This small sweet looking dog is a mix between the Poodle and the Maltese.  These dogs are otherwise known as the Malt-A-Poo or the Maltipoo.

This is a cute dog, and they will always retain their puppy-like appearance and behavior until their later years. 

Maltese Poodle Mix History

This designer mixed Breed was first bred together with the intent to create a dog that was hypoallergenic.

A low shedding dog that would be an alternative pet to allergy suffers.

This mixed Dog Breed was only just created in the past few decades so it is still fairly new.  To learn more about the Maltese Poodle Mix we will take a closer look at the history of the parents of this mix.

Maltese

The Maltese is a very old dog breed that dates back as far as 500 B.C. This dog breed was mostly used for companionship and made its way around the world to Great Britain, Italy, and even America.

This dog breed became popular not just with the royals but the common people as well. After winning competitions in the 18th century, the Maltese finally got accepted into the American Kennel Club in the 1960s.

Toy Poodle

There are many Poodle varieties out in the world, and the Poodle we will specifically be talking about that has been bred with the Maltese is the toy Poodle.

The Poodle has a long line of history dated as far back to the 14th century. Discovered in Germany as well as France, this dog breed began its start as a hunting breed.

This breed was initially used to hunt and gather waterfowl due to the water-resistant curly coat but later turned more into a companion dog breed.

Later different variations of the poodle emerged, such as the miniature and toy poodles. The American Kennel Club recognized the Poodle in the 1880s.

Maltese Poodle Temperament

A Maltipoo puppy that has been well-bred will be a friendly dog which likes to be around people.  The temperament of this mixed breed depends on its parent’s behavior, especially its mothers. 

Both the Maltese and the Poodle are friendly dogs, and if the Maltipoo has been well-bred, they are more than likely to be kind and loving dogs. 

These dogs enjoy the outdoors, and playing is an important part of their nature.  If they do not have opportunities to play and be mentally stimulated, they are more likely to cause mischief.

This dog is a quick learner and it should be trained from the first day the owner brings it home to help with socialization.

Maltese Poodle Mix Appearance

Their coats can be either shaggy or curly and they come in a range of different colors including, tan, black, brown, white, cream or sometimes they are patchy with grey markings.

Each Maltipoo puppy in a litter can look different from its brothers and sisters depending on what traits they inherit from their parents.

The dog will most likely be small in size, only really weighing up to  20 pounds max.

The ear will flop down and stay to the side of your dog. Malitpoos look a lot like little teddy bears due to their fluffy curly coats.

Maltipoo Coat

The coat of the Maltipoo really depends on which traits your dog takes from its parents. Most likely, your dog has a very fluffy coat that can have a wavy to curly texture.

The coat is between a medium to a long length that feels very soft, almost like a teddy bear.

Maltipoos were designed to have a hypoallergenic coat that would be suitable for mild allergy suffers.

The coat can come in a variety of colors that you will see below.

What Colors Do They Come In?

There are quite a few color possibilities when it comes to this mixed breed. Some puppies may even have more than one color in their coat:

• White
• Brown
• Black
• Gray
• Silver
• Cream
• Apricot
• Beige
• Blue Hues

There are two different eye color possibilities that your dog may possibly come in they are:

• Blue
• Brown

The most common color of the Maltipoo nose is black.

Maltipoo Size

This small dog can grow up to 14 inches in height (35.5cm) and weighs between 5-15lbs (2.2-6.8kg) depending on the size of its parents.

Maltese Poodle Mix Health Problems

If this dog is cared for properly and does not inherit any health conditions from its parents, the average life expectancy is between 12-15 years.

There are no known health conditions of the Maltipoo, however, in order to choose a healthy dog, its parentage must be checked, and potential owners need to ask reputable breeders whether the parents have been screened for genetic diseases.

You should be aware of a few conditions that your Maltese Poodle mix could inherit or get.

Patellar Luxation is a common problem associated with small dog breed like the toy versions. It is a knee joint issue where it dislocates and causes pain in the dog.

Sometimes smaller dog breeds have issues with separation anxiety, which can cause higher stress like the white shaker syndrome. 

White shaker syndrome is when your dog starts to get tremors in the body; these are very different from seizures,

Remember, if you are ever concerned about the health of your dog, you need to consult a professional veterinarian.

Life Expectancy of a Maltipoo

As you may have already read above, the average life expectancy is between 12 and 15 years for this mixed breed.

You may already know that mixed breed often have a longer life than the purebred parents due to the breeding out common diseases in the mixed.

This is just an estimated range of course, some dogs have other complications than others, but you can always consult your dog’s vet for help.

Living Conditions

The Maltipoo dog does not do well in extreme heat, and if it is in a country where it can get very hot, they need to remain in rooms that are cool and air-conditioned. 

It is fine to keep this dog inside an apartment or a small condo as long as it gets to go outside on a daily basis as these dogs get bored very easily and like to have a change of environment.

Maltipoo Exercise

Maltipoos do not need much exercise as they are easily able to tire themselves out through playing.  A short daily walk outside is sufficient to allow them to stretch their legs.

