A loyal companion, a cuddly furry best friend and teddy bear looking: who will be able to resist this cuteness?
Talking about a designer breed that is barking with cuteness? Consider a Maltepoo!
What Is A Maltepoo?
Maltepoo is a designer breed which goes by so many other names such as Maltipoo, Maltapoo, Malti-Doodle, Malta-Doodle, Malte-Doodle, Maltoodle, Malta Poo, Multa Poo, Malti-Poodle, Maltese Poo, Maltese Poodle, Maltese Doodle and Moodle!
But among its names, the most well-known is Maltipoo and two dog kennel clubs were named after it: National Maltipoo Club and the Maltipoo Club of America. The second most popular variation is Malt-a-Poo used by the American Canine Hybrid Club and Designer Breed Registry.
And oh, by the way, Doodle is another name for all other mixes with Poodle!
All these names are cute and they all just refer to the cross between a Maltese and a Toy Poodle.
Maltese, American Kennel Club’s 37 most popular dogs in a list of 196, is described as charming, gentle and playful.
While the very popular Poodle is part of the magic 10. It is at the 7th spot and is said to be very smart, active and proud.
History of a Maltepoo
Like other designer dog breeds, the exact origin of Maltepoo is not well-documented but some say their cuteness graced the earth 20 to 30 years ago in the United States.
While other breeds are intentionally mixed with Poodle because of its hypoallergenic attributes, Maltepoo was born due to appearance. Its other parent is also a low-shedding dog.
Maltepoo’s parents meanwhile are known throughout history:
● Maltese- this fluffy dog is considered to be one of the oldest breeds around dating as far back as 3500 B.C. It originated in Malta, southern coast of Italy, and was bred for companionship. It was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1963.
● Poodle- originating in Germany, it is hard to imagine that this now fashionable breed was once used for hunting and retrieval. While this dog is German in origin, it is touted as the National Dog of France. American Kennel Club started to recognize this breed in 1886.
Maltepoo’s parents are recognized by the AKC but since it is a crossbreed, it is only recognized by registries such as American Canine Hybrid Club, International Designer Canine Registry, Designer Breed Registry and lastly, Designer Dogs Kennel Club
How Does A Maltepoo Look Like?
With both adorable parents, it is not hard to imagine not falling in love with this cute mix. A Maltepoo will have blue or brown eyes and a black beady nose.
In terms of a Maltepoo’s coat, it can either be silky like the Maltese or frizzy to wavy like the Poodle! Its color can range from white, silver, blue, cream, brown, gray and black.
Speaking of size, both Maltepoo’s parents are small. A Maltese is only less than 7 pounds with a height that ranges from 7 to 9 inches.
The toy Poodle parent is also miniature at only 10 inches high and only weighs 4 to 6 pounds. With this, a Maltepoo’s height can just be 6 to 15 inches (15-38 cm) at the shoulders and 5 to 15 pounds heavy (2-7 kg).
Grooming the Little Maltepoo
What’s nice about a Maltepoo is that it is considered as low-shedding or hypoallergenic. Although, of course, no dog can claim 100% accuracy since all dogs shed dander and saliva that carries the allergens.
In terms of taking care of its coat, a Maltepoo needs daily brushing to prevent matting and monthly grooming. Bathing should also be done monthly or only as necessary since they have a low smell and drooling level.
Small dogs are prone to periodontal diseases that can result in tooth loss so daily brushing is highly recommended. At least, brush Maltepoo’s teeth twice or thrice a week if it seems like too much of a task.
Watch out also for their ears as it can trap dirt, moisture and even foreign debris. So it has to be cleaned regularly with a cleaning solution recommended by the vet.
Other grooming tips are just common ones like clipping their nails when it starts to click on the floor.
The Temperament of A Maltepoo
Lovable and lively are just some of the words used to describe a Maltepoo, but here’s more:
Friendly But Loud
Maltepoo is very friendly to humans, other dogs and even cats! This is especially when they are socially trained since puppyhood like exposing to other people, pets, sights, sounds and other experiences.
Even if they are friendly, Maltepoos are somewhat territorial and protective of their family. In this case, they are prone to barking making them good watchdogs. Just take note that this little dog enjoys barking very much and may take a lot of work to teach them when to stop.
Active and Energetic
For a small dog, Maltepoos have a mountainous level of energy. They are very active and love to play games, going for a walk and breeze through the house. Although they can have a lot of energy, their small size makes them still perfect for apartment-style homes.
