Maltipoo Breed Profile
The Maltipoo is a hybrid breed of a Maltese and a Miniature or Toy Poodle. Maltipoos are extremely affectionate little dogs, making them great companion dogs for any household. They are well-behaved with children, as long as they get the huge amount of attention that they crave – they don’t tend to bear well with being left alone for too long, suffering with separation anxiety. Maltipoos are a great choice for those living in a flat, a novice owner or for the elderly, being small in size and relatively easy to train and handle.
The Maltipoo’s endearing appearance and charming personality has seen their popularity grow over the years, increasing breeding in the UK and across the world. However, despite their admiration, they are still not considered a registered breed within the Kennel Club and are unlikely to be in the near future.
Typical Maltipoo Facts:
Height: 8-14 inches (20-35.5cm)
Weight: 5 – 20 lbs (2-9 kg)
Average Litter Size: 4-6 puppies
Life Expectancy: 10-15 years
Kennel Club Classification: Hybrid
Good with Children: Yes
Colour of a Maltipoo:
The Maltipoo can have a variation of coat textures and colours, depending on their parents’ coats. The breed either has a long, wavy coat with loose curls, or a much tighter and shorter curled coat that can be much denser; however, this cannot be predicted. Colours include white, black, brown, cream, silver and red.
Grooming a Maltipoo:
The Maltipoo’s coat is quite unpredictable and dependent on its breeding parents. They tend to be low-shedding, so are suitable for people with allergies, but they will need daily brushing to keep the coat neat and clean. Washing is advised around once or twice a month, or when necessary. It’s recommended to get your Maltipoo clipped once or twice a year to keep them cool in the warmer months.
Brushing their teeth and checking their ears around twice a week can also maintain your Maltipoo’s basic hygiene, as well as trimming their nails once a month to avoid any pain from splitting or overgrowth.
Maltipoo Common Ailments/Health Issues:
Due to the crossbreeding of Maltipoos, they can be more vulnerable to certain health conditions. These include epilepsy, white shaker syndrome, patella luxation and progressive retinal atrophy. Breeders of this hybrid dog should be reliable and offer health check results and certification to eliminate any possible dangers to your Maltipoo’s health.
The risk of these developing these conditions can be reduced if owners are aware of early symptoms, maintain regular veterinary check-ups and good general health care at home.
Temperament of the Maltipoo:
Maltipoos are extremely affectionate and active, and they make great household dogs for first-time owners, families or the elderly, as they can adapt well to any type of home. They are well-behaved with children, however, it is recommended that they are supervised – with younger children especially – as they are quite fragile dogs that are at risk of being injured during playtime.
This breed requires a lot of attention, as they can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long. While they love a cuddle on the sofa, Maltipoos are also very energetic and enjoy a run around the house and playtime in the garden.
Training a Maltipoo:
Maltipoos are very intelligent dogs, making them a relatively easy breed to train. They respond well to positive training techniques that include rewards, such as treats and praise. Puppy training is advised to teach your Maltipoo household basics, and socialising with other dogs early on is also recommended.
A novice owner should have no problem training a Maltipoo, as long as they stay consistent and patient in their training. You may also want to slowly introduce your Maltipoo puppy to household visitors, as this breed can be quite aware and protective when it comes to having strangers in the home.
Exercise for a Maltipoo:
Although Maltipoos are small, they contain a lot of energy and will need daily walks of around 15 minutes to remain healthy and occupied. As well as a daily walk, they appreciate off-lead time to run and play in a park, a garden or simply around the house.
Maltipoos need a lot of mental stimulation to keep them out of trouble – they tend to be slightly destructive when bored and left alone, so you might want to keep valuable items out of reach. Supply them with lots of chew toys, as these can keep a Maltipoo entertained for hours.
History of the Maltipoo:
The Maltipoo is a cross breed of the purebred Maltese and a Toy or Miniature Poodle. Maltipoos were bred with the intention of being companions for people who suffer from allergies, as they are less prone to shedding than most breeds. They were first bred in the 1980s and 90s, making them a relatively new crossbreed, however, they are already one of the most popular “designer dogs”.
Seeing as the Maltipoo has not collected much history over their recent years, their parents’ history provides an idea of the Maltipoo’s background. The Maltese’s exact origin is unknown and is questioned by many, however, it is a small toy breed believed to have been presented to Malta by the Phoenicians as the “Melitaie Dog”, and it was praised for its geometric beauty. Aristocrats started the breed’s role as a fashion statement, labelling the Maltese breed as a “Roman Ladies Dog”. Maltese dogs would be expected to be seen peering out of a Roman lady’s sleeve. The Maltese appeared multiple times in Roman literature, symbolising loyalty. Fast forwarding many years, the Maltese’s popularity grew immensely, appearing in New York’s first Westminster show as the “Maltese Lion Dog” in 1877.
The Toy variation of the Poodle was first bred in the early 20th century in America for those who required a smaller dog for the household, but desired the same look and qualities that a regular Poodle offered. Toy Poodles were, however, desired by the upper-class as companions and fashion accessories due to their size and appearance. Their intelligence has since been recognised, and Toy Poodle breeding has increased due to their ability to be hearing dogs for those who are hearing impaired.
Famous Maltipoos:
Maltipoos have become very popular among celebrities, including Ellen DeGeneres, Rihanna and Jessica Simpson.
Maltipoo Stud Dog Listings:
A dog owner since the early 80s, after convincing his parents to buy a Yorkshire terrier named Sadie, Darren created Dream Dogs so dog owners could find the best dog related information on the Internet.
