Maltipoo

Personality

Maltipoos are typically affectionate, playful and strongly attached to their people. They are often happiest in a lap or at your feet, and they tend to follow family members around the house. Many are cheerful and a little theatrical.

The cross draws on the Maltese's gentle charm and the Poodle's intelligence, though each puppy blends them differently. Some are calm and cuddly, others bouncy and alert. Meeting the parents tells you far more than a generic description.

Because they are small and bond closely, Maltipoos are prone to separation distress and can become clingy if never taught to be alone. Some bark at noises, and small dogs sometimes develop "small dog" habits when owners carry them everywhere or excuse bad behavior. They can be fragile, so they usually suit homes with gentle older children rather than rough play.

History

The Maltipoo is a modern crossbreed, associated mainly with the United States, produced by breeders who wanted a very small, friendly companion with a soft, lower-shedding coat. It pairs the Maltese, an ancient toy breed linked to Malta, with the Toy or Miniature Poodle. It is sometimes called a Moodle.

It is not an established breed. The American Kennel Club does not register Maltipoos, though it recognizes both parent breeds, and there is no universal breed standard.

Breeders talk about generations: F1 (a Maltese bred to a Poodle), F1b (an F1 bred back to a Poodle) and later crosses. These change the likelihood of coat type and size, but results vary even within a litter. Wikipedia's list of dog crossbreeds mentions the cross, and the parents' AKC pages describe their own histories.

Appearance, coat & colors

Maltipoos are tiny. With no breed standard, size depends mostly on the Poodle parent and the generation: toy Poodle crosses are smaller than miniature crosses. Typical reports are about 8-14 in (20-36 cm) tall and 5-20 lb (2-9 kg). Treat these as typical, variable ranges, as adult size is hard to predict, especially for tiny puppies.

The coat is usually soft, ranging from silky and straight through wavy to curly. It can be white or cream from the Maltese side, and may also be apricot, silver, black, brown or parti. Colors can fade or change with age.

The face is often round and sweet, with dark eyes, a black nose and drop ears. Many have a button-like expression that owners love. A common grooming choice is a short "teddy bear" cut, which keeps the coat manageable. Because of their small size, they are delicate and easily injured by falls or rough handling.

Training

Maltipoos are bright and generally eager to please, so training is usually rewarding. Use gentle, reward-based methods with small treats, praise and play. Harsh corrections can frighten sensitive dogs and make them stubborn.

Housetraining can be the biggest challenge in toy breeds because of their tiny bladders and small accident volumes, which are easy to miss. Take puppies out frequently, use a consistent routine and reward success. Some owners use puppy pads or indoor potty areas, which is fine if consistent. A crate can help; see our crate training guide.

Practice alone-time early with brief absences to prevent separation anxiety. Socialize your puppy gently to people, sounds and other dogs. Barking can become a habit, so reward quiet behavior. Short training sessions, tricks and puzzle toys keep this intelligent little dog engaged.

Exercise

Maltipoos need only modest exercise: usually two or three short walks plus indoor play adds up to a good day, perhaps 20 to 40 minutes in total depending on the dog. They enjoy chasing toys, learning tricks and exploring, but are not endurance athletes.

Because of their size, take care around stairs, furniture jumps and bigger dogs, as injuries can happen easily. Patellar luxation is common in toy breeds, so avoid encouraging repeated jumping, and see a vet if your dog skips or holds up a back leg.

Small dogs can chill in cold weather and overheat in hot weather, so adjust walks to the temperature. A harness is safer than a collar for dogs prone to tracheal collapse. Mental stimulation, such as scent games and puzzle toys, matters as much as physical exercise. See our guide on how much exercise a dog needs for general benchmarks.

Grooming

The Maltipoo's coat is soft and beautiful but needs consistent care. Brush thoroughly down to the skin several times a week, as tangles and mats form quickly, particularly behind the ears, under the legs and around the collar or harness. Many owners schedule professional grooming every 4-8 weeks, or keep the coat clipped short for easier upkeep.

Shedding is usually light, but not guaranteed. Curlier coats shed less, and the coat that traps loose hair also tangles more.

