Are you trying to decide what kind of toy dog breed you’d like to adopt? Not sure which breed is the healthiest? Before you make any decisions, we here at IndulgeYourPet would encourage you to look at the Maltipoo! This is because this cute little guy is a part of a growing trend right now where responsible dog breeders purposely choose to mix highly desirable dog breeds to create a “hybrid” or “designer” dog breed.
And while…
Neither of these names seems all that flattering; many of these “designer” dogs are charming and super fun to have around. They’re also playing an essential role in responsible dog breeding today.
You see…
The Maltipoo is a “mixed” breed that combines the Maltese dog breed with a Toy Poodle dog breed. And sure, the puppies are super cute. The adult dog is definitely a cutie as well, but more importantly, by combining these two different dog breeds, what responsible dog breeders are learning is that the resulting litters tend to have a lower risk of developing many of the common heritable illnesses each of the parent breeds have on their own.
So…
Not only do you get a great-looking puppy, but you also get a much healthier one too! But will a Matipoo be the “right” dog for you? That’s the million-dollar question we hope this article will help you answer. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
Maltipoo Dog Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: United States
Original Purpose: Companion animal
Height: Up to 14 inches
Weight: 5 to 15 pounds
Dog Breed Classification: Not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC)
Life Span: 10 to 15 years
Origin of the Maltipoo Dog Breed
While deciding to “cross-breed” different dog breeds has always been something that humans have done since the domestication of the wolf, nowadays, there seems to be a concerted effort to do so, not to necessarily “improve” on a particular breed, but rather to help prevent the deterioration of certain dog breeds that have been overbred in the past!
Which is why…
It was only a matter of time before someone (most likely in the United States) decided to give it a go by cross-breeding the Maltese breed with a Poodle. After all, both breeds are wildly popular worldwide and prone to developing certain recessive diseases that could be avoided with an “infusion” of new genetic material… AKA a win/win situation.
Designer Dog “Complications”
The thing with crossbreeds, designer dogs, or hybrid dogs is that you never know what you’re will get with them. You can hope to get the best of both breeds, but this is not always true. The breeder does not always control the breeding program, and there is no way to tell how the genes manifest themselves. This is why some folks are against the idea of creating designer dogs, mainly if the breeders aren’t respectful and loving of all the puppies made!
This is also…
Something to keep in mind when bringing a hybrid dog such as a Maltipoo Poodle Mix home, because while you may have a picture in your mind as to what your Maltipoo is going to look like when they are all grown up, sometimes this picture doesn’t match the reality of the situation. In cases where folks are adopting a dog for all the “wrong” reasons, this can end badly for the “unwanted” Maltipoo!
Additionally…
This is one of the main reasons why the American Kennel Club does not recognize the Maltipoo as it is a crossbreed and not a pure breed, which makes creating a “standard” for the breed impossible.
Physical Characteristics
Maltipoos are generally very lightweight – they weigh between 5 and 15 pounds and hardly reach a height of 14 inches. They are small enough to be carried around and resemble Poodles and Maltipoo puppies in many ways. Most will have a ragged coat, similar to the Maltese. But some Maltipoos have a curly coat, more like the Poodle. The skin can come in many colors but is generally white, pure white, or cream. Again, as we mentioned, it’s a toss-up when guessing your Maltipoo’s appearance. It also proves that “cuteness” can come in many shapes and sizes!
Personality and Temperament
Maltipoos are affectionate dogs that are very loyal to their family. They love human company and are happy to socialize with strangers. You can always expect this cute little dog to wag his tail when someone pats him on his head. He craves attention and wants to make people happy. He is not an aggressive dog and mixes well with other pets.
Very clever, too…
The Maltipoo is a very clever breed, perhaps one of the most intelligent small dogs. He quickly learns new tricks and is a bit of a show-off. He is straightforward to train and loves being with people.
He responds well to your commands and does much better when you show him kindness and encouragement. The Maltipoo is like a child in many ways. Be good to him, and he will dote on you forever.
But be warned…
Maltipoos tend to bark a lot! The thing about this Maltipoo and Poodle mix is that he likes to bark. He barks constantly and gets excited every time someone approaches the house. He is not unfriendly by any means: People find his barking enthusiastic and welcoming rather than threatening. He also wags his tail so that you can forgive him for that!
Most people that are…
But if you live in an apartment, there’s probably a good chance that your next-door neighbor might not find it so endearing. For this reason, if you live in close quarters with others, you may want to factor this into your decision-making process.
Potential Health Concerns
The Maltipoo is a very healthy breed with a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years. High life expectancy is something you notice with most small breeds. WWe would be remiss if we didn’t mention that these guys tend to overeat, which could lead to obesity or stomach pain. That’s why you must strictly monitor what he gets to eat. Only give him high-quality dog food and limit his food intake.
Also…
Since the Maltipoo is a crossbreed, he can suffer from certain genetic conditions or health issues common to his parents, the Poodle, and the Maltese dog. The good news is that because many of the conditions affecting each breed tend to be “recessive” in nature, the Maltipoo remains at risk but much lower than their parent breeds.
That said, however…
We would encourage all of our readers to work only with reputable and responsible breeders who not only actively try to produce healthy litters but are also aware of their dog’s family histories regarding the following medical conditions:
- Cryptorchidism,
- Epilepsy,
- Hypoglycaemia,
- Pancreatitis,
- Patellar luxation,
- Patent ductus arteriosus,
- Portosystemic shunt,
- Progressive retinal atrophy,
- Sebaceous adenitis,
- White shaker syndrome,
- Legg-calve-perthes Disease.
And while many of these conditions may not be life-threatening, they can become quite expensive, particularly if they become recurring issues. This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.
Now, will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.
so true!