The Maltipoo, a common hybrid between the Maltese and the Poodle, is renowned for its playful and lovable personality. They’ll blend well into any household, whether a studio or a mansion, a couple with children or an older single person.
They’re lovely and energetic. Unfortunately, the American Kennel Club and other worldwide organizations have not yet acknowledged the Maltipoo as a breed.
Additionally, this hypoallergenic designer dog is intended to be a good complement for dog lovers who may be a little more susceptible to puppy fluff.
History: Maltese Poodle Cross
It is claimed that this canine companion was explicitly developed for allergic patients.
Although there is little evidence available on its background of genesis, it’s possible that it emerged around twenty years ago during a great growth for designer varieties, primarily created by mating purebreds.
Although some individuals mate with Maltipoos each other, most puppies are produced through cross-breedings among Maltese and Poodles.
As a result, artists have swarmed Maltipoos, rendering them one of the more popular designer breeds.
| Height | 8 to 14 inches |
| Weight | 5 to 20 lbs |
| Lifespan | 10 to 15 years |
| Breed type | Designer |
| Coat colours | The most common colours include Cream, White, and Silver |
| Best suited for | Families with kids over 6 years of age, Elderly singles, First-time owners |
1. About The Maltese Poodle Cross Breed
Maltipoos are spirited and energetic animals. They make great guards, roaring alertly to notify you of something strange. But, they could not be the greatest option for noise-sensitive individuals or even those who reside in a house with sound regulations.
Both flats and houses are great atmospheres for this breed. They are quite energized indoors. Since they are family pets, they could develop anxiety issues if they are regularly left alone for longer periods.
Maltipoos may make a nice pet for shy or inexperienced owners. They learn quickly and are simple to teach. Maltipoos are joyful, playful canines that have won many people’s hearts. They may serve as the ideal friend for individuals who enjoy their fuzzy charm and can provide the company they desire.
2. Physical Attributes
This breed is not very big. However, the Maltipoo’s size may vary based on whether it’s a Poodle progenitor. Maltipoos typically range in height from 8 to 14 inches and weight from 5 to 20 lbs.
3. Personality And Temperament
Because they are a cross, your dog could develop into something more resembling their Maltese or Poodle origins. This dog is sociable, friendly, clever, and typically gets with anyone it encounters.
Maltipoos are very devoted and affectionate pets that enjoy investing their afternoons resting on their pawrents’ laps. They also enjoy a good stroll. They may also be lively and enthusiastic and love a good game of fetch like they do a good cuddle.
However, this characteristic may cause separation anxiety, mainly if they are left isolated for an extended time. This can lead them to engage in harmful behaviours like self-harm.
Although they are alert and make wonderful warning canines, you shouldn’t depend on them to offer protection.
4. With Family, Kids And Other Pets
Because of their vulnerability to injury, tiny Maltipoos are not suited for households with kids below six. Furthermore, these canines may exhibit snappiness akin to that of their Maltese ancestor, particularly if children are bothering them.
Nevertheless, they are known to get along well with kids. Like any other animal, you should always teach smaller kids how and where to pet and handle your Maltipoo. You should also monitor any encounters involving dogs and children to avoid nipping or clawing on either side.
Regardless of whether raised around them, Maltipoos often interact well with other canines and animals. Given its size, this unique combination poses little harm to cats, and you could even catch your cat frolicking with your pup.
5. Appearance: Maltese Poodle Cross
The Maltipoo has a smooth, puffy coating that feels like fleece and sheds very little. It differs in length from moderate to tall and has wave-to-curl textures. The much more popular colours for the coat are White, Silver and cream. However, their coat also comes in several hues.
6. Training
Given that this designer dog is a descendant of the very clever Poodle, recognized for its intelligence, training them will be quite straightforward. However, all canines need a great deal of patience and continuous reinforcement training regimes.
Keep in mind that they are still growing and evolving, and learning is a significant phase that may even deepen the link between the dog and its pawrent.
The Maltipoo pups must be crate trained to decrease their absence anxiety levels. Place their most prized possessions inside the container to keep it cozy. Don’t ever put them in the crates against their preferences or utilize them as punishment.
