Pitbull Mastiff Mix: Complete Guide To This Powerful Mastiff Mix
Breeds / 2025
Maltese Poodle Mix Breed Profile: The Ultimate Apartment Dog?
A Maltese Poodle mix is a crossbreed between a purebred Maltese and a purebred Poodle (either toy or miniature).
They are best known for their silky white coat and big puppy eyes.
These little pooches make amazing companion dogs and can even be trained for as therapy dogs!
Both the Maltese and Poodle breeds are friendly and loving towards everyone they meet which will allow for this mix to have the best of both worlds.
Want to see if they are the perfect dog breed for you? Everything you need to know about these amazing canines follows below…
Contents and Quick Navigation
- What is a Maltese Poodle Mix? (Overview)
- Pros and Cons
- Maltese Poodle Mix Appearance
- 7 Fun Facts About The Maltipoo
- Maltese Poodle Mix Personality and Temperament
- Caring for the Maltipoo Dog
- How To Train A Maltese Poodle Mix
- Quick Breed Summary Table
- Summary
What is a Maltese Poodle Mix? (Overview)
A Maltese Poodle mix (also known as a Maltipoo) is a mixed breed between a Maltese and a toy or miniature Poodle.
Although the common name for this hybrid is a Maltipoo, they are also known as a Moodle.
Both Maltese and toy Poodles were bred for companionship so this mixed breed should make for the perfect companion dog.
Just like the standard Poodle, toy Poodles have a mind for learning and being trained.
Therefore these pups are the perfect mix of an eager-to-learn and loyal dog.
- Overview: Hybrid (Maltese/Poodle).
- Purpose: Companion.
- Weight: 5-20 pounds.
- Size: 8-14 inches.
- Temperament: Very friendly, people-pleaser and easy going.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Can live anywhere and is adaptable.
- Forever puppy-like appearance.
- Always wants to make new friends.
- Intelligent and eager to learn.
- Good for apartments and small homes.
Cons:
- Fast growing coat needs lots of upkeep.
- Difficult to house train.
- Their coat needs daily brushing.
- Can be noisy and bark when excited.
Maltese Poodle Mix Appearance
Since this breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club there are no official breed standards.
These dogs can look more like a Poodle or a Maltese depending on the specific puppy. They will usually have the sturdy build of a Poodle with all of the elegance that you would expect from a Maltese. Most of these dogs are very small which means that they are fragile.
They would do best in a house with older children or without big dogs so that they will not get hurt.
Height and Weight
The parent that has the most influence on the size of the Maltese Poodle mix is the Poodle parent. Since the Poodle can be a toy or miniature there is a large size gap.
They normally reach between 8-14 inches in height.
As for weight they can be as little as 5 pounds but as much as 20 pounds.
Coat and Colors
Since Maltese dogs are known for being white, the variation in color comes from the Poodle’s genetics. This can result in black, white, chocolate, gray or apricot colored.
They can be these colors or any shade or dilution of these colors.
There are 3 different coat types: thick/curly, soft/silky and wiry/wavy. Thick and curly is typically the most popular as this coat is hypoallergenic.
7 Fun Facts About The Maltipoo
- Ellen DeGeneres, Ashley Tisdale and Jessica Simpson are all known for being Maltese Poodle mix owners.
- They can be great therapy dogs because of their friendly dispositions and caring nature.
- Both the Poodle and the Maltese histories go back to old Royalty.
- Depending on the physical location, their name has several different spellings: Malt-a-poo, Malt-i-poo and Malt-e-poo.
- They are very intelligent and quick to learn which allows them to be trained easily but make sure that they have the mental stimulation they need.
- Easily adapt to any home as long as they are inside since they love being around their owners.
- A true Maltipoo is a dog that is a mix of a pure Poodle and a pure Maltese.
Maltese Poodle Mix Personality and Temperament
Maltipoos are full of life, energy and love.
Although they are tiny lapdogs that look innocent, they get very attached to their people and can think they are a lot bigger than they are.
They are extremely affectionate towards their families wanting nothing more than to make you smile.
Poodles are known for their energy and intelligence. So if your dog has more dominant Poodle genes they will be more energy filled and ready to play. Whereas if you dog has more dominant Maltese genes then it will be more laid back and willing to be your couch potato.
Because of this energy they will need mental stimulation in order to keep them out of mischief – when these dogs are bored they will chew and bark.
They are constantly looking for praise from their owners and are intelligent so training them is very easy.
These pups make are great for first-time dog owners because of their trainability and loving personalities. They are also great dogs for apartment living since they do not need a lot of room to run around in.
Is The Maltese Poodle Mix A Good Family Dog?
The Maltese Poodle mix is a fantastic dog for a family.
It is known as a people pleaser and will do whatever it takes to make its puppy parents happy.
