Maltipoo
The forever puppy.
- Weight
- 5–15 lbs
- Height
- 8–14 in
- Lifespan
- 12–16 yrs
In short
The Maltipoo is a designer cross between the Maltese and a Toy or Miniature Poodle, developed in the US as a small companion, weighing 5–15 lbs and living 12–16 years. It's affectionate and adaptable, but needs regular grooming and doesn't like being left alone.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want a small, cuddly companion
- live in an apartment
- are home most of the day
Think twice if you…
- have toddlers or rough-playing kids
- can't budget for regular grooming
- work long hours away from home
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 30–60 min a day
- Training
- 1–2 × 5 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 20–50 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityWilling learner7.0/10
EnergyModerate4.5/10
Calm at homeCalm indoors10.0/10
SheddingLight shedder1.5/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Soft, low-shedding coat
The coat can be curly or wavy and needs regular brushing and trims to prevent mats.
-
02
Tiny size
Small enough to carry, but fragile around rough play and falls.
-
03
People-focused nature
They thrive on company and can be vocal when lonely.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 7–15 lbs | 5–12 lbs |
| Height | 9–14 in | 8–13 in |
| Lifespan | 12–16 yrs | |
| Coat | Soft, wavy to curly coat | |
Personality
Maltipoos are cuddly, playful and want to be wherever you are. They pick up routines quickly and adapt to most homes. Many are alert barkers and get anxious when left out of things.
With kids
Good with gentle older kids; small children can injure them.
With other pets
Usually friendly with other dogs and cats.
With strangers
Friendly but may bark at strangers.
Alone time
Prone to separation anxiety if left too long.
Training
Maltipoos are smart and eager to please. Short, positive sessions work best.
-
How often
1–2 sessions a day of about 5 minutes each.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Between 8 and 16 weeks, focus on handling and grooming, plus gentle exposure to people and noises.
-
Self-control
Teach a 'quiet' cue and calm alone time early to prevent barking and separation stress.
-
What it works for
Food, praise and play all work. Use small, high-value pieces and keep treats within 10% of daily calories; with a tiny dog, treats add up fast.
Exercise
Short walks and indoor play cover their needs, but they still want daily outings and brain games. They often match their owner's pace.
Exercise a day
30–60 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Short walks
- Indoor fetch
- Play dates with gentle dogs
Brain work
- Trick training
- Puzzle feeders
- Hide-and-seek
Best home
Apartment friendly; protect from cold and rough play.
Watch for Avoid jumping from furniture to protect knees, and supervise around larger dogs.
Feeding
Adult maintenance for a typical Maltipoo (5–15 lbs) lands around 200–475 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.
Puppy (to 12 mo)
- Daily calories
- 250–600 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 16–20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 25–60 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 1–3 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 200–475 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 14–18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 20–50 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 1–2 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 275–650 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 18–22%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 30–65 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 1–3 pieces a day
Senior
- Daily calories
- 175–425 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 12–16%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 20–45 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 1–2 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (to 12 mo) | 250–600 kcal | 26–30% | 16–20% | 25–60 kcal | 1–3 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 200–475 kcal | 24–28% | 14–18% | 20–50 kcal | 1–2 pieces |
| Active / Working | 275–650 kcal | 26–30% | 18–22% | 30–65 kcal | 1–3 pieces |
| Senior | 175–425 kcal | 24–28% | 12–16% | 20–45 kcal | 1–2 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
Maltipoos can inherit luxating patella, eye disease, dental disease and heart issues. Choose a breeder who screens both parent breeds and keep up with dental care.
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Luxating patella | OFA patella exam | Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder) |
| Inherited eye disease | CAER eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist | Yearly in breeding dogs (ask the breeder) |
| Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) | PRA-prcd DNA test | Once, in parents (ask the breeder) |
| Heart disease | Cardiac exam by a vet or cardiologist | Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder) |
| Hip dysplasia | OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation | Once. OFA final results from 24 months |
Health tests to ask for
The Maltipoo has no CHIC program of its own, so ask for the tests the OFA requires for each parent breed.
Maltese parent
- Heart exam
- Kneecap (patella) check
Poodle (Toy) parent
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- Kneecap (patella) check
Poodle (Miniature) parent
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- Kneecap (patella) check
- Hip evaluation
Grooming Low, but mats without regular brushing
Brush several times a week and get professional grooming every 4–6 weeks. Trim nails every 2–3 weeks, check ears weekly and brush teeth daily if you can.
History
Ancient
Maltese roots
The Maltese is an ancient Mediterranean companion breed.
1700s–1800s
Poodle roots
Toy and Miniature Poodles were bred down from Standards as companions.
1990s–today
Designer cross
Maltipoos became popular in the US as small, low-shedding companions.
Questions owners ask
Are Maltipoos easy to train?
Yes. They are smart and eager to please, but housetraining can take patience.
Are Maltipoos good with kids and other pets?
Usually. They are friendly with pets and gentle kids, but small children can hurt them.
How much exercise does a Maltipoo need?
Plan on 30–60 minutes a day of walks and play.
Do Maltipoos shed?
Very little. No dog is truly allergen-free, and the coat needs regular brushing and grooming every 4–6 weeks.
What health problems do Maltipoos have, and how long do they live?
They typically live 12–16 years. Luxating patella, eye disease, dental disease and heart issues are the main concerns.
Is a Maltipoo good for apartments or first-time owners?
Yes. Their size and trainability suit apartments and first-time owners who can handle grooming.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Maltipoo needs only 1–2 pieces a day, well inside the 20–50 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Maltipoo ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Maltipoo
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
