Have you ever wondered what you end up with when you cross a Maltese and a Poodle? A Maltipoo! We guarantee you’ll want one as soon as you see how cute they are. So, you’re probably wondering how much a Maltipoo costs.
Maltipoos can cost anywhere between $400 and $15,000. However, the most common prices for them range from $2,000 to $4,000. The factors that affect the price of a Maltipoo include its color, age, lineage, generation, and where you’re buying it.
Read on to learn more about the cost of buying and owning a Maltipoo.
Overview
The Maltipoo is a mixed breed that results from crossing Poodles and Maltese dogs. Both these parent breeds are highly sought-after and officially registered with the American Kennel Club.
On the other hand, Maltipoos aren’t. However, they’re recognized by the Designer Dogs Kennel Club.
Brief History of Maltipoos
In terms of designer hybrid breeds, Maltipoos are relatively new.
They were first introduced when breeders started crossing Poodles and Maltese dogs in the late 1990s. They intended to create a small-sized mixed breed with endearing features and a charming personality.
They managed to do just that, as Maltipoos are as loving and cute as they come.
Another perk of crossing Poodles and Maltese dogs is that both of them are hypoallergenic. In turn, Maltipoos share this desirable trait that makes them ideal pets for those with allergies.
Maltese
Maltese dogs have been around for thousands of years. Throughout history, this breed has been most prevalent in Southern European regions such as Sicily, and in North Africa.
Experts on the matter don’t know exactly where these dogs first appeared. However, there seems to be a consensus that they’re indigenous to Malta.
The inhabitants of this small island most likely bred Maltese dogs to be their loyal companions. These dogs were, and still are, highly popular as lap dogs.
It wasn’t until the 19th century that Maltese dogs made their way to the United Kingdom—and their rise to fame there was swift.
Poodle
In this day and age, people perceive Poodles as fashionable dogs and a symbol of affluence. In fact, the Poodle is the national dog of France, one of the world’s fashion capitals.
Interestingly enough, Poodles actually appeared first in Germany. Additionally, their role was drastically different than it is today.
The name Poodle originates from the German word “pudel”, a verb that translates to “splashing in the water.”
The reason for this is that Poodles were first bred to be water retrievers tasked with fetching ducks and other water birds for their owners. Although it’s a less common occurrence now, some people still use poodles for duck hunting.
Average Price of a Maltipoo
Assigning an average price tag to Maltipoos is quite challenging. That’s because many factors determine how much a dog of this breed will cost.
You can find Maltipoo pups for as little as $400. However, their price can also reach a whopping $15,000.
The Maltipoos you’ll find for sale typically won’t be at these extremes. You’re most likely to find them offered in the $2,000 to $4,000 range.
The color, lineage, size, and age of a Maltipoo are among the factors that affect its price. Additionally, the price of a Maltipoo is greatly influenced by where you’re buying it from.
Getting a Maltipoo From a Reputable Breeder
If you decide to buy a Maltipoo pup from a reputable breeder, be prepared to dig deep into your pockets.
Most breeders offer Maltipoos at prices between $2,000 and $4,000. However, you’ll also find Maltipoos of rarer colors sold at prices north of $10,000.
You should note that this high price isn’t just for the dog you’re buying. It’s also the price to pay for your peace of mind.
That’s because when you buy from a reputable breeder, you know the exact history of your dog in terms of how it was raised and any health issues it may have.
Most breeders also provide you with a health guarantee. This guarantee allows you to return the dog to the breeder if it has any illnesses that the breeder didn’t disclose at the time of purchase.
Getting a Maltipoo From Puppy Classifieds
Puppy classifieds are another route you can go when buying a Maltipoo.
These include platforms such as Craigslist as well as other ones that are more specialized in canines.
You’ll find Maltipoos being sold on such websites at much lower prices than the ones charged by breeders. The typical going price of Maltipoos on classifieds is between $1,000 and $4,000.
However, by opting for a lower price, you’re putting yourself at risk of getting a defective dog. You’re also at risk of buying a dog that was raised in an unethical environment, and in turn, is harboring mental trauma.
This is why you need to do some digging before buying a Maltipoo this way.
Getting a Maltipoo From a Rescue Shelter
Rescue shelters are the best option for those who are bent on making a Maltipoo the newest member of their family but don’t have the budget for it.
Although, you shouldn’t get your hopes up that you’ll find one available there. Maltipoo owners rarely give their dogs away to shelters. So, you should expect to wait your turn on the shelter’s waiting list for this particular breed.
Getting a Maltipoo from a shelter is significantly cheaper than it is through breeders. You can get a dog of this breed at a shelter for as little as $50. However, that’s only if you’re lucky enough to be buying your Maltipoo when the shelter is overcrowded and is offering discounts.
The Maltipoo you’d get at this price is also most likely to be an adult one. Maltipoo puppies are more likely to cost around $300.
Getting your Maltipoo from a shelter poses the same problems as getting it from puppy classifieds. There’s no way of knowing how the dog’s previous owner treated it. Therefore, you may end up with a dog with severe anxiety and mental issues.
What Are the Factors That Determine a Maltipoo’s Price?
