Maltipoo Dog Breed Introduction
A Maltipoo is a hybrid or designer dog created by crossing a Maltese with a Miniature or Toy Poodle. Depending on the Poodle Parent, Maltipoos may be toy-sized or small-sized dogs. They are loving dogs that make great pets for novice parents. Maltipoos benefit from hybrid vigour specifically lower susceptibility to diseases and enhanced health. However, they are not recognized by Kennel Clubs such as AKC since they are crossbreeds and not pedigrees.
A Maltipoo wants to be loved and cuddled by their owner which comes from its Maltese Parent but it also has a lot of energy and personality which comes from the Poodle parent. Both Maltipoo Parents, Maltese and Poodle are considered nearly hypoallergenic dogs due to the low to non-shedding coat that produces less dander. However, there is no 100% hypoallergenic pure breeds or crossbreeds according to AKC. Therefore, the popularity of Maltipoos skyrocket due to their allergy friendly coats.
Maltipoo Origin | History
Maltipoos are fairly new crossbreed created between 1990s to 2000 in the United States. However, they don’t have much history. A Maltipoo was deliberately created by crossing a Maltese with a Poodle(miniature or Toy-sized) for people who suffer from dog allergies.
Maltipoo Lifespan
The average lifespan of Maltipoos is 12 to 16 years. According to a research conducted in 2006, it was affirmed that crossbreeds tend to live longer than their parents for a year or two. Maltese have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years while Miniature and Toy-sized Poodles have a lifespan of 14 to 16 years. Therefore, a Maltipoo may also live up to the age of 17 or 18 years.
Maltipoo Grooming | Grooming Needs
To prepare for a successful DIY(do it yourself) or professional grooming get your Maltipoo accustomed to touch on the ears, feet, eyes, paws, and body. Grooming provides a great time for the owner and the pet to bond. Maltipoos may have a straight, wavy, or curly coat. A dog that has a straight coat inherits from the Maltese parent although it won’t grow to the floor length due to the Poodle genes. Some Maltipoos may have a wavy coat which is a combination of the straight and curly coat. A Maltipooo that has a curly and lust coat inherits it from the Poodle parent.
Maltipoos that have a straight coat should be brushed at least twice a week if not daily to prevent mats and tangles using a slicker brush. Wavy coated Maltipoos should be brushed twice or thrice a week to prevent tangled or matted hair especially around the ears and under the collar. Among the three coats, the curly and lust coat is a high maintenance. It requires daily brushing or at least 3 or 4 times a week to prevent mats and tangles using a bristle and slicker brush. This is because the curly coat will trap the low shed hair which easily forms mats if not brushed regularly.
Frequent brushing of the coat promotes new hair growth, prevent mats or tangles, and remove dirt or loose hair. Brushing helps to keep the coat looking at its best. Before brushing the coat, always spritz it with a detangling spray or a water conditioner solution to prevent hair breakage. Regardless of the coat type, Maltipoos should be bathed every 2 to 3 weeks. Always brush the coat before bathing to remove tangles or mats since they get messier when wet. Use a hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner while bathing your pet.
After a bath, thoroughly rinse off the grooming products from the coat using lukewarm water to prevent skin irritation. Remember to wipe the face and eyes daily using a clean damp washcloth or friendly canine wipes instead of soapy water that irritates the eyes. Overly grown nails cause structural problems making running and walking painful for your pet. Trim the nails twice a month or once a week using nail clippers. Maltipoos have floppy hairy ears that are prone to ear infections.
Clean the ears on a weekly basis using an ear cleanser solution and cotton balls to remove wax or debris buildup. While cleaning the ears, look out for a dark discharge, redness, and odor that are signs of dog’s ear infection. The ears should also be cleaned after a bath, swim, and when they are smelly. Maltipoos are prone to dental problems. The deciduous teeth may fail to fall off when the permanent teeth erupt. Therefore, food particles will easily get trapped between the deciduous and permanent teeth. Brush the teeth using a tasty canine toothpaste and a finger toothbrush to remove excess tartar build up.
