What is a Maltese Poodle Cross Called?
The gorgeous Maltipoo is a dog breed resulting from Maltese and Poodle mixes. They are playful and smart dogs making them excellent family dogs. Their affectionate nature makes them ideal companions; hence they are a great dog choice for couples, individuals, and seniors who live alone. Additionally, they are low-maintenance furry friends and are suitable for first-time dog owners.
Are you keen on discovering more about the Maltipoo dog? This detailed informational article will provide you with all the details you need to know about the Maltipoo mix. Read on to discover more.
How Big do Maltipoos Get, and What Is Their Average Lifespan?
The Maltipoo is a relatively small dog breed. Their appearance usually remains very puppy-like even as they age. Dog owners who love moving around with their pups will find this dog’s size perfect.
The full-grown Maltipoo has a height of between 10 to 12 inches. Additionally, most weigh between 10 and 20 pounds. Their height and weight usually depend on gender, the size of their parents, and whether they were spayed or neutered.
If you are interested in a small Maltipoo, it would be best to go for a female or ask your breeder to cross two smaller parents. If you prefer a larger dog, ensure you go for male pups from larger parents. Genetics plays a key role when it comes to size.
On average, the lifespan of a Maltipoo is about 12 to 16 years.
The Temperament of Maltipoo
The Maltipoo is an exciting companion dog that loves being around people and blossoms on human attention. They are normally loyal to their human parents. If you get one, it will care for you as much as you care for it. Besides that, they also fall in love with anyone they meet and want to be friends with everyone.
Because the Maltese Poodle loves attention and being by your side, they don’t do well if you deny them that attention. In this regard, pet parents with Maltipoos should avoid leaving them alone for long periods because they will exhibit some destructive behaviors out of frustration. Luckily, you can take care of separation anxiety using socialization from a young age.
Additionally, the Maltipoo is a playful dog despite not having a high activity level. They are also very smart, and mental stimulation is beneficial. As a result, it is easier for parents and dog trainers to train them. Your Maltipoo will love playing with you and are also famous for their mischievousness.
Is a Maltipoo Hypoallergenic?
Yes, Maltipoos are hypoallergenic and make an excellent option for individuals with allergies. However, the most important question would be whether you or any of your family members would be allergic to your newly acquired toy Maltipoo.
Well, it is a known fact that Maltipoos fall under the low to non-shedding dogs category. This implies that there is very little chance that your allergies will be triggered. Additionally, the Maltipoo does not have a lot of dander, making them ideal for people with dog allergies.
What are the Characteristics of a Maltipoo Mix?
Because the Poodle Maltese Mix is not a purebred, the American Kennel Club does not recognize it as a dog breed. Therefore, it does not have any specific breed standards. Nevertheless, certain characteristics distinguish it.
It does not matter which one is the sire or the dam during this dog’s breeding because both parents are petite. Therefore, the male and female breed usually varies from breeder to breeder. Additionally, the litter size from the Poodle Maltese mix is relatively small, with about four puppies per litter.
Here are the most notable characteristics of a Maltipoo:
Appearance
The Maltipoo can look more like a Maltese or Poodle depending on the inherented genetics. Moreover, their appearance mostly depends on their parents’ physical features.
They usually have a muscular build of a Poodle and the classiness of a Maltese. However, most of them are very small, making them fragile. Therefore, their ideal environment is a house with older children or without big dogs to minimize their chances of getting hurt.
Color
The standard color of a Poodle is white, while a Maltese comes in many different colors. As a result, the Maltipoo can come in many different colors. Additionally, being a designer breed, they are likely to be unique in their colorway and design.
In this regard, your Maltipoo puppies could be black, brown, cream, grey, white, silver, or blue. However, the most common colors are white and light beige.
Coat
The Poodle Maltese Mix has a short to medium coat with a texture ranging from curly to straight. Their coat is also slightly hypoallergenic but not wholly so, as it tends to trap more dander.
The Rich History of the Maltese Poodle Mix
Maltipoos were initially bred to be hypoallergenic dogs. Additionally, they were produced to be intelligent and playful dogs receiving dominant characteristics from both parents. To better understand the Maltipoo’s origin, it would help to look at the parents’ history.
The Poodle
The Poodle comes from the French and German border between the 15th and 16th centuries. Furthermore, the breed was associated with the upper class in that community. Many owners used them for hunting waterfowl because they are excellent water dogs.
