The maltipoo is a hybrid combination of 2 amazing dog breeds that create a very special doodle. The maltipoo is extremely soft and highly affectionate and loves to play. 💗 They are very friendly, charming and make friends easily. But they can also be robust and hardy attentive watch dogs who are fearless with no concept of their own size. 

Let’s take a quick look at the parent breeds of the maltipoo and how those traits make up this super soft doodle package. 

The Maltese originates from Malta which is 60 miles south of Sicily, Italy 🇮🇹 in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. It is speculated that the Maltese was introduced to Malta by the Phoenicians that ruled the waters of the Mediterranean prior to the rise of Greece 🇬🇷 . Malta is an island strategically located for the use of mariners and wealthy merchants moving between three different continents. Once the Maltese made its way to Italy it became a status symbol and fashion statement for the Roman Empire. Wealthy Roman women would state that they were not fully dressed without a “Roman Ladies Dog” with them. 👑

After the fall of the Roman Empire it was China 🇨🇳 that kept the Maltese from extinction during Europe’s Dark Ages. 

The Maltese was later introduced to America in the late 1800s.

Let’s take a quick look at the other half of the maltipoo hybrid.

The Poodle is called Pudel in Germany 🇩🇪 and Caniche in France 🇫🇷 . Both of these names are a nod to the Poodles original breeding use as a water retriever. The German Pudel name translates to puddle or splashing water . The French Caniche name translates to duck dog. 🦆

The Standard Poodles were originally bred as hunters of wildfowl to retrieve the game out of the water. The Miniature Poodle was also bred in France as a talented circus performer 🎪 . These Miniature Poodles were trained to walk tightropes and even perform card tricks and skits. 

Both the Maltese and the Poodle have long histories as companion dogs. 

Sizing it all up

Maltipoos do not have as many size variations as some of the other doodle hybrids. They can weigh between 5 to 20 pounds and stand between 8 to 14 inches tall. Maltipoos have a lot of great doodle qualities packed into one tiny maltipoo package. 🎁

Color Coding, Fur Real

Both the Poodle and the Maltese are known for having very soft and cuddly fur. The Maltese is known to have a striking all white floor length coat. When those fur characteristics are combined with the Poodle’s fur, the combination can be unpredictable but always super soft. The maltipoo can have a curly, straight or wavy hair texture that is low shedding. Maltipoos can be any color that a Poodle can come in including white, black, gray and different shades of brown. 

Maltipoos need to be brushed daily or every other day in order to prevent matting. They will also require a bath about once per month. Maltipoos will probably need to have their hair trimmed once about every 4 to 6 weeks. Owners can take their maltipoos to a groomer or they can learn the grooming skills and do it themselves. Maltipoos will also need to have their ears checked once per week for debris and hair that is too long. Doodles can be prone to ear infections due to their floppy ears trapping dirt and moisture. 

Both the Poodle and the Maltese are dog breeds that have very unique fur characteristics. They are both considered “low shedding” and can help people that may be allergic to dog dander in reducing allergic reactions. When both of these breeds are combined into the maltipoo hybrid it creates a good doodle for allergy sufferers. (Please do your own research on “hypoallergenic”.)

A quick note on hypoallergenic and what that actually means. 

 The AKC states that “there is no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog”. Unfortunately people with dog allergies are usually allergic to the dog dander 🦠, not the dog’s fur. Granted the dog fur can be a carrier for the dog dander it is not the cause of the allergen. The old school of thought was that less dog hair = less allergen. So breeders would attempt to have as many Poodle genes in a dog breed to lessen dog hair shed. Unfortunately, this does not change the level of dander. Please be cautious regarding the labels of “hypoallergenic” if you have dog allergies. If you would like more info on this please read 22 Hypoallergenic Doodles. 🤧

Working it out

Maltipoos are fairly active doodles. They require about 30 minutes of exercise per day to stay happy and healthy. 🚶 In order to ensure that your maltipoo is getting their required daily exercise there are many options. Maltipoos enjoy interactive games and toys and spending time with their owners. They enjoy a nice game of fetch or just playing chase around your apartment on a rainy day. 🌧️  For more active maltipoo owners they can also excel at agility courses they make great little athletes. 

⚠️ One word of warning, it is not recommended to have your doodle participate in highly strenuous activities prior to the age of 10 months due to underdeveloped joints and bones. ⚠️

Come, Sit, Stay

The maltipoo is a highly intelligent doodle that is easy to train. They can excel with consistent and positive training methods. Maltipoos have been known to perform well in obedience training, learning quickly and enjoying the training. Participating in different training with your maltipoo can further increase your bond with your doodle. 💗

One small issue that maltipoo owners may need to work on with their doodle is that maltipoos can be very vocal. Doodle barking can be annoying and create an issue with your neighbors. But maltipoos can be trained to not bark. 🤫

As with all doodles, the maltipoo needs early socialization and puppy classes in order to develop healthy habits for life. 👍

Quality of Life

Maltipoos are fairly healthy doodles who live between 10 to 15 years. Although they are healthy doodles they can still be susceptible to the medical issues of both of their parent breeds. These medical issues include digestive issues, allergies and ear infections. 🩺

So now you want a Maltipoo….

If you are thinking about getting a maltipoo you must make sure that you are in love with any combination of traits that a doodle surprise can offer. 🎁 Your doodle may look exactly like a Maltese but act exactly like a Poodle. Would you be ok with that? What about the other way around? If you can love 💗 ALL of the traits of both parent breeds then DO IT! Doodles are the best! 

I would check at Poodle rescues and also at Maltese specific rescues, they may have a mixed breed/hybrid there as well. Also check regular rescues. Just realize that if you want to rescue you may have to wait to find your dog or travel to pick it up. But there are great benefits to rescuing instead of buying. 👍👏

If you decide to buy a puppy please do your research on the breeder and don’t be afraid to ask the right questions. And good luck to you! I hope you find your forever puppy! 🥰