Compare · Small doodles
Cavapoo vs Maltipoo: Which Small Doodle Is Right for You?
Cavapoos and Maltipoos are two of the most popular small doodles in the US, and both make devoted companions. The Cavapoo tends to be the softer, sturdier and more easygoing of the pair, while the Maltipoo is usually tinier, more alert and more vocal.
The short answer
Pick a Cavapoo if you want a gentle, people-loving dog that's a bit sturdier around children and you're comfortable asking breeders detailed questions about heart health. Pick a Maltipoo if you want a smaller, lighter dog for apartment life, one that's very low-shedding and doesn't mind a little extra barking. Both need lots of company.
| Cavapoo | Maltipoo | |
|---|---|---|
| Cross | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel × Poodle | Maltese × Toy or Miniature Poodle |
| Adult weight | 11–20 lb | 5–20 lb |
| Height | 10–14 in | 8–14 in |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years | 12–16 years |
| Puppy price (US) | $1,500–$4,000 | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Energy | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Grooming needs | ||
| Trainability | ||
| Good with kids | ||
| Copes when left alone | ||
| Apartment-friendly |
Temperament
Both are affectionate companion dogs, but Cavapoos are usually more laid-back and Maltipoos more lively and alert.
The Cavapoo gets the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's famously gentle, sociable nature. Most Cavapoos like everyone, including strangers, kids and other dogs. My Cavapoo, Kimi, is a male F1b, and he's a good example of the type: very affectionate, happiest in the same room as his people, and not a fan of being left out.
The Maltipoo inherits the Maltese's spirited, playful personality. Maltipoos are typically loving and fun, but also more watchful and quicker to bark at noises. Some can be a little wary of strangers until they get to know them.
Both are companion breeds through and through. Neither is happy shut in a room or left alone for most of the day.
Size
Maltipoos are generally the smaller of the two, while Cavapoos tend to be a bit heavier and sturdier. See the facts table above for typical ranges.
The Poodle parent's size (Toy or Miniature) drives the final size in both crosses. A sturdier Cavapoo can be easier to have around young children and larger dogs. A very small Maltipoo is easy to carry and travel with, but more fragile. Our Cavapoo size guide goes deeper on growth, and the puppy weight calculator works for either cross.
Coat & shedding
Maltipoos are often more reliably low-shedding than Cavapoos, because the Maltese has a single coat of continuously growing hair while the Cavalier sheds.
- F1 Cavapoos can shed lightly, depending on how much of the Cavalier coat they get.
- F1b Cavapoos and most Maltipoos tend to be low-shedding.
Neither is hypoallergenic. Allergens come from saliva and skin as well as hair, so low-shedding helps some allergy sufferers but not all. Our guide on whether Cavapoos are hypoallergenic covers this in detail.
Both coats need brushing several times a week and a professional groom every 6 to 8 weeks. White and cream Maltipoos are especially prone to visible tear staining. The Cavapoo grooming guide lays out a routine that suits both crosses.
Energy & training
Both have moderate energy and are fairly easy to train, with the Maltipoo often a little more excitable and vocal.
About 30 to 60 minutes of walks and play a day suits most of either cross. Cavapoos often enjoy longer walks and sniff-heavy outings. Maltipoos are happy with shorter walks and indoor games.
The Poodle side makes both quick learners, and reward-based training works well. The main challenges differ a bit. Maltipoos are more likely to need work on barking, and toy breeds can be slow to housetrain. Cavapoos are prone to separation anxiety because they bond so strongly; in my experience with Kimi, building up alone time slowly from puppyhood makes a real difference. Our separation anxiety guide covers the step-by-step approach, and it works for Maltipoos too.
Health
Both share the Poodle's risks, but the Cavapoo's biggest concern is the heart, from the Cavalier side. Expected lifespans are broadly similar; see the table above.
- Shared: patellar luxation, progressive retinal atrophy, dental disease and ear infections.
- Cavalier side: mitral valve disease, a common heart condition in the breed, and syringomyelia, a neurological condition.
- Maltese side: portosystemic (liver) shunt, white shaker syndrome, and tear staining and eye irritation.
- Poodle side: epilepsy and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease in small Poodles.
For a Cavapoo, ask for a cardiologist's heart exam on the Cavalier parent, plus patella and eye exams on both. For a Maltipoo, ask for patella and eye exams and whether the breeder has seen liver shunts in their lines. Both should have the prcd-PRA DNA result for the Poodle.
Cost
Puppy prices are similar for both, and the facts table above shows the typical ranges. Generation and the breeder's health testing affect price more than the cross.
Ongoing costs are close too. Grooming every 6 to 8 weeks and dental care are the main regular expenses. Both crosses are heavily sold by puppy mills and pet-store suppliers, so meet the mother, see health results in writing, and be wary of "teacup" marketing.
Families & living situations
The Cavapoo often suits families with gentle children, homes with other pets and owners who want an easygoing all-rounder. The Maltipoo often suits adults, retirees and apartment dwellers who want a very small, low-shedding dog and don't mind some barking.
Both do best where someone is home for much of the day. For more on the Cavapoo side, read the Cavapoo breed guide or Cavapoo vs Cockapoo. For the Maltipoo, see the full Maltipoo profile.