¶Table of Contents
¶Quick Facts
The Maltipoo is a cross between a Maltese and a Poodle, not a recognised dog breed with a shared breed standard. This means that names such as Maltipoo, F1 and F1b describe ancestry but do not guarantee a particular size, coat, personality or allergy risk.
- Background: the Maltese and Poodle are both companion dogs in FCI Group 9, but the Maltipoo is not registered as a separate breed by the Swedish Kennel Club.
- Size: there is no official Maltipoo size range. The Maltese standard specifies 20–25 cm, depending on sex, and 3–4 kg. Poodles come in four sizes: Toy Poodles are over 24 cm and up to 28 cm; Miniature Poodles are over 28 cm and up to 35 cm; Medium and Standard Poodles are larger. The Poodle standard does not specify a weight for the varieties.
- Coat: the coat may be straighter, wavy or curlier and often needs considerable care. Assess the dog’s actual coat rather than relying on the name of the cross.
- Activity: a small body does not mean that the dog only needs to sit on a lap. Daily movement, scent work, play and learning should be tailored to the individual.
- Essential check before buying: ask for both parents’ full names and registration numbers where available, the exact Poodle variety and verifiable health results relevant to each parent breed.
Breeders use F1 and F1b to describe how a cross has been produced. As these labels are not part of an official Maltipoo standard, the seller should always state which breeds and individual dogs are the actual parents. The label may describe the litter’s ancestry, but it cannot predict how each puppy will develop.
¶Appearance & Coat
A Maltipoo has no standardised appearance; the parents’ size, coats and genes matter more than the name of the cross. Ask which Poodle variety was actually used and request the parents’ recorded heights at the withers. Claims that every dog sold as a Maltipoo will, for example, be 20–35 cm tall or fall within a particular weight range are estimates, not a breed standard.
Under its breed standard, the Maltese has a long, straight, silky white coat without an undercoat. The Poodle has a dense, curly wool coat or a corded coat and comes in several colours. A cross can fall at different points between these traits. The coat can therefore feel and behave differently even when two dogs are marketed under the same generation label.
Expect coat care to be a recurring job. How often it is needed depends on the coat’s length, density and texture, the dog’s activity and how readily the coat mats. A useful routine is to part the coat and check it with a comb all the way down to the skin. Work over the whole dog and pay particular attention where the coat becomes damp or sits beneath a harness or collar. If the comb catches, the brushing has not reached through the full depth of the coat.
Many individuals need clipping, but one fixed interval will not suit them all. A shorter trim does not remove the need for checks, and a professional groomer can help you choose tools and care for that particular coat. Calmly introduce the puppy, using rewards, to combing, bathing, drying, nail trimming and having its paws, mouth and ears handled before grooming becomes difficult.
The Maltipoo is not an allergy-free or allergy-safe dog. Dog allergens come from sources including saliva, skin cells, sebaceous glands and urine, not only from shed hair. Low shedding or a more Poodle-like coat, even in an F1b, can therefore never guarantee that a person with allergies will tolerate the dog.
¶Temperament & Personality
A Maltipoo’s temperament cannot be reduced to a fixed blend of the parent breeds’ best qualities. The Maltese is described as affectionate, lively, playful and easy to teach, while the Poodle is described as friendly, sociable, active, responsive and quick-witted. A Maltipoo may be influenced by both, but also by the parents’ actual temperaments, early environment, experiences and training.
It is therefore better to assess individuals than to rely on words such as “family-friendly”, “calm” or “a perfect first dog”. Meet the mother and, if possible, the father, and observe how they respond to people and everyday handling. Ask how the puppies have been introduced to different people, sounds and surfaces, as well as short periods of settling on their own.
Some individuals are highly people-oriented and playful; others are more reserved or quick to react. Barking, responsiveness and the ability to settle are not determined by the name of the cross alone. Calm early routines and clear opportunities for undisturbed rest are more useful than assuming that the dog will automatically become a “little shadow” or develop separation problems.
¶Training & Exercise
A Maltipoo needs daily physical activity and mental stimulation, but no single number of minutes suits every dog. Take account of age, size, health, fitness and how the dog recovers. Walks in varied environments can be combined with scent work, problem-solving, play and short training sessions.
