Maltipoo Dog Breed: What You Should Know

The Maltipoo is a very popular designer hybrid dog breed. Maltipoos are a cross between the very popular Maltese and Poodle, and they are considered highly intelligent dogs thanks to the poodle in them. They are small, sweet and very adorable which is why so many people love this breed with abandon. The dog grew in popularity when it was the pet of choice for hit singer and business owner Jessica Simpson when she and her ex-husband, Nick Lachey, were starring in their own reality show about their marriage more than a decade ago. Her little dog was so sweet and made so many headlines that women everywhere wanted one of their own and breeders could not keep up with the demand to breed them. Now they are one of the most desirable little dogs in the world, but that does not mean a Maltipoo is right for your family or that your family is right for a Maltipoo. Before you go out and get one of your own, understand all you need to know about this tiny breed and what you can expect with one of your own at home.

Personality and Temperament

What you have to understand first about the Maltipoo is that it is not a purebred dog. It’s a cross between two very popular dog breeds, so there is very little indication of which animal’s personality traits it might take after. Before you get a Maltipoo of your own, you might choose to learn as much as you can about both the Maltese and the Poodle and their own personality traits. Fortunately, both are very friendly dogs that are good with kids, intelligent and very happy dogs. They love affection, they are very playful and they do not need much in the way of exercise. They do love to play, they love a long walk and they are happy to get out into the yard and play a game of fetch, but they’re just as happy to cuddle.

These are very small dogs, the Maltipoo. They are very gentle, protective and very happy to be around kids of any age. They have no issue with cats, and they are great in terms of being adaptable to just about any situation or living condition you might imagine for this breed. They’ve very friendly, but they’re not all that easy to train. It’s been said that they are difficult to housebreak (I can attest to this after having one of my own for many years – and never fully housebreaking that dog). The good news, though, is that despite their small stature, the Maltipoo is a dog that is great at being a watchdog. No one is coming near your home or kids without this dog alerting you to that fact very quickly.

Lifestyle and Expectation

Before you bring an adorable Maltipoo home to keep, you have to understand what you can expect once you get it there. These are dogs that need a lot of attention and are not happy to be left alone for long periods of time. Additionally, it’s a good idea to use the crate training method for this dog since they are very prone to accidents in the house. They are small, so they have no issue using the restroom in one corner of any small room in which you might keep them until you are home and able to watch them in the rest of the house, so you have to watch out for dogs that will use the bathroom anywhere when you’re not watching.

You’re going to find that this breed is great for small houses, apartments and homes without yards. Maltipoos are not large animals, nor are they overly active animals that have much need to spend too much time in the yard. They are very adaptable, and they can be trained. You have to be very firm, consistent and never, ever allow a Maltipoo to get away with anything. Give the Maltipoo a half inch and it will take 10 miles.

As far as the health of your Maltipoo, there are a few conditions you should watch out for, including those that are common to toy poodles if yours is mixed with a toy poodle as a parent. Otherwise, there is very little to worry about health-wise. The Maltipoo is just as susceptible as any other breed in the world to be diagnosed with any health issues or diseases, and it is always important to remember to keep this dog from eating too much. It’s small and carrying additional weight can be detrimental to its bones and joints.

Your Maltipoo will grow as tall as 14 inches and weigh anywhere from 5 to 15 pounds. It’s a breed that might live as long as 15 years or as short as 10, but there is no way to predict how long your dog will live since all types of outside factors play a role in the lifespan of any dog, including the Maltipoo. Just remember that this is a dog that does require some serious grooming. Its coat is hypoallergenic, but it grows fast and it’s my experience that his dog needs to go to the groomer at least every 6 to 8 weeks and it needs to be brushed almost daily in between.

Breed History

The breed history of the Maltipoo is a bit short. It’s a dog that was developed by breeders when the idea of crossbreeding to create dogs with specific looks and personality traits became popular. This is has been going on for a little less than two decades in the case of the Maltipoo. It’s not a dog that has a specific job or duty, it’s not a working dog and it’s not a guard dog. Essentially, the Maltipoo is a lap and companion dog designed for its sweet looks and its very small body. It’s a very popular breed, so please be sure to find a reputable breed with good health information and a clean history on both parents.

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