Maltipoo Breed Guide: Size, Temperament, Cost & Care

Is a Maltipoo right for you?

A Maltipoo suits adults, couples, retirees and families with older children who want a small, affectionate companion and are home a lot. It is a poor fit for homes with toddlers or for owners who are out all day.

A good match if you:

• Live in an apartment or a small home and want a dog that's happy with modest exercise.
• Work from home, are retired, or can bring the dog along most places.
• Want a lap dog that still enjoys walks and play.
• Are comfortable with regular brushing and grooming appointments.

Probably not for you if you:

• Have babies or toddlers. A 6 lb dog can be badly hurt if dropped, stepped on or squeezed.
• Are away for long workdays with no one to keep the dog company.
• Need a quiet dog for shared walls. Many Maltipoos are alert barkers.
• Want a hiking or running partner for long distances.

The breed finder can help if you're torn between small doodles.

Maltipoo temperament & personality

Maltipoos are usually sweet, playful and very attached to their owners. The Maltese has been a companion dog for centuries and the Poodle adds intelligence, so the result is a bright little dog that wants to be wherever you are.

• Affectionate: most love laps, cuddles and following you around the house.
• Alert: they notice everything and often bark at noises, which makes them decent doorbells and sometimes difficult neighbors.
• Sensitive: they respond to gentle, positive handling and can become anxious with harsh treatment or chaotic homes.
• Clingy: separation anxiety is one of the most common complaints from Maltipoo owners.

Small dogs who are carried everywhere and never asked to cope with anything can become nervous or snappy. Treat a Maltipoo like a real dog: socialize it, train it and let it walk on its own four feet.

Maltipoos are close cousins of the Cavapoo. Both are affectionate small Poodle crosses, though Maltipoos are usually smaller and a bit more vocal. Our Cavapoo vs Maltipoo comparison covers the differences.

Maltipoo size & growth

Maltipoo size depends mainly on whether a Toy or Miniature Poodle was used. The Maltese parent is usually 4–7 lb, so most Maltipoos stay small.

• Toy: about 5–10 lb and 8–10 inches at the shoulder. Usually bred with a Toy Poodle.
• Mini: about 10–20 lb and 11–14 inches. Usually bred with a Miniature Poodle.

"Teacup" Maltipoos under 5 lb are sold at a premium but carry extra risk. Very tiny puppies are more prone to low blood sugar, broken bones, dental crowding and other health problems, and the label is not a recognized size. Reputable breeders rarely use it.

Size matters for daily life. A 6 lb Maltipoo is easy to carry and travels well in an airline-approved cabin carrier, but it also feels the cold, can be hurt jumping off a couch, and is more vulnerable around larger dogs at the park. A 15 lb mini is sturdier and often a better choice for a home with older children or another dog.

Most Maltipoos reach adult size by about 8–12 months. To estimate your puppy's adult weight, try our puppy weight calculator.

Maltipoo generations explained

The generation tells you how the puppy was bred and gives a rough guide to coat and shedding.

• F1: Maltese × Poodle. Both parents are low-shedding breeds, so most F1 Maltipoos shed lightly. Coats range from silky and straight to wavy.
• F1b: F1 Maltipoo × Poodle. Coats tend to be curlier, with slightly lower shedding and a bit more matting.
• F2: F1 × F1. Littermates can vary more in size and coat texture.
• Multigen: Maltipoo × Maltipoo over several generations, usually bred for consistent size, coat and temperament.

Because the Maltese and Poodle both shed little, generation matters less for shedding in a Maltipoo than in a Goldendoodle or Cockapoo. It affects coat texture and size consistency more. Our F1b explainer covers the genetics behind the labels.

Coat, shedding & grooming

Maltipoos shed very little, but their fine coat tangles and mats quickly, so grooming is a regular commitment.

• Brushing: every day or two, with a slicker brush and a fine metal comb. Pay attention to behind the ears, armpits and under the collar.
• Professional grooming: every 4–6 weeks. In the US a full groom for a Maltipoo usually costs $55–$100, more in big cities or for a matted coat.
• Tear staining: common, especially in white and cream dogs. Keep the face hair trimmed and wipe the eye area daily.
• Teeth: brush several times a week. Small mouths crowd teeth and dental disease is very common.
• Ears: check weekly for redness, odor or wax buildup.

On allergies, no Maltipoo is guaranteed to be safe for allergy sufferers. Less shedding can help, but allergens are also in saliva and dander. Our hypoallergenic guide explains why the label is misleading for every doodle.

Exercise & training

Most Maltipoos need about 30–45 minutes of exercise a day, split into short walks and indoor play. They're happy with less on busy days, but a bored Maltipoo tends to bark more.

Training is usually straightforward with short, upbeat sessions and small treats. Common sticking points:

• Potty training: small breeds often take longer to house-train. A consistent schedule and frequent trips outside help, and some owners use an indoor pad area in apartments.
• Barking: teach a "quiet" cue and avoid rewarding demand barking with attention.
• Alone time: practice short absences from the first weeks. Separation anxiety is common, and our separation anxiety guide lays out a gradual plan that works for any small companion breed.
• Safe handling: teach children to sit on the floor to hold the dog, and discourage jumping off furniture, which can injure small legs.

Use a harness rather than a collar on walks to protect the windpipe.

Health & lifespan

Maltipoos commonly live 12–16 years. They can inherit conditions from both parent breeds, and toy-sized dogs carry some extra risks.

From the Maltese side:

• Patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps)
• Dental disease and retained baby teeth
• Portosystemic (liver) shunt
• Collapsing trachea
• Heart conditions, including patent ductus arteriosus and mitral valve disease
• White shaker syndrome, a tremor condition seen in small white dogs
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in very small puppies

From the Toy or Miniature Poodle side:

• Patellar luxation
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and other eye conditions
• Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, a hip condition in small breeds
• Epilepsy

Health tests to ask for on both parents: OFA patella evaluations, a cardiac exam, and an eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (OFA CAER). The Poodle parent should have a prcd-PRA DNA test. For the Maltese side, ask whether the line has been screened for liver shunt with a bile acids test. A good breeder will show you the results.

Day to day, the biggest health wins for a Maltipoo are simple. Keep the dog lean, since even a pound or two of extra weight is a lot on a small frame and puts more strain on knees and the windpipe. Brush teeth regularly and book dental checks. And in young or very small puppies, watch for weakness or wobbliness, which can be a sign of low blood sugar and needs a prompt vet call.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. Speak to your vet about your own dog.

What a Maltipoo costs in the US

A Maltipoo puppy from a health-testing US breeder typically costs $1,500–$4,000. "Teacup" or rare-color puppies are often priced higher, and that premium usually buys more health risk rather than less.

Budget for at least one professional dental cleaning under anesthesia at some point, which often costs several hundred dollars or more.

Puppy-mill red flags. Maltipoos are heavily sold through pet stores and online listings. Be cautious if:

• The seller can't show health-test results for both parents.
• You can't meet the mother or see where the puppies live.
• "Teacup" or "micro" sizes are a selling point.
• Puppies are offered before 8 weeks old, or shipped without a conversation about your home.
• There's no written contract or take-back promise.