The Ultimate Guide to Toy Maltipoos: The Toy Poodle and Maltese Mix

Last Updated on June 4, 2024

It’s hard to resist the charm of small dogs, especially when it comes to Toy Maltipoos. These adorable little pups will surely melt your heart with their furry faces and big eyes.

Today, we’re diving into everything you need to know about Toy Maltipoos (including why you might not want to get one…).

Let’s jump in!

Toy Maltipoo Quick Facts
Parents	Toy/Mini Poodle and Maltese
Height	6 to 14 inches
Weight	4 to 20 pounds
Temperament	Playful, affectionate, energetic, protective, intelligent

Toy Maltipoo Quick Facts

Parents: Toy/Mini Poodle and Maltese

Height

Weight

Temperament

What’s a Toy Maltipoo?

Toy Maltipoos, also known as Tiny Maltipoo, Teacup Maltipoo, Mini Maltipoo, and Micro Maltipoo, are a cross between a Maltese dog and a Miniature or Toy Poodle. This mixed breed dog is small and low-shedding.

As they’re so small, Toy Maltipoos fit well into any home—be it an apartment or a house with a fenced yard. Even better, they’re small enough to fly on planes with you at your feet, so if you love to travel, you can bring the Maltipoo with you on all your adventures!

Now, you may wonder if there is a difference between a Toy Maltipoo and a regular Maltipoo. A regular Maltipoo belongs to the “toy dog” category of small dogs, as does the Toy or Teacup size Maltipoo. The difference? Toy/Teacup Maltipoos are even smaller than regular Maltipoos. However, aside from their size, everything else is the same (such as their personality and temperament).

Speaking of temperament, let’s learn what makes a Toy Maltipoo unique from other dog breeds.

Temperament and Personality

To understand the temperament and personality of a Toy Maltipoo, we need to look at the temperament of the parent breeds first.

Maltese

Maltese

The Maltese dog breed is homely and warm by nature, making it an excellent dog for families. It loves to be around people and wants to please everyone because of its people-oriented character.

As a result, it responds well to training and is eager to please. You can use positive reinforcements like toy or food rewards or praise and play to teach it tricks and good habits.

Maltese dogs assume that everyone they come across is a friend. That’s what makes them the perfect pet for families that entertain often or have other pets.

Despite their size, Maltese are also protective. They’ll bark when someone comes too close to their family and will alert you of strangers coming onto your property.

Toy Poodle

Toy Poodles, like any other Poodle variety, are fun, and clever, with a mischievous side. They are also extremely loyal.

And if you meet a Poodle of any size, you will notice a particular distinct characteristic—a royal attitude. Even though it has a somewhat royal attitude and grace, Poodles are fun-loving and goofy and love to be around people.

If you show any interest in playing with them, they will always respond positively. They are people pleasers and highly intelligent, which is why they get trained easily and learn quickly.

Generally, a Poodle with good canine manners should be calm yet playful. This comes from regular exercise that can burn off all their excess energy. Some people believe smaller Poodle breeds like Toy Poodles or Miniature Poodles are a little more temperamental and sensitive than the larger breeds. However, most breeders and dog parents disagree.

Poodles have a protective streak when it comes to their home and humans. So, if they see a stranger in or near the house, they usually give a warning bark to let everyone know about the stranger’s presence. Even though they gel well with family members, getting used to a stranger takes a while.

As mentioned earlier, Poodles are extremely intelligent. Some people compare their intelligence to that of human beings. This is a good thing in many ways, but may also cause some difficulties. If they grow up in a challenging environment, it’s hard to make them forget the bad habits they pick may up.

Maltipoo

Now that you know about the general personality traits of Maltese and Poodle dogs, it should be easy for you to judge the kind of characteristics that you should expect from a Maltipoo dog. No matter what the size might be, Maltipoos are adorable, not only because of how they look, but their adorable personality.

Playful

The Toy Maltipoo is a fun-loving dog with a playful personality. They love playing with their owners, children, and other pets of all sizes. Despite their small size, they are surprisingly agile and can often keep up with larger dogs in games of fetch or chase.

