Maltipoos are a cross between a Maltese and a Poodle, resulting in a small, adorable dog with a silky coat.
Their weight typically ranges from 4 to 8 pounds, making them a great companion for apartment dwellers or those who want a low-maintenance pet.
Maltipoos have a variety of coat colors, including white, black, and apricot, often with a combination of these colors.
Their coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling.
Their eyes are large and expressive, often brown or black in color, and are a key feature of their cute and endearing appearance.
Their small size and gentle nature make them a popular choice as a family pet.
Related reading: Tan Maltipoo
Physical Characteristics
Maltipoos are known for their compact frame, rounded face, and expressive eyes. Their single-layered hair, similar to human hair, contributes to their reputation as hypoallergenic dogs.
Their coats can vary from medium to long length and come in a range of colors including white, black, brown, cream, gray, and silver. The pure black Maltipoo is considered the rarest.
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A Maltipoo's size can vary, but most stand between 8 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 5 to 20 pounds. Their small size doesn't deter them from being energetic and playful.
Their eyes are typically large, round, and full of expression, often dark brown or black. Their button-like nose may vary in color, corresponding with the color of their coat.
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Maltese
The Maltese is a beautiful breed with a distinctive appearance.
Their fur is one of their most notable features, with a range of styles to choose from.
Asking for a Maltese cut can get you a range of styles, from a short, trimmed look to a floor-length fur.
You could end up with a cut that's similar to the picture above, or something entirely different.
It's essential to decide what kind of Maltese cut you want before heading to the groomer.
Specify your request to ensure you get the style you're looking for.
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Curled Poodle
The Curled Poodle is a great option for Maltipoos with very curly coats, as it will give your dog an adorable rounded look. This cut is surprisingly easy to do, requiring only a shave of the tail, feet, and face, with the rest of the hair cut to a desired length. You can even leave pom-poms on the paws or tail if you prefer.
Curious to learn more? Check out: Teddy Bear Cut for Maltipoo
Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is a popular breed known for its distinctive appearance. They come in different styles, which can be a bit confusing when it comes to their grooming needs.
You'll need to be specific when asking for a Shih Tzu cut, as they can range from long to short. If you want a shorter style, make sure to specify that, or you might end up with a longer haircut than you intended!
Here are some popular Shih Tzu styles to consider:
- Teddy Bear
- Little Fringe
- Soft Curls
What Does It Look Like?
A Maltipoo's physical appearance is a delightful blend of its Maltese and Poodle heritage. Their compact frame and rounded face are just the beginning of their endearing features.
Their hair, not fur, is single-layered and silky or slightly wiry, requiring regular grooming to maintain their charming appearance. This contributes to their reputation as hypoallergenic dogs.
Maltipoos often have wavy or curly coats that vary from medium to long length. Their most common color is white, reflecting the Maltese side of their ancestry.
Their eyes are typically large, round, and full of expression, often dark brown or black, lending a stark contrast against their hair. These expressive eyes play a significant role in their ability to communicate with their human families.
Maltipoos usually boast a small, cute, button-like nose that may vary in color, often corresponding with the color of their coat.
Related reading: Short Hair Maltipoo
Why Do They Look Different?
A Maltipoo's appearance can change significantly as they mature, with their coat often darkening or fading as they grow. This is just one reason why your Maltipoo might look different than expected.
The genetic mix from the Maltese and Poodle parents can also influence their appearance, resulting in a wide variety of looks even within the same breed. You might see some Maltipoos with striking differences in their coat patterns and colors.
Grooming and haircut styles can dramatically alter a Maltipoo's appearance, too. Regular grooming can maintain the coat's health and color, but a different haircut can give your Maltipoo an entirely new look.
Here are some key factors that can affect a Maltipoo's appearance:
Choosing the Best Hair
Maltipoos have three basic coat types, which are determined by whether the Poodle or Maltese genes are most dominant. Their coats can be straight and silky, thick and curly, or wavy and wiry.
A Maltipoo's coat can range from medium to very dense in thickness, and it's prone to matting and tangling if not properly groomed. Regular grooming is essential to prevent these issues.
Most Maltipoos have a medium to long-length coat, which requires daily brushing to prevent matting and tangling. This is especially important if you have a curly or wavy coat, as these textures are more prone to these issues.
Discover more: Maltipoo Coat Types
To determine the best haircut for your Maltipoo, consider the season, how much time your dog spends outside, and whether you'll brush your dog every day. This will help you decide between a long or short cut, and whether a particular length will attract dirt or require too much grooming.
Here are some key questions to ask yourself:
- What season is it? (long hair may not be suitable for summer months)
- Is my dog outside a lot? (a shorter cut may be better for an outside dog)
- Will I brush my dog every day? (longer coats require more frequent brushing)
Colors
Maltipoos come in a variety of colors, with white being the most popular due to their Maltese parentage. Their coats can be solid or a combination of two or more colors.
A completely white Maltipoo has an adorable and clean appearance. Their white coat often mixes with the colored Poodle and creates a coat that's on the lighter side.
Cream-colored Maltipoos can range from a very light, almost white color, to a darker cream that can almost appear light brown. This color variation is due to the Poodle's diverse color palette.
Apricot is another common color in Maltipoos, ranging from a light, almost peachy color, to a deep, rich apricot. This color is a result of the Poodle's genetic diversity.
