Maltipoo

An adorable cross between a Maltese and a Toy or Miniature Poodle, the Maltipoo is a petite pup with a huge following. One of the most popular small mixed breeds in the United States, they are known for their affectionate personalities, teddy bear appearance and low-shedding coats. They can make excellent furry family members for apartment dwellers and first-time dog parents alike who can keep up with their grooming needs. Maltipoos are small but truly the whole package—smart, social and able to form deep bonds with their families.

Temperament

Affectionate, Intelligent, Social, Playful

Colors

White, Cream, Apricot, Gray, Brown, Black, Parti-color

Weight

5 - 20 Pounds

Height

8 - 14 Inches

Life expectancy

13 - 16 Years

Maintenance Level

Personality

About Maltipoos

Think of the Maltipoo as the epitome of a lap dog in the best possible ways. They love to be near you, following you from room to room, curling up on your lap and greeting you at the door like you’ve been gone for years. They’re intelligent dogs who respond well to positive, consistent training. Maltipoos do best in homes where a family member is frequently home to keep them company and thrive with gentle older children and easygoing households.

Maltipoo Breed Group

Not applicable. While the AKC does not recognize the mixed breed Maltipoo, they can be registered through their Canine Partners Program with proof of spay/neuter and can participate in many fun dog-related training activities and events such as agility and trick dog competitions.

Breed Appearance

The Maltipoo has a soft, fluffy coat and a compact body that makes them look very puppy-like throughout their lifetime. Because they’re a mixed breed, appearance can vary considerably from dog to dog—no two Maltipoos look exactly alike, which is part of their charm. Their expression is warm and alert, with folded ears that hang close to the head and a small round nose that’s typically black or brown.

Build: Small yet sturdy; lightweight with a slightly rounded body.
Face: Large eyes with a teddy bear expression. Small round nose; floppy ears that hang close to the head.
Coat: Medium to long; wavy or curly and soft to the touch. As both the Poodle and the Maltese are known as low-shedding breeds, Maltipoos are typically low-shedding, too, but require daily brushing to prevent matting and may require routine professional grooming.
Colors: White, cream, apricot, gray, chocolate, black and parti-color combinations. Keep in mind that colors can shift a bit as puppies mature.

Use the arrow keys to switch between coat color examples.

Size & Weight

Maltipoos are small dogs whose exact size depends largely on the size of their Poodle parent. Toy Poodle crosses tend to run smaller, while Miniature Poodle crosses may be slightly larger.

Full Grown

Female

10.5 in. / 11.5 lbs.

Male

11 in. / 12.5 lbs.

Height is measured up to the shoulders.

Characteristics

All of these are on a scale of 1–5 and help pet parents decide if this breed is right for them and their lifestyle.

Lifestyle
Care

Exercise

Couch potatoBring it on!

Living space

City apartmentRanch

Climate

WarmCold

Health concerns

Hardy Regular visits

Shedding level

LightHeavy

Weight

LightHeavy

Grooming

Minimal High

Personality

Anti-socialOutgoing

Behavior with kids

Always monitorFurry sibling

How to Care for Maltipoos

The Maltipoo is small, but their level of care is still a sizeable consideration. Adopting one means staying committed to daily brushing, monitoring their health, and providing attention and enrichment activities to ensure they get enough mental stimulation every day. These dogs thrive with routine and constant close companionship.

Both the Maltese and Poodle are known for specific genetic diseases that can be inherited if parents and grandparents are not tested prior to breeding. As Maltipoos are a mix of two breeds, they have a risk of contracting diseases commonly seen in either parent’s breeds, including dental disease, patellar luxation (kneecap slipping) and epilepsy, as well as PRA and hip dysplasia. Brush your canine’s canines daily to help combat dental decay, which is especially common in toy breeds with small, crowded mouths. Patellar luxation signs include a skipping or bunny-hopping gait; ask your vet to check joint function at their annual exam.

Maltipoos are not a high-endurance breed so wouldn’t be the best fit if you want daily company on vigorous hikes. That said, they do need moderate exercise every day, and the active poodle genetics can lead some dogs to enjoying more exercise than others. This can be done with a couple of age and weather appropriate walks combined with some indoor fun and games to keep them engaged and mentally stimulated. A mix of interactivity with you plus things like puzzle mats can be a good combo for variety.

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Cost of Maltipoo Parenthood

Maltipoo pet parenthood comes with ongoing costs that go beyond the initial adoption fee. The biggest recurring expense for most Maltipoo parents is grooming. Their coat requires professional attention every 6–8 weeks in addition to at-home upkeep. Petco has you covered with at-home tools such as brushes and shampoos, as well as professional grooming services. Consider the following cost categories when factoring in if a Maltipoo is right for you. Again, these are on a scale of 1-5, and costs depend on where you live among other factors.

$300Vet Care

$200Grooming & Boarding

$200Food & Treats

$200Other

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Fun Facts

The “hypoallergenic dog” claim is most commonly associated with Poodle mixes like the Maltipoo. While no dog is truly allergen-free, their low-shedding coats do produce less airborne dander than heavy-shedding breeds, which many allergy sufferers find more tolerable. Since both the Maltese and Poodle are low-shedding breeds, a mix of the two is likely to produce a low-shedding coat as well.

Maltipoos are natural entertainers. They tend to be vocal, expressive and deeply attuned to their pet parent’s emotions. Many Maltipoo parents describe their dogs as having an almost comedic awareness of the room.

Because Maltipoos are a mix of two separate breeds, there is no official breed standard, which means coat color, texture, size and even temperament can vary widely between litters and even within the same litter.

Celebrities who have made Maltipoos part of their family include Rihanna, Blake Lively and Susan Sarandon.

History

The Maltipoo was developed in the United States sometime in the 1990s during the “Doodlepalooza” of intentional Poodle-cross breeding that also produced popular mixes such as the Labradoodle and Goldendoodle. The goal was to combine the Maltese’s gentle, affectionate temperament with the Poodle’s intelligence and low-shedding coat, creating a companion dog ideal for people with mild dog allergies or those living in smaller spaces.

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