Later, their stunning looks make them very popular. They bred the Toy Poodle from the Standard Poodle by selecting the most miniature puppies from each litter and using them for breeding. The first time they were seen in America was in the 20th century.
The Maltese
The Maltese is older than the Poodle. Experts claim that this dog breed was first bred around 500 BC. But, the breed’s miniaturization was done in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Furthermore, their size and astounding floor-length coat made them very popular companions among the rich. Since 1912, white has been the breed’s standard color. At the moment, the Maltipoo is one of the most loved Toy breeds in the world.
Maltese and Poodle Mixes
There are not enough details about the origin of the Maltese Poodle mix. However, there are a few known facts such as:
- The first time the Maltipoo was bred in the US was about 30 years ago, making it a relatively new dog breed.
- The aim of designing this breed was to develop an intelligent yet playful dog that did not shed much.
Health Concerns Associated With the Maltipoo
Every dog breed has health concerns its pet parent should know, and the Maltipoo is not an exception. Unfortunately, this dog breed inherits some health issues from their parent breeds, making them susceptible to health issues that the Maltese and Poodle have.
Here are the most common health concerns the Maltipoo faces:
White Shaker Syndrome
This syndrome is common in small dogs and cause’s the dog’s entire body to shake. Experts have revealed that inflammation causes the White Shaker Syndrome in the brain, which is idiopathic. Some owners usually mistake this for the shake caused by cold. However, if you suspect your furry friend is suffering from White Shaker Syndrome, you should consult your vet.
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a common health issue facing the Maltipoo. In simple terms, it is an enlarged heart that does not fit as it should. Besides that, they can also face numerous challenges associated with the left side of the heart.
Patellar Luxation
This is a prevalent condition in small dogs. It is a result of the patella not being properly aligned. Patellar Luxation can lead to lameness in the leg or an abdominal gait.
Epilepsy
This is an episodic seizural disorder treated with medication.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
This is an eye disorder that leads to blindness. It usually leads to the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the dog’s eye, leading to loss of sight.
Obesity
Obesity is a common challenge in dogs, especially as they grow older. In this regard, you should keep your Maltipoo’s weight in check to ensure it lives a healthy, happy, and long life. You’ll discover more about exercising your Maltipoo later in this guide.
Other common health concerns associated with Maltipoo dogs include:
- Joint pains and hip bone deterioration.
- Skin issues.
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.
- Portosystemic shunt.
It will be best to buy your Maltipoo from a reputable breeder as this will help to reduce health issues. Additionally, watch out for any signs of these health concerns and take your Maltipoo for regular health checks at a licensed veterinary practice.
Caring for Your Maltipoo
Caring for your Maltipoo is a critical skill for every dog parent. In this detailed section, you will learn how to feed your Maltipoo, its exercise, and grooming needs.
Diet
Being a small breed, the Maltipoo does not require a lot of food. The general rule you should consider is 40 calories per pound of body weight per day. This is around 200 calories or one cup of food daily. However, it would help to read the food packaging packet to learn the exact amount of food you should feed your furry friend based on their size.
Experts recommend that you should not feed your Maltese Poodle mix in one go. Instead, consider breaking up the food into three to four meals each day. It would help if you also fed them with high-quality dry kibble specially formulated for feeding smaller breeds. This way, you will ensure your furry friend gets the right amount of energy, fat, and proteins every day.
Finally, Maltipoos love dog treats, so better have them on hand!
Grooming
The Maltipoo is generally easy to take care of, although you need to groom them more often. Whether your pup has the curly coat of a Poodle or the long coat of a Maltese, you might need to brush its fur almost daily. This is particularly important if your Maltipoo has curlier hair than a Poodle due to matting making it uncomfortable.
Furthermore, your pooch’s coat should be professionally groomed every six weeks to keep them looking sharp. You will also have to check their ears regularly and have their nails clipped by groomers.
Apart from that, it is essential to check your pup’s dental hygiene. This will help prevent gum disease and dental decay. Therefore, try to brush their teeth as often as you can to avoid any health problems.
Grooming your pup regularly from a young age reinforces the bond you have with your Maltipoo. Moreover, when you start grooming from a young age allows them to understand that there is nothing to be scared about.
Socializing
It is a simple task to socialize your Maltipoo. However, it is also advisable to do it from a young age by introducing it to many people, places, sounds, smells, and sights. Luckily, this dog breed loves the company of humans and other pets.
