Maltipoo
The Maltipoo is the featherweight of the poo-crosses - a 3-6 kg cloud of silky waves blending Maltese sweetness with Toy Poodle wit.
🗓️ Last reviewed: July 2026
Overview
The Maltipoo is the featherweight of the poo-crosses - a 3-6 kg cloud of silky waves blending Maltese sweetness with Toy Poodle wit. Bred purely for companionship, it is a devoted, portable, long-lived little shadow that thrives on human company and asks mostly for grooming and presence in return.
A designer cross: the Maltipoo is a Maltese × Toy Poodle mix, not a standardised breed - individuals vary more than purebreds, in coat, size and temperament alike. Average lifespan is 13-16 years.
History & Origins
An American toy-cross of the late 20th century, designed as an allergy-friendlier Maltese alternative; now a fixture of city apartments worldwide.
Appearance
Tiny and cloud-coated in white, cream and apricot; dark button eyes under a soft topknot. The coat is silkier than bigger doodles - and mats just as readily. Typical size: Toy, 3-6 kg. Coat: Silky-wavy, very low-shed (varies).
Temperament & Character
Affectionate, gentle and alert - a classic velcro toy dog that adores its person, gets along with polite dogs and cats, and will announce the doorbell. Fragile around boisterous toddlers purely on physics.
Care
Short walks plus indoor play cover exercise; the coat wants near-daily brushing and 6-weekly clips, plus daily eye-area wiping on white faces. Dental care is critical - toy mouths crowd teeth.
Feeding & Nutrition
Small measured meals of quality toy-breed food; hypoglycemia risk in tiny puppies means regular feeding when young.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Truly portable companion
- Long-lived (often 15+)
- Gentle and affectionate
- Suits apartments perfectly
Cons
- Fragile - not for rough households
- Daily coat and eye upkeep
- Separation anxiety-prone
- Teeth need lifelong attention
Best Suited For
- Apartment dwellers
- Seniors wanting a devoted companion
- Gentle families with older kids
- Frequent-travellers who take the dog along
Maltipoo puppy growth chart
A typical growth curve for a toy breed like the Maltipoo, estimated from its adult weight of 3-6 kg. Puppies vary with sex, genetics and diet, so treat this as a guide - for your own puppy, use the puppy weight predictor.
| Age | Typical weight | % of adult |
|---|---|---|
| 2 mo | 1-2 kg | 33% |
| 3 mo | 1.4-2.7 kg | 45% |
| 4 mo | 1.7-3.3 kg | 55% |
| 6 mo | 2.3-4.5 kg | 75% |
| 9 mo | 2.8-5.7 kg | 95% |
| 12 mo | 3-6 kg | 100% |
| Adult | 3-6 kg | 100% |
Maltipoo - frequently asked questions
Are Maltipoos good with children?
With gentle, older children, lovely - but at 3-6 kg they're genuinely breakable, so toddler households should choose something sturdier.
Why do white faces stain?
Tear staining - daily gentle wiping and keeping face hair trimmed manages it; sudden heavy staining warrants a vet check of eyes and teeth.
How much grooming, really?
Near-daily brushing of a silky coat that mats, plus professional grooming every 6 weeks. Budget it like a utility bill.
🧠 Test yourself: guess the dog
Three clues from our quiz bank, each about another of our dogs. Can you name them?
Clue 1.This affectionate Hungarian hunting dog has no undercoat, so it feels the cold and seeks human contact for warmth.
It's the Vizsla - read the full profile →
Clue 2.This small wrinkly-faced dog with a tightly curled tail and big round eyes was bred as a companion for Chinese emperors.
It's the Pug - read the full profile →
Clue 3.This powerful black-and-tan guardian was once used by Roman armies to drive and protect herds of cattle.
It's the Rottweiler - read the full profile →
💛 Adoptable Maltipoos near you
Real dogs of this breed (and close mixes) waiting in shelters and rescues right now, live from Petfinder. We have no affiliation and earn nothing - if someone catches your eye, the link goes straight to their shelter. New to adopting? Start with our adoption guide.
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