Things You Should Know Before Buying Maltipoo Puppies

Thinking about buying a Maltipoo puppy? Maltipoos are one of the sweetest, most lovable breed of dog you can find. Once you’ve had one, it’s hard to imagine owning any other species. But before you take that next step, here are some facts to consider about these cute and cuddly pups.

Personality

Maltipoos are gentle and energetic with a friendly, outgoing disposition. They’re a great family dog and can live happily in smaller homes or apartments with little or no backyard. Maltipoo puppies are easy to train because of how intelligent they are. They generally live in harmony with other pets; though, if possible, you may want to try having a pup around your other pets for a short time first, just to make sure your other pets are comfortable with him.

Breeding

As you can imagine, Maltipoos are a Maltese-Poodle mix (Miniature or Toy Poodle). Maltipoos were created in the US and have been around for the last 20 to 30 years. Bred to be good companion dogs, their Maltese and Poodle parents unsurprisingly have similar personalities.

Maltipoos are considered “designer dogs,” and, as such, the American Kennel Club doesn’t recognize the breed, so you can’t register these pups for pedigree papers. However, what they lack in pedigree they more than makeup for in sweetness. View our Maltipoo Puppies For Sale

Appearance

Maltipoos range between 5-20 pounds and are 8-14 inches tall. They are white and a combination of brown, gray, black, peach, or fawn. Maltipoos don’t shed much hair, and they were bred to be hypoallergenic, although, if you do have allergies, you should spend a good portion of time around the dog before committing to buy in order to be certain.

Maltipoos have three different coats based on how they’re bred: soft and silky, thick and curly, and wiry and wavy. Wiry and wavy is a less popular coat and is an indicator of poor breeding techniques.

Diet

Maltipoos have specific dietary needs due to their high energy level. For best results, consult with your veterinarian about nutrition for your Maltipoo. Generally, they eat high-quality dry food, such as kibble. It’s better to measure out portions for them twice daily than to leave out food all day, as this will help regulate their diet.

As with many small dog breeds, Maltipoos suffer from oral hygiene issues. A healthy diet can slow or even prevent tooth loss. Don’t forget to brush! Additionally, you can purchase dental treats and even toys that act as teeth cleaners.

Exercise

While Maltipoos are full of energy and enjoy play, remember to keep your pup on a leash outside, as this is mostly an indoor pet, and he may not be used to the lack of boundaries out of doors.

Grooming

You might think grooming is only for a dog’s looks. However, it is a critical piece of health and hygiene. Because of the thick, curly, and sometimes wiry nature of their coats, bathing should be a regular part of your pet’s routine. As with any dog, a Maltipoo’s nails will need your attention as well.

Hair

After a puppy is weaned from her mother, you can wipe her down with a wet cloth to bathe her. Do not use soap or shampoos at this time.

Your puppy is ready for real baths at eight weeks. Having her hair cut right before a bath can be helpful in that you’re dealing with less hair.

Aim to bathe your Maltipoo every three weeks. Don’t try to do more than that because too many baths can strip her of her natural hair oils and cause dry skin. On the other hand, not enough baths can cause tangles in the pup’s hair and unpleasant odors.

Your materials for bathing your Maltipoo might include:

Antibacterial soap
High-quality shampoo and conditioner
Two washcloths: one for bathing the dog and the other for shielding her eyes while rinsing her
Gauze pads to clean out your puppy’s ears
A detangler
A wide-tooth canine comb designed for toy breeds

For a puppy, follow these tips:

Fill the sink you intend to bathe your puppy in with no more than three inches of warm water.
Check the water temperature with your wrist.
Gently ease the puppy into the water. Speak to her in a calm, soothing voice to keep her from getting overly anxious. You can hold onto her with one hand throughout the cleaning process until she’s comfortable with bathing.
Make sure your puppy is soaked to the skin with water before shampooing. A Maltipoo’s fur is water-resistant. You can use a spray bottle to help get her thoroughly wet.
Scrub all parts of the puppy, including its underbelly, genitals, and tail.
Clean your puppy’s eyes with a washcloth.
Don’t spray water directly into your puppy’s ears, as it can cause infection.
When finished, wrap your puppy in a towel and thoroughly towel her off.
Comb the puppy’s hair right away, as damp Maltipoo hair is easier to work with.

After your Maltipoo’s bath, you can let her air dry or blow dry her on a low or medium setting. Dry the roots first, then work your way out to the ends. Brush her hair using a small rubber pin brush. Brush down to the roots, up, and out to enhance her hair’s fluffiness.

