Maltipoo
Cross Dog Canis lupus familiaris
Written with AI assistance, not yet checked by a person. Treat the details as a starting point and confirm important decisions with a vet or a breeder.
Overview
A cross between a Maltese and a Toy or Miniature Poodle, usually 2-7 kg. Friendly, people-focused and suited to flats, with a wavy to curly coat that needs regular grooming. It is not a recognised breed, so size, coat and health vary more than in a pure breed and depend on the parents.
Maltese x Poodle crosses became popular as companion dogs in the United States from the 1990s and later spread to Europe. There is no FCI standard; later-generation crosses (Maltipoo x Maltipoo) exist but are not uniform. Ask the breeder for the health tests of both parents.
A crossbreed. It is not recognised as a breed by the major kennel clubs (such as FCI or AKC), so there is no official breed standard.
- Care difficulty
- Beginner
- Coat type
- Curly
- Colours and markings
- Most often white, cream or apricot; also brown, black, grey and particoloured.
- Original purpose
- Companion dog.
- Adult weight
- 2–7 kg
- Adult height (shoulder/withers)
- 20–35 cm
- Friendliness
- Affection towards owner
- Energy level
- Trainability
- Noise level
- Shedding
- Grooming need
- Good with children
- Good with other pets
- Suitable for apartment living
- Tolerance of being alone
- Prey drive
- Temperament
- Usually cheerful, affectionate and keen to be with its people. Learns quickly with rewards. Many do not like being left alone for long and may bark; teach short absences from puppyhood.
- Exercise needed per day
- 30–60 min
- Guarding instinct
- Friendliness to strangers
- Drooling
Health and common problems
These are common issues for this animal, not a diagnosis. If you are worried about your animal, see a vet.
- Hypoallergenic (low allergen)
- No
- Heat tolerance
- Cold tolerance
Low blood sugar in toy puppies (juvenile hypoglycaemia)
Frequency: Uncommon Emergenza Starts from 1 mese to 4 mesi Typical vet cost €50–€300
Very small puppies have little energy reserve, so missed meals, cold, stress or illness can make their blood sugar drop quickly.
- Signs to look for
- Weakness, trembling, wobbling, glassy eyes, sleepiness that is hard to wake from, seizures.
- Prevention
- Feed small meals 4-5 times a day while the puppy is small; keep it warm.
- When to see a vet
- Immediately. Feed toy puppies small meals several times a day to prevent it.
- First aid
- Keep the puppy warm and rub a little honey or sugar syrup on the gums if it is conscious, then go to a vet at once.
Ear infection (otitis externa)
Frequency: Common Moderato Typical vet cost €40–€150
Inflammation of the outer ear canal, often with yeast or bacteria. Dogs with hairy or hanging ears and dogs with allergies get it more often.
- Signs to look for
- Head shaking, scratching the ears, smell, brown or yellow discharge, red ear canal, pain when the ear is touched.
- How to handle it
- A vet examines the ear and chooses drops; recurring cases need the cause found.
- Prevention
- Check the ears weekly and dry them after baths and swimming.
- When to see a vet
- At the first signs; the vet checks the eardrum before choosing ear drops. Repeated infections need a search for the cause (often allergy).
- First aid
- Do not push cotton buds into the canal and do not put anything into a painful ear before it is examined.
Patellar luxation
Frequency: Common Moderato Starts from 6 mesi to 4 anni Typical vet cost €50–€2,500
The kneecap slips out of its groove. It is common in small breeds and ranges from occasional skipping to a permanently dislocated knee.
- Signs to look for
- Sudden skipping on a hind leg, holding a leg up for a few steps, then walking normally again.
- How to handle it
- Mild grades are often managed with weight control and muscle-building exercise; higher grades may need surgery. A vet grades the knee.
- Prevention
- Keep the dog slim, use ramps or steps to furniture and limit jumping from heights.
- Screening tests (ask your breeder)
- Breeding dogs should have their knees examined and graded by a vet.
- When to see a vet
- When skipping happens regularly, the dog limps for a day or more, or cries out.
- First aid
- Keep the dog calm and do not try to push the kneecap back yourself.
Tear staining (epiphora)
Frequency: Common Lieve Typical vet cost €30–€120
Tears overflow onto the face and leave reddish-brown stains, which show most on white coats. Causes include narrow tear ducts, hair touching the eye, allergies and eye irritation.
- Signs to look for
- Wet fur and brown streaks below the inner corner of the eyes, a smell from the damp fur.
- How to handle it
- A vet checks for blocked tear ducts, inturned lashes or allergy before treating the cause.
- Prevention
- Keep the hair around the eyes trimmed and wipe the area daily.
- When to see a vet
- If the eye is red, squinted or cloudy, the discharge is yellow or green, or the staining appears suddenly.
- First aid
- Wipe the area gently with clean water once or twice a day and keep the hair around the eyes short.
Dental disease
Frequency: Very common Moderato Starts from 2 anni to 8 anni Typical vet cost €150–€500
Plaque and tartar build up and inflame the gums, which can loosen teeth and let bacteria enter the blood. It is one of the most common health problems in dogs, cats and small mammals.
- Signs to look for
- Bad breath, red or bleeding gums, drooling, dropping food, chewing on one side, pawing at the mouth.
- How to handle it
- Professional cleaning under anaesthesia when tartar or gum disease is present; loose teeth are removed by the vet.
- Prevention
- Brush the teeth daily from puppyhood with dog toothpaste; small mouths crowd the teeth and tartar builds up fast.
- When to see a vet
- If you see loose or broken teeth, swollen cheeks, or the animal stops eating normally.