Maltipoo Haircuts | Grooming Styles
For easy maintenance and prevention of matting, owners may utilize trim the coat every 6 to 8 weeks. Suitable haircuts for Maltipoos include:
Teddy Bear Cut – This looks like a puppy cut. However, the fur on the body of a Maltipoo is left a little longer to a length of 3 inches. To have the teddy bear look, the fur on the face is trimmed in a rounded manner.
Puppy Cut – To achieve a puppy haircut, the fur on the body is clipped to a length of 1 or 2 inches. The hair on the face and tail is trimmed to a length of at least 2 inches. Use a pair of shears to trim the face and hair clippers to trim the body. The puppy cut grooming style is a low maintenance that requires weekly brushing to prevent matting.
Lamb Cut – The hair on the body is trimmed to a length of 1 or 2 inches. However, the fur on the legs is left longer.
Town and Country Look – for this grooming style, the owner adjusts the trimming through different seasons. To achieve this look, trim the face, legs, and head while leaving the fur on the body to your desired length.
Miami cut – also known as the bikini cut, it looks like your pet is wearing a Bikini. The hair on the head and ears is left fluffy.
Maltipoo Shedding | Shedding Level
A Maltipoo may either have a wavy, straight, or curly coat. The three coat varieties shed all-year round at low to non-levels.
Maltipoo Hair | Coat | Coat Types
A Maltipoo has a single coat. This is a crossbreed that may either have a Maltese coat( soft and straight), Poodle coat( lust and curly), or a combination of both coats that is wavy and wiry.
Maltipoo Hypoallergenic
The purebred parents of Maltipoos ( Poodles and Maltese) are nearly hypoallergenic dogs since they shed low to non all-year round. They also produce less dander which makes them suitable for people who suffer from dog allergies. According to AKC(American Kennel Club), there is no a hundred percent hypoallergenic dogs. However, Maltipoos are less likely to trigger allergies since they shed low to non all-year round, produce less dander, and drool less. Although, people who suffer from dog allergies are are advised spend lots of time with a particular Maltipoo to determine whether the dog triggers their allergies.
How To Train A Maltipoo | Maltipoo Training Tips
A Maltipoo is an intelligent, affectionate, and quick learner which makes training a bit easy. In order to raise a well-mannered, friendly, outgoing, and well-adjusted Maltipoo, ensure the pooch is socialized from an early age. This training starts from the age of 3 weeks while the pet is with the breeder until the age of 16 weeks. Pet owners should take a Maltipoo pup home from the age of 8 weeks. This helps the puppy to build its social skills hence reducing the severity of separation anxiety.
To socialize a Maltipoo, expose it to a wide range of surfaces, places, people, animals, experiences, situations, smell, sights, and sounds such as sirens, baby crying sounds, whistles, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, door bells, and lawn mowers. Socialized Maltipoos are less nervous around other people and dogs. Nervous or anxious pooches can be come aggressive out of fear. Enrolling a Maltipoo in a puppy class also serve as a form of socialization. These classes provide an opportunity for Maltipoos to interact with other dogs in a controlled setting. Puppy classes also enable dog parents to identify and correct bad habits such as growling when resource guarding the food bowl, toys, and even the pet parents.
Like other dogs, Maltipoos excel on positive reinforcement methods such as playtime, verbal praise, toys, playtime, and petting. This is also a sensitive crossbreed hence brutal correction methods such as yelling, kicking, shoving, punching, and use of choke or prong collars should not be used on them. Keep the training sessions short, challenging, and fun. Maltipoo Puppies easily get distracted and bored. They also have a short concentration span. Therefore, teach Maltipoos puppies for a period of 5 to 10 minutes. The training span will increase as the dog matures to at least 15 minutes.
Some of the basic and potential life saving teaching commands that a pet parent can teach the puppies from the age of 8 weeks include heel, come, stay, leave it, down, stay, etc. Teach one basic command word at a time until the pet is well-acquainted before proceeding to the next command word. At no point should you utter the command words while too excited or frustrated since they may not sound the same to your Maltipoo. To encourage positive behavior, reward the pet immediately it does a good behavior so that it may understand the reason behind the reward.