Recommended read: Maltipoo vs Poodle
Some Maltipoos can have two or more colors on their coat, often in patches or specific markings. This multi-colored coat is a testament to the Poodle's diverse color palette.
Here are some of the different Maltipoo colors:
- White
- Cream
- Apricot
- Black
- Multi-colored
- Grey (a light grey that looks like a "smoky" hue)
- Gold (similar to the color of a golden retriever)
Keep in mind that a Maltipoo's coat color can change or evolve as they grow older. Puppies might darken or lighten as they mature, with some even developing different colored hair tips.
Size
Maltipoos are a small breed, thanks to their Maltese and Toy or Miniature Poodle parentage. They're perfect for individuals and families living in smaller homes or apartments.
Their exact size can vary, but here's a rough guide to their height and weight:
- Height: Most Maltipoos stand between 8 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder.
- Weight: In terms of weight, Maltipoos typically range from 5 to 20 pounds.
A full-grown Teacup Maltipoo will usually weigh around 5 pounds, making them half the size of a typical domestic cat. This tiny size is great for owners who don't want a large dog, but it means they're fragile and can be easily injured by larger dogs or small children.
Grooming
Maintaining your Maltipoo's adorable appearance is crucial, and regular grooming is not just about looks β it's also essential for their overall health care. You'll need to brush your Maltipoo's coat every day to prevent matting and tangles.
To keep your Maltipoo's coat healthy, you'll need to bathe them regularly, ideally every 3-4 weeks. Use lukewarm water and make sure to wash off all soap to prevent dry skin.
You'll also need to check inside their ears to get rid of dirt, which can cause infections. And because Maltipoos don't get a lot of time walking outside on abrasive surfaces, they'll need their claws clipped frequently.
Here's a rough guide to help you determine how often you'll need to groom your Maltipoo:
Keep in mind that the frequency of grooming depends on the length of your Maltipoo's coat. If you want to keep their hair longer, you'll need to groom them more frequently to prevent matting.
Temperament and Behavior
The Teacup Maltipoo is a very clever dog that combines the intelligence of the Maltese and Poodle breeds.
This cleverness makes them easy to train, as they are loving dogs that want to please their humans.
Their tiny legs may not be suited for agility records, but they can still enjoy this kind of challenge to stay mentally stimulated and physically challenged.
Temperament & Intelligence
The Teacup Maltipoo is a very clever dog, thanks to its combination of the Maltese's cleverness and the Poodle's hyper-intelligence. This makes it easy to train, as it's a loving dog that wants to please its human.
They're known for being loving friends and getting very attached to their owners. This attachment can be a downside if you have a busy lifestyle, but it's also a great opportunity to strengthen your bond with your Teacup Maltipoo.
Ranger's best days are when her owner is working from home all day, or when she gets to ride around town while her owner runs errands. This shows just how much they love spending time with their humans.
A Teacup Maltipoo may enjoy agility challenges, despite its tiny legs, which can help keep it mentally stimulated and physically challenged.
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They're Not as "Yappy"
Maltipoos are often misunderstood as being overly yappy, but the truth is they're actually quite quiet.
Ranger, my own Maltipoo, rarely barks and is a really quiet doggie for the most part.
Some other Maltipoo owners I've spoken to agree that their dogs are very quiet, with only one exception.
I've also noticed that sheltering Ranger from barking dogs has helped keep her quiet, especially when I've gone on vacation and she's stayed with my parents.
Being around other dogs barking all the time may teach them to bark more often, which could be a reason why some Maltipoos start barking more after staying in a kennel.
For your interest: Maltipoo Bark
3 Little-Known Facts
Temperament and behavior are closely linked, and understanding this connection can help you better navigate your relationships and daily interactions.
A key factor in determining temperament is the presence of a specific gene variant, known as the DRD4 gene. This gene variant has been linked to novelty-seeking behavior, which can influence a person's risk-taking tendencies and emotional reactivity.
Check this out: Maltipoo Behavior
People with a higher level of emotional reactivity tend to be more sensitive to stress and may experience anxiety or anger more easily. This can lead to a range of behaviors, from avoidance to aggression.
Interestingly, research suggests that a person's temperament can be influenced by their early life experiences, including their attachment style and parenting style. For example, a secure attachment style has been linked to better emotional regulation and a more optimistic outlook.
Emotional intelligence, which involves the ability to recognize and manage one's emotions, is a crucial aspect of temperament and behavior. People with higher emotional intelligence tend to be more empathetic and better at resolving conflicts.
Worth a look: Maltipoo Intelligence Ranking
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Maltipoos the cutest dogs?
Maltipoos are known for their adorable faces and small stature, making them a popular choice for many dog owners. Their cute appearance is just one reason why they make excellent companions.
What is the rarest color Maltipoo?
The rarest Maltipoo color is pure black. This unique color is highly sought after by Maltipoo enthusiasts.
What is the most expensive Maltipoo?
The most expensive Maltipoo is typically one with rare coat colors, such as grey, phantom, black, or brown, which can cost up to $4000. This price is also influenced by the reputation of the breeder.
Why is my Maltipoo so cute?
Your Maltipoo's adorable appearance is due to its small size, round head, droopy ears, and large eyes, giving it an "eternal puppy" look. This unique combination of features makes Maltipoos irresistibly cute.
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