Affectionate

You will love to cuddle with this warm and affectionate dog. Toy Maltipoos are very attentive to their human’s emotional needs, often providing comfort and support when their owners are feeling down.

Energetic

Both parent breeds are lively and energetic, and a Toy Maltipoo is no different. Toy Maltipoos love to play and need plenty of exercise to burn off their energy.

If a Toy Maltipoo doesn’t get the exercise it needs, it can become destructive and stressed.

That being said, they make fantastic dogs for active families or people with children. They’ll love to play with the kids all day, and the two will tire each other out!

Protective

Despite their small size, Toy Maltipoos are fiercely protective of their owners. These intelligent and loyal dogs are quick to sound the alarm if they sense any danger, making them excellent watchdogs.

Intelligent

Toy Maltipoos inherit intelligence from both their Poodle and Maltese parents, making them exceptionally clever and quick to learn new tricks. Training a Toy Maltipoo is a breeze due to their high level of intelligence and eagerness to please their owners.

Appearance

The size and look of the Toy Maltipoo depends on the parent dogs and which genetics are dominant in each puppy. On top of that, Toy Maltipoo puppies can change coats and colors as they grow into adult dogs.

However, a few different coat types and coat colors are common among Toy Maltipoos. Let’s dive into each one:

Coat

Typically, Maltipoos usually have three types of coat textures depending on whether they inherit the coat from their Maltese or Poodle parent. They are as follows:

1. Silky and Straight: Some Maltipoo puppies have coats that are silky smooth, as the fur is straight and soft. This happens when the Maltese genes are more dominant. The coat is usually quite thick, with medium to dense hair.
2. Curly and Thick: If the genes of the Poodle parent are dominant in a Maltipoo puppy, its coat will be thick, with curly hair all over the body. The texture can easily become matted and tangled, especially if it’s not taken care of properly.
3. Wiry and Wavy: A Teacup Maltipoo may have a coat covered with a rare hair texture that makes it wiry. This type of coat is also inherited from the Poodle side if the parent Poodle has a wiry coat. Remember that while it’s a unique look, this hair type requires lots of grooming and brushing to prevent mats.

Like all Poodle mix dogs, Toy and Teacup Maltipoos are low- to no-shedding and can be suitable for people with allergies.

However, allergies aren’t a result of hair/fur and are actually caused by a protein in a dog’s dead skin cells (dander), saliva, and urine.

Dogs that don’t shed much tend to spread less dander around. Which is why people might notice their allergies aren’t as severe. But they’re still allergic to other parts of the dog.

If you suffer from dog allergies, it’s important to speak with an allergist about your allergies before bringing a dog into your home.

Colors

Toy and Teacup Maltipoos typically have white or cream coats as they inherit the colors from the Maltese parent.

However, since Toy Poodles come in various colors, a Toy Maltipoo can also be many colors like golden, gray, apricot, red, grey, brown, and black.

The coat may be a solid color or a blend of two or three different colors. When a Toy Maltipoo is multiple colors, their coats my exhibit patterns like tuxedo, merle, or sable.

Height and Weight

The size of a Maltipoo depends on whether the Poodle parent is a regular one or a Toy or Miniature Poodle. As mentioned before, Maltipoo dogs come in different sizes and can vary in height from 8 inches to 14 inches, and can weigh between 4 pounds and 20 pounds.

Here’s each type of Maltipoo along with their heights and weights:

1. Teacup Maltipoo: 6-8 inches and 4-6 pounds
2. Toy Maltipoo: 8-10 inches and 5-10 pounds
3. Mini Maltipoo: 10-14 inches and 10-20 pounds

Exercise

Just because Toy Maltipoo dogs are small doesn’t mean they don’t need lots of exercise. Toy Maltipoos require daily exercise to maintain their physical health and mental well-being.

A typical exercise routine for a Toy Maltipoo can include a daily 30-minute walk twice a day, indoor playtime, and mental stimulation activities such as puzzle games. Daily walking can help them burn off energy, get fresh air, and explore and sniff their environment.

Indoor playtime can involve playing fetch, tug of war, or hide and seek. These activities provide both exercise and mental stimulation, which can prevent boredom and destructive behaviors.

