Maltipoo is a designer dog breed created in the USA by crossbreeding a Maltese and a toy or miniature Poodle. Breeders were looking for a small-sized companion that could fit perfectly in the small apartments. Needless to say, the result of their efforts was a precious and soft furball we now know as Maltipoo. This is one of the most popular and sought-after designer dog breeds. Therefore, it’s no wonder that everyone wants to own a Maltipoo puppy.
However, buying and investing in a new puppy is not a decision you should take lightly. The downside to popular dog breeds is that they are accompanied by greed and irresponsible breeding practices in an effort to earn easy money.
As a result puppies and owners eventually pay the biggest price due to the health and behavioral issues caused by irresponsible breeding.
Therefore, it’s crucial that you know what to look for when buying a puppy
What You Need To Know Before Buying A Maltipoo Puppy?
Before buying a Maltipoo puppy, you need to first ask yourself several questions.
- Do you have enough financial stability to properly care for the dog?
- Do you have enough time to fulfill the dog’s needs (exercise, walks, playtime)?
- Is your apartment or house big enough to accommodate a dog?
- Are the dog’s temperament and personality compatible with yours?
Below you will find some basic info about the Maltipoo’s size, temperament, health issues, lifespan, and overall costs, so you can determine if Maltipoo puppy is the right choice for you.
Size
The Maltipoo is a mixed breed, so there is no clear breed standard regarding the physical and mental characteristics due to the differences between individual members of the breed. Generally, an average Maltipoo stands from 8 to 14 inches tall and weighs between 5 and 20 pounds.
But these puppies look completely different when fully grown. How big do they get? Read in our article – Full Grown Maltipoo.
Personality & Temperament
Maltipoos are intelligent, gentle, affectionate, devoted, and fun-loving dogs. They love to spend their time chilling on their owner’s laps. These dogs are great with elderly people and children. Generally, Maltipoos are perfect dogs for first-time owners.
However, Maltipoos don’t like strangers, so be cautious when introducing someone they don’t know.
Grooming needs
Maltipoos have low-shedding, low-dander coats, so they are a perfect option for people with allergies. If you want to own a Maltipoo, be prepared for daily coat brushing and monthly bathing to keep the coat in top shape.
Nails should be trimmed twice a month. Pay special attention to Maltipoo’s dental hygiene and brush his teeth at least two to three times a week. Although, daily brushing would be perfect.
Trainability
Maltipoos are intelligent dogs that learn quickly and are eager to please their owners. Therefore, they are fairly easy to train.
Health issues
Like all dog breeds, Maltipoos are prone to certain diseases and health issues. The most common ones include:
- Tracheal Collapse
- Epilepsy
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Patellar Luxation
- Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
- White Shaker Syndrome
- Portosystemic Shunt
Lifespan
An average Maltipoo will live between 10 and 15 years.
Costs of owning a Maltipoo puppy?
According to PetBudget, a site specialized in cost analysis of owning a dog, you will pay anywhere between $1.150 and $3.825 for a Maltipoo puppy. Expect first-year expenses to be around $4.615, and $1200 a year after that. The average cost of owning a Maltipoo, through his lifetime is $17.815.
Goldens Club Guide: What To Look For When Buying A Puppy?
When buying a puppy, never give your money before meeting the breeder in person and visiting the facility. A good, reputable breeder will ask you questions to see if you are fit to care for the puppies. Also, a good breeder will be happy to talk about the puppies, their parents and answer all your questions.
Make sure to ask for the health clearances of both parents and ask to see them if possible to check their demeanor and behavior. Since there are some downsides to owning a Maltipoo puppy, be sure to be prepared.
Even if you receive all the necessary health clearances and guarantees, you still need to check the puppies, interact with them and choose the best one. This is what you need to do:
Check the coat
Check the puppy’s coats for dry scaly flakes, bumps on the skin, dandruff, or open sores. The puppy’s coat should be clean, without excess oil, dried skin, or bald patches.
Look at the eyes
Puppy’s eyes should be bright, clear, and shiny, whites of the eyes should be white with no traces of other colors. Also, look for the traces of discharge as they are a signal something is wrong with the puppy.
Check the ears
Pick the puppy and look inside the ear canal, check for the signs of black specks, drainage, or wax buildup. Also, there shouldn’t be any bad smell coming from the ears.
Look at the nose
Contrary to popular belief, a warm and dry nose doesn’t necessarily mean that the dog is ill. On the other hand, a discharge is never a good sign, especially a green mucous discharge that is a sign of fungus or bacterial infection.
Take a look at the puppy’s mouth
Open the puppy’s mouth and check the teeth and gums. Teeth should be white, gums pink and there should be no bad breath.
Also, make sure to check the puppy’s bite. A Maltipoo puppy should have a scissors bite, which means that the top and bottom teeth should fit together evenly and smoothly.
Listen to the breathing
Pick up the puppy and listen to its breathing. If you hear the wheezing and rasping sounds, it’s not good.
Observe how the puppy walks
A healthy puppy will walk without any visible problems. However, dizzy, wobbly gait, limping, or signs of pain are big warning signs.
Check puppy’s responsiveness and alertness
A healthy puppy should be active, alert, and responsive to you. Avoid puppies that seem lethargic and weak.
Check if the puppies in the litter have been socialized
The best way to check if the puppies have been raised with attention and love is to drop something that will make noise. If the puppies startle but very quickly recover, it’s a good litter. On the other hand, if the puppies seem terrified and run away, it’s a good sign they have been neglected and raised in isolation.
Observe the puppy’s interaction with other puppies
Stand back and observe how puppies play with each other. Mark the puppies who appear dominant and headstrong and those that are withdrawn, these are not puppies for you. Dominant puppies tend to develop into dogs that have behavioral issues, while withdrawn and skittish puppies are most likely ill.
Choose the puppy whose behavior sits in the middle of the range, one that is neither dominant nor shy.
Interact with puppies
Now it’s time to interact with puppies. As soon as you enter the puppy pen, they should jump on you and swarm you. However, if they are afraid or run away from you, this is not the litter for you.
Pick up the puppies you find most interesting
Pick up and interact with the few puppies you find most interesting. Turn the puppy on his back gently and place your hand on his chest. If the puppy squirms and tries to get away, but it’s not aggressive and doesn’t try to bite you, things are looking good. Otherwise, don’t buy any of the pups.
Always ask for health guarantees
Always ask for health clearances of both parents and health guarantees for the puppy. All breeders should offer at least a basic health guarantee. You will probably need to sign a contract that obligates you to see the vet within 48 to 72 after purchase for a full health examination. If the puppy doesn’t pass the health test, you can then exchange it for another puppy.