Maltese Poodle Mix (Maltipoo)

These are the questions searched most often about Maltipoos in the U.S. The answers are honest, skip the breeder promotional language, and give you what you actually need to decide whether this dog is right for you.

• 1
  How much is a Maltipoo in the USA? Reputable breeders: $1,000–$4,000 · Average approximately $2,000–$3,000 · Rare colors or champion lines: up to $4,500 · Rescue/adoption: $100–$600 · “For sale $300” listings: almost always a red flag

  Maltipoos are priced in the designer dog range because producing them responsibly requires deliberate breeding between two purebred parent dogs — a purebred Maltese and a Toy or Miniature Poodle — with health testing, veterinary care for the mother, and proper early socialization for the puppies. From a reputable breeder, $2,000 to $3,000 is the typical current range in the U.S., with rare coat colors (gray, phantom, black and brown) pushing toward $4,000 or higher. A listing for a Maltipoo at $300 or even $800 should trigger real caution: these prices are characteristic of puppy mills cutting corners on health testing, backyard breeders with unverified parent dogs, or outright scam operations collecting deposits and vanishing. Rescue and shelter adoption at $100 to $600 is a legitimate and often excellent option — smaller dog rescues and mixed-breed shelters occasionally have Maltipoos available, and an adult rescue dog comes with a known personality, no housebreaking from scratch, and a fraction of the breeder price. Adoption fees typically cover initial spay/neuter, vaccinations, and microchipping, making the effective cost even more favorable.
• 2
  How big does a Maltipoo get when fully grown? Adult size: 5–20 lbs · Height: 8–14 inches · Toy Poodle parent produces smaller dogs (5–12 lbs) · Miniature Poodle parent produces larger dogs (12–20 lbs) · Full adult size reached by 10–12 months

  A Maltipoo’s adult size is primarily determined by the size of the Poodle parent. When a Toy Poodle is used, adult Maltipoos typically land between 5 and 12 pounds and stand 8 to 12 inches at the shoulder. When a Miniature Poodle parent is used, expect 12 to 20 pounds and up to 14 inches. Because the Maltese itself is a small breed at 4 to 7 pounds, the Poodle parent’s size is the larger driver of adult weight. The most reliable size estimate: ask the breeder for the actual current weights of both parent dogs — not a projected size range for the puppy. Maltipoos reach their full adult height by about 9 to 10 months, with final weight generally settling in by 12 months. Their small adult size translates into practical advantages: they are fully apartment-compatible, travel in soft-sided carriers in airline cabins, and are physically easy for seniors and older adults to manage. One caution: because coat type can be wavy and fluffy, a Maltipoo may look significantly larger than it actually weighs — always rely on the scale, not visual impression.
• 3
  Is a Maltese and Poodle mix a good dog? Yes — one of the most consistently well-regarded small companion dogs in the U.S. · Affectionate, intelligent, low-shedding, adaptable · Better suited for attentive owners than for households where dogs are frequently left alone all day

  Maltipoos are genuinely excellent dogs — this is not marketing, it is what owners, veterinarians, and breed specialists consistently report. They combine the Maltese’s extraordinary warmth and people-orientation with the Poodle’s intelligence and trainability, producing a companion dog that is smart enough to learn quickly, gentle enough to be appropriate around children and older adults, and small enough for any living space. Unlike the Shih Poo, which inherits a stubborn streak from the Shih Tzu, the Maltipoo has two parent breeds that are both naturally people-pleasing in their own ways — which makes training substantially easier. They are alert enough to announce strangers at the door without becoming chronic barkers when properly trained. Their low-shedding coats suit households with mild allergy concerns better than most breeds. The honest limitation: they are companion dogs at the core, and they experience genuine distress when left alone for extended periods. A Maltipoo in a household where it is consistently left alone for eight to ten hours daily will develop separation anxiety — this is not a character flaw, it is what these dogs were bred for two thousand years to avoid. For households with someone home for most of the day, a Maltipoo is one of the most rewarding small dogs available anywhere.
• 4
  Is F1 or F2 Maltipoo better? F1 (50% Maltese, 50% Poodle): more predictable blend · F1b (Maltipoo × Poodle): curlier coat, lower shedding, better for allergies · F2 (Maltipoo × Maltipoo): more genetic variation, less predictable traits · Neither is objectively “better” — depends on what you want

