Last Updated on August 21, 2022 by Pets Feed
The Maltipoo, also called the Maltese poodle, is a hybrid breed. It is one of the most popular crossbreed dogs due to its great intelligence and its fur.
We are more than used to certain breeds of dogs like German Shepherds, Dalmatians, Poodles, etc. However, cross dogs and hybrid breeds are becoming more and more popular, that is to say dogs from certain crosses between breeds.
One of these crossbreed varieties is the one we show in this ‘ Pets Feed ‘ breed sheet, the adorable Maltipoo! This dog is the result of crossing the toy poodle and the Maltese bichon. Combining the virtues of the two breeds, this is a dog that deserves to be discovered.
Maltipoo – a charming miniature dog with soft, curly hair, will appeal to both a novice and an experienced dog breeder.
A restless and very active dog will be a fun companion for the whole family, but children with whom the dog plays with pleasure for a day and night get a special pleasure from talking with Maltipoo.
Read on and know the features of the Maltipoo!
This is one of the most energetic animals. The dog can run for several hours in a row, without a break. The dog prefers long, active walks. Such animals must not be let off the leash. Maltipoo will not be able to defend themselves when they meet an aggressive dog.
Maltipoo photos
Breed standard
The maltipoo is a small dog or (toy dog), since many specimens do not exceed 2-3 kilograms. However, it is possible to find larger specimens that reach 7 kilograms. Their weight and size depend essentially on the size of their parents and the predominant genetics of the puppy. Because it is a very new breed, its life expectancy is unknown, however, it is estimated to be 12-14 years old.
Maltipoo size
Each individual is special. The dimensions of an adult maltipoo dog are compact. There are dogs with a height of 12 to 35 cm.
Adult size of the maltipoo (average): 20-30 cm
Weight of maltipoo dog
- Teacup Maltipoo: 1-2, 5 kilograms.
- Maltipoo mini toy: 2.5 – 4 kilograms.
- Toy Maltipoo: 4 – 7 kilos.
Colors of maltipoo
The hairs of a maltipoo are considered hypoallergenic, in general they are smooth and dense, of a length similar to that of a Maltese bichon. The colors accepted are the same as in the case of poodles, although the most common are light colors, such as white or cream. In addition, there can be many colors such as blue, gray in various varieties, brown or black, among others. Thus, it is possible to find a black, white, brown maltipoo …
Maltipoo puppy
When the maltipoo is born, it is an adorable little ball of fur which, growing up, shows its great passion for the game and the company. It is a very dependent puppy that requires attention and affection almost all the time. Normally, he calms down as he grows, although he continues to be an active and playful dog.
Character and temperament of the maltipoo
Maltipoo is a very curious and good-natured breed. It gets along well with children, will be an excellent companion for an elderly person, has a positive attitude towards any pets, from small rodents to cats.
The miniature dog is very active, it always plays with pleasure and fulfills the owner’s commands, not leaving him alone for a minute.
Maltipoo character is imbued with loyalty, friendliness, affability and true enjoyment of an active life
Obviously, this little dog will never become a good watchdog, because of his good-natured character, he trusts absolutely everyone, including strangers, with whom he very quickly finds a common language. On the one hand, this is a good quality, but on the other hand, maltipoo can suffer because of her kindness, since he absolutely cannot defend herself.
One of the main character traits of the Maltipoo is curiosity. Therefore, you need to strictly monitor the order in the house where there is a Maltipoo puppy, for example, a dog can swallow any small part or toy lying on the floor.
Cynologists recommend this breed for canistherapy – this is a relatively new, but already very popular method of treatment and rehabilitation of critically ill patients with the help of specially trained dogs.
The method is based on close psycho-emotional contact between a dog and a person, patients can simply observe the animals, or communicate with them while walking.
Maltipoo is a very sensitive dog, he is able to feel the mood of his owner and in case of trouble he will tenderly console him, faithfully looking into his eyes.
These dogs require a good attitude towards themselves and true love. Otherwise, they can become depressed and suffer from various diseases.
Basic care
Representatives of the Maltipoo breed are suitable for living, both in a country house and in a small apartment.
