The Malteagle is a charming mixed breed that comes from the Maltese and Beagle. These adorable, kind, and affectionate dogs are happy to be within a family unit, especially with small children. The Malteagle was likely bred around the 1980s in an attempt to create smaller and gentler dogs.

Breed Overview

These adorable pups are a combination of dogs from the toy and hound groups combined with the fluffy coat of the Maltese and the cute face and playfulness of the Beagle. Do you think the Malteagle may be the right choice for you and your family? Read more to learn about this coveted designer dog.

Malteagle Characteristics

Malteagle Puppies

Malteagle puppies are somewhat rare, so it may take time to find a reputable breeder. Look for established breeders that have good references, and make sure to meet the parents. Puppy mill breeders often have healthy-looking puppies and hide the living spaces and conditions of the parents. It’s important to purchase puppies from breeders that screen for genetic conditions and take care in selecting the parent pairs for healthy offspring, rather than breeders that look to create litter after litter for a profit.

When you bring home a Malteagle, you can expect to have an energetic, playful, and intelligent dog around you. Take a look at the Malteagle’s care guide so you know what type of food, exercise, and care they need.  Below you’ll find more detailed information on the characteristics and needs of this dog.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Malteagle

The Malteagle is a friendly and personable dog, but it is known for being inquisitive and intelligent. Though small, these dogs have huge personalities and a desire to play and spend time bonding with their owners and family members. Ideally, your Malteagle should have other animal companions if you spend a lot of time out of the house.

Malteagles don’t require a lot of exercise and activity, but they do enjoy walks or playtime each day. Inside, Malteagles will be happy to cuddle up with human companions. Because of this, Malteagles make good pets for older people or people with disabilities that need a low-key breed.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

With their easygoing, friendly, and gentle personalities, the Malteagle is a great choice for families with children. These dogs rarely show aggression or roughness toward children, so you can feel confident with your little ones playing. That said, it’s important to train both your dog and your children about appropriate play together to make sure no one gets hurt accidentally, and always supervise playtime.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Malteagles love non-human company, such as dogs, cats, and small pets like guinea pigs and ferrets. Generally, Malteagles understand their own size and strength, so they can wrestle with big dogs and play gently with small dogs and cats. If introduced at a young age, Malteagles can overcome their hound-dog heritage and befriend prey animals guinea pigs, rats, or birds. That being said, we don’t recommend giving them ample opportunity to bond with prey animals in your house—better safe than sorry.

Things to Know When Owning a Malteagle:

Now that you know the temperament and personality of the Malteagle, check out some more information about its needs.

Food & Diet Requirements

Malteagles are small and energetic. While you won’t need to feed tons of food each day, Malteagles need high-quality food fed twice a day to keep up with their energy needs. Be sure to choose natural foods with good sources of animal protein and plant nutrients to support your pup’s nutritional needs.

As a puppy, your Malteagle should be provided with puppy food that has real meat, fruits, and vegetables, and either grain-free or whole-grain carbohydrate sources. Puppy food is appropriate until it reaches about a year of age, then you can switch to an adult formula for small breeds.

Exercise

Despite their size, Malteagles are highly active and look for ways to release some pent-up energy. If you don’t provide your pup with enough exercise, play, and mental stimulation, it can become destructive and display other unpleasant behaviors. Offer at least 30-60 minutes of active walking each day. Make time to play with your pup or take it for a walk each day to stave off boredom. On weekends, you can spend some more time playing fetch or other games.

Training

All dog breeds should have basic obedience training to learn to sit, lie down, and come when called. No matter the dog’s size or reputation for difficulty or aggression, these are just good manners and are important for your dog’s safety. You can train your dog by yourself for some valuable bonding or hire a behaviorist to help you give your pup the best possible start.

Grooming ✂️

Most Malteagles have the Maltese coat, which is long and silky. If you don’t commit to regular grooming and brushing, you can end up with a dog that’s a tangled mess of hair. It’s also good to vacuum daily to keep up with the shed hair.

Your pup will need regular nail trimmings. Some dogs can be particular about their nails, but if you start early, your pup will see nail trimming as a drama-free experience. Depending on the activity level, your Malteagle may need a trimming every few weeks.

Health and Conditions

The Malteagle is a generally healthy dog but may be susceptible to certain health conditions of the parent breeds. In general, the Malteagle may be prone to diseases that affect all dogs, such as rabies, distemper, and parvo, which have vaccinations.

Depending on the health of the parents, the Malteagle may be prone to conditions that are known to affect Beagles, such as epilepsy, progressive retinal atrophy, cherry eye, glaucoma, and chondrodysplasia.

Male vs Female

Wondering if you should choose a male or female Malteagle? The good news is that it’s entirely up to you! There are no significant differences between a male and female Malteagle. They’re close in size and offer comparable training, affection, and activity levels. The costs for veterinary care, food, and weight-based medication are also similar.

One difference in a male and female Malteagle is neutering vs. spaying. Neutering is less invasive and less expensive than spaying. Fixing your dog is a one-time cost, however, so the price difference is negligible over the dog’s life. Whichever you choose, be sure to get your dog neutered or spayed when the vet recommends, since this will prevent unwanted litters and lower the risk of some reproductive cancers later in life.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Malteagle

1. The breed’s origin is shrouded in mystery.

Though we know that the Malteagle is a combination of the Maltese and the Beagle, we’re not sure when they were first bred or where.

2. Malteagles aren’t vocal.

Unlike their Beagle parent, Malteagles are not vocal. They don’t bark much or moan, groan, growl, or yowl like Beagles do. You may see occasional barking for intruders or from excitement while playing, but that’s it.

3. Malteagles are loyal.

Like the hound heritage, the Malteagle recognizes its owner as the pack leader and won’t leave your side. Malteagles also display strong loyalty toward the rest of the family, whether that includes adults, children, or other pets.

Final Thoughts

Bred from the smart and intrepid Beagle and the affectionate and glamorous Maltese, the Malteagle is a great choice for a dog, but it isn’t ideal for every person and lifestyle. Malteagles need exercise, attention, and love, so they’re not a good choice for people who spend a lot of time out of the home or vacation often. They are perfect for elderly individuals, people with disabilities, or families with small children, thanks to their calm and gentle nature. If you’re looking for a cute dog that’s smart, easygoing, friendly, and affectionate, the Malteagle may be the best companion for your family!

• See Also: Cane Corso Beagle Mix: Guide, Pictures, Care & More

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