Maltipoos are compact dogs with a hybrid background, a affectionate core temperament and a typical lifespan of 10–15 years. They need low daily activity and high grooming, and they're usually better matched with older children or adult-only homes. Owners praise them for being hypoallergenic coat, but it's worth knowing they can be fragile due to tiny size before you commit. This guide covers the full picture: history, appearance, temperament, training, health, nutrition and the ideal owner profile.
Maltipoos are an adorable cross between Maltese and Toy or Miniature Poodles. These tiny, fluffy companions combine the best of both breeds — the Maltese's gentle nature and the Poodle's intelligence.
The Maltipoo is a cross between the Maltese and the (usually Toy or Miniature) Poodle, developed in the United States from the 1990s onward as breeders sought a small, low-shedding companion dog combining the Maltese’s gentle nature with the Poodle’s intelligence. It gained traction in the UK during the 2010s as toy-sized designer crosses became fashionable among owners wanting a portable, low-shedding lapdog. As with other popular crosses, demand has attracted volume breeders and puppy farms producing litters from unhealth-tested parents, with puppies frequently sold for £1,500–£3,000 despite minimal or no health screening. Because both parent breeds are small and prone to specific inherited conditions, buying from an unscreened source carries particular risk. Prospective owners should always ask to see health certificates for both parent breeds and meet the puppy with its mother before committing to a deposit.
Maltipoos are small dogs, typically standing 20–36cm and weighing 2.5–6kg depending on whether a Toy or Miniature Poodle was used in the cross. Coats come in three broad types: straight (closer to the Maltese, silky and moderate shedding), wavy (the most common outcome, low-shedding) and curly (closest to the Poodle, requiring the most grooming to prevent matting). Colours include white, cream, apricot, black and parti-colours, with white or cream remaining the most sought-after due to the Maltese influence. As with other Poodle crosses, an F1 (first-generation) litter shows unpredictable coat and size variation, while F1b puppies bred back to a Poodle tend to produce curlier, lower-shedding coats more consistently. Their compact build, dark round eyes and often button or drop ears give most Maltipoos an appealing, teddy-bear-like appearance.
The Maltese contributes affection, gentleness and a strong desire for close human companionship, while the Poodle adds intelligence, alertness and trainability. The result is typically a loving, people-focused small dog that enjoys being carried, cuddled and included in daily life. The downsides are notable: Maltipoos are highly prone to separation anxiety, given how strongly both parent breeds bond to their owners, and many struggle when left alone regularly, sometimes resulting in persistent barking or house-soiling through stress. Some individuals inherit the Maltese tendency towards yappy, alert barking at noises or strangers, which can be a nuisance in flats or terraced housing. Their small size also makes them prone to “small dog syndrome” if boundaries are not established early, with some becoming demanding or snappy around unfamiliar people or larger dogs if poorly socialised as puppies.
Maltipoos are intelligent and generally eager to please, making them reasonably easy to train with positive reinforcement methods using small treats, praise and short, engaging sessions. Their small size means house training can take slightly longer than with larger breeds, as small bladders need more frequent opportunities to go outside, so consistency and patience in the early months matter. Early socialisation is particularly important to curb the tendency towards excessive barking at strangers or noises, and exposure to a range of people, sounds and situations as a puppy helps prevent nervousness later. Because separation anxiety is common, gradual alone-time training from the first days home is valuable, building up short absences slowly rather than leaving a puppy alone for extended periods too soon. Harsh handling should be avoided, as both parent breeds are sensitive, and firm but gentle consistency produces far better long-term results than strict correction-based methods.
Buyers should ask for patella (knee) checks, eye certification and dental health information for the Maltese parent, alongside hip scores, eye testing and PRA (progressive retinal atrophy) clearance for the Poodle parent. Maltipoos commonly inherit luxating patellas, dental crowding and early periodontal disease due to their small jaws, progressive retinal atrophy, and white shaker syndrome, a tremor condition documented in small white breeds including the Maltese. Some individuals also experience reverse sneezing and are prone to hypoglycaemia as puppies due to their tiny size. As with all crossbreeds, “hybrid vigour” offers no guarantee of health; a puppy from two unscreened small-breed parents can inherit joint, dental and eye problems from either line. Regular dental care from a young age is particularly important for this cross, and insurance should be arranged early given the range of small-breed-specific conditions involved.
Maltipoos typically need only 50–120g of a good-quality small-breed complete food daily, split into two meals for adults, with amounts varying depending on the individual dog’s size and activity level. Puppies, being very small, should be fed three to four small meals daily to avoid hypoglycaemia, a genuine risk in toy breeds if meals are skipped or spaced too far apart. Dental health should influence food choice, as small jaws are prone to overcrowding and periodontal disease; some owners use dental-specific kibble or add appropriate dental chews under veterinary guidance. Because portions are so small, even modest overfeeding or excessive treat-giving can lead to noticeable weight gain relative to body size, so treats should be tiny and factored into the daily calorie total. Fresh water should always be available, and weight should be monitored regularly given how quickly a small dog’s proportions can shift.
Maltipoos suit owners wanting a small, affectionate companion who spend significant time at home, including retirees, flat-dwellers and those working from home, but they are unsuitable for anyone away for long hours given their strong tendency towards separation anxiety. Daily exercise needs are modest, around 30–45 minutes plus indoor play, making them adaptable to smaller living spaces. Grooming costs are a genuine ongoing expense: wavy and curly coats need regular brushing plus a professional groom every six to eight weeks costing roughly £45–£65 for a dog this size. Dental care, including regular vet checks, should be budgeted for given the breed’s susceptibility to dental disease. Insurance is worth arranging early. This can suit first-time owners provided they are realistic about the barking tendency, grooming needs and the risks of leaving such an attached small dog alone too often.