Maltipoos have become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly among dog owners looking for a tiny, adorable companion. Yet, would they make a good family dog?
Do Maltese poodle mixes make a good family dog? Maltipoo is a friendly, playful, and intelligent dog breed that makes an excellent companion for every family member. They’re a wonderful addition to your family, especially if you’re as active as they are!
Given these facts in mind, it’s easy to see why this breed is popular with families who have seniors and children. Yet, some people are still mostly unaware about this Maltipoos mixed breed in general.
This article can help you know more about these adorable little companions that you can bring anywhere!
What Does Maltese Poodle Mix Look Like?
Coming from both small breed parents, Maltipoos are considered a teacup or a designer dog for their cute and tiny size with a very fluffy coat that they retain since they were once a Maltipoo puppy.
These adorable-teddy bear-like dogs have a size that can range from 8 to 14 inches tall and six to twelve pounds, with seven being the average weight for an adult Maltese Poodle mix.
They also have long and silky coats in brown, black, white, cream, silver, and even silver patches, as well as short-haired and curly variations.
In terms of shedding, Maltipoos have relatively low maintenance when it comes to grooming needs, as they don’t shed as much as other dogs.
However, they may require daily brushing and regular dog bathing at least once or twice a month to remove dirt and odors from their fur coats, keeping their coats healthy and shiny.
History of Maltipoo – Poodles and Maltese Mixed Breed
Maltese Dog and Toy Poodle have been around for a while, but Maltese Poodle mixes have recently become popular. But their origin can be linked to the origin of their parent breeds.
The Maltese are a toy or miniature dog breed that originated from the Middle East and Mediterranean island of Malta. They were bred to be companions for royalty and aristocrats.
Meanwhile, a toy poodle is considered one of the oldest dog breeds in Europe. Their name derives from the German word “pudel,” which means “to splash,” They were developed as water dogs to retrieve game during hunting.
Unfortunately, the American Kennel Club (AKC) has yet to recognize the Poodle Maltese mix as a purebred breed, to which North American Maltipoo Club and Registry exist.
This organization encourages families and individuals in owning one to experience intelligent, compassionate, and sweet dogs at home!
Now that you’ve learned about this dog breed’s origins and history let’s look at what makes the Maltese poodle mix so special!
Maltese Poodle Mix Temperament and Behavior
Maltese Poodle mix makes an excellent companion dog for both adults and children because of its loving nature. They are known for their sweet, gentle, and playful temperament, making them great dogs for families.
They are outgoing dogs that tend to follow you everywhere around the house, especially if they know that you’re busy with work or household chores, as if they purposely want to annoy you with their cuteness!
Despite being elegant little dogs, they have a lot to offer when it comes to agility competitions. Maltipoos are good jumpers, and they can also do tricks like catching a flying disk or Frisbee, which will surely delight their owners.
On top of that, the Maltese Poodle mix is known for being very protective of their family. Their loyalty and attachment make them good guard dogs that will bark whenever strangers approach your home.
So if you bring this breed at home with your children, make sure to spend some time training them not to bite on little fingers or toes as it’s part of its instincts when dealing with strange people or animals.
Maltipoos are also recognized as wonderful companion dogs that can easily develop a strong bond with their owners. As a result, they may experience severe separation anxiety when left alone.
This is also another reason why you should not strongly punish or reprimand them harshly as well, especially if it’s the first time they did something wrong. Instead, use some positive reinforcement.
As a low-shedding or hypoallergenic dog, Maltipoos sheds very little that you only need a brush or comb now and then.
Unfortunately, they are susceptible to various health issues, including progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), patellar luxation, white shaker syndrome, and others. For this reason, it’s crucial for them to go through regular checkups with their veterinarian.
Maltipoo Dog’ Living Condition
Since Maltipoo does not do well in hot or extreme temperatures, they tend to stay at home most of the time. This is beneficial when you don’t want them to wander outside and get mistaken as a fluffy teddy bear by strangers.
But Maltipoos can get bored at times, so a short exercise such as regular dog walking or playing with them is necessary.
Definitely excellent to families who are less active and prefer to spend most of their time at home!
Should You Own a Maltipoo When Living with Your Family?
Maltipoo is perfect for families who want to have a low-energy dog around the house. They’re affectionate, playful, and love being with people most of the time.
Due to their sensitivity in nature, most of them can easily suffer from separation anxiety. So leaving them alone for long periods of time will make them suffer. This is also why they thrive more in an environment with people who stay all the time.
However, they can sometimes be clingy, which is why it’s vital that you establish your authority as an owner, or else this breed will take over your personal space!
Make sure to spend some quality time training them not to bite on small children’s fingers and toes, which is part of their instincts when dealing with strange people or animals.
Also, make sure to give them regular checkups at the vet because they tend to suffer from several health problems.
If you’re looking for an affectionate and loyal companion but can’t stand the shedding or high activity levels of most dog breeds, then this is definitely the breed for you!
Related Questions:
Are Maltese Poodle dogs a good dog?
Maltese poodle mix is known to be socially-friendly for the families and people outdoors. They can quickly form a relationship with their fur parents, making them a great companion that will do anything to make their owners happy!
Do Maltipoos have health problems?
Maltipoos are one of the mixed breed results that are susceptible to health problems that their parent breeds – Maltese and Poodle may also suffer from.
Some of these health issues are Legg Calve Perthes Disease, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Portosystemic Shunt (PSS), among others.
How big will a Maltese poodle mix get?
Even though Maltipoos may vary in size and weight from their parent’s, their average height falls between 8 to 14 inches tall in general. Meanwhile, their average weight is between 5 to 20 pounds.