The breed is a great dog when it comes to families but is also a great dog for a person who lives on their own or an elderly person that needs a friend. Because they are eager to please their owners, they are easy to train and good for teaching responsibility.
Caring for the Maltipoo Dog
They are not very picky about which activities they play in.
However if they have no mind stimulation they tend to get a little antsy and might bark to get attention.
Read on to learn how to care for this little teddy bear…
Exercise Requirements
These dogs are best kept inside as they are very small and do not need lots of exercise.
They are not opposed to going outside but their coat and skin mixed with heat can lead to quick dehydration or heat exhaustion.
Therefore playing with them inside is the best option – this is why they make great apartment dogs.
Although they do not need a ton of exercise, it is best to take them on one or two short walks a day to ensure they are getting enough exercise to stop weight gain.
- Number of Walks Per Day: 1-2.
- Total Exercise Needed Per Day: 30+ minutes.
Grooming and Shedding
They are prone to dry skin if washed too much so make sure not to bath them more than once a month.
The coat should be kept around 1-2 inches long, but there is nothing wrong with completely shaving them down (if preferred). Getting their hair trimmed every 3-4 months should result in the coat staying around an inch and a half long.
Unkept hair can cause health issues so keep on top of it.
These dogs are allergy friendly and do not shed much, so they will not leave lots of hair around your house.
Feeding and Diet
These pooches can have a mix of dry and wet food. Hard dry food can be good for their teeth, but wet food is commonly more enjoyed.
As the Maltipoo Dog tends to become sick on an empty stomach, always make sure they have food accessible to them. Just make sure to monitor their weight closely.
For a 5-8 pound pooch it is best to give ½cup of food per day. This should be spread out over the entire day and not given per meal. For every 3 extra pounds you should add another ¼cup. So a 9-12 pound dog should be getting ¾cup of food per day and so on.
| Calories Per Day: | Cups of Kibble Per Day: |
|---|---|
| 1200 | ½-1½ |
Known Health Problems
- The most threatening health issue facing these dogs is cardiomyopathy. This is an enlarged heart that does not fit as it should. In addition they can have many issues related to the left side of the heart specifically.
- There are many other issues that can arise in these dogs as well such as joint pain and hip bone deterioration.
- Unfortunately these dog can suffer from tremors in early adulthood.
- In addition skin issues can be an issue if they are bathed too often.
How Long Does A Maltese Poodle Mix Live?
The Maltese Poodle mix’s average lifespan is 12 years, however the typical age range is between 10-16 years.
How Much Does A Maltese Poodle Mix Cost?
This dog can be expected to cost anywhere between $400 and $2,500.
How To Train A Maltese Poodle Mix
Training a Maltese Poodle mix can be quite easy since they are out to please the people around them.
Your Maltese Poodle will be very intelligent and quick to learn.
Basic command training or even tricks can be picked up quickly by this smart breed depending on how much time is put into training sessions.
With consistent training it can take a Maltipoo around 2-3 months to be potty and house trained.
As mentioned previously they might bark if they feel they are not being given attention or if they are bored. This behavior can also be trained out of them but the length of time it takes for them to learn not to bark will depend on how strict the training is.
When training a Maltese Poodle mix the best way to do this is with positive reinforcement. They respond best to treats and praise when learning new behaviors or breaking bad habits.
Mental stimulation is a very important part of training these dogs since they are very intelligent so new tricks and obedience would be a helpful start.
Since they need to be groomed, getting them used to their faces, feet, ears and mouth being touched from a young age will be very important. Socialization is also very important to make sure that they are confident and comfortable meeting knew people and going out into the world.
Quick Breed Summary Table
| Breed Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Size: | 8-14 inches. |
| Weight: | 5-20lb. |
| Lifespan: | 10-16 years. |
| Coat: | Thick, soft or wiry depending on parents. |
| Color: | Black, white, chocolate, gray or apricot. |
| Do They Shed: | Very low amounts. |
| Temperament: | Loving, friendly, people pleasers. |
| Intelligence: | High. |
| Socialization: | Loves to be around others and friendly with animals. |
| Destructive Behavior: | Slim to none, excessive barking if not stimulated. |
| People Skills: | Good. |
| Good with Children: | Very good with children (great teaching dog). |
| Activity Levels: | Low. |
Summary
Maltese Poodle mixes are very eager to please their people. They are loving companions that want to impress and are well mannered.
For those who want a relaxed pooch, the Moodle could be your ticket to happiness.
These forever puppies just want to be loved and play. Even though they have spurts of energy, they will still love to cuddle on the couch.
These dogs can easily adapt to their surroundings which means they are able to live in the smallest apartment or a white-fenced house in the suburbs.
Do you already keep one of these pooches? Let us know in the comments section below…