They do have quite a lot of energy, so a small yard would do wonders for the breed as you can play fetch or toys with your dog outside to get your dog tired.

Exercise can of course, combat bad behavior. This dog breed does like to have attention on it, so if your busy and have no time to play, then you may find some mischievous behavior from your dog. 

Try to take 30 minutes a day from your schedule to play with your Maltipoo as well as taking it out for a walk.

Maltese Poodle Feeding

This is quite a small dog breed, so it will not need a lot of food each day to sustain itself. One cup of high-quality food broken up into smaller meals should be perfect for the Maltese Poodle mix.

Depending on the quality of small breed dog food you purchased, you’re looking at an estimated cost of $0.85 to $1.05 a day.

This designer dog breed needs dog food that is going to have a good source of complete protein, either from beef, chicken, or fish.

As a rule of thumb, this dog breed needs 40 calories per pound of body weight per day, so a 20-pound dog will need 800 calories a day in dog food.

Maltese Poodle Mix Grooming

Depending on what kind of coat the Maltipoo has depends on what kind of grooming is needed. 

Most Maltipoo dogs need daily brushing, and if it inherits the Poodle’s curlier coat, then it will need professional grooming approximately every six weeks. 

It is important to take care of this dog’s coat as it can become easily matted, and with its sensitive skin and no regular grooming, the dog is prone to painful skin infections at its roots.

Just like the Poodle, the Maltipoo has very sensitive ears and needs to be kept dry and clean. 

It is a good idea to have its ears checked every time they have a visit to the vet.

Maltipoo Training

The Maltipoo is a dog breed known for its loud annoying bark. This is something you can combat if you have walked through the necessary training steps.

Training is very important with any dog breed not only to learn tricks and commands but also to learn basic important things like socialization and obedience. 

If you can, start training your Maltese Poodle mix as a puppy. Begin with easy things such as socialization, friendliness, and potty training.

After consistent training, your Maltipoo will have it down in no time. Remember to always train with positive reinforcement to not frighten or scare your dog. 

If you plan on leaving your dog at home while at work for long periods of time, then we suggest crate training your dog from an early age.

Again the mixed dog breed can be mischievous when left alone so crate training will keep your dog in a safe place until you return home.

Maltese Poodle Mix Puppies

Before running to the closest breeder to you; you need to do some research and make sure you are not purchasing a puppy from a puppy mill. 

The reason so many people avoid puppy mills is due to their inhumane breeding practices and the fact that the puppies are not healthy and either are the parents of the breed.

Do some extensive research and find a breeder that can provide proof of their healthy dogs. Ask questions to the breeder you find and see if you can visit the kennel or facility.

Mixed breeds are certainly cheaper in price than a purebred breed. You can expect to spend between $450 to $2,000, but this will all depend on the breeder you find.

Maltese Poodle Mix Litter Size

This is a smaller dog breed, so a female will not have as many puppies as a large breed dog will have. You can expect a female to have between three and four puppies in a litter.

The puppies will be small and only weigh between 15 and 20 pounds when an adult.

Suitability

This is a great dog if you want a loving animal for small children.  It has a playful nature, and it does not require much exercise, which is why it suits less active families.

However, this breed can suffer from separation anxiety, so if you can have someone in your household, giving this dog breed attention a lot, it would help.

Make sure you start training from an early age as this dog breed may take longer than others.

FAQ

Are Maltese Poodles Good Dogs for Families?

Yes, the Maltipoo is a fantastic family dog. Good with children of all ages and other dogs. Just remember when your Maltipoo is a puppy that you teach it to be friendly around children, pets, and other people.

This mixed dog breed is known as a pleasing dog, which means the breed tries its hardest to please its owners and other people. 

This would be a mixed dog breed to get your kids at a young age as it has a lot of energy just like children, so they could play together for long periods of time.

Do Maltipoos Shed?

The Maltipoo was actually designed to be a low shedding dog with a hypoallergenic coat. That is one of the major reasons the Maltese and the Poodle were even bred together to create this low allergy hypoallergenic dog breed.

You will notice some occasional shedding from time to time, but it doesn’t compare to what other dog breeds could do. Consistent grooming can also help with shedding. 

Does the Maltese Poodle Mix Bark?

The Maltipoo is known to bark and be yappy at times. This can be from a variety of things, lack of training or the dog is just trying to tell you it wants attention.

Most of the time, the barking will happen out of boredom from your Maltipoo, and the dog is trying to tell you to come play.

This is why having children in the home who will constantly want to play with the dog is a very good.

Do Maltipoos Like to Be Held and Cuddled?

Yes, the Maltipoo is a very affectionate breed. If you have children that are very handsy and grab animals, you can rest assured that your dog will not mind as it loves to be helped and loved on.

This type of dog is perfect for owners that like to curl up on the couch with their dog and watch a movie. 

Close relatives of the Maltipoo

Here are a  few breeds that act very similar to the Maltipoo:

• Maltese
• Toy Poodle
• Shih Tzu Maltese Mix
• Yorkipoo
• Morkie

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