- First aid
- Gentle tooth brushing with pet toothpaste and suitable chews help prevention. Do not use human toothpaste.
Possible from the parent breeds
This is a crossbreed. It may inherit problems that are known in its parents; they are listed here as possible, not as certain.
-
Collapsing trachea
Possible, from the Miniature Poodle / Maltese / Toy Poodle side
Frequency in the parent: Uncommon
The cartilage rings of the windpipe are weak and flatten, so the airway narrows. It is typical of toy breeds and often worsens with age, excess weight and pulling on a collar. -
Epilepsy
Possible, from the Miniature Poodle / Toy Poodle side
Frequency in the parent: Uncommon
Repeated seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. In dogs it is often inherited (idiopathic) and starts between about 6 months and 6 years of age. -
Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
Possible, from the Miniature Poodle / Toy Poodle side
Frequency in the parent: Uncommon
The blood supply to the head of the thigh bone fails in a young small dog, so the bone breaks down and the hip becomes painful. It usually appears between about 4 and 12 months of age. -
Mitral valve disease
Possible, from the Maltese side
Frequency in the parent: Uncommon
The heart valve between two chambers wears out and leaks. It is common in older small dogs and can lead to heart failure. -
Portosystemic (liver) shunt
Possible, from the Maltese side
Frequency in the parent: Uncommon
An abnormal blood vessel lets blood from the gut bypass the liver, so toxins are not filtered out. Most cases are present from birth and are more common in some small breeds. -
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Possible, from the Miniature Poodle / Toy Poodle side
Frequency in the parent: Uncommon
An inherited disease in which the retina slowly dies. It is not painful, but it leads to night blindness first and then to full blindness. DNA tests exist for several forms. -
White shaker syndrome
Possible, from the Maltese side
Frequency in the parent: Uncommon
A mild inflammation of the brain or its nerves that causes whole-body tremors. It was first described in small white dogs such as the Maltese, but other colours can be affected. It usually starts in young adults.
Care and maintenance
-
Brush and comb the coat
every 2 days
Brush in layers down to the skin and finish with a metal comb; mats form first behind the ears, under the legs and on the chest.
-
Clip at the groomer
every 6 weeks
A full clip every 6-8 weeks; ask for the hair around the eyes to be kept short.
-
Brush the teeth
every day
Use a small dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste.
-
Wipe the eyes
every day
Wipe the corners of the eyes with a soft cloth and clean water.
-
Check the ears
every week
Look for redness, smell or discharge.
-
Trim the nails
every 4 weeks
Trim the tips every few weeks, or ask the groomer.
Accedi to add these tasks to your reminders for your Maltipoo.
What it costs
This is an estimate, not a quote. It multiplies typical amounts by typical prices in Serbia. Your real costs depend on the shops, the vet and the animal. Change the assumptions below to match your situation.
Who it gets along with
Worked out from the traits of this animal. Individual animals differ, and introductions should always be slow and supervised.
Usually good with
-
Cats
Usually lives well with a cat, especially when they grow up together. -
Dogs
Based on the typical temperament of Maltipoo (4/5). -
Birds
Based on the typical temperament of Maltipoo (4/5). -
Fish
Based on the typical temperament of Maltipoo (4/5). -
Seniors
A good companion for older people who can manage the grooming or pay a groomer. -
Strangers
Based on the typical temperament of Maltipoo (4/5).
Be careful with
-
Children
Friendly, but small and easily hurt; best with calm, older children. -
Small pets
Low prey drive, but a small dog can still chase or frighten hamsters, rabbits or birds; supervise and keep cages out of reach.
Set-up and food
Equipment
Required
-
Dog toothbrush and toothpaste
Daily brushing is the best dental care for small breeds; never use human toothpaste. -
Harness and lead
A harness spreads the pull over the chest; important for small dogs with a weak windpipe. A harness protects the windpipe of toy breeds. -
Slicker brush and metal comb
For coats that mat; the comb checks that the coat is free of knots down to the skin.
Recommended
-
Dog bed
A washable bed in a quiet corner. -
Dog crate
A safe den for sleeping and car travel. For car travel and as a quiet den.
Optional
-
Nail clipper
Sized for the animal; trim only the tip, away from the blood vessel.
Cibo
- Complete dry food for small breeds – Follow the pack guide for the dog's weight; adjust so the ribs stay easy to feel. Two meals a day for adults.
- Puppy food for small breeds – 3-5 small meals a day until about 6 months, then 2-3.
Never feed: Chocolate, Cooked bones, Grapes and raisins, Onion and garlic, Xylitol (sweetener in gum and sweets). Full toxic foods checker
Note legali
Check your local law. Rules about keeping, importing and selling animals differ between countries and regions and change often. What is written here may be out of date; ask your local authority before you buy or adopt.
- General Nota
The Maltipoo is a cross, not a breed recognised by the FCI, so it cannot get an FCI pedigree. Travel with a dog inside the EU needs a microchip, a pet passport and a valid rabies vaccination. - Serbia Nota
In Serbia dogs must be microchipped, registered and vaccinated against rabies every year; check the current rules with your vet.
Rules in other countries
- Germania Nota
In Germany most municipalities charge a dog tax and several federal states require liability insurance for every dog; rules differ by state and town.
Family tree
Parents
- Maltese parent breed
- Toy Poodle parent breed
- Miniature Poodle parent breed
General information, not veterinary advice. Every animal is an individual. Typical values and costs are estimates. Talk to a vet, a breeder or a shelter before you decide, and see a vet if your animal is unwell.