Crate training comes in handy while housebreaking and teaching a pup to stay alone. Maltipoos are susceptible to separation anxiety if left alone for long hours. Crate training will assist to reduce its severity. To fully housebreak a Maltipoo, crate training, creating a feeding schedule, and potty training is a necessity. Patience and consistency are key while housebreaking.
Maltipoo Potty Training | How To Potty Train A Maltipoo Puppy
Maltipoos are intelligent and fast learners which makes potty training relatively easy. This training may take a period of 2 to 4 months before a dog is fully housebroken. There are various factors that affect potty training including consistency, bladder size, and attention span. The general rule of thumb while housebreaking is understanding that an 8-week-old Maltipoo will be able to hold for a period of 1 to 2 hours before eliminating while a 12-week-old puppy will hold for a period of 2 to 3 hours. The bladder and bowel muscles of the dog strengthens as it matures.
A crate is an essential device when potty training. It allows the pet parent to watch for signs that the dog wants to eliminate such as whining, squatting, circling, sniffing, and trying to lift a leg against the crate wall. Naturally, canines avoid soiling where they sleep. Before a pet is fully housebroken, it should not freely roam around the house.
Prior to bringing a pup home, choose a delegated toilet where the dog will be doing its business. The owner should decide whether a Maltipoo will eliminate inside or outside especially for apartment dwellers who have a hard time accessing the street or yard. For indoor potty training, use puppy pads or litter boxes that are available for retail in a pet store. For outdoor potty training, choose a designated toilet spot that is far from the BBQ area or patio deck. Stick either to Indoor or Outdoor potty training without teaching the two at the same time to avoid confusing your pup.
Take your pet to the elimination area every 2 to 3 hours until it matures to hold for a period of 6 to 8 hours from the age of 8 months, 20 minutes after meals, immediately it wakes up, after exercise, car ride, playtime, following confinement within the crate or pen,before bedtime, and after naps. When you get to the toilet spot, utter the command word ‘potty’ or ‘toilet’ to give the dog the cue to eliminate. Avoid interchangeably using the two command words since it will be confusing for your fur baby. Remain in the toilet area for a minimum of 15 minutes to allow the bladder and bowel muscles to relax for a pee or poo. If the pup fails to eliminate, take it back to the house and return it to the rest room area after 15 to 30 minutes.
Before Maltipoos are fully house broken, there’s a possibility that they will have accidents in the house. If you get a Maltipoo in the act, utter a firm No and immediately scoop the dog to the delegated elimination spot. Avoid yelling since it’ll make a Maltipoo fearful encouraging future accidents. Remember to clean the mess using an iodine solution or an enzymatic detergent to get rid of the odor. If the odor is retained, it will encourage future accidents in the same spot after the dog sniffs. Before a Maltipoo attains the age of 4 months, set an alarm to take it to the potty area at least once a night.
Maltipoo Crate Training
Contrary to the assumption that a crate is a device used for caging animals, it provides a sense of security for dogs since they are naturally den animals. It’s used as a safe haven where a dog can retreat to. A crate is an invaluable device when potty training since it allows the parent to closely monitor the dog for signs that it wants to eliminate. By choice, Maltipoos avoid soiling where they sleep. A Crate helps to keep this breed safe while no one is closely watching.
This device also helps to coach a Maltipoo to be confident in staying alone and spending sometime there. Maltipoos are human-oriented dogs that suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long hours. Crate training comes in handy in reducing the severity of separation anxiety. This device also makes transporting your pup when traveling by air or car for brief distances or long vacations easier. At no time should a crate be used as a form of punishing Maltipoos. This device should even be positioned in a room where there is a lot of family activities going on so that the pup doesn’t feel isolated. While in the house, always leave the crate door open so that a Maltipoo may understand that staying in a crate is not a forced experience.
Leaving the door open will allow your pooch to come into the crate as it pleases. Don’t place crate in a place that tends to be too hot or too cold which will make it difficult for the Maltipoos to relax. Remember to make the crate appealing by positioning favorite treats and toys inside the crate. Make it comfortable by lining it with a snug blanket or bed linen. A crate isn’t a place to imprison a dog. A pup should only stay in the crate 4 hours at a time.
