Crossbreeds

Maltipoo

A tiny, affectionate lap dog with a soft, low-shedding coat.

Maltipoos combine the Maltese with a Toy or Miniature Poodle. They are small, loving and playful companions, well suited to apartments and adult households, with regular grooming needs.

A Maltese × Toy or Miniature Poodle cross. Not recognised by the AKC; size, coat and temperament vary more than in a purebred.

Parent breeds: Maltese × Poodle

Height
8–14 in20–36 cm
Weight
5–20 lb2–9 kg
Life expectancy
12–15 years
Size
Toy
Group
Crossbreeds
Origin
United States

Coat: Soft, wavy to curly coat; low shedding. Colours: White, Cream, Apricot, Red, Silver, Black.

At a glance

Exercise Requirement2.0 / 5
20-30 min gentle walk2+ hours intense stamina
Indoor "Off-Switch"4.0 / 5
Restless / constantly searching for actionInstantly curls up and relaxes indoors
Trainability4.0 / 5
Strong independent thinkerEager biddable student
Mental Stimulation3.0 / 5
Content with routineNeeds a job or creates mischief
Affection Level5.0 / 5
Polite distanceConstant lap snuggler
Stranger Friendliness4.0 / 5
Naturally aloof / watchfulGreets every stranger as best friend
Child Patience & Safety3.5 / 5
Prefers quiet adultsRemarkably sturdy & patient
Other Dog Friendliness4.0 / 5
Strong solo-dog preferenceLoves pack play and multi-dog homes
Prey Drive1.5 / 5
Ignores crittersHigh pursuit instinct / fence chaser
Vocalization & Barking3.5 / 5
Nearly mute / quietWatchful alarm barker or howler
Shedding Level1.0 / 5
Minimal to non-sheddingHeavy year-round fur shedding
Grooming Burden4.0 / 5
Wash & wear coatDaily brushing + salon visits
Drool Tendency1.0 / 5
Dry-mouthedRequires dedicated slobber towels
Apartment Suitability5.0 / 5
Needs acreage or private runThrives in urban elevator apartments
Beginner Friendliness4.5 / 5
Demands experienced handlerIdeal forgiving companion for first-timers
Owner Demand Level2.0 / 5
Very forgiving for novicesRequires skilled firm handling

Ratings describe typical dogs of the breed on a 1–5 scale. Individual dogs vary with lines, upbringing and training.

Temperament

Maltipoos are gentle, affectionate and playful. They love to be near their people and often follow them from room to room.

They can be vocal and are prone to separation anxiety. Their small size means careful handling around young children.

Living with a Maltipoo

Exercise

About 20–30 minutes of short walks and play daily; indoor games meet much of their energy needs.

Grooming

Brush several times a week and book professional grooming every six to eight weeks. Clean around the eyes daily.

Training

Bright and eager; reward-based training works well. House-training may take patience.

Kids & other pets

Best with adults or gentle, older children. Usually good with other pets.

Time alone

Prone to separation anxiety; they prefer someone home most of the day.

Home fit

Adapts well to apartments and smaller homes when daily needs are met.

Is a Maltipoo right for you?

Take the Breed Fit quiz to see how a Maltipoo matches your home, schedule and tolerance for shedding, barking and exercise — or find out which breed matches your personality with Dogsona.

Take the Breed Fit quizTry Dogsona →

Health

With good breeding and care, a Maltipoo typically lives 12–15 years. These are the conditions most associated with the breed — not a prediction for any individual dog.

  • Patellar luxation

    Loose kneecaps are common in toy breeds.

  • Dental disease

    Small mouths are prone to tartar; brush daily.

  • White shaker syndrome

    A tremor condition inherited from Maltese lines; treatable with medication.

  • Progressive retinal atrophy

    Inherited from Poodle lines; DNA testing of parents is recommended.

Ask a breeder for

  • Both parents: patella evaluation
  • Both parents: eye examination
  • Poodle parent: prcd-PRA DNA test

Sources: OFA health testing guidance for Maltese and Poodle; American Maltese Association. This is general information, not veterinary advice — talk to your vet about your own dog.

Cost to own

After the first year, expect roughly $900–$1,800 a year for food, routine vet care, preventives, insurance and supplies (US estimate).

  • Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks adds roughly $500–$900 a year.
  • Pet insurance for a puppy typically runs $30–$60 a month; premiums rise with age and breed risk.
See the full first-year cost breakdown →

History

Maltipoos became popular in the United States in the 1990s as breeders sought a small, low-shedding companion combining two toy breeds.

They are bred as first-generation crosses and multigenerational lines. Size depends largely on the Poodle parent.

Did you know?

  • Maltipoos are often chosen by people with mild dog allergies.
  • Their size depends mostly on whether the Poodle parent is a Toy or Miniature.
  • Maltipoos are sometimes called Moodles.

Library guides for Maltipoo owners

Similar breeds

Frequently asked questions

Are Maltipoos hypoallergenic?
No dog is truly hypoallergenic, but Maltipoos shed very little.
Are Maltipoos good with kids?
Better with older, gentle children; they are small and fragile.
Do Maltipoos bark a lot?
Some can be vocal; training helps.