Also known as the Maltipoo, the Poodle Maltese mix is a designer dog. The adorable mixed breed makes for a loveable companion, whether it’s for families, couples, or seniors.
Maltipoos are loyal, intelligent, and playful dogs. They love quality time with their owners. It can be during playtime, walking, or lounging around the couch.
Caring for the breed is easy, except during grooming time. Its fluffy coats need a lot of care and money. Besides that, stick around to learn more about Maltipoos and why you should own one.
History
The Poodle Maltese mix was originally bred about two to three decades ago in the United States. To understand the true origins of the mixed breed, let’s dive into each of its parents’ history.
Poodle Origins
Firstly, Poodles are hunter-dogs in 14th to 15th century Germany. Hunters used them to retrieve shot waterfowl.
Their coats allowed them to stay warm as they waded through cold waters. The famed Poodle haircuts we know now originate from old ones used to ease the breed’s swimming movements. They include the continental trim, which is popular in dog shows today.
Aside from that, Poodles evolved into three distinct sizes: standard, miniature, and toy. Circuses enlisted the smaller-sized dogs to perform tricks.
Maltese Origins
Compared to the Poodle, Maltese dogs are ancient. The breed has been around for an astounding 3,000 years. Historians speculate that Maltese dogs’ origin is anywhere around Sicily, Southern Europe, and Egypt.
Aside from that, the breed’s growth and spread centered in Malta. The Phoenicians colonized the region only to bring the small dog to the world. That said, people primarily thought of Maltese dogs as companions.
On some occasions, the dog would hunt vermin around merchant ships. Over the years, the breed gained traction worldwide as a companion. Later, it became one of the first breeds to compete in professional dog shows.
Appearance
The Maltipoo is your best bet if you’re looking for a forever puppy. The breed has a small frame inherited from its toy/miniature Poodle and Maltese parents. It almost compares to a stuffed animal with its fluffy exterior and button brown eyes.
A Maltipoo has a short snout adorned with an adorable brown nose. Meanwhile, its ears cast down around its face, giving it a pigtail appearance.
Size
Poodle Maltese mixes can stand between 8 to 14 inches.
Weight
Maltipoos weigh around 5 to 20 pounds.
Color
Maltese and Poodle dogs come in a variety of shades and patterns. Your mixed dog can come in either color mentioned below.
- White
- Black
- Gray
- Cream
- Brown
Coat
Poodles are known for their luscious, curled locks. Meanwhile, Maltese dogs have soft straight coats. When mixed, you can expect a wooly, wavy coat. Fortunately, both Maltese and Poodles have single coats with minimal shedding.
Facts
Check out some interesting and helpful facts about Maltipoos below.
They’re Sun Intolerant
Maltipoos are indoor dogs and don’t do well with intense heat. So much so that you may have to carry your pet during those extra-warm summer days.
They’re Healthier
Maltipoos are healthier than their parents. Purebred dogs have a restricted gene pool which can easily pass down inherited diseases. Meanwhile, mixed breeds are less likely to carry these genetic issues.
They Have Diverse Coats
The mixed dog has three different coat possibilities. It can either be:
- Wiry and wavy
- Curly and coarse
- Soft and silky
The curlier the coat, the more closely related your Maltipoo is to its Poodle parent. On the other hand, if it’s veering towards the silky and straight pattern, it’s more Maltese.
Care Requirements
Maltipoos are easy to care for in terms of their diet and exercise. The care requirement you may find challenging is their grooming.
Both parent breeds have gorgeous hair that needs lots of TLC. Apart from that, here’s what to expect when owning a Maltipoo.
Diet
As small-sized pets, Maltipoos don’t require large portions to sustain themselves. Nevertheless, they have a higher metabolic rate compared to larger-sized breeds.
In turn, they need more calories per pound of body weight, which can amount to 30 to 40. Subsequently, a 200 to 300-calorie diet is sufficient. Your main concern is fitting all the essential nutrients into their smidge diet.
Puppyhood
In their puppy stages, Maltipoos need all the nutrients they can receive for healthy growth. You can stretch their meals to three to four daily ones.
Besides that, you need to double down on their protein intake. It can include chicken, lamb, or turkey. Additionally, focus on healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, which you can provide through seafood.
For convenience’s sake, you can buy a puppy formula catered to your pet’s dietary needs. Be sure to avoid foods with preservatives, additives, and fillers.
Adulthood
During adulthood, your Maltipoo can eat around two to three meals daily. As your pet grows, you can transition them to an adult-formulated diet. When choosing between wet or dry food, the latter is preferable.
Maltipoos have tiny teeth that can easily catch dental issues. Wet food increases their vulnerability to those oral problems. On the other hand, dry kibble creates chewy friction, which produces less plaque than wet food.
Exercise
Maltipoos are an active crossbreed. Its Poodle and Maltese parents enjoy long walks and interactive games. Physical and mental stimulation is critical to this breed’s welfare.
It’ll avoid issues, such as destructive behavior, that can chew into your favorite shoes. To keep your Poodle Maltese mix in shape, 40 minutes of exercise are ideal. You can split the 40 minutes into two 20-minute intervals daily.
Alternatively, a game of fetch or catch in the backyard is also a perfect exercise choice, especially if you’re running a tight schedule.
Plus, you get to spend more one-to-one time with your four-legged friend. Nevertheless, we suggest you take them to parks or beaches to further their sociability.
