Breed spotlight: The Maltipoo

characteristics.

Maltipoos are well-known for maintaining their puppy-like looks, even into adulthood. Maltipoos typically grow 8-14 inches tall, but the size of the Poodle parent can influence this as they are bred in standard, miniature, and toy sizes. Maltipoos are typically bred with a Maltese and a toy Poodle, which is why Maltipoos are usually small in size. On average, Maltipoos weigh around 5kg, which shows just how tiny they can be!

coat & grooming.

As a puppy, Maltipoos have soft and fluffy coats, which tends to become thicker with a coarse and curlier texture as their adult coat grows through. This occurs around 6-8 months of age. It is important to brush a Maltipoo’s coat daily, to prevent the coat becoming knotted and matted. It is advised for a Maltipoo to visit the groomer every 6-8 weeks. Maltipoos are usually one colour rather than a mixture of colours or markings, as their Maltese parent is white, and the Poodle parent is also just one colour. Maltipoos are normally white, cream, red, black, apricot, or brown.

Maltipoos are bred with the intent of a hypoallergenic coat, but it cannot be guaranteed that any dog will never moult throughout their life. The low-shedding coat of the Maltipoo makes them ideal dogs for allergy sufferers or for those who prefer a dog that does not moult too much!

training a maltipoo.

Maltipoos are inquisitive little characters and inherit their intelligence from their Poodle parent (Poodles are one of the top 10 smartest dog breeds). It is important to socialise any puppy from the moment you take them home, especially if they are on the smaller size like Maltipoos. This is to prevent them from becoming fearful or intimidated in the future by people or other dogs. It’s important to use a lot of praise and treats during training sessions; Maltipoos are highly motivated to learn and excel when there’s ample rewards up for grabs!

lifestyle & healthcare.

As Maltipoos are small, they can adapt to any style of living and do not require much space, aside from an outdoor area for toilet training and some fresh air. Contrary to their size, Maltipoos are active dogs and are happy with 30 minutes’ worth of exercise each day, which can include walking, running and playtime with their owners.

Maltipoos are loving and will get along with people of all ages. It is important to note that you will need to carefully introduce a Maltipoo into a household with young children. Young children will need to be shown how to calmly interact with small dogs like Maltipoos, especially whilst they are puppies. Maltipoos have a delicate build and can become intimidated by over-excited kids trying to interact with them. Therefore it is important to always try to make any association with children positive, so small dogs can become confident whilst the children are taught to be patient.

As Maltipoos are loyal companion dogs, they will not suit living with anyone who must leave their home daily for long periods of time. This can cause problems such as separation anxiety, which can become a bigger behavioural issue if not addressed swiftly. Crate training can be handy for any dog breed which suffers with separation anxiety, as they are given a safe and cosy place which will bring them comfort whilst you are not at home. This, however, is not a replacement for human contact and you should not consider a Maltipoo or any breed that relies on their owner’s company if this does not coincide well with your lifestyle.

As Maltipoos are classed as a ‘toy’ breed, their stomachs have smaller capacity for meals, meaning it’s best to feed them little and often. There are types of dog food specifically made for smaller breeds, meaning the pieces are smaller and easier for small dogs like Maltipoos to digest. Always seek advice from a professional if you are unsure of the nutrients your dog needs and incorporate plenty of water into their diet.

The average lifespan of a Maltipoo is 12-15 years. As Maltipoos are a crossbreed, it is important to make sure both parent breeds have the needed health tests to establish that certain diseases won’t be passed on to their future puppies. Both Maltese and Poodles can be prone to eye problems; it is important to check with a veterinarian or dog breeder what tests are needed for the individual breeds.

ethical breeding & what to look out for.

All dog breeds are prone to certain health problems and things can become more complicated when looking after a crossbreed like a Maltipoo. It is imperative to be alert when speaking to a breeder and finding out all the information you need before making the life-changing decision of taking a dog home. Unfortunately, due to Maltipoos having a reputation of being ‘designer dogs’, with their adorable puppy-like appearance, there is high demand for dogs just like them; now more than ever. Please be aware of potential scammers or puppy farms when trying to find the perfect pup.

Firstly, you should make sure that you can visit the breeding establishment, or video call the breeder at least to see where the dogs are reared and cared for, with evidence of plenty of outdoor space for them to enjoy. You also need proof of the prospective puppy interacting with their littermates and mother, it’d be great if you could meet the father too. If he’s a stud dog, the breeder should be happy to put you into contact with his owner, as well as give you his health certifications and pedigree.

You should always ask the breeder for a copy of both parents’ up-to-date health documentations to ensure they have had regular health-checks for the valid diseases relating to their breeds. Any reputable breeder will routinely provide you with the relevant paperwork and will talk you through it in detail.

Finally, any reputable breeder should be licensed and therefore tell you their license number and the council they are registered with. They should willingly answer any questions you may have with no hesitation, to put your mind at ease. If any breeder becomes defensive about having a license number, remove yourself from the situation. There is no reason why a reputable breeder should not have a licence number, you have every right to query them on this. Check out our blog below to find out everything on searching for an ethical and reliable breeder.

pros & cons of owning a maltipoo.

It is always sensible to weigh-up the pros and cons of dog breeds, before possibly bringing a puppy home. Maltipoos are adorable dogs; they are small, fun, and friendly. This means they are great companion dogs and do not require much living space at all, so they can adapt to living in apartments too!

Maltipoos are very intellectual and enjoy training sessions and learning new tricks and commands, which is desirable during the puppy training process. Their curly / wavy coats from their Poodle gene means that they are virtually non-shedding, ideal for people who suffer allergies or who simply do not want a high-moulting dog! Maltipoos enjoy a walk or run but are also happy to cuddle up on the sofa, they just need 30 minutes of exercise per day.

There is, however, the issue of separation anxiety; Maltipoos are sociable dogs and will not thrive if they are regularly left on their own, which needs to be considered before taking one home. Their curly coats are high maintenance, they need regular brushing and trips to the groomer which can become costly. Their small size can also pose problems with confidence and socialisation, especially with younger children. This is why it’s recommended to home a Maltipoo with adults and older children.

Remember, with any breed of dog there are health risks, but it can be more complex when there is more than one breed to consider. Be sure to research what health problems a Maltese and Poodle are most prone to, and always check in with dog breeders to establish what health tests they have done for the bitch and stud dog involved.

our owners.

We understand just how important it is to socialise puppies before they go to their forever homes. This is why we want all pups to benefit from our puppy therapy sessions as much as our clients do!

We take this process very seriously and thoroughly screen potential owners and breeders who’d like their litter of pups to partake in our events. If you’re interested in finding out more about our approach and becoming a breeder partner with us, you can check out all the details here https://www.pawsinwork.com/our-owners - we look forward to working with you and your pups!