The Maltipoo is a designer dog that attracts attention wherever they appear. This is not only because of their fun personality but also because of the many colors their coats can come in. We have talked a lot about the adorable Maltipoo crossbreed, their personality, appearance, and the health issues that can affect them. We even dedicated a whole article to their cuteness and shared images of different colored Maltipoos with you. But, we have not talked about one of the most popular Maltipoo shades, the full-grown Apricot Maltipoo.
It is not surprising that there are many set colors present in the Maltipoo crossbreed, even though Maltese dogs usually have white coats, the Maltipoo‘s other Poodle parent comes in many different colors. That‘s why we have black Maltipoos, grey Maltipoos, Parti Maltipoos, and many more. But even though there are so many possible coat colors in Maltipoos, none is as famous and loved as the Apricot coat color.
Although there are different shades to the Maltipoo, the most common color in this cross, besides white, is apricot. That‘s why we will take the time and look at the Apricot Maltipoo coat closely. It is true that the coat color doesn‘t affect the personality of the breed, but there are still important facts about the Apricot Maltipoo coat that need discussion, such as their color changes. So, without further ado, let‘s dive right into the world of the full-grown Apricot Maltipoo.
Full-grown Apricot Maltipoo – Closer look
Before we get deeper into this topic, let‘s first explain what the apricot color in dogs even looks like. This is especially important because many people confuse the apricot color with cream or red. Basically, the apricot color is a bright yellowish-orangeish hue that resembles apricots. It is, yet, paler than genuine apricots.
There are different shades of apricot, and some apricot Maltipoos may be lighter than others. Some may change color as they grow older, turning from apricot to cream. Basically, the exact color of your apricot puppy will depend on its genes. Before getting an Apricot color Maltipoo, remember that some breeders may market them under different terms.
Source: Instagram (@maltipoo.guus)
Other essential characteristics of the apricot coat include the fact that apricot Maltipoos have black points all over their bodies, from their noses to their eyes to their toenails.
In addition to that, the apricot Maltipoo is a multicolored mix, which means they nearly always have some white coloring to their fur. It’s very unusual to see a pure apricot Maltipoo without any white markings.
How do breeders breed Apricot Maltipoos?
You might be surprised to learn that the apricot coat gene is only in one of the Maltipoo’s parents. Most of the time, the standard Maltese coat color is white. In addition to the white and black tips, they may also be yellow or tan. On the other hand, the Poodle parent comes in a wide range of colors. There is also the apricot color! If you find an apricot Maltipoo puppy, it’s likely that its Poodle parent has fur that is the same color.
This is why it is much easier to breed apricot-colored puppies than red, or black ones for example. Basically, t The Apricot Maltipoo is a result of breeding a red toy Poodle and a Maltese.
Source: Instagram (@maltipoo.guus)
Coat color is sometimes a surprise
Even though it sounds so simple, there is a chance of something called a “throwback” happening. This happens when a trait from 10 to 20 generations ago is still present in the most recent litter. This means that Maltipoos with the Apricot color can either be all Apricot or have a secondary Apricot color, meaning they could be a mix of white and apricot.
So, even when breeding is done in a controlled way and by a reputable breeder, the result may still surprise some breeders. Still, selective breeding might make it less likely that this unexpected thing will happen.
Apricot Poodle in the United States
A little fun fact, we know that the Poodle is a parent breed of the Maltipoo, but did you know that the apricot Poodle coat wasn‘t accepted by the American Kennel Club up until 1898? It was in that year the AKC recognized this fur color as an acceptable color for the purebred Poodle. But, where does the apricot color come from? Well, experts believe that the apricot Poodle color is the result of an uncommon recessive genetic mix that includes blue, brown, and silver.
Lighting and darkening of the Apricot color
Do apricot Maltipoos stay that color their whole life, or does their coat lighten or darken as they age? There is the belief that the coat of every Maltipoo will fade over time. But this is not true for all dogs. Some Maltipoos will experience fading and lighting of the fur, while others won‘t.
The most typical time for a Maltipoo’s coat to change color is when the puppy coat changes into the adult coat. Between months 6 and 8 you will witness the biggest changes in coat color.
Source: Instagram (@maltipoo.guus)
Darkening of the coat is less common
A deepening or darkening of the coat of this designer breed color is far less common, but still conceivable. The apricot color of your Maltipoo can darken and become deeper and more vibrant as the puppy gets older. The apricot color will basically turn into red color.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to know what will happen. If you don’t want your dog’s color to change, it’s usually best to get an older dog. Since they won’t have their puppy coat anymore, they are less likely to change color for any reason other than getting older. Even so, their color could still get lighter!
Where to find an Apricot Maltipoo
Puppies from reputable breeders may cost a bit more than puppies from backyard breeders, pet stores, and puppy mills. But in the long run, they are more likely to have fewer health and behavior problems. And because this breed is so popular right now, it’s even more important to stay away from puppy mills, pet stores, and backyard breeders who will all try to make money off of the trend. If you can’t afford to buy an apricot Maltipoo puppy from a good breeder, you could always adopt one.
Source: Instagram (@maltipoo.guus)
Adopting an Apricot Maltipoo
If you don’t care how old your dog is, adopting or rescuing is a great choice. It’s also a good way to already know what color of coat your dog will have, as you are adopting a grown dog.
Another upside of rescuing a dog is that the cost of adopting is much lower than the cost of buying one. So it doesn‘t only feel great to give a beautiful Maltipoo a second chance at a loving home, but it will also save you some money.
If you want to adopt, talk to the people at the rescue center. They can help you find a Maltipoo that fits perfectly to your family and lifestyle, and they might even be able to help you find a specific color, like an Apricot color Maltipoo.
Maltipoos and Poodle mixes in general are quite popular, so you should be able to find one that needs help. To make it easier, try to find Maltipoo rescue centers, or at least centers that take in Poodles or other Poodle designer dogs.
Cute names for your full-grown Apricot Maltipoo
If you just bought or adopted an adorable Maltipoo in the apricot color, but can‘t find the right name, we have a few suggestions. While no dog name is exclusive to a specific color, these names fit the apricot coat color best and are simple enough for everyday use.
Source: Instagram (@maltipoo.guus)
Dog girl names
- Aurelia
- Cinnamon
- Cupcake
- Gretel
- Hazel
- Hermione
- Mocha
- Peaches
- Sandy
- Taffy
Dog boy names
- Archibald
- Benedict
- Biscuit
- Charlie
- Chestnut
- Cooper
- Darcy
- Duke
- Macchiato
- Mango
Before settling on a name owners should remember that a great way (and the easier way) to pick a name for their dog is to choose a name based on its personality. The dog‘s name should also be simple and easy to use on an everyday basis.
Named based on the dog‘s appearance are super fun as well, for example, pick a name by the type of coat the dog has – the name Curly is perfect for a curly-haired dog of any coat color. Besides that, the name Cloud is for a curly-haired dog with a white coat. The name Coffee is cute for a Cafe au lait Maltipoo. And lastly, the name Tiny would perfectly fit a small size dog. The options are endless.