Perfect with Kids
Maltepoos get along well with children because they are gentle and loving. But never leave these two unattended. Maltepoo is very small and even small kids can easily crush or hurt them. Kids must be taught how to properly play with a dog so it is recommended to let them play only with kids six years old and above.
Maltepoo is also great for first-time dog owners!
Cuddly and Loving
This dog loves to cuddle so show him lots of affection. Expect to see this dog always on his human’s lap waiting to be lavished with tender-loving care. Anticipate also unconditional love from this pooch, in return.
Warning: Prone to Separation Anxiety
Maltepoos love to be with their humans so much that leaving them for a long time can cause them separation anxiety. When they do, they tend to be destructive or may bark and howl a lot. With this, they are not advisable in homes where owners leave often. If they have to be left, at least entrust them with a friend or a dog walker.
They should never live in kennels also but inside the home with their humans.
Just take note though that each pup is unique and their environment will also play a role in their overall disposition.
Exercise Needs of A Maltepoo
All dogs need exercise especially for a high-energy dog like the Maltepoo. A daily walk of 10 to 15 minutes is good but they won’t also say no to extra activities like fetch or chase ball.
Apart from physical play, mind-stimulating games are also recommended.
Exercise is beneficial for dogs because it keeps them happy and prevents destructive behavior.
Training a Maltepoo
Maltepoo is easy to train, not only because they learn quickly but also because they are eager to please.
Maltese have fair working intelligence and it ranks 59 on the ranking of dog intelligence. At this level, dogs understand new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions. Poodle, on the other hand, is very smart at the 2nd spot. They understand commands with just less than five repetitions!
To ensure success in training this dog, positive reinforcement techniques should be employed. This includes praising or rewarding with treats.
The train also while still at puppyhood and do not wait until it is six months old. Enrolling them in a puppy kindergarten class will also have its merits. The downside is just these classes usually require completed puppy vaccines. While waiting, always socialize them and be patient in training. Focus also on teaching them when to bark and when to keep quiet.
Taking Care of a Maltepoo
Taking care of a Maltepoo requires full attention to ensure they will live long and healthy.
Diet Of A Maltepoo
Dogs must always be fed according to their age, size, metabolism and activity level. Generally, Maltepoo’s recommended daily diet is up to 1.5 cups of high-quality kibble fed in two meals. In giving treats, make sure it is not just empty calories to prevent them from becoming obese. Choose treats that will give them numerous health benefits.
With eye-test and hands-on tests, it is easy to spot if the dog is overweight. First, when looking down at him, the waist must be easily spotted. Next, with hands rubbing along the spine, his ribs must be felt without having to press hard. If it takes a lot of effort to feel it, then he might need less food and more exercise.
Common Diseases Of A Maltepoo
Cross-breed dogs are said to have hybrid vigors; which means that they are healthier than their purebred counterparts. However, that does not mean that they are not prone to any diseases at all. Some of the common threats plaguing Maltepoos are:
- White Shaker Syndrome
- Epilepsy
- Patellar luxation which is common in small dogs
- Portosystemic Shunt (PSS)
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
- Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
Always deal with reputable breeders where both parents should have health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals to check their knees, Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) and a DNA test for the eyes.
Some health problems do not appear until a dog reaches its full maturity, thus health clearances are only issued to dogs two years older and above.
The lifespan of A Maltepoo
When given proper care, a healthy diet, regular diet and exercise, Maltepoos can live as long as 11 to 13 years.
How Much Is A Cute Maltepoo?
Get ready to prepare at least $700 up to $2,000 from a reputable breeder. Good breeders are worth the extra cost since their dogs have health clearances.
Rescuing a Maltepoo is also a good option. Here are some of the rescue centers worth checking:
- Poo Mix Rescue- poomixrescue.com
- Maltepoo Club- Maltepooclub-ivil.tripod.com/id11.html
- American Maltese Association Rescue- americanmalteserescue.org
- Carolina Poodle Rescue- carolinapoodlerescue.org
Conclusion: Is A Maltepoo Perfect for You?
Maltepoo is a great addition to a family and they will surely be a source of joy. Just remember that owning a dog is a big responsibility and a lifelong commitment. If a barker is also not an issue, go ahead with a Maltepoo and enjoy lots of love and cuddle!
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