Nails

Nail trimming is one of those not-so-much fun activities for you and your pet. Yet it’s necessary for your Maltipoo’s good health. Untrimmed nails can lead to scratching and bleeding, and pain from walking on paws with nails curling back into them.

For nail clipping, you will want a good set of canine clippers on hand, as well as styptic powder, in case you accidentally cut too low and get a blood vessel (don’t worry, it happens). The styptic powder will stem the bleed. You can also get styptic pads that will disinfect as they stop the bleeding. Finally, doggy treats are a good idea to keep your pup calm and reinforce good behavior during and after trimming.

Find a place with good lighting. Outside might be a viable option as long as there are not too many distractions for your pup. You may want to put your Maltipoo on a table or other flat surface or hold her in your lap. You can also have another person assist. Whatever works best for you and your puppy. You will probably figure this out after the first few trims or so.

Start small when clipping your Maltipoo’s nails, i.e. little clips, so as not to hit a blood vessel. Try to trim at a 45-degree angle. If you reach a black dot in the center of the nail, that’s the quick of the nail, and you should stop trimming that nail immediately, or it will cause bleeding.

Take your time throughout the process. You might be tempted to rush through it to get it over with, but rushing may cause a mistake or make your puppy more anxious. Give your puppy breaks as needed, as well as lots of treats and praise. Your main objective, especially the first few times, second only to getting the job done safely, is to make this a positive experience for your puppy and to build her trust. You might trim just one paw at a time with small breaks in between.

At one time or another, despite your best intentions, you probably will clip a blood vessel. Don’t be alarmed; it’s not uncommon. Use the styptic powder or pads to stop the bleeding. You may want to give your pup a break after the bleeding has stopped before continuing with trimming.

Remember to keep telling your puppy what a good girl she is during trimming. This will reduce her anxiety and strengthen your relationship.

Training

The best age to start training your pup is at eight weeks. It’s beneficial to use positive reinforcement when teaching your Maltipoo, as they respond well to this approach. Entice your puppy with doggy treats and lots of praise.

Punishment, such as yelling or shaming, is counterproductive, causing the dog to shut down and negatively impacting your relationship, and so you should avoid it at all costs.

Limit training to the basics, such as “sit” and “stay,” and you’ll be able to teach your dog more sophisticated tricks when she’s older.

Potty Training

Know that with paper training your Maltipoo, he is bound to make mistakes, just as a child will have setbacks when he is learning to use the toilet. The key is to be prepared for these mistakes with patience and pet odor spray.

For potty training, you’ll need a crate and training pads. You’ll want to choose a crate that’s not so large that the dog will use the extra space as his potty, but one that’s just big enough for him to lay down and stretch out so that he’ll hold it in until he goes outside. You can use training pads to indicate where your pup can go to the bathroom.

Feed your puppy at the same time each day, so he goes to the bathroom on a schedule. When you’re ready to start potty training him, teach him to associate pottying with a command, such as “make.” Give him the command, and deliver liberal praise when he follows it. In this particular situation, just praise will do. Don’t use treats to reinforce the behavior.

Make sure you teach your pup to go in the same location outside every time so that he doesn’t assume he can go anywhere he pleases.

Potty training takes time. Accidents happen. Be patient. However, if your puppy is consistently having accidents in the house, there may be a medical or emotional issue at work. Talk to your veterinarian, who can help you investigate the situation in more depth and suggest measures to take.

Health

Maltipoos are prone to the following:

While this list of ailments may sound discouraging, bear in mind that your pup may develop none of them. All dogs run the risk of medical complications, and Maltipoos are no exception. Don’t ignore the signs or symptoms of a problem. Call your vet as soon as you see any abnormalities.

Life Span

The average lifespan of a Maltipoo is 12 years. However, good care of your pup can extend his life to 14-16 years. You can expect your Maltipoo to act like a puppy even as he ages.

Takeaway

Maltipoos make lovely companions. That’s why breeders bred them in the first place. They are a wonderful choice for dog lovers with limited space and families. But before you take the plunge and get a Maltipoo of your own, keep in mind that there is a lot of care involved with these little sweethearts. You have to be hypervigilant when it comes to their diet, grooming, and overall health. If you have any doubts about whether you can handle the work, you may want to rethink your decision.

If, on the other hand, you know you’re ready for the responsibility of loving and caring for a Maltipoo puppy, then what are you waiting for? Go for it! Best of luck, and congratulations.

Tim Hanson (116)

Contributing writer at Preferable Pups!