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The Malti-Poo is a popular mixed breed that you get by mixing the Maltese with a Toy or Miniature Poodle. The result is a small, cuddly dog that children and adults will adore. Its small size makes it suitable for small apartments as well as large homes, and it’s not aggressive or barky.
Breed Overview
Height:
6–14 inches
Weight:
5–12 pounds
Lifespan:
12–15 years
Colors:
Black, apricot, tan, cream, white
Suitable for:
Children, small houses, apartments
Temperament:
Friendly, active, intelligent, outgoing
If you are thinking about getting one of these wonderful pets for your home but would like to learn more about them first, keep reading while we look at temperament, diet, grooming, and more.
Malti-Poo Characteristics
Malti-Poo Puppies
Luckily, this mini Maltese Poodle mix breed, along with both parents, is extremely popular, so it shouldn’t be hard to find a breeder near you. If there is high demand for any of them, it can drive up the price, and you might need to wait for a while. You will also need to get the dog spayed or neutered in most cases, and it will also require several shots and trips to the vet in the first few years.
You will also need to buy food, treats, toys, and other accessories to keep your dog happy and healthy, but since most of these dogs aren’t very big, the cost is lower than many other breeds. These small dogs are great for people living in apartments, and they are easy to take care of. They are very friendly, and outgoing, making them a good option for families with children.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Malti-Poo
The Malti-Poo is an extremely friendly dog that enjoys being around people. While naturally curious and alert, its friendly temperament will likely prevent it from being a good watchdog. It can have straight or curly fur and will resemble a cuddly teddy bear either way. It enjoys climbing on you to lick your face, and they are outgoing, so they make fantastic walking companions.
The mini Maltese Poodle mix usually inherits the intelligence of its Poodle parent and is quite capable of learning a wide variety of tricks. Because it’s a little easier to train than other breeds, it’s a perfect choice for a beginner, and it’s smart enough to make itself useful to the elderly.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🧑🧑🧒
The Malti-Poo’s small size makes it ideal for apartment life and wonderful for kids. Children love its teddy bear appearance and friendly temperament, and it’s also a favorite among the elderly who like that it doesn’t bark too frequently or require a lot of daily exercises. It’s easy to train and friendly towards strangers, which is also the source of its only fault. It doesn’t make a good watchdog.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽
The Malti-Poo gets along well with most other pets and is rarely the cause of a problem with another animal. It likes to follow other animals around and can be quite playful if the other party is accepting. It might chase after some smaller animals in the yard but spending time outside as a puppy can help socialize your pet with the local wildlife and prevent this behavior.
Things to Know When Owning a Malti-Poo
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
Your Malti-Poo is a smaller breed that won’t need as much food as most other breeds, so we highly recommend getting the highest quality brand you can afford. Check the ingredients list to ensure that real meat like chicken or turkey is listed first. Avoid food that lists a corn product or a meat byproduct first, as these ingredients are not as healthy and can even upset your pet’s stomach.
Exercise 🐕
Your Malti-Poo should get most of the exercise it needs following you and the other family members around the house all day. However, we recommend setting aside between 15 and 30 minutes each day to help your pet get the mental and physical stimulation it needs to stay healthy and happy. Short walks or playing catch with a small ball are ideal activities that don’t put a lot of strain on you or the dog.
Training 🦮
The Malti-Poo is an extremely intelligent dog who can learn various tricks and complete complex tasks. The easiest way to train your pet is to set aside 5–10 minutes per day for training and hold these sessions at the same time each day to help your dog get into a routine that usually results in faster progress. Arrive each day with plenty of treats, and when your dog follows your commands, reward it with a treat and plenty of praise. Consistency and patience are the keys to success, as it can take even the smartest dog several weeks to learn a new trick. Never let your dog sense that you are disappointed, or it will try to avoid your training sessions, and learning will be much slower.
Grooming ✂️
Your mini Maltese Poodle mix can acquire several different coats depending on which parent it takes after more. Long straight hair can tangle, so you will need to brush it more frequently to keep it looking good. The curly coat is easy to maintain on a daily basis, but you might need to take it for professional grooming once per year to keep it looking its best. You will also need to trim the nails if you hear them clicking on the floor, and we highly recommend manually brushing your pet’s teeth as frequently as possible to help slow the progression of dental disease.
Health and Conditions 🏥
- Obesity
- Epilepsy
- Patellar Luxation
- Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
Male vs Female
Since the Malti-Poo is a mixed breed, the parent it takes after more will have a much larger impact on the dog than what sex it is. The parents determine the coat type, size, weight, and temperament, and there is no clear difference between the male and female.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Malti-Poo
1. The Maltese parent breed is an ancient dog with Greek statues in its likeness.
It is thought that the dog originated on the island of Malta, hence the name Maltese.
2. The Poodle parent is one of the smartest dog breeds.
Poodles are very intelligent and easily trainable. Only the Border Collie is determined to be smarter than the Poodle.
3. The Malti-Poo has become one of the top-selling designer dogs out there.
It’s not hard to see why. These dogs are adorable, plus, while no dog is truly hypoallergenic, mini Maltese Poodle mixes are great dogs for allergy sufferers. They make great apartment dogs as well.
Final Thoughts
The Malti-Poo makes a great family pet, and it’s highly adaptable to apartment life, so it’s a great dog to have if you live in the city. It also gets along well with children and other animals, and it’s intelligent enough to do chores around the house and will even help out the elderly. It can be a little high maintenance if it gets the straight coat because it tends to tangle, but it isn’t difficult to brush once per day, and it will shower you with affection when you do.
Featured Image Credit: Rob Hainer, Shutterstock