To keep a Maltipoo safe, remove any collars or harness when the pet is about to get to the crate. Patience is vital when crate training. A Maltipoo can also sleep overnight in the crate. Position the crate in your room so that the dog may not feel isolated. Remember to cover the crate with a sheet or a towel leaving only the front section uncovered. Use a selected word like ‘bedtime’ every night so that the puppy understands that a crate is used for sleeping at night.
Maltipoo Temperament | Traits
- Affectionate.
- Intelligent.
- Friendly.
- Playful.
- Gentle.
- Outgoing.
- Sensitive.
- Alert.
- Active.
- Loving.
Maltipoo Exercise
A Maltipoo needs moderate exercise in form of walks and indoor playing.
Maltipoo Height
Depending on the size of the Poodle Parent, a Maltipoo may have a height range of 8 to 14 inches ( approx. 20 to 36 cm ).
Maltipoo Weight
Maltipoos may have a weight of 5 to 20 pounds ( approx. 2 to 9 kg ).
Maltipoo Size
A Maltipoo is a toy to small breed which is determined by the size of the Poodle Parent. Maltipoos have a height of 8 to 14 inches ( approx. 20 to 36 cm ) and a weight of 5 to 20 pounds ( approx. 2 to 9 kg ).
Maltipoo Aggressive
Maltipoo dogs are loving, playful, easygoing, friendly, and affectionate. They should be socialized from an early age to ensure they are not anxious or fearful of new stimulus which may result to biting.
Maltipoo Bite Force
A Maltipoo has a bite force of less than 200 PSI.
Maltipoo Biting
Biting and nipping is rapid when Maltipoo puppies are playing, exploring their surroundings, and teething due to discomfort. Puppy biting may seem adorable but not for long after the pet matures with serious biting issues. Owners should curb biting before it develops into a habit through redirection and bite inhibition training.
Maltipoo Separation Anxiety | Behavior Issues
Maltipoos are affectionate, loving, and companion dogs that crave for the attention of their owners. If left alone for long hours, they may suffer from separation anxiety which lead to behavior problems such as destructive chewing, barking, relapse in house breaking, and even lick granuloma.
Maltipoo Hair Loss
A Maltipoo only sheds at low to non levels all-year round. Hair loss in patches or thinning of the coat may be due to stress, allergies, hypothyroidism, mange, and hormonal changes especially an increase in estrogen levels during the heat cycle.
Maltipoo Eye Infection
Maltipoo eye infections may either be caused by a virus or bacteria. However, bacterial eye infections are far more common. This is because the bacteria gets an opportunity of invading the eye following trauma to the eye, viruses, and dry eye diseases since the local defenses of the eye have been compromised.
Bacterial eye infections are due to injury or scratch to the cornea. Eye infection is also caused by invasion of foreign materials such as fur, hair, dust, plant material, and debris into the eye. A Maltipoo with an eye infection exhibits various symptoms including a clear or thick yellowish-green discharge from the eyes, frequent blinking of the eyes, swelling of the eyelids, pawing at the eye, and redness. A thick yellowish discharge is due to bacterial eye infection while a clear discharge is due to viral eye infection.
A pooch that is suffering from an eye infection will have multiple signs manifesting at once because the eye has been infected with bacteria and the immune system reacts with inflammation which will appear as redness, discharge, or swelling. Maltipoos with trauma, dry eye, or corneal ulcer may look like they have an eye infection. Visit the vet to determine what your dog is ailing from. A home remedy for a dog with an eye infection is to flush the eye using non-medicated sterile saline rinses.
Maltipoo Ear Infection
A Maltipoo has natural floppy ears which protect the ear canal against dirt or debris. However, they prevent air flow to the ear canal which causes the accumulation of moisture. Floppy ears also create a dark and humid environment for yeast and bacteria to thrive. Causes of ear infections in Maltipoos include endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism and Addison’s disease, excessive ear cleaning, injury to the ear canal, moisture, excess wax, dirt, or debris, yeast imbalance, and ear mites.