Socialization training from an early age is essential and should expose Maltipoos to various positive and negative scenarios.
7. Diet And Nutrition
Feed them high-quality dry dog food free of all artificial ingredients and colours. Like most other Poodle Combinations, they are petite and don’t need much food to satisfy their stomachs.
They will need between 1/2 and 2 servings of premium dry food daily. Don’t feed your dog all of its meals in one go. Alternatively, consider dividing their food into portions. Try serving three to four equally spaced meals a day.
Considering that this dog is a miniature form, it is advised that they be fed a premium dry kibbled food explicitly designed for smaller dog breeds. This will guarantee that they meet their full daily requirement of calories, proteins, and fats.
8. Activity
The Maltese and Poodle mix needs frequent activity to maintain health and happiness. They may appear to be best suited for nuclear families due to their small size, but every dog needs the chance to get some exercise. This dog must preferably exercise for half an hour each day.
This dog may be ideal for you if you are not an athlete or an outgoing person because the Maltese Poodle Mix performs well enough with brief morning or afternoon walks followed by lots of indoor playtimes. Perhaps they like swimming as well.
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9. Health Concerns
The typical lifespan of a Poodle Maltese hybrid is around 10 to 15 years, with 12 to 13 years cited as the Maltipoo’s median longevity.
It’s possible for a first-generation mix, like a Maltipoo, to acquire both of its parents’ medical conditions. Understand the health issues Maltese and the Poodle faced before adopting a Maltipoo.
- White Shaker Syndrome: Some symptoms of White Shaker Syndrome are bodily trembling, loss of balance and coordination, and flickering eye gaze. Such incidents usually begin when the dog is angry or overexcited between six months and three years.
- Patellar Luxation: Patellar luxation is another typical issue in small dogs. An orthopedic problem in dogs of small breeds.
- Mitral Valve Disease: Small dogs are more susceptible to mitral valve disease than larger canines. Additionally, miniature poodles are especially vulnerable. To some extent, this danger will be transferred to Maltipoos with such a mini poodle father.
- Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis: It is a severe brain disorder that results in brain edema, irritation, and tissue loss in the brain’s components. It seems to be an infection, but it is unclear if Maltese combinations like the Maltese-Poodle mix are in danger of contracting it.
- Idiopathic Epilepsy: Canine seizures are brought on by epilepsy. Although epilepsy cannot be healed, it can be controlled with medicine.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy: It is a degenerative eye disease that inevitably leads to blindness because of the degradation of the retina’s photoreceptor cells.
- Portosystemic Shunt: An irregular blood flow between the liver and the tissues is known as a portosystemic shunt. Symptoms often start to show before the two-year mark. A particular diet and precise surgery both aid in long-term control.
- Legg–Calve–Perthes Disease: Many miniature breeds are also impacted by this problem. The major hind leg bone’s cap, which connects to the hip, starts to degenerate when your Maltipoo develops Legg-Perthes because the blood circulation to it is reduced.
The issue can be managed surgically by getting rid of the afflicted femur so that it is no longer attached to the hips.
10. Care
The Maltipoo requires frequent brushing to maintain a clean, matting-free coat. In addition, its crown will require trimming each month.
To maintain the coats silky and clean, Maltipoos should be bathed at least once every month. To maintain a tidy appearance, clip the fuzz around the eyes.
Make careful to inspect their ears for any buildup of wax periodically. Additionally, ears should be maintained hygienically because they collect dust, dirt, and water.
To get rid of germs and tartar, clean your Maltipoo’s molars at least twice or thrice per week. When necessary, clip their claws once or twice per month. Clipping is long overdue if you hear the nails grinding on the flooring.
Also Read: 5 Best Dog Grooming Kits in Australia Buying Guide
Final Words
The Maltipoo may be as adorable on the inside as they are outside and make fantastic companions. They are known to be safe for allergy patients. They make excellent companions with adequate socialization and upbringing.
Maltipoos do well in households lacking young children or where somebody will be there most of the time. However, they are predisposed to various health issues shared by both parents.
So, before taking one in, do your homework and be cautious about getting the appropriate health testing.
If you found this article helpful, keep reading for more exciting breed profiles!
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