Maltipoo
Temperament:
The Maltipoo is actually not a dog breed per se, but a cross between a Maltese and a Miniature Poodle. The cute mongrel enjoys ever-increasing popularity in recent times. Active and charming in nature, it suits all types of families and households, whether young or old.
Characteristics
The Maltipoo is a so-called hybrid breed. He is bred from a mating of Maltese and Dwarf- or Toypoodle. It is not recognized by the FCI as a separate breed. For this reason, there is no uniform breed standard for him.
Its size and weight can vary, which depends especially on the size of the poodle parent. Basically, however, he belongs to the small dogs and weighs on average between 3 and 6 kilograms. However, Maltipoos weighing up to 10 kilograms can also occur from time to time. Its size is usually between 28 and 35 centimeters.
The Maltipoo has a distinct "teddy bear look" that makes him very popular. He has floppy ears and large round googly eyes. His coat is dense, voluminous and curly. It comes in all colors. Here the heredity of the Poodle is decisive, because Maltese are always white. Therefore, the most common colors are white, cream and silver.
Due to the crossing of the original breeds, the Maltipoo is considered very robust. He is not particularly susceptible to hereditary diseases. In addition, he has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.
In terms of character, there are great differences between Maltipoos. No one can really be sure which of the characteristics of the parent breeds are inherited. In general, however, Maltipoos are extremely good companion and family dogs. They are intelligent, playful and bond very closely with their family or caregiver.
Most Maltipoos are very adaptable and feel comfortable with active people as well as on the sofa. However, a certain basic exercise is of course always important. They also learn very quickly and are very affectionate. For this reason, it is also very suitable for beginners.
Maltipoos are easy to train and respond well to clicker training and similar methods. From the beginning, you should teach your dog to stop barking on command, because many Maltipoos tend to yap. Towards strangers they are often reserved, but not aggressive.
The Maltipoo usually gets along well with children. However, since he is very small and can be easily hurt if handled roughly, children should be at least five to six years old. He also has no problem with other pets if he is accustomed to them early enough.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
The Maltipoo does not have any special requirements for its diet. He should be fed, like any other dog, with high-quality and protein-rich food. Both dry and wet food as well as BARF are suitable for the Maltipoo.
Special food for small breeds is not mandatory, but is readily accepted by the Maltipoo. The most important thing is a good composition of nutrients. Sugar and flavorings, on the other hand, have no place in dog food.
As a puppy, the Maltipoo needs several meals a day. As an adult dog, however, one or two meals are quite sufficient for him. Offering food freely available throughout the day is not recommended. Access to clean water should always be available.
The Maltipoo does not have a fundamental tendency to obesity. However, since he is often kept as a lap dog, overweight still occurs relatively often. Lack of exercise and excessive treats can quickly become unhealthy with him. Therefore, always make sure that the waist of the Maltipoo is still visible from above.
It is also a good idea to regularly offer the dog tooth-cleaning chew sticks in a small size or chew toys. These contribute decisively to the dental health of the Maltipoo. He is also occasionally happy about chewing toys made of natural materials. Beef skin in a suitable size is particularly suitable here.
Maltipoo care
The hereditary characteristics for the coat structure are very different in Poodles and Maltese. Maltese has a long coat that requires a lot of grooming and regular trimming. The Poodle, on the other hand, has a curly coat that hardly falls out and is considered hypoallergenic.
The coat of the Maltipoo is not always uniform and requires individual care. However, in almost all cases, it is necessary to brush the small dog daily. Many Maltipoos tend to have a very dense and fast growing coat that can easily become matted. Therefore, although the Maltipoo has very little hair, the amount of grooming should not be underestimated. So be sure to allow time daily for your dog's coat care.
A regular haircut is absolutely necessary for the Maltipoo. It's best to find a good dog groomer or at least let them show you exactly how to do it. If the fur of the small dog is not maintained, this can also lead quite quickly to skin problems.
Unlike many other dog breeds, it is good for the Maltipoo to be bathed with a mild dog shampoo from time to time. This allows deep-seated dirt to be removed. Since hardly any hair falls out of the Maltipoo, it is often trapped by the dense, curly structure. In addition, a bath makes the coat shinier and airier again.
You should also always pay attention to the claws of the Maltipoo. If they become too long, they must be shortened with claw scissors. Leaves or sticks should be removed from the coat by hand after every walk, if necessary. Especially in summer, it is also important to check the dense coat for ticks.
Last but not least, you should regularly check your Maltipoo's ears and teeth. The hanging ears need to be cleaned occasionally and checked for inflammation or foreign bodies. The teeth, like all small breeds, tend to tartar very quickly. Because they are so close together, food debris can easily accumulate in the spaces between them.
Suitable accessories
Besides the usual equipment for all dogs, some special items are very important for the Maltipoo. First and foremost, this includes the equipment for coat care. Both a high-quality brush and a comb belong in the grooming kit. Scissors are also needed if the dog is regularly taken to the groomer. With them, the eye area or the ears can also be manually cut free in between.
Furthermore, you need an ear cleaner, a mild dog shampoo and tick pliers. Also toys should not be missing, because the Maltipoo is smart, playful and enthusiastic. Particularly suitable here chewing toys, which clean the teeth during play. In addition, intelligence and search games are recommended to keep the Maltipoo mentally busy. He also finds clicker training great.
Origin & History
The origin of the Maltipoos can be found in the USA of the eighties. The planned mating of the Maltese and Miniature Poodle was to create a new fashion dog, suitable as a small companion dog and for allergy sufferers. It should combine the best characteristics of the respective parent breeds.
The Poodle is especially often crossed into modern hybrid breeds. Thereby, he is said to inherit especially his hypoallergenic, non-hairy coat and his intelligence. The Maltese, on the other hand, has been bred for generations as an affable lap dog, while the Poodle was originally a hunting dog. His character is therefore very people-oriented. It also contributes significantly to the Maltipoo's distinctly cute appearance.
As a rule, the Maltipoo is crossed from the different parent breeds. However, mating of two Maltipoos with each other is also possible. In this case, however, the result becomes much more unpredictable, which is why most breeders refrain from it.
For a long time, the Maltipoo was found almost exclusively in America. Only in the last twenty years, the breeding of the sweet crossbreeds has spread to Europe and Asia. Nevertheless, it is still not recognized by the FCI as an independent dog breed. In the USA, however, it has been recognized as a separate breed by the United States Kennel Club since 1995.