Maltipoos are predisposed to three types of ear infections; externa, media, and interna otitis respectively. Externa otitis is far more common and causes inflammation to the cells located in the external ear canal. If left untreated, the inflammation spreads to the middle and inner ear canal cells. Infection to the cells in the middle and inner ear canal is media and interna otitis respectively. These infections cause deafness, facial swelling, and vestibular signs such as blurred vision, disorientation, and dizziness.
Some of the symptoms that Maltipoos exhibit while suffering from an ear infection include rubbing the affected ear against the surface, walking in circles, disorientation, pain, dark discharge, redness, odor, scabs in the affected ears, head shaking, and itchiness. If a pet parent notices the above signs, he or she should immediately contact the vet. Upon arrival, the vet carries out physical examination while looking out for the signs of ear infections. If the dog is in too much pain, it may be sedated to facilitate cleaning of the ears. While going home, a topical medication and ear cleanser solution will be prescribed. In severe cases, a vet may prescribe anti-inflammatory and oral antibiotics medications.
Maltipoo Eye Problems
Apart from eye infection, Maltipoos may suffer from various eye problems including:
Progressive Retinal Atrophy – is a group of inherited degenerative diseases that affects the photoreceptors cells of a Maltipoo eventually leading to blindness.
Cataracts – A Maltipoo that has cataracts will have cloudy and whitish pupils that affects its vision. If left unattended cataracts cause blindness.
Dry eye syndrome – This is an eye condition that reduces the amount of fluid produced by the tear glands to the extend that they are no longer able to keep the eyes moist.
Glaucoma is an eye condition that causes insufficient drainage of the fluid from the eye of a Maltipoo hence putting pressure on the optic nerve.
Maltipoo Health Issues
A Maltipoo is a crossbreed that benefits from hybrid vigour that reduces the risk of inbreeding depression and lower the chances of susceptibility to diseases. However, Maltipoos are susceptible to health issues that Maltese and Poodles suffer from. Some of the health issues that a Maltipoo may suffer from include tracheal collapse, luxating patella, heart anomolies, liver shunt, microvascular dysplasia, Hypoglycemia, ear infection, eye problems like Progressive Retinal Atrophy and Eye Infection, encephalitis, teeth problems, hypothyroidism, Sebaceous adenitis, Addison’s disease, cancer, seizure, etc.
Maltipoo Names
A Maltipoo parent may decide to find a name for the fur baby before it comes home from the breeder or a few days after joining them home to understand better the personality of the particular pup. Owners may find name inspirations from the personality of the dog, celebrity Maltipoos, nature, historical figures, coat color, movies, songs, books, and food.
Regardless of where the owner gets the inspiration, he or she should ensure the name chosen won’t make him or her embarrassed when uttered out loud. The name should also freely roll off his or her tongue. Maltipoos and other dog breeds better understand a name that has vowels.
If a pet parent settles with a long name, he or she should find a cute nickname for the Maltipoos. Owners should avoid giving their dogs names that rhymes with the command word since they will be a source of confusion. If a pet shares a name with any family member or guest who frequent the home it may cause confusion.
Female Maltipoo Names
- Sadie.
- Mia.
- Ella.
- Chloe.
- Bella.
- Amelia.
- Leona.
- Smokey.
- Ginger.
- Peggy.
- Emily, etc.
Maltipoo Seizures
The breed parents of Maltipoos, Maltese and Poodle are susceptible to seizures. Therefore, Maltipoos are also likely to experience seizures(fits or Convulsions). This is the disturbance of the normal brain function that is usually accompanied with uncontrollable muscle activity.
The causes of seizures are categorized into primary, secondary, and reactive seizures. Primary seizures are inherited even though the cause is unknown. For this reason, they are referred to as idiopathic seizures. Secondary seizures are caused by injury to the brain, stroke, and brain tumor. Reactive seizures are experienced when the brain detects a problem to do with the metabolism due to low blood sugar(hypoglycemia), organ failure, and toxins.
The intensity of the seizures is grouped into focal seizures and grand mal seizures. When Maltipoos experience focal seizures, they are conscious since only one part of the brain is affected. However, grand mal seizures affects two parts of the brain resulting in loss of consciousness, foaming mouth, stiffening of the muscles, and urination or defecation.
Maltipoo Names Male
- Marco.