  The letter-number generation system describes how many generations removed a Maltipoo is from its purebred parents. An F1 Maltipoo is a first-generation cross — one purebred Maltese parent and one purebred Poodle parent. These dogs carry a genuine 50/50 blend of both breeds, which means coat texture and temperament lean noticeably in either direction: some F1s have soft wavy coats, others inherit tighter Poodle curls. Most F1 Maltipoos are low-shedding but not uniformly so across a litter. An F1b is a first-generation Maltipoo bred back to a Poodle — producing roughly 75% Poodle genetics. These dogs almost always have curlier, lower-shedding coats, which is why breeders market F1b puppies specifically to allergy-conscious buyers. The trade-off is more Poodle-dominant energy and slightly more pronounced Poodle care requirements. An F2 is a Maltipoo bred to another Maltipoo — two generations of hybridization, which increases genetic unpredictability. An F2 litter can produce puppies that look like pure Poodles sitting next to puppies that look like pure Maltese. For most buyers, F1 or F1b represents the clearest combination of predictable traits and health testing. The practical advice: ask the breeder for the generation and the actual parentage documentation, not just a generation letter — these labels are not universally defined across breeders.
• 5
  What is a Malshipoo — and how is it different from a Maltipoo? Malshipoo = Maltese + Shih Tzu + Poodle (three-breed mix) · Maltipoo = Maltese + Poodle only · Malshipoo may be slightly calmer than Maltipoo · Coat and size vary more than in a Maltipoo · Not AKC-recognized; fewer ethical breeders than Maltipoo

  The Malshipoo (also called MalShiPoo or Malti-Tzu-Poo) takes the Maltipoo concept one step further by adding a third parent breed: the Shih Tzu. The typical breeding is either a Malshi (Maltese × Shih Tzu) crossed with a Poodle, or a Maltipoo crossed with a Shih Tzu. The resulting dog inherits traits from all three parent breeds: the Maltese’s gentleness and loyalty, the Shih Tzu’s laid-back lap-dog temperament, and the Poodle’s intelligence and low-shedding coat. Malshipoos tend to be somewhat calmer and more easygoing than Maltipoos — the Shih Tzu influence often softens the energy level — and they adapt exceptionally well to apartment living and quieter households. The trade-off is greater unpredictability: with three breeds contributing genetics, coat type, size, and personality vary more widely than in a two-breed cross. Responsible breeders of Malshipoos are less common and harder to vet than Maltipoo breeders, making due diligence even more important. If you want a calmer, slightly more relaxed version of the Maltipoo with the Shih Tzu’s warmth layered in, the Malshipoo deserves consideration — but expect to search harder for a breeder who health-tests all three contributing breed lines.
• 6
  How much is a Maltese puppy in the USA? Purebred Maltese from reputable breeders: $1,500–$4,000 · AKC-registered show lines: up to $6,000 · Rescue/adoption: $200–$500 · Slightly less than Maltipoo on average — but less predictable for allergy sufferers due to silky non-Poodle coat

