Ever since Jessica Simpson brought her dog, Daisy, into the public eye, this mixed breed has been getting lots of attention. Although there are many variations in the name, such as Maltipoo, Maltepoo, Malt-i-poo, and Maltapoo, this lovable mix of the Maltese and Poodle is one of the cutest mixed breeds ever. We are the proud owners of two of these precious pups, and have found such joy with our two little guys.
Mixed breeds are the latest craze in pet ownership. New mixes such as the Pekepoos, Schnoodles, Cockapoos, YorkiePoos, and Yorkie Bichons are extremely popular. These small lap dogs are sought after by pet owners of all ages. Although mixed breed puppies cannot be registered as a purebred canine, they can be registered with the North American Mixed Breed Registry.
Mature Maltipoos generally weigh between 5-10 pounds (although neither of our adult dogs are much over four pounds) and are 8-15 inches in height, depending on the size of the parent. What they lack in size, they make up for in personality. They are cheerful, happy dogs and very loving. On a scale of one to ten, with ten being extremely energetic (like a Jack Russell terrier), Maltipoos fall between 5-7. They love walks, being with people, and get along well with children. They are very affectionate and love to sit in the lap and be petted for hours on end, or just curl up in the lap while you read the paper or watch television. They do not like to be left alone for long periods because of their great love of people. Maltipoos make excellent pets for seniors or retired couples, and do well with RV travel or road trips.
Being a Poodle/Maltese mix, they have a non-shedding coat, and their silky fur feels a lot like human hair. Their fur can be either straight or curly but most have a soft wave or slight curl. The fur has an extended growing cycle and grows longer and longer. Although any dog can shed some, the extended growing cycle of their fur means they shed very little. (An un-spayed female will have cyclic shedding if she is not spayed. Even more of a reason to be a responsible pet owner and get this done.) Because of the lack of shedding, many owners find very few problems with allergies with this breed. Their colors are usually light, with blonde and white being the most common, although they can be a variety of colors.
The life span of these dogs, with proper care and nutrition, is 14-18 years. Because of their inquisitive nature, “baby-proofing” your house and proper guidance will keep them safe and secure in their home environment. We have found that our two dogs, even though they are both males, get along very well together.
Because both the poodle and Maltese are very intelligent dogs, the Maltipoo is no exception. A quick learner, they are relatively easy to housetrain, with love and patience. We used the crate training method of housebreaking our puppies, due to our vet’s suggestion, and never used the puppy pad, paper method. Male dogs can be a bit territorial, and want to “mark” everything, but after housetraining, our male now is content to “mark” the outside. Neutering does greatly reduce this tendency.
Maltipoos are available from breeders, but we also got one of ours from a shelter, so notify your local shelter and veterinarian office that you are looking for one and you just might get one at low cost, if your budget won’t allow the $400-$1200 price tag they usually carry.
Being a relatively new mix, there is not much written about them, but I did find one book called Everything You Need to Know about Malt-I-Poo’s by Lynn Hilton. I’m sure more books will follow as more people become the proud owners of these gorgeous pets. If you want to be the owner of a furry bundle of love, get a Maltipoo.
Reference:
- National Mixed Breed RegistryMaltipoo Web Site