- Max.
- Gus.
- Pluto.
- Oscar.
- Austin.
- Oliver.
- Theo.
- Bingo.
- Angus.
- Pepe.
- Poco, etc.
Maltipoo Heat Cycle | Mating
A Maltipoo experiences the heat cycle every 5 to 7 months. The dog will stay on a heat season for a period of 2 to 4 weeks. Maltipoos experience their first heat cycle at the age of 4 to 8 months. However, some late bloomers may get in their heat cycle at the age of 15 months. Dams experience estrus throughout their lives, if not spayed Maltipoos can get pregnant at the age of 10 or 12 years.
Some of the signs that Maltipoos exhibit while experiencing a heat cycle include a swollen vulva, bloody discharge, changes in eating habits, mood swings, increased urination, nesting behaviors, and tail flagging. Before breeding Maltipoos, they should be genetically tested to ensure they have no underlying health issues. It is recommended to wait until a Maltipoo Dam is 2 years old before breeding to prevent dystocia. Dogs that are breed before the age of 2 years will likely reject the puppies.
Maltipoo Litter Size
After conception, a Maltipoo has a gestation period of 63 days before giving birth to a litter size of 4 to 6 puppies.
Maltipoo Harness | Collar
As with all small-sized and toy-sized dogs, Maltipoos should go for walks in a harness. This is because they are prone to tracheal collapse. Walking a pet in a harness evenly distributes the pressure on the chest, back, and shoulders. A collar exerts pressure on the neck and throat which cause tracheal collapse if the dog pulls.
Maltipoo Muzzle
Even though a Maltipoo is a friendly and non-aggressive dog, it may be muzzled when in pain since it is likely to bite or nip. Pet parents are urged to create positive associations with the device through the use of treats and praise. This will reduce the possibility of the dog to react aggressively when it is muzzled. However, this accessory should not be used to correct behavior issues like biting, barking, and chewing.
Apart from Irish Wolfhounds, other breeds of dogs include:
Pug.
Maltipoo Feeding Chart
The amount of food that Maltipoos feeds on depends on their activity level, metabolism, age, body build, and size. Toy-sized and small-sized puppies have a high metabolism rate as compared to adults and seniors. Therefore, puppies should be fed three or four times a day from the age of 3 months with two snacks a day. From the age of one year, Maltipoos feed twice a day for the rest of their lives with treats in between during training.
When Maltipoos puppies start weaning, it is recommended to free-feed this pooch until the age of 3 months. This implies that food should be available all day for the puppy. Therefore, pet parents should empty the bowl, clean it, and refill it with new food as opposed to topping up new food to the remaining food in the bowl. If Maltipoos puppies are allowed to stay on an empty stomach or feed on infrequent meals they may vomit bile or suffer from hypoglycemia(low blood sugar) that can cause reactive seizures.
The following is the feeding guideline for Maltipoos depending on their body weight:
Maltipoos that have a weight of 2 to 4 pounds should feed a total of 1/4 to1/3 cup a day.
A Maltipoo that weighs 5 to 8 pounds should feed a total of 1/2 to 3/4 a day.
A Maltipoo with a weight range of 9 to 12 pounds should feed a total of 3/4 a day.
Maltipoos that weight between 13 to 16 pounds should feed a total of 1 to 1.25 cups a day.
Maltipoo Dog Food | Food
Maltipoos may feed on dry food, wet food, home made, or a raw diet depending on the budget and time of the pet parent. Regardless of the food type, parents should ensure that the pooch feeds on a balanced diet to maintain a good health and to allow it to develop cognitively and physically. If the Maltipoo parent decides to feed a pet on the commercial dry or wet food, he or she should ensure the first three ingredients are proteins from a known source.
The commercial pet food should not contain preservatives, chemicals, additives, meat by-products, generic meat products, and fillers. The same goes to the snacks. Dry or wet food should also be formulated for toy-sized and small-sized puppies, adults, and seniors depending on the age of your Maltipoo. The best way to know whether you are overfeeding or underfeeding your pet is to take it to the vet to be informed about its weight and health. However, you can also tell by checking the physique of Maltipoo. If you can see a Maltipoo’s ribs, chances are they are being underfed. If the Maltipoo owner cannot feel the ribs of the pet under the coat, then chances are that it is being overfeed.