Training
The Maltese and the Poodle are both intelligent dogs that enjoy learning. In this sense, it is relatively easy to train a Maltipoo. But, it will help to be patient and consistent with them even though they pick up commands quickly.
Dog training experts recommend the use of positive reinforcement with your Maltipoo. For example, you can use verbal praise and treats. On the other hand, you are warned against using punishment with them.
This is because they are devoted to their owners and would not understand when you punish them. Additionally, they can become confused and hurt, which could result in destructive behavior.
Many dog owners have claimed in their reviews online that the Maltipoo is easy to potty train. According to the experienced owners, praise and repetitive routines produce the best potty training results. For instance, you can use your pup’s scent to make it use the same spot as its toilet.
Many pet parents claim they use pee pads by slightly rubbing a new one onto an old one to make your dog think it has marked its place there.
The Maltese Poodle Mix Exercise Contingent
The Maltipoo is regarded as an indoor dog. However, this does mean that they don’t like to exercise. In this regard, your pups should get between 30 to 40 minutes of exercise every day. But, this does not mean you walk your Maltipoo for 40 minutes daily. Instead, you can slit the time over games, runs, and walks to keep them entertained as you engage them.
Mental stimulation is also beneficial to the Maltipoo. These pups love to spend time with their owners; hence playing indoor games would be beneficial. They also love tagging along as you go for your trips or to the beach.
Is the Maltipoo a Good Family Dog?
The Maltipoo is known to adapt to any situation, making it a perfect family pet. Moreover, because of their small size, they are also excellent for town and apartment living. Their exercise needs are small, and they don’t require a large backyard to run around.
Besides that, the Maltese Poodle mixes usually get well with other animals meaning they will dwell in peace with other pets in the household. Another factor that makes the Maltipoo an excellent family dog is that they are easy to train and socialize. This makes them the best dogs for individuals who don’t have experience with dogs.
Moreover, the Maltipoo will do well with your children. However, their size makes them very delicate. In this sense, it would help to teach your children to be careful when handling this hybrid dog to avoid hurting them.
Before buying a Maltese Poodle, ensure you have enough time to spend with it because it requires a lot of attention. They don’t do well when they are left alone; they prefer an environment with people. As mentioned earlier, leaving them alone for long hours makes them exhibit destructive behavior.
Pros and Cons of Owning a Maltipoo
Pros:
- The Maltipoo can live anywhere.
- It maintains a puppy-like appearance throughout its lifetime.
- It is eager to make new friends.
- The Maltese Poodle is also intelligent and a fast learner.
- It is ideal for individuals living in apartments and small houses.
Cons:
- It needs a lot of upkeep because of its fast-growing coat.
- It is challenging to house train.
- You must brush their hair every day.
- They can be noisy as they bark when excited.
Quirky Facts About Maltese Poodle Mixes
- There are three celebrities regarded as the owners of the Maltese Poodle mix, namely: Ashley Tisdale, Ellen DeGeneres, and Jessica Simpson.
- Their friendly temperament and caring nature make them ideal therapy animals.
- The Poodle and Maltese both have histories that go back to ancient Royalty.
- Their names vary as per their location, each having different spellings, including Malt-e-poo, Malt-a-poo, and Malt-I-poo.
- The Maltipoo is intelligent and quick to learn. These features make them easy to train, but it also means that they require regular mental stimulation.
- The Maltipoo temperament allows it to quickly adapt to any home as long as they stay inside and prefer being around their owners.
- A true Maltipoo is a mix between a pure Poodle and a pure Maltese.
Does a Maltipoo Bark Excessively?
If you adopt a Maltipoo from an inexperienced or irresponsible breeder, it can cause you problems. Maltipoo puppies should be trained to a certain extent when they are still young to maintain proper behavior. This is particularly critical in their relationship with humans and other animals.
The Maltipoo can be challenging to train and noisy, especially if its parent is not giving them enough attention and care. Also, as mentioned earlier, the Maltipoo does not like being alone. Therefore, if you live in a small townhouse or an apartment and are gone for long hours, your Maltipoo might bark whenever it feels lonely.
Summary
The Maltese Poodle mixes make excellent pets for different kinds of people. It has a great temperament, and its size makes it very portable. Moreover, pet parents should know that the Maltipoo thrives on companionship.
Therefore, they should ensure they spend time with their furry friends. Additionally, there are several health risks associated with the dog breed which you should be aware of.
The bottom line is, the Maltipoo is a great dog, especially for first-time dog owners. It is easy to maintain and fun to be around.