A Maltipoo (also spelled Malti-Poo, Maltepoo or Multipoo) is one of the most popular small dogs in America, and it’s easy to see why: a soft, low-shedding coat, a teddy-bear face and a big, friendly personality in a small package. Our family has raised Maltipoo puppies on our farm near Hersey, Michigan since 2004. Here are the 8 things we think every family should know before bringing one home.
Looking for a Maltipoo puppy in Michigan?
Every Maltipoo we offer is born and raised on our farm near Hersey, and our kids help play with and care for them every day. Meet your puppy by video chat or in person, then bring them home with free farm pickup, hand delivery across Michigan and nearby states, or a flight nanny to your nearest airport.
Maltipoo quick facts
A Maltipoo is a cross between a Maltese and a Toy or Miniature Poodle. Breeders started crossing the two to combine the Maltese’s sweet, cuddly nature with the Poodle’s intelligence and low-shedding coat.
Parent breed #1
Lapdog of the ancient Mediterranean
One of the oldest toy breeds, the Maltese was prized as a companion in ancient Greece and Rome. For thousands of years it has been bred for one job: keeping its people company.
Gives the Maltipoo: its gentle, affectionate nature and silky coat
Parent breed #2
Smart, athletic and low-shedding
Poodles were first bred in Germany as water retrievers, then became so popular in France that the Poodle is now its national dog. Toy and Miniature Poodles are the small versions of the breed.
Gives the Maltipoo: its intelligence, trainability and curly, low-shedding coat
You may also see Maltipoos described by generation:
A full-grown Maltipoo usually weighs 5–20 pounds and stands 8–14 inches tall. That’s a wide range, and it mostly depends on the Poodle parent. A Toy Poodle parent tends to mean a smaller dog, while a Miniature Poodle parent tends to mean a larger one. Most Maltipoos reach their adult size at around 10–12 months, and most of the Maltipoos we raise grow to about 10 to 20 pounds as adults.
Low shedding is one of the main reasons families choose a Maltipoo. Both parent breeds shed very little, so many people with mild allergies do well with one. Keep in mind that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic.
The tradeoff is grooming:
Yes. Maltipoos are gentle, cheerful and people-oriented. They love to play, but they’re just as happy curling up next to you on the couch. They tend to get along well with respectful kids and other pets.
Because they’re small, teach young children to sit on the floor to hold the puppy and to play gently. Maltipoos also bond closely with their people and don’t like being left alone for long stretches, so they do best in homes where someone is around much of the day.
At Michigan Puppy, our kids handle and play with every puppy every day, so your Maltipoo comes home already used to being around children.
With good care, Maltipoos often live 12–15 years or more. Like their parent breeds, they can be prone to a few health issues:
Regular vet visits, dental care, a healthy weight and a good diet go a long way. Every Michigan Puppy Maltipoo is vet checked and microchipped, and comes with a 1-year genetic guarantee.
Maltipoos are smart and eager to please, which makes them one of the easier small breeds to train. Here’s what that looks like day to day:
Feed a high-quality puppy food made for small breeds. The kibble is smaller and the food is more calorie-dense for tiny tummies. Young toy-breed puppies do best with three or four small meals a day, moving to two meals as adults.
To make the switch to a new home easier, every Michigan Puppy Maltipoo goes home with a starter kit that includes a sample of the food it’s eating now, plus a blanket that smells like the litter and a favorite toy. See everything included with every puppy.
You may have read that corn is “bad” for dogs. Cooked corn in a commercial dog food is digestible and isn’t harmful by itself. What matters more is that the food is complete and balanced for puppies, so look for an AAFCO statement on the bag, and ask your veterinarian if you’re unsure. See our recommended food for puppies and dogs.
Price depends on the breeder, the parents, and the puppy’s size and coat. Our Maltipoo puppies are usually priced between about $1,300 and $2,500, and each puppy’s exact price is listed on its page.
When you’re ready, see our available Maltipoo puppies. For a list of what to have ready at home, read Getting Ready for Your New Puppy.
| Maltipoo | Shichon | Morkie | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parents | Maltese × Toy/Mini Poodle | Shih Tzu × Bichon Frise | Maltese × Yorkshire Terrier |
| Typical size | 5–20 lbs | 9–15 lbs | 4–12 lbs |
| Coat | Soft, wavy to curly | Plush, wavy to curly | Long and silky |
| Personality | Gentle, smart, eager to please | Sweet, playful snuggler | Affectionate, loyal, playful |
| Lifespan | 12–15+ years | 12–16 years | 12–15 years |
All three are low-shedding small breeds. If easy training matters most, the Maltipoo’s Poodle side gives it an edge. Learn more about our Shichon and Morkie puppies.
✓A great fit if you…
✕Maybe not the best fit if you…
Very little. Both parent breeds are low-shedding, which is why many families with mild allergies choose them. No dog is completely hypoallergenic, and their coat needs regular brushing.
Usually 5–20 pounds and 8–14 inches tall. A Toy Poodle parent usually means a smaller Maltipoo.
With good care, Maltipoos often live 12–15 years or more.
Yes. Their Poodle side makes them smart and eager to please. Short, positive training sessions work best, and house-training takes patience, as with any small dog.
Our Maltipoo puppies are usually priced between about $1,300 and $2,500. Each puppy’s exact price is listed on its page, and you can see our available Maltipoo puppies here.
