Maltipoo is a crossbreed of Toy or Miniature Poodle and a Maltese created to suit the needs of owners that suffer from allergies. Breeds alleged hypoallergenic qualities and affectionate nature made Maltipoos one of the most popular designer breeds, especially among celebrities.
Of course, being a designer breed, the AKC will not recognize Maltipoo as a true breed. However, if you want to register your Maltipoo you can do that with the North American Maltipoo Club and Registry.
Maltipoo: Dog Breed Info
Physical Characteristics
Since Maltipoos are designer breed, their physical characteristics can vary greatly based on whether they have inherited more genes from Poodle or Maltese.
Size
The size of the Maltipoo varies based on whether the parent was Toy or a Miniature Poodle. Generally, Maltipoos stand at 8 to 14 inches tall and weigh from 5 to 20 pounds.
But these puppies look completely different when fully grown. How big do they get? Read in our article – Full Grown Maltipoo.
Coat
Maltipoo’s coat is medium in length, soft, slightly curly, and fluffy. The coat comes in a variety of colors, the most common ones being white, silver, and cream.
Personality & Temperament
Maltipoos are gentle, affectionate, intelligent, and playful. Also, expect your Maltipoo to get along with basically everyone he/she meets.
Maltipoos are also, feisty and alert. However, don’t expect your Maltipoo to protect you from possible threats.
Health & Lifespan
Generally, designer breeds are healthier and live longer than pure breeds. However, there is always a possibility that the designer breed inherits certain health issues from its parent breeds.
The most common health issues in Maltipoos include:
- Epilepsy
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- White Shaker Syndrome
- Leg-Calve-Perthes Disease
- Portosystemic Shunt
- Patellar Luxation
Care
Exercise
Maltipoos are very active dogs. Therefore, if not handled properly this excess energy can quickly transform into destructive behavior. To prevent this from happening, make sure your Maltipoo has 10 to 15 minutes of exercise every day.
Grooming
Maltipoos are considered hypoallergenic dogs, which means that they shed less and have less dander than regular dogs. However, you will still need to brush your Maltipoo daily to keep his coat tidy and good-looking.
Bathe your Maltipoo once a month and trim his nails once every month or two. Also, brush your dog’s teeth daily to prevent bad breath and gum disease.
Nutrition
A well-balanced diet and high-quality food are crucial for the good health of your Maltipoo. We recommend two meals per day with 5/8 to 1.5 cups of high-quality food divided into these two meals.
Keep a close eye on the dog’s weight and carefully portion his meals to prevent overeating and obesity.
Trainability
Maltipoos are very intelligent dogs and will be easy to train using positive reinforcement methods, praise and treats.
Commonly Asked Questions
Are Maltipoos barkers?
Yes, Maltipoos are barkers and can be very noisy especially when they want to alert you about some suspicious activities or people.
Do Maltipoos like to cuddle?
Yes, Maltipoos love to cuddle and will often run straight in your arms expecting comforting cuddles. Especially puppies, so get ready to share some love.