Grooming
Grooming your Poodle Maltese mix is where the challenging part comes in. Poodles and Maltese dogs are, by no means, excessive shedders. Nonetheless, their coats require lots of maintenance, including daily brushes and professional groomer visits.
If your mixed breed inherits the curlier lineage, daily brushes are necessary to avoid matting messes. You can use a pin or slicker brush. You can ease the brushing routine to every other day once your dog grows into adulthood.
When it comes to haircuts, your pet may need one every six weeks. For this reason, we suggest training your dog to behave well at the groomer.
Besides that, Maltipoos have long ears prone to infection. Consequently, you need to clean them out weekly or biweekly.
You can also clean around their eye area using pet wipes. As for dental hygiene, clean your Maltipoo’s teeth two to three times per week.
Bathing
Bathing Maltipoos is essential since their long hair can catch lots of dirt and debris. You can schedule their shower time for a day every month.
Before showering, spray their hair with a detangling agent and brush it out. Then, wet its hair thoroughly before scrubbing the shampoo over its skin. Afterward, rinse and repeat the process as often as needed.
Next, use a conditioner to pump back moisture into your Maltipoo’s waves. Wash off the conditioner and gently towel dry your pet. Lastly, use a wide-tooth comb to rake through their hair for a final detangling session.
Temperament
Maltese and Poodle dogs don’t stretch too far from each other in terms of temperaments. Both are affectionate, loyal, and intelligent breeds, making their crossbreed no different.
Maltipoos can’t get enough of their owner’s attention and are exceptional companions. Their intense loyalty can backfire at times.
Too much alone time usually brings separation anxiety and destructive behavior. Subsequently, we recommend showering the dog with lots of love and praise to ease its mental welfare.
Socialization
As an intelligent breed, your Maltipoo needs lots of mental stimulation from social activities. Socializing the pet at a young age is crucial. Otherwise, they may get cautious and uncomfortable around new people.
That said, Maltipoos can make for excellent family dogs. You may need to be wary of toddlers. The pet’s small frame and rough play don’t go well together.
Plus, the Maltese blood in Maltipoos can get skittish around children. For this reason, supervision is necessary.
Barking
Maltese and Poodle dogs are moderate barkers. Consequently, you can expect the same from your mixed breed. Luckily, you can train your Maltipoo to stop barking.
To do so, you’ll need to understand first why they’re barking. It could be the lack of mental and physical activity, which leads to separation anxiety. In this case, you can provide them with more attention and exercise.
Alternatively, the pet may be trying to alert you. In addition, your Maltipoo might be barking for your attention. In turn, you’ll want to ignore it. Otherwise, they’ll assume that barking equals attention, and the situation will only worsen.
Training
The good news is that Maltese and Poodle dogs are both easy to train, thanks to their clever temperament. Maltipoos require positive reinforcement methods in their training. You can use a form of reward to stress good behavior, like treats and praise.
Avoid resorting to punishments since they’ll only confuse them and lead to unwanted behavior. Apart from that, Maltipoos can benefit from obedience training. The method needs consistency and routine.
Socialization training is also an essential step to take with your pet. It’ll eliminate most of the challenges you’ll face with their behavior. Plus, it’ll make your groomer’s or vet visits less tedious.
Additionally, you can teach your mixed breed lots of cool tricks. Maltipoos can easily pick up on commands. They’ll enjoy cooperating with you since they’re devoted people pleasers.
Health Considerations
Before considering owning a Maltipoo, we suggest familiarizing yourself with its health considerations.
Life Expectancy
Maltipoos can live anywhere between 10 to 15 years.
Health Complications
As a crossbreed, Maltipoos are less likely to develop health disorders. Aside from that, here are some health complications your mixed breed may inherit from its purebred lineage.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
PRA progressively results in blindness. The inherited disease creeps through your dog’s night vision. Six months after this, it may experience vision loss. PRA has no known cure or treatment as of yet.
White Shaker Syndrome
White Shaker Syndrome occurs when your Maltipoo’s cerebellum becomes inflamed. It results in rigorous shaking, which can be mistaken for your pet being cold. Treatment involves steroid administration that suppresses the Maltipoo’s immune system.
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease causes the degeneration of the Maltipoo’s femoral head. In turn, the illness may lead to arthritis. The main sign of the disease is limping. Vets will likely prescribe pain medication to ease your pet’s discomfort.
Price
Maltipoo puppies typically run similar prices compared to their purebred parents. They can cost anywhere between $1,500 to $3,000. The price mainly depends on the breeder and the cost of care they offer.
Before sealing the deal with a breeder, visit their facility and assess its condition. Additionally, request documents, such as medical and family records, to ensure their legitimacy. They should provide you with the papers with little resistance.
Meanwhile, adopting a Maltipoo can cost a more reasonable $100 to $600. When adopting the dog, the owners should brief you about its background. That way, you can be aware of any behavioral issues you may encounter.
To increase your chances of rescuing a Maltipoo, you can ask a shelter to place you on a waiting list. Alternatively, keep a watchful eye on their website.
Final Thoughts
Maltipoos are a fun-loving and energetic breed. They may be small, but they pack a lot of personality and tricks up their sleeves.
The mixed breed is low-maintenance when it comes to diet and exercise. Nevertheless, its grooming routine will require a lot of attention and money.
It’ll all be worth it. Imagine seeing its gorgeous coat fly in the wind as you walk it through the park on a colorful Spring afternoon.