Light-colored coats often show tear staining around the eyes, so wipe the face gently and see your vet if staining is heavy or accompanied by irritation. Check and clean ears, brush teeth daily if possible (small breeds are prone to dental disease) and trim nails regularly. Start grooming practice in puppyhood so it becomes a calm routine.

Feeding

Feed a complete, balanced diet formulated for small or toy breeds, with kibble sized for tiny mouths. Puppies of toy breeds may need more frequent meals to help prevent low blood sugar, so ask your vet about a suitable schedule.

Maltipoos can gain weight quickly because even a few extra treats make up a big proportion of a small dog's calories. Measure meals and keep treats to roughly 10 percent of daily calories or less. Our dog food calculator gives a starting estimate, and our guide on spotting an overweight dog helps you check body condition.

Dental health is closely linked to diet in small dogs; ask your vet about dental care routines. Always provide fresh water, and avoid sharing human foods that are unsafe for dogs. Some small dogs are picky eaters, so avoid getting into a habit of constantly changing food.

Health

Maltipoos can inherit issues from both parents, and mixed ancestry does not guarantee better health. Small dogs of both parent types are prone to patellar luxation and dental disease. The Maltese parent club recommends serum bile acid testing, which screens for liver (portosystemic) shunts, along with patella and cardiac exams. Toy and Miniature Poodles bring progressive retinal atrophy, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, Addison's disease and tracheal collapse, which is most common in toy and miniature breeds. Low blood sugar can affect tiny puppies.

Responsible breeders test both parents: patella evaluations, eye exams, bile acid testing, cardiac checks and a PRA-prcd DNA test, with documents you can verify. The Poodle Club of America lists tests by Poodle size.

Lifespans of 12 to 15 years are commonly reported, though individual dogs vary. Lifelong dental care, a healthy weight and regular vet checkups matter. See a vet for coughing or honking sounds, limping, lethargy, head tremors or seizures.

Health conditions to know about

• Patellar luxation — Kneecaps slip out of place; common in toy breeds, and both parent clubs recommend patella evaluation.
• Dental disease — Crowded teeth in small mouths; needs regular brushing and vet dental care.
• Portosystemic (liver) shunt — A blood-vessel abnormality; the Maltese parent club recommends serum bile acid screening.
• Tracheal collapse — Weakened windpipe causing a honking cough, most common in toy and miniature breeds; harnesses are preferable to collars.
• Progressive retinal atrophy — Inherited eye disease seen in Poodles; a DNA test (PRA-prcd) is available for toy and miniature Poodles.
• Hypoglycemia in tiny puppies — Low blood sugar can be an emergency in very small puppies.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Patella evaluation
• Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist
• Cardiac exam
• Serum bile acid test (liver shunt screening)
• PRA-prcd DNA test (Poodle parent)
• Hip evaluation (miniature Poodle parent)

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 25, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Maltipoo

Maltipoos are well suited to apartments and small homes, as they need little space and limited exercise. They usually do best where someone is home most of the time, because long stretches alone often lead to anxiety, barking or house-soiling.

Their size makes them fragile. Young children may accidentally hurt them, so supervise carefully, and consider whether an older household is a better match. Use ramps or steps for sofas and beds, and carry the dog safely when needed.

They are sensitive to weather extremes: a coat or sweater helps in cold, while shade and water are vital in heat. Barking can irritate close neighbors, so address it early. A secure fence, a harness and a microchip help keep a tiny dog safe, as small escape artists can slip through small gaps. Some travel well and fit in carriers.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Maltipoo prices vary widely, and a high price does not prove quality. Concentrate on the breeder. A responsible one will let you meet the mother, show health test results for both parents (patella evaluations, eye exams, bile acid testing and cardiac checks where relevant) and explain the generation and likely adult size. Be skeptical of "teacup" promises, because adult size is hard to predict.

Puppies should stay with their mother until at least eight weeks, ideally longer in toy breeds. Expect a written contract, a health guarantee and a promise to take the dog back at any age. Avoid breeders who guarantee a "hypoallergenic" coat, sell several crosses at once or use pet stores or middlemen.

Consider rescues as well. Maltese and Poodle rescues, as well as general shelters, sometimes have Maltipoos or similar mixes, often adults with known personalities.