When you get a puppy from a responsible breeder, chances are that you will want to switch to another quality of food than the one it was previous feeding on. Gradually do this by mixing 3/4 old food with a 1/4 new food for the first week. During the second week, feed your Maltipoo pup with the same amount of the new food and old food. On the third week feed your pet with 3/4 of the new food and 1/4 of old food. Totally switch to new food during the fourth week.
Maltipoo Neck Size | Collar Size
Maltipoos vary in size and have a neck size | collar size of 8 to 16 inches ( approx. 20 to 41 cm).
Maltipoo Colors
The common coat colors of a Maltipoo are Apricot, cream, and White. Although, in rare cases some may have brown, grey, black, or phantom coat colors.
Maltipoo Types
According to the size of the Poodle Parent whether toy-sized or Miniature, a Maltipoo may either be toy-sized or small-sized dog. These two varieties may bred into several generations. A cross between the Maltese with a poodle produces first generation Maltipoos referred to as F1. If an F1 Maltipoo is crossed with another F1 it produces F2 offspring. F2 crossing to another F2 Maltipoo results to F3 generation. However, if an F1 Maltipoo is backcrossed with either parent the offspring created is F1B. If F1B Maltipoos are backcrossed to the parent produce offspring are known as F1BB Maltipoos.
Maltipoo Allergies
A Maltipoo is susceptible to various forms of allergies as discussed below:
Contact allergies – This inflammation occurs once the skin comes in contact with the allergen. Some of the contact allergens that affect Maltipoos include grooming products like shampoos and conditioners, carpet cleaning detergents, latex, medications, plastics, lawn chemicals, bed linens, and laundry detergent. Contact allergies mostly affect the paws, feet, and around the muzzle as well as any other exposed body part due to the grooming style of the Maltipoos. This allergy causes biting, scratching, and licking of the affected body parts.
Skin allergies – Maltipoos are prone to skin allergies due to food, contact, and environmental allergies. This designer breed may also be susceptible to sebaceous adenitis that affects the Poodle parent.
Food allergies – Although rare, a Maltipoo may also suffer from a true food allergy that results in an immune response. Apart from food allergies, this breed may also be affected by food sensitivity due to the ingredients of food ingested.
Environmental allergies – One of the environmental allergies that affect Maltipoos include fleas. The saliva of this insect cause flea allergy dermatitis. The fleas usually bite the back legs and underneath the tail causing excessive biting, scratching, and licking until the skin around the bite area is raw. If left unattended it may cause secondary skin infections. Other environmental allergens that affect this hybrid include grass, trees, ragweed, house molds, dust and dust mites, mites, as well as pollen. Symptoms of environmental inflammation includes congestion, nasal discharge, and itchiness on various body parts including muzzle, groin, underarms, paws, feet, around the eyes, belly sides, and between the toes.
Maltipoo Allergy Symptoms
- Sores on the paws or mouth.
- Crusting lesions.
- Itchiness on various body parts including paws, belly sides, ears, etc.
- Chronic ear infections.
- Bloodshot eyes.
- Thinning coat.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Dry flaky skin.
- Redness on the skin.
- Congestion.
- Nasal discharge.
- Chewing, scratching, and biting at the affected body parts.
- Sneezing.
Maltipoo Food Allergies
Rarely, Maltipoos suffer from a true food allergy. However, it is not the same with food sensitivity or intolerance. Food sensitivity occur as a response to an offending ingredient in the diet and snacks of your pet. Some of the ingredients that cause intolerance include fillers, corn, soy, wheat, chemicals, artificial flavors, preservatives, beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, pork, fish, eggs, milk, etc.
Symptoms of food sensitivity include vomiting, diarrhea, poor skin and coat, foot infections, and ear infections. Food allergies also cause gastrointestinal stress which causes acute vomiting and diarrhea as well as bloating, and weight loss. This make pet parents to confuse food intolerance with food allergy due to vomiting and diarrhea. However, a true food allergy cause an immune response that is normally accompanied with a wide range of symptoms including skin issues symptoms such as hives, sores, crusting lesions, facial swelling, pruritus, and dermatitis.
