The Maltipoo: temperament, price, health, and breeders

The Maltipoo appeared in the United States in the 1990s from crosses between the Maltese and the Poodle, most often miniature or toy. The objective was to obtain a small companion dog combining a pleasant temperament, reasonable maintenance and a low-shedding coat. Its popularity then developed in Europe, even though the Maltipoo is not recognized by major canine organizations such as the FCI.

The Maltipoo is a small dog harmoniously built, with a light and balanced body. Its head is rather round, with small drooping ears and a lively and expressive look. Its coat is silky, medium-length, curly or wavy, and can come in several colors such as apricot, fawn, champagne, white or black.

The Maltipoo is a gentle, friendly dog and very close to its home. It is generally affectionate, playful and sociable with children as well as with other animals when it is well socialized. Intelligent and eager to please, it often appeals to people looking for a first dog that is easy to live with.

The Maltipoo enjoys the comfort of the home and adapts well to apartment living provided it benefits from daily outings and playtime. Lively without being excessive, it likes to share its human's activities and can be vocal when it is bored or when it perceives unusual stimulation. It copes poorly with prolonged absences and needs daily presence.

Training the Maltipoo is generally accessible thanks to its intelligence, its docility and its attraction to rewards. Positive methods, encouragement and playful exercises give very good results. Early socialization remains important to maintain its good relationship with humans, dogs, cats and new situations.

The purchase price of the Maltipoo varies mainly depending on the seriousness of the breeding, the origins of the parents, the health tests carried out and the demand for this highly sought-after small companion dog. A low price should always lead to carefully checking the health guarantees and the breeding conditions.

The Maltipoo often has fairly good overall health, but it can inherit certain predispositions from the Maltese and the Poodle. Serious selection of breeding dogs, regular veterinary follow-up, and a stable weight strongly help preserve its quality of life.

The Maltipoo needs a complete, balanced, good-quality diet, adapted to its age, weight and activity level. In this small companion dog, regular meals and controlling treats matter just as much as the quality of the ingredients.

The Maltipoo is also called Maltese Poodle in the English-speaking world. Although it is not recognized by the main canine federations, it has gained notoriety thanks to its endearing look and its presence alongside several celebrities such as Rihanna, Miley Cyrus or Blake Lively.