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Maltipoo is a popular poodle mix breed that you can buy right now. Even if you are into such dogs, the question would be, is Maltipoo hypoallergenic? This is a question among those people who might have a problem with dog allergies. They want to be sure that the dog they get will not end up affecting them with allergies.
In this guide, we want to go over several aspects about the Maltipoo dog breed to understand more about it. At the end, you will have enough information about the dog so that you can make an informed decision.
Origin of Maltipoo
Breeders love to cross different breeds to come up with new and impressive breeds such as the Maltipoo. For this breed, the breeders crossed Maltese with Toy Poodle to end up with such an awesome dog breed.
Maltese has its origin from the island of Malta and thus the name. For centuries, Maltese has been a great lap dog for its owners. This makes it ideal for anyone looking for a companion dog.
As for the poodles, they are known for being highly intelligent and active. It is also worth mentioning that they do have a hypoallergenic coat.
With all these features of the parents, you can now see how the Maltipoo breed will be when the two are combined.
Over the last few years, the Maltipoo dog breed has become quite popular. It must be because of their adorable teddy bear look. You might see plenty of celebrities showing off such dogs in their social media posts.
Some of the Maltipoo dogs have Instagram pages with thousands of followers. Yes, it is easy to see that a dog might have more followers than you do.
The Appearance
Considering it is a mix of two dogs, sometimes it is hard to correctly predict how the pup will look like in the end. Some might have the appearance of a Maltese and temperament of a Poodle or vice versa. So, to understand the appearance, we have to look at the characteristics of both parent dogs.
Starting with the height and weight, Maltipoo dogs are generally small dogs even for the adults. That is the same when you look at the parent dogs.
A Maltese dog will have a weight of 6 to 8 pounds and a height of 8 to 10 inches. As for the Poodle, it would weigh 4 to 6 pounds and a height of 10 inches. It is easy that the weight and height of a Maltipoo will be around the same as the parent dogs.
We also look at the coat under appearance. It is where you may ask yourself, is Maltipoo hypoallergenic? The Maltipoo’s coat is medium to long in terms of length. You will also love the soft and fluffy texture of the coat. Depending on what it inherits, the coat can have some degree of curl.
One of the reasons breeders cross several breeds is to find a hypoallergenic breed in the end. However, there is nothing like a purely hypoallergenic breed as it might always have some degree of shedding of its coat. It is why you should consider going for a low shedding breed if you are easily affected by dog fur and dander.
Considering that Maltese and Poodle both do not shed a lot, then the resultant Maltipoo has the same characteristics. It is a good choice for people who tend to have allergies from dog fur and dander.
The Temperament
Maltipoo on overall is known for being a sweet and loving dog breed anyone would want. It gets such traits from its parents. Both Maltese and Poodles are great dogs in terms of having charming and engaging personalities. The poodles on overall are smart and intelligent while Maltese offer great affection.
For a puppy Maltipoo, it might grow leaning towards either the Poodle traits or Maltese traits. It is worth noting that both parents have great traits so it should not be a bad thing.
Are there any bad traits with Maltipoo? That is something any new owner would want to know. Well, a Maltipoo dog is known to bark quite a lot than other dogs in its category. So, if you are looking for a quiet dog, then Maltipoo is not your ideal breed.
However, you can still train your Maltipoo dog not to bark so much.
These dogs love affection, so make sure to give it some. Whenever it is left alone for extended periods, it ends up having separation anxiety. It is best to keep it in a home where it will not be left alone for long periods.
Training and Exercising
As part of making sure that your dog is healthy, you need to learn more about the training and exercising that comes with owning a Maltipoo dog. You will love the Maltipoo breed as it does not need an insane amount of exercise to remain healthy. It is recommended that you walk your dog outside for at least 30 minutes a day. These dogs do not really need more than that.
As much as walking is important, you still have to consider incorporating playtime in the dog’s schedule. The playtime is all about helping it get out all the energy it has kept in all day long. Also, it is during playtime that your dog can experience the affection that you have to offer.
Some of the playing activities can include fetching a small ball in the house or outdoors. Some might play hide and seek with their dogs. You can always think of games to play with your dog.