This miniature dog cannot live in a booth or aviary – the animal cannot tolerate loneliness, can howl or bark loudly, so it is best to place the dog next to the owner in the house.
Also, you should not let it walk without supervision so that the dog won’t get lost or injured.
If you plan to keep the Maltipoo in the apartment, you need to prepare for it some accessories: a sunbed, a tray, a collar and a leash, bowls for food and water, several types of toys.
This breed is well behaved, so it will not be difficult to accustom a puppy to the tray, the main thing is to do this from an early age. Also, the dog living in the apartment needs daily walks, at least 15-20 minutes, and at least twice a day.
Walking the dogs should be daily – in the morning, in the evening, for 20-30 minutes.
If the Maltipoo lives in a country house, then you can walk it in the yard, but do not leave it unattended for a long time.
In order for your pet to always be fun and healthy, you need to provide it with proper care. This includes procedures such as bathing, clipping, cleansing the eyes and ears, and brushing the teeth.
The thick coat of the Maltipoo requires special attention. Its smooth hair is recommended to be combed regularly with a metal comb. Curly hair should be combed with a natural bristle brush every two days. Hard wool needs regular trimming, and only a specialist should do this.
You can bathe this little dog once a month, clean the hair carefully and dry it with a hairdryer so that it does not stray into lumps.
A puppy needs to start brushing its teeth at an early age. The procedure is performed at least once every five to seven days, using special accessories purchased at a veterinary pharmacy or pet store.
The Maltipoo inherited excess lacrimation and sour eyes as a legacy from the Maltese lap-dog, therefore it is necessary to flush the dog’s eyes with a weak tea solution at least every five to six days.
To clean your dog’s ears, you will have to purchase a special lotion in a veterinary pharmacy – a cotton pad is moistened in it, which then removes dirt from the auricles. Ears should be cleaned at least once a month.
The Maltipoo skin is sensitive to cold, therefore in winter it is recommended to lubricate the nose and pads of the feet with special products based on natural wax.
Cleaning your dog’s teeth every 4 days is a must.
Diet
Maltipoo can be fed with natural products or premium industrial feed.
A serving of food should strictly correspond to the age and weight of the dog. As for natural food, you will need to consult a veterinarian who will help you create the right diet and select the necessary complex of mineral and vitamin supplements for your pet.
The puppy needs to be fed from three to five times a day, an adult pet needs only two feedings – in the morning and in the evening. Cooked meat should prevail in the daily diet of the animal. It can be beef (veal), rabbit, poultry.
You can also give the dog boiled fish of low-fat varieties. Twice a week it is allowed to give finely chopped pieces of raw beef. The rest of the diet consists of cereals, vegetables and dairy products.
Dogs of any breed are contraindicated food from a common table, all dishes for animals are prepared separately. Sometimes you can pamper your pet with pieces of fruit.
Do not forget that, regardless of the type of food, the pet should always have fresh drinking water in the drinker.
Health
Although it is a fairly healthy hybrid dog, maltipoo can inherit a series of congenital pathologies from Maltese poodles and bichons. One of these conditions is progressive retinal atrophy, which is very typical in Maltese dogs and poodles, and which must be diagnosed early, as advanced cases usually lead to permanent blindness.
Poodles inherit the tendency to develop hip dysplasia, for which certain exercises and treatments such as chondroprotectors are recommended. Poodles can also inherit the propensity to suffer from abdominal distension or eye problems. In contrast, the Bichon Maltese tends to suffer from diseases of the respiratory system, as well as oral disorders, such as deformities or infections of the teeth and mouth.
In order to keep our maltipoo in the best possible condition, it is essential to make regular visits to the veterinarian, to carry out the appropriate tests and controls, as well as to put in the vaccines and to apply the appropriate deworming products for deworming. external and internal.
Training and education
Despite the fact that representatives of Maltipoo dogs lend themselves well to training, they often show obstinacy. Therefore, the owner will have to demonstrate his firmness and patience in order to properly raise the baby.
Otherwise, the dog will quickly learn to manipulate all members of the family and become uncontrollable.
Lessons with a maltipoo puppy should be started from the first days of his stay in a new house. It is very important to immediately establish contact and establish a trusting relationship with the Maltipoo, and then begin to teach the rules of behavior in a new place.