  The purebred Maltese is the aristocrat of small white dogs — a breed with a documented history spanning more than 2,000 years, AKC recognition since 1888, and an exceptionally devoted following in the U.S. From reputable breeders, expect to pay $1,500 to $4,000 for a companion-quality Maltese puppy, with show-quality dogs from champion lines running higher. The American Maltese Association maintains a breeder referral at americanmaltese.org, and AKC’s Marketplace (marketplace.akc.org) lists verified breeders. The practical comparison with the Maltipoo: a purebred Maltese has a fully predictable personality and appearance — the same gentle, devoted, white-coated companion that has charmed royalty for millennia. Its coat, however, is silky and straight rather than curly, which means it sheds more than a Poodle-influenced Maltipoo and is less reliably tolerated by allergy sufferers. For buyers who are drawn to the Maltipoo primarily because of its low-shedding coat and don’t specifically need the Poodle’s intelligence for training, a purebred Maltese from a health-tested line can offer a similar warmth of companionship with better predictability of temperament — and the benefit of full AKC breed standards being applied to the breeding program.
• 7
  What health problems do Maltipoos commonly develop? Patellar luxation (kneecap that slips) · Dental disease (most universal issue in small dogs) · Tracheal collapse · Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) · White Shaker Syndrome · Epilepsy · Separation anxiety

  Maltipoos are generally healthy and long-lived — 12 to 16 years is the commonly cited range — but every hybrid dog can inherit health conditions from both parent lines. Dental disease is the most universal and most preventable: small dogs crowding adult teeth into a compact jaw accumulate tartar rapidly, leading to periodontal disease, tooth loss, and chronic pain. Daily toothbrushing with canine enzymatic toothpaste plus regular professional dental cleanings is the most impactful long-term health investment an owner can make. Patellar luxation — a kneecap that slips out of its groove — is common in small breeds and produces the characteristic skipping gait; mild cases are monitored, severe cases require surgery at $2,000 to $4,000. Tracheal collapse (a weakening windpipe that produces a harsh cough) is more prevalent in smaller dogs; using a harness rather than a collar prevents additional mechanical stress on the trachea. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) has a DNA test — ask breeders for clearance on both parents. White Shaker Syndrome, more common in white-coated dogs including the Maltese line, causes full-body tremors but is manageable with veterinary treatment. Epilepsy and seizure disorders appear in both Poodle and Maltese lineages at higher rates than in the general dog population. Pet insurance enrolled while the dog is young and healthy provides genuine financial protection against all of these conditions before any of them become pre-existing exclusions.
• 8
  How do you groom a Maltipoo — and what really happens if you skip it? Daily or every-other-day brushing at home · Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks (curly coat: every 4–6 weeks) · Skipped appointments produce mats at the skin, not just the surface · “Puppy cut” is the most practical everyday style · Daily dental brushing is non-negotiable

  Maltipoo grooming is a real and ongoing commitment — not a monthly inconvenience but a foundational part of owning this dog. Their coat grows continuously, traps loose hair rather than shedding it, and mats from the skin outward in a way that is invisible until a groomer parts the fur and finds tight tangles against the skin causing discomfort. The home maintenance routine that prevents this: a slicker brush worked in small sections from the skin outward, followed by a metal comb to confirm you have reached the skin, every one to two days. This takes ten minutes and eliminates the emergency shave-down that costs double at the groomer and distresses the dog. Professional grooming every six to eight weeks handles the full haircut, nail trim, ear cleaning, and paw pad shaving. Curly-coated Maltipoos may need every four to six weeks. The “teddy bear” or “puppy cut” — a uniform short trim all over — is the most practical style for most owners; it looks adorable, requires less home brushing between appointments, and keeps the dog comfortable. Dental care deserves equal emphasis: PetMD and the ASPCA consistently cite periodontal disease as the single most common and most preventable chronic health condition in small dogs. Two minutes of daily brushing with a finger toothbrush and canine enzymatic toothpaste is the most straightforward long-term health action available to a Maltipoo owner.

The table below reflects current U.S. market rates. Monthly costs vary most based on coat type — a curly Maltipoo needs professional grooming more frequently than a wavy one. Lifetime cost for a well-cared-for Maltipoo is estimated at $13,000 to $16,000, not counting unexpected health emergencies.

Use the buttons below to locate breeders, rescues, small-dog groomers, and veterinarians near you. Always verify breeders through americanmaltese.org and poodleclubofamerica.org before sending any money. Never pay by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency to an unverified seller.