The Poodle is described as active, and both parent breeds are described as easy to teach, so training can become an important part of daily life. Use positive, reward-based methods and progress in small steps. Practise recall, lead walking, settling in one place, engagement and cooperative handling, increasing the difficulty only when the dog is comfortable with the previous step.
Environmental training does not need to be intense. Let the puppy encounter new people, dogs, sounds and places at a distance where it can still take food, play or seek support. The aim is not to greet everything, but to cope calmly with everyday life. Tailor activity and play to the individual dog’s body, maturity and recovery.
A Maltipoo can suit a first-time owner who is willing to learn about dog training and accept the considerable grooming commitment. A small dog still requires planning: time alone, handling, tooth brushing and the ability to relax all need to be taught, just as they do with other dogs.
¶Health
A Maltipoo’s health should be assessed by examining each parent, because the cross has no health programme of its own and no comprehensive, reliable body of health statistics. A long list of supposedly “common Maltipoo conditions” is less informative than parents whose identities can be verified and who underwent the appropriate examinations before mating.
Ask the breeder to show verifiable results and, where possible, check registered parents in the Swedish Kennel Club’s Hunddata or Avelsdata databases. A practical check includes:
- Knees: patellar luxation can occur in Maltese dogs, and the Swedish Poodle Club’s breeding strategy describes patellar examination as desirable for the smaller Poodle varieties. Ask for the official patella status of both parents. For a result to be registered with the Swedish Kennel Club, the dog must be at least 12 months old and the examination must be performed by a veterinary surgeon with the required specialist qualification.
- The Poodle parent’s eyes: for Swedish Kennel Club-registered breeding from Toy, Miniature and Medium Poodles, an official prcd-PRA result or hereditarily clear status is required before mating. Ask for the exact result, not merely the statement “DNA tested”. If a parent is a carrier, the status of both parents for that particular variant must be known before the risk to the offspring can be assessed.
- Limits of the test: a prcd-PRA test covers the specific mutation that causes the prcd form. It does not rule out other forms of PRA or other eye diseases. A clinical eye examination is therefore a separate and relevant result to ask for, not the same check under a different name.
- Mouth and teeth: introduce tooth brushing from puppyhood. Daily mechanical cleaning with a dog toothbrush is the best way to remove plaque before it becomes tartar; never use human toothpaste.
No health test is a certificate of freedom from every condition, and the name of the cross does not remove the parent breeds’ inherited traits. Ask about illnesses, operations and longevity among close relatives on both sides. Claims about an exact Maltipoo lifespan should be treated as estimates because there is no uniform Maltipoo population covered by official health monitoring.
¶History & Origins
The Maltipoo has no official breed standard, and there is not enough strong evidence to state who first used the cross or precisely when. The name simply describes the combination of Maltese and Poodle. Claims that the cross was created in the United States during a particular decade to produce an allergy-friendly dog are often repeated, but they are not well enough documented to be treated as established fact.
The parent breeds’ backgrounds are better documented. The Maltese has ancient roots around the central Mediterranean, while Italy is its official country of patronage; exactly where the breed first arose is uncertain. The Poodle’s country of patronage is France, and it developed from water dogs before becoming the versatile companion and activity dog described by its standard today.
What can be said with confidence is that Maltipoo is a name for a cross between two older, established companion breeds. The cross’s popularity does not create a uniform type: without a shared standard, breeding aims, selection and documentation can differ between breeders.
¶Living with the Breed
A Maltipoo can live successfully in many homes, but suitability depends on the individual and the household routine rather than the type of property or claims that the cross suits every family. Flat living can work if the dog receives adequate toileting opportunities, activity, rest and training and if barking does not disturb neighbours.
An adult must always be present with young children. The child needs to learn not to lift, chase or disturb the dog, and the dog should have its own resting place where it is left alone. A small dog can be injured by a fall or rough play even if it seeks contact itself.
Living with a cat or other dogs depends on the individuals and the introduction. Give a cat high or separate escape areas and initially use a barrier and lead so that meetings can remain calm. Two dogs should preferably meet on neutral ground. Be particularly watchful when there is a large size difference, and stop over-exuberant play before either animal is cornered or injured.
