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10 – 13 years
5 – 20 lbs
8 – 14 inches
No
Personality:
affectionate, kid-friendly, intelligent, easy to train
Common Health Problems:
shaker syndrome, epilepsy, patellar luxation, portosystemic shunt
Maltipoos typically have soft coats, and they could be straight, wavy, or curly. Their coat color can vary from white, brown, or black and everything in between. Puppies from the same litter could have different coat types and colors.1
Although Maltipoos rarely shed and have low dander levels, they still require frequent brushing to prevent their hair from matting. Bathe your Maltipoo once a month, and trim the hair on their head to keep it from blocking their eyes and ears.1
Maltipoos have floppy, medium-length ears that hang next to their head.2 Be sure to keep their ears clean to prevent infection.3
A tidy pup, Maltipoos aren’t known to drool.
I’m a family dog through and through. Affectionate and playful, I’ve always got energy to spare. At my size, just about any space is big enough for zoomies. I’m told I can be a bit of a chatterbox, but, if you’re patient, I’m smart enough to know what’s worth barking about.
A veritable bundle of joy, Maltipoos will steal the heart of any dog lover. They’re perfect for empty-nesters. Once adopted into a family, they’ll never run out of love to give. A Maltipoo will happily spend all day lounging on a lap. The downside is that many Maltipoos can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long.1
Maltipoos are intelligent and eager to please, which makes them fast learners. When training, they respond best to positive reinforcement methods, using treats and praise to encourage good behavior. Overall, the maltipoo dog breed is highly trainable, especially if you start when they’re a puppy.1
While an energetic breed, Maltipoos don’t require a lot of exercise, in part due to their size. A good walk or two per day is likely plenty of physical activity for your pooch, and they’re small enough to get their exercise inside as well as out.1
Maltipoos love their families, and that extends to children. Their playfulness makes them great companions for kids. However, as a smaller breed, Maltipoos can easily be injured by accident, so be careful when letting young children play with Maltipoos.1
As long as they’re socialized early, a Maltipoo will get along with just about any animal.1 Given their feisty attitude, the other pet might get fed up first.
Maltipoos love the sound of their own voice. They’ll bark at the drop of a hat to make sure you know what’s going on. This makes them great guard dogs, although they can’t do much to actually defend their home. It might take some work to teach them when they should and shouldn’t bark.2
In the grand history of dog breeds, Maltipoos are among the youngest. This “designer dog” was first bred in the last 20 to 30 years as a companion specifically for allergic pet owners. However, it’s up for debate whether they’re actually hypoallergenic. Because they’re a mixed breed, most kennel clubs don’t recognize the Maltipoo.1
Maltipoos may experience a variety of health issues, including:3,4,5
If you want to purchase a Maltipoo puppy from a breeder, they could cost anywhere from $400 – $2,000 or more, depending on where you live and which breeder you choose. If you’re looking to adopt a Maltipoo from a shelter or rescue, plan on spending up to a few hundred dollars.3
Also, remember to factor into your budget other costs of owning a dog. These costs can include food and treats, spaying/neutering, vet visits, vaccinations, toys, and grooming and cleaning supplies. Lifetime costs for a small dog can reach $16,440.6
Your beloved Maltipoo could live up to age 13 (or even longer). That’s well over a decade of paying for all of your pup’s necessities plus any unexpected expenses, like vet emergencies. A dog insurance plan through MetLife Pet could help you cover costs.
Maltipoos are prone to shaker syndrome (also known as “little white shaker” syndrome). The cause is currently unknown. If you begin to notice muscle tremors in your Maltipoo, take them to a veterinarian. Your vet will attempt to rule out other causes first. Diagnosis may require a cerebrospinal fluid tap (CSF tap) or an MRI performed by a neurologist.4
If diagnosed, the vet will likely prescribe prednisone to help suppress the tremors. Although shaker syndrome is nonfatal and usually clears up within two weeks of treatment, the diagnostics and prescriptions can quickly add up.4 A dog insurance policy could help cover the cost of both. It may be a good idea to take out the policy while your Maltipoo is young and before shaker syndrome becomes a pre-existing condition.
A portosystemic shunt occurs when the large portal vein doesn’t connect directly to the liver as intended. This causes the toxins that the liver normally filters to instead proliferate throughout the body, which can lead to numerous neurological issues. Typical signs include poor muscle development, stunted growth, disorientation, circling, head pressing, staring into space, and seizures.5
To diagnose a portosystemic shunt, vets will perform blood tests, urine analysis, bile acid tests, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, and even exploratory surgery. Treatment combines prescription food and drugs to help remove toxins. Although many dogs improve quickly, over half of them are unable to recover from uncontrollable neurological complications. Surgically closing the shunt offers the best chance of survival, with an 84% – 95% success rate.5
Unfortunately, many pet parents are unable to afford the necessary tests and treatments out of pocket. Pet insurance can help by reimbursing much of the cost. Because portosystemic shunts are usually present at birth, investing in a pet insurance policy early is the smartest way to make sure your Maltipoo is covered.5
To learn more about MetLife Pet Insurance and how it can help your Maltipoo, check out our guide on how pet insurance works. Remember, signing up for dog insurance while your Maltipoo is young is the best way to ensure your dog has coverage.