As we’ve previously mentioned, there’s a host of factors that determine how expensive a Maltipoo will be.
Let’s get into the details of each one:
Size
Maltipoo dogs come in a trio of different sizes. These sizes, in order from largest to smallest, are miniature, toy, and teacup.
The smaller the size of a Maltipoo, the more expensive it’ll be. That’s because smaller Maltipoos are in higher demand and have a shorter supply. In addition to this, they require plenty of breeding expertise as they’re more prone to inheriting genetic defects.
Generation
As with all mixed dog breeds, Maltipoos that are first-generation dogs are typically less expensive than their second-generation counterparts.
The reason is that it gets more difficult for breeders to avoid inbreeding with each generation. Furthermore, they have to wait a long time to cross dogs from the current generation.
The Breeder’s Reputation
As you’d expect, the Maltipoo prices offered by breeders get increasingly steeper the more solid their reputation is.
This is especially true for breeders that have acquired official certifications from authorities such as the American Kennel Club.
These certifications don’t come easy. Breeders must prove that they’re consistently breeding generations of dogs in tip-top shape healthwise.
Color
Some colors of Maltipoos are harder to come by than others. Therefore, people are prepared to pay top dollar for them. The rarest Maltipoo colors are champagne, red, and chocolate. Maltipoo pups of these colors can cost as much as $15,000.
More regular-colored Maltipoos are white, brown, and black.
Lineage
The ancestry of a Maltipoo pup is also a key factor in determining its price. Maltipoos that are descendants of champion bloodlines tend to be healthier and have more desirable features. In turn, such dogs are more expensive.
Age
Finally, the age of the Maltipoo you’re buying directly affects its price.
Getting a Maltipoo as a puppy is going to cost you more than getting an adult one. Reputable breeders sell Maltipoo puppies for thousands of dollars. In contrast, you’ll find the same breeders selling adult ones for as little as $500.
How Much Does it Cost to Own a Maltipoo?
The cost of getting a Maltipoo isn’t just limited to the price you pay for it upfront. There are plenty of running costs involved in owning and caring for a Maltipoo.
They include:
1. Food Costs
These dogs are quite small, so their feeding requirements aren’t as demanding as with other dog breeds.
You’ll probably find yourself needing to buy one or two bags of dry food every month. This translates to about seven pounds of grub for your Maltipoo monthly. So, you should expect your Maltipoo’s food cost to be around $30 per month.
2. Healthcare Costs
The cost of tending to your Maltipoo’s health is largely dependent on whether your dog has any conditions or illnesses.
For this cost estimation, let’s assume that your Maltipoo is perfectly healthy and free of ailments.
In this case, you’ll still need to visit your vet for routine procedures such as monthly dental cleanings and medical checkups.
As you probably know all too well, visits to the vet don’t come cheap. They can cost roughly $200 per month.
3. Cost of Toys and Entertainment
If you want any dog to stay happy and stimulated, you’ll need to provide it with plenty of toys to keep it entertained.
Maltipoos are no exception, they’re highly playful pups. This is why having several chew toys available at all times is a good idea. It also stops your dog from taking out its energy on your furniture and rugs.
Since your Maltipoo will be sinking its teeth into these toys, you’ll need to replace them once or twice a month. This will amount to a monthly cost of approximately $40.
4. Grooming Costs
The cost of grooming is another running cost you’ll incur with your Maltipoo.
Sure, Maltipoos don’t shed that much. However, their thick fur coat still needs to be regularly brushed to avoid it getting tangled. If you opt to hire a professional for this, you can expect to pay around $50 per month for a groomer to tend to your Maltipoo’s coat, ears, and nails.
If you prefer to groom your Maltipoo yourself, your expenditures will be limited to the cost of the equipment needed.
FAQs
Do Maltipoos make good house pets?
Maltipoos are ideal house pets in a lot of ways. For starters, they’re very small. This means that they’re highly suitable for people who live in small apartments. They’re also incredibly affectionate and cuddly.
To put the icing on the cake, these dogs are hypoallergenic. Therefore, they’re great for those who suffer from allergies.
How long do Maltipoos live?
The typical Maltipoo will live anywhere between 10 and 15 years. The exact lifespan of a Maltipoo depends on its diet and the quality of care it receives from its owner.
It’s also predicated on whether a Maltipoo suffers from any health conditions. Common health issues for this breed include epilepsy, shaker syndrome, and patellar luxation.
What are the disadvantages of owning a Maltipoo?
There are a lot of great things about Maltipoos, but they’re not perfect.
These dogs are highly sensitive to changes in their environment. Therefore, chaotic surroundings may affect their mental health negatively.
You can manage this by exposing your Maltipoo to a variety of different environments from a young age.
Conclusion
How much does a Maltipoo cost? The answer can fall anywhere between $400 and $15,000.
If you’re buying your Maltipoo from classifieds or adopting from a shelter, you can expect to pay a price on the lower end of this spectrum. On the other hand, getting a Maltipoo puppy from a reputable breeder is likely to cost at least $2,000.
Considering how cute and loving these dogs are, they’re worth every penny!