Being left alone is a learned skill, not an inborn Maltipoo trait. Start when the puppy feels secure at home, leave it for a very short period while it is calm, and increase the time only when the previous level works without distress. Dogs vary greatly in how easily they learn this. Plan daily life around the individual dog and seek help early if it cannot settle.
The best-prepared Maltipoo owner accepts uncertainty around size and coat, regular grooming, daily activity and careful checks of the parents. That is a more reliable foundation for a good life with a dog than promises that the cross will always be low-maintenance, allergy-friendly or identical to another Maltipoo.
¶Characteristics
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Breed Type | Crossbreed |
| Aggressiveness | 3/5 |
| Child Friendly | 3/5 |
| Energy | 3/5 |
| Hair Shedding | 3/5 |
| Health | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 |
| Grooming Needs | 3/5 |
| Learning Ability | 3/5 |
| Barking Level | 3/5 |
| Height | 20 – 30 cm |
| Weight | 3 – 4 kg |
| Life Expectancy | 10 – 15 years |
¶Maltipoo price
Here you can see typical asking prices for Maltipoo in Sweden over the last 12 months.
The calculation is based on valid Get a Pet listings from the last 12 months, including active and expired listings. These are asking prices, not confirmed sale prices.
¶Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Maltipoo and how big do they usually get?
It is a cross between a Maltese and a Toy or Miniature Poodle, bred primarily as a companion dog. Most adults weigh between 5 and 15 pounds and stand around 8 to 14 inches tall, but size can vary depending on the size of the Poodle parent.
Are Maltipoos really hypoallergenic and do they shed?
They tend to shed very little because both parent breeds have hair rather than fur, which can help reduce loose hair in the home. However, no dog is completely hypoallergenic, and people with allergies may still react to dander or saliva.
What kind of temperament do Maltipoos usually have?
They are typically affectionate, people oriented and quite playful, often forming strong bonds with their owners. They are usually friendly with strangers and other pets, but their sensitivity means they do best in calm, gentle households.
How much exercise does a Maltipoo need each day?
Most do well with about 30 to 45 minutes of daily activity split into a couple of short walks and some indoor play. They enjoy mental stimulation as much as physical exercise, so training games and puzzle toys are helpful to prevent boredom.
How often do Maltipoos need grooming and haircuts?
Their soft, often curly or wavy coat tends to mat easily and needs brushing several times a week, and many need daily combing around the ears and legs. Professional grooming is usually required every 4 to 8 weeks to keep the coat trimmed, clean and comfortable.
What health problems are Maltipoos prone to?
Common issues include dental disease, luxating patellas, ear infections in those with floppy, hairy ears, and sometimes allergies or skin problems. They can also inherit conditions seen in Maltese and Poodles, such as eye disorders or heart disease, so responsible breeding and regular veterinary checks are important.
Are Maltipoos good with children and other pets?
They are often gentle and sociable, so they can do well with respectful children and other friendly animals. Because they are small and somewhat delicate, they are better suited to homes where interactions with young children are carefully supervised and rough play is avoided.
Can a Maltipoo live comfortably in an apartment?
Their small size and moderate exercise needs make them well suited to apartment living, provided they get daily walks and interaction. They can be vocal if bored or anxious, so training and sufficient company are important in close living quarters.
Are Maltipoos hard to house train?
They are generally intelligent and eager to please, but like many small dogs they can be slower to house train and may be sensitive to inconsistent routines. Frequent outdoor trips, positive reinforcement and patience are key, and some owners find that indoor potty pads are a useful backup.
How long do Maltipoos usually live?
With good care, many live around 12 to 15 years, and some reach their late teens. Keeping them at a healthy weight, maintaining dental hygiene and scheduling regular veterinary visits can help support a longer, healthier lifespan.¶Comparisons with other breeds
Compare Maltipoo with other breeds and see the differences in temperament, activity level, and care to make a confident choice. Show all comparisons
¶Find Maltipoo for sale in Sverige
- Maltipoo in Gothenburg
- Maltipoo in Örebro
- Maltipoo in Helsingborg
- Maltipoo in Norrköping
- Maltipoo in Borlänge
- Maltipoo in Kristianstad
- Maltipoo in Skövde
- Maltipoo in Varberg