Mental stimulation games such as puzzle toys or nose work help keep Toy Maltipoos engaged and prevent separation anxiety and stress. These games require them to use their intelligence and problem-solving skills to solve puzzles and find hidden treats (which they love to do!).

Grooming

Poodle mix dogs need lots of grooming. You need to brush their hair daily and take them to the groomers every six to eight weeks. You can also opt to groom your Maltipoo pup at home, but it will take a bit of practice to get good!

Price

Toy Maltipoos cost anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000. The price depends on where you live and whether you’re buying from a reputable breeder.

Where to buy Toy Maltipoo puppies

There are two places to find a Toy Maltipoo puppy to add to your family: Maltipoo breeders and dog rescues.

Reputable breeders

As previously mentioned, purchasing a Maltipoo puppy from a breeder can come with a hefty price tag, and while it may be tempting to take a chance on a cheaper or more convenient option, the risks can outweigh the benefits in the long run.

First and foremost, a reputable breeder will prioritize the health and well-being of their puppies. They will take the necessary steps to ensure that the parents are healthy and free of any genetic disorders that could be passed down to their offspring. This means that the puppies will be much less likely to develop any health issues as they grow older, reducing the likelihood of costly veterinary bills and heartache in the future.

Additionally, purchasing from a reputable breeder often means that you will have access to ongoing support and guidance as you navigate the ups and downs of puppy ownership. You can count on a good breeder to provide you with information on proper nutrition, training, and socialization, which can help set your puppy up for success in their new home.

Finally, buying from a reputable breeder helps to support responsible breeding practices and discourages puppy mills and other unethical sources of puppies.

Rescues

Plenty of rescues have Maltese poodle mix dogs, and they are a great avenue to explore if you’re not set on getting a Maltipoo puppy.

To find a place to adopt a Maltipoo, call your local shelters or look through our list of Doodle Rescues to find one near you.

Another option to contactMaltipoo breeders within your area and ask about their adoption waiting lists. Often, breeders will take back dogs from owners who can no longer provide care for them, and then place them in new homes with families that are a good match.

Health issues and lifespan

Toy Maltipoos have a lifespan of 10-15 years.

And buying a Maltipoo puppy from a reputable breeder can reduce the likelihood of health issues in the long term. Despite this, it’s important to note that Maltipoos, like many dog breeds, can still be susceptible to a variety of health problems. These can include:

1. Skin issues: Toy Maltipoos may experience skin irritations and infections caused by infrequent brushing.
2. Ear infections: The floppy ears of Toy Maltipoos make them more susceptible to ear infections, which can be caused by bacteria or yeast. Symptoms may include odor, redness, discharge, and itching.
3. Dental issues: Small dog breeds like the Toy Maltipoo can be prone to dental problems such as tooth decay and gum disease, which can cause pain, infection, and even tooth loss if left untreated.
4. Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar can be a common issue in small dog breeds like the Toy Maltipoo. Symptoms may include lethargy, tremors, and seizures.
5. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): This is a genetic disease that causes progressive vision loss and can ultimately lead to blindness.

It’s important to note that with proper care and attention, many of these health issues can be prevented or managed effectively!

Should you get a Toy/Teacup Maltipoo puppy?

I promised to discuss reasons not to get a Toy Maltipoo puppy, to help you decide whether this dog is the right one for her. Here are a few reasons:

1. Toy Maltipoos are energetic: Yes, they’re small, but they’re also energetic. They definitely aren’t a low-energy breed that will lay around all day.
2. Toy Maltipoos have hefty grooming needs: As with all Poodle mix dogs, Toy Maltipoos have high-maintenance coats that require regular brushing, combing, and frequent trips to the groomers.
3. Toy Maltipoos need frequent mental enrichment: On top of needing daily walks and playtime Toy Maltipoos also enjoy mental enrichment.

If any of the above are deal breakers, the Toy Maltipoo may not be the right dog breed for you.

Conclusion

For first-time dog owners, a Teacup Maltipoo can be a special dog. It is the ideal pet for families, children, or empty nesters, and those with enough time to devote to a Toy Maltipoo’s needs!

Would you prefer a Teacup Maltipoo, a Toy Maltipoo, or a Mini Maltipoo? Let me know in the comments below!