First of all, the dog needs to be accustomed to the toilet, at first it can be a regular hygienic diaper, later the dog can use the tray.
It is also important to teach your Maltipoo to walk in a collar and on a leash, and it is best to start training as early as possible so that the first walk on a leash does not become additional stress for your pet.
A pre-trained maltipoo puppy on the street will not try to get rid of the collar; instead, he will be happy to explore new territory or play with the owner.
To Maltipoo, as well as to many other decorative breeds, one cannot use brute force, otherwise the dog will grow up closed and cowardly.
The duration of training should not exceed twenty minutes, while classes should be held according to the reward system. If the puppy does not obey or incorrectly executes commands, you cannot scold him, let alone beat him – the rude behavior of the owner will negatively affect the psyche of the Maltipoo.
Do not forget to treat the Maltipoo with a delicacy after each correctly executed command, then regular classes will give the desired result.
Owners of small decorative breeds also have to teach their pets the following rules of behavior:
- Do not bite the owner’s hands even during the game.
- Do not chew on furniture, shoes, baseboards and other things.
- Remain in the apartment without the owner, and do not bark or howl.
With training simple commands like “Sit!”, “To me!”, “You can’t!” the owner of the Maltipoo can handle it himself, but if you plan to participate in exhibitions, it is best to turn to a professional dog handler for help.
Where to adopt a maltipoo?
Once all the characteristics of maltipoo are known, you surely wanted to have one at home. But how do you adopt a maltipoo? Since, although it is a fairly popular hybrid, it is not a very common breed, we may not be sure what we need to do to adopt one of these puppies.
Well, although we can buy a maltipoo on several websites, we recommend its adoption. To host a maltipoo we can look for associations specializing in the breed, protectors, kennels, shelters or foundations. In all these cases, it is best to contact the closest to our place of residence and ask if they have a dog with the characteristics of maltipoo. Otherwise, we can ask them to inform us in case of arrival.
When adopting a maltipoo puppy or an adult, it is essential to take into account their care and requirements, because we must be aware that we are facing a very dependent dog who cannot pass many hours alone at home. As we have already mentioned, if we are people who need to be away for a while, the most suitable thing will be to find another dog to share our life with. Adoption makes it possible to fight against the abandonment of animals and offers second opportunities to the most disadvantaged, but for this it must be done by responsible adoption.
Maltipoo Dog Breed Highlights
Positive points
- The maltipoo is a loving, loyal and intelligent dog.
- He is easy to train because he is so smart.
- This dog has a low loss coat.
- The maltipoo is a very adaptable dog, being just as happy to live in an apartment or a house.
- It is a very social dog and gets along with other animals, including cats.
- It is best suited for families with older children.
- The ability to get along with young children and pets;
- Good health and a long enough life (on average, maltipus live about 15 years);
- Does not need constant physical activity.
Negative points
- Maltipoo suffers from separation anxiety when left alone.
- He is known to like the sound of his own voice, barking becoming a real problem.
- It requires high maintenance on the grooming front.
- The maltipoo is not the best choice for families with toddlers and very young children.
- This dog can suffer from certain health problems that affect the parent breeds, therefore, these veterinary bills can be high.
Adopt a maltipoo
If you decide to get a Maltipoo puppy, then tenderness and love are provided to you. But we must remember that this love must necessarily be mutual, since these dogs are very attached to their owners and suffer without constant attention.
If you are ready for an active, playful dog to be with you constantly, like to spend time with dogs and look after them, then the Maltipoo is the best choice!
Origin of Maltipoo
We are confronted with a breed of dogs of very recent origin, because it was not until 1990 that the first Maltipoo puppies appeared. This has happened in the United States, although the exact place and date of its origin is unknown. After its birth, this cross became popular at breakneck speed, spreading like wildfire across the world.
It is speculated on the intentions that had been made when crossing Maltese and poodles , because it is believed that the main goal was to obtain dogs with hypoallergenic fur, since the two original breeds are considered to be suitable for allergic people. Currently, the Maltipoo is considered to be a hybrid or mestizo, not a breed per se, so that most official cynological organizations do not have their standard collected as a recognized breed, as is the case with the Cynological Federation international (FCI).
