes massaging the ear’s base. If you need a more detailed description, we have a whole article on how to clean dog ears in the easiest way possible.
There are sure some downsides to owning these puppies, but that should not be too much for someone who really loves this kind of dogs.
Nail clipping
Nail trimming should be done every few months. It’s also crucial to examine their nails occasionally and prevent them from growing out too long. Long nails can create major problems. First of all, because growing nails will curve inward, trimming them will be harder. And in addition to that, your dog could also hurt himself, or even you, with his long nails.
But that’s not where the trouble ends when it comes to long nails. Long nails may also make your dog uncomfortable while walking, which could lead to your dog losing balance as they try to avoid applying pressure on the paw. Last but not least, an infection can result from an ingrown or damaged nail.
If you’ve never done it before, it might be best to let a professional groomer handle it. The nails of our dogs are very sensitive, and it could be easy for beginners to hurt them when doing it for the first time. You can ask your groomer how to do it the right way, and if you feel confident enough, try doing it yourself the next time.
The key is to only trim the top of the nail. Otherwise, you could hurt the vein that runs down the middle of the dog’s nail. On light nails, the quick is visible and, of course, you can clip the nail without touching it. But it can be a little more challenging to do so on dark or black nails. If you are interested in learning more, we have a whole article about nail trimming.
Tear stains removal
In addition to all of the bathing and brushing, you also have to clean the tear stains of your dog on a regular basis. These tear stains are most commonly reddish-brown in color, and they are the most visible on dogs with light-colored coats. They are the result of a Maltipoo producing too many tears or tears that for some reason cannot evaporate as they should.
There are many different ways to clean tear stains. You can buy special dog wipes, or use home remedies such as a vinegar solution. Make sure you ask your vet what he thinks would work best for your dog. Tear stains can sometimes also be a sign of dog eye problems, so take your dog for a checkup if you notice that his tear stains are more prominent than usual.
Haircuts
A few times a year, your dog will also need a professional haircut. However, you should trim their facial hair more frequently than that. Especially if his hair tends to grow extra long around his eyes. Pay close attention to the area around the lips, eyes, and ears. You can trim their face hair every two to three weeks.
Maltipoos can have a wide variety of Poodle haircuts. One of the most popular ones is called “The Puppy Cut”. This cut features longer hair around the face, with a shorter cut on the body. Other popular haircut styles include the Town cut or Country Poodle cut, the Miami cut, the Lamb cut, and our favorite – the Teddy Bear dog cut.
What is a Teddy Bear dog?
The Maltipoo is considered a part of the Teddy Bear dog breed group. That basically means that with the right haircut, your dog could look like a living teddy bear. Especially if his coat is in a light or dark brown color. So it’s no wonder that so many owners decide to give their puppy the Teddy bear cut. The Teddy Bear cut is a Poodle or Doodle haircut in which all of the dog’s body hair, including the face, is kept between one and two inches long.