Maltipoo parents are should closely work with the vet to manage the symptoms exhibited and find the offending ingredient in the diet of the dog through food elimination method. This involves eating one type of protein and carbohydrate for a period of 8 to 12 weeks.
Maltipoo Skin Allergies
A Maltipoo is predisposed to skin allergies due to food, contact, and environmental allergies. The poodle parent is affected by skin allergies due to sebaceous adenitis, a rare inflammatory disease which causes itchy skin, hair loss, and also a dry flaky skin which makes the pet susceptible to skin allergies.
The Maltese parent is also vulnerable to skin conditions due to epidermal allergies that results to skin inflammation since the immune system reacts to something that is harmless. The reaction of the immune system causes redness, itchiness, rash, bumps, and swelling.
As earlier discussed, Maltipoos are created by crossing Poodles with Maltese. Therefore, they may be susceptible to skin allergies due to epidermal allergies and sebaceous adenitis. Food allergies cause skin issues symptoms such as hives, sores, lesions, dermatitis, and pruritus. Environmental allergies cause atopic dermatitis, a condition that causes inflammation to the skin resulting in itchiness, rash, redness, and lesions.
One of the environmental allergens, flea, cause flea allergy dermatitis which results to excessive scratching, biting, and licking until the skin around the bite area is raw. If left unattended, the raw skin may cause secondary skin infections.
Maltipoo Eyes
A Maltipoo is a hybrid that may either have Poodle oval-shaped eyes or Maltese rounded eyes. Light-coated Maltipoos are likely to have eye stains which are more noticeable as compared to dull-coated Maltipoos. Tear stains are a result of blocked or small tear ducts, eye infection, entropion, or glaucoma. Daily wiping of the eyes at least twice a day using friendly canine wipes or a clean damp washcloth helps in keeping the tear stains at bay.
Maltipoo Ears
Maltipoos have floppy haired ears.
Maltipoo Tail
A Maltipoo has a long tail that is held over the back with a graceful curve.
Maltipoo Teeth
Maltipoo puppies are born with no teeth. However, deciduous teeth starts growing in at the age of 2 weeks until the dog has a total of 28 milk teeth at the age of 6 weeks. From the age of 12 weeks, Maltipoos start loosing their milk teeth which is replaced by a set of permanent teeth. At the age of 6 months, Maltipoo puppies should have a total of 42 milk teeth. Pet parents are encouraged to start brushing the teeth of a Maltipoo twice a week if not daily once the permanent teeth start erupting using dog-formulated toothpaste and toothbrush.
Are Maltipoo Hypoallergenic
Yes. Maltipoos are considered nearly hypoallergenic dogs because they shed at low to non levels. Maltipoos also produce less dander. The parents of this crossbreed, Maltese and Poodles are also considered friendly for people who suffer from dog allergies. However, there is no 100% hypoallergenic dogs. Pet parents that suffer from allergies should first spend lots of time with a particular dog to determine whether they are allergic to it before adoption.
Are Maltipoo Smart
Yes. Maltipoo are smart dogs that learn fast making training a bit easier.
Are Maltipoo Easy To Train
Yes. Maltipoo is an intelligent hybrid that learns pretty fast making them suitable for training.
Are Maltipoo Easy To Potty Train
Yes. If the pet parent is consistent, patient, and gentle but firm faithfully taking a Maltipoo to the designated potty area immediately it wakes up, after confinement in a crate, 20 minutes after meals and drinks, after naps, following exciting activity such as playing and car ride, before bedtime, and every 2 to 3 hours until the dog is 8 months old. At the age of 8 months, Maltipoos are able to hold for a period of 6 to 8 hours before eliminating.
Maltipoos Quick Facts
- They were created in the USA between the 1990s and 2000 by crossing a Maltese with a Toy or Miniature Poodle.
- Maltipoos are considered allergy friendly dogs since they shed at low to non levels all-year round. Due to their small size, they also produce less dander.
- They may develop separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time or they don’t receive affection from their humans.