For its size, even those who stay in apartment buildings will have an easier time exercising their dog.
Consider also using chewing bones to help the dog work off some of the physical frustration it might have. Squeaky toys also have the same impact for releasing physical frustration.
Caring and Health
Before buying yourself a Maltipoo dog, there is the need to understand what kind of health issues or caring needs you will experience with the breed.
Considering that these dogs are small, just like similar dogs, they can have serious health conditions. Such include fragile bones and sometimes improper bone development.
It is also common for these teacup dogs to have soft spots right on their skulls even when they are adults.
Maltipoo being a hybrid has several advantages that pure breeds do not have. The pure breed might inherit some conditions from the parents, but that is not always the case with a cross breed. As a result, mixing breeds can lead to having better dogs with a diversified gene pool and better health.
Conditions you should know
Maltese dogs tend to have a heart condition referred to as mitral valve prolapse. There is also the possibility of having a brain disease known as necrotizing meningoencephalitis in the same dog breed.
Poodles are also not spared of several autoimmune conditions. There are several cases showing that Poodles can also have orthopedic and eye problems and sometimes epilepsy.
So, will my Maltipoo have all these conditions mentioned? Well, that is not always the case. The dog might inherit some of the health conditions from the founding breeds, but not all of them. You need to understand that each dog is different. The conditions in one dog might not be the same in another.
Maltipoo dogs are prone to having orthopedic and joint problems. That is something you should expect for any small dog. Sometimes they can also have an eye disease called progressive retinal atrophy.
Maltipoo general care
To end up with the best healthy dog, you need to consider the amount of care that you give to your dog. The day to day care is crucial to ensuring that your dog grows better if you got it as a puppy.
Both Poodles and Maltese breeds have low shedding coats. This is a good breed for anyone with the question, is Maltipoo hypoallergenic? With such coats, it means that you end up with a dog that does not leave its dog hair all over your house. There is no fun in cleaning dog hair.
As much as Maltipoo does not shed a lot, it does not mean it has a low maintenance coat. You will find out that the dog requires weekly grooming if you hope to achieve a nice coat. As part of general care, make sure to give it regular baths and trimming as well.
The Lifespan
Many people take good care of their dogs with the hopes that they will be around for long to keep them company. We all know that feeling we get when you lose a dog. The average lifespan of Maltipoo is around 10 to 15 years. Just like most small breeds, you will find Maltipoos having a longer lifespan as compared to the larger dog breeds.
Suitability of Maltipoo as a Family Dog
Other than, is Maltipoo hypoallergenic? Most people would also ask if a Maltipoo would be an ideal dog for a family.
Considering that Maltipoos are intelligent, charismatic, and affectionate, it is easy to see why many people would want to have one for their family.
The dog is also friendly towards children. It is why most people would get it knowing that their children would be safe even when they are not around all the time to monitor their interaction.
As much as the dog tends to bark a lot more than other breeds, we also find that with good training that can stop. With less barking, you should find it being an ideal family dog.
Feeding Your Maltipoo
As part of keeping a Maltipoo, you should also know what to feed it. We recommend that you feed an adult Maltipoo twice daily. Puppies can feed three times a day. Make sure to feed the dog with wet food mixed with dry food.
Some of the food you should consider include low-sodium beef broth, fish oil, chicken jerky, and more. If you are unsure which food would be ideal for your pet, consider visiting a pet shop and get more guidance.
Pros and Cons of Maltipoo
Pros
- They are affectionate and loving dogs
- Their small size makes them ideal for smaller homes
- They shed less as compared to other breeds
- The breed has a long lifespan of up to 15 years
Cons
- The breed can have health problems such as fragile bones
- They tend to develop separation anxiety if left alone for too long
- Maltipoos are prone to barking a lot
In Summary
Anyone who is looking to end up with the best family dog, then the Maltipoo is a nice consideration. The dog is known for being friendly and affectionate. As for those who are always asking, is Maltipoo hypoallergenic? They now have the answer. This type of dog sheds less and is ideal for anyone who has dog allergies. It is also easy to maintain the Maltipoo dog. Just make sure you take it to the vet for regular checkups just as you would do for any other dog.
