Designer dog breeds are becoming rather popular these days because they were made to provide certain physical and personality traits. Among all these designer breeds, most certainly the Maltipoo is one of the most appreciated. The Maltipoo, also known as the Moodle, is a mixed breed that has the Maltese and Miniature Poodle as parents.
The purpose behind the creation of the Maltipoo was to bring together the traits of these two highly adored and appreciated dog breeds. Both the Maltese and Poodle are two of the most preferred companionship dog breeds. So, the Maltipoo has traits belonging to both of these breeds.
Maltipoo pups can have a wide range of particularities. They come in various hair colors and textures. Plus they display a high degree of native intelligence, playfulness, and kindness from its parents.
If you’re interested in getting a small dog breed, and the Maltese or Miniature Poodle are options on your list, you must check out the Maltipoo. Here is everything you need to know about this particular designer dog breed.
History
It is said that the Maltipoo appeared as a breed for people prone to developing allergies. Considering that both the Maltese and Poodle are two hypoallergenic dog breeds and shed very little, the Maltipoo is considered to be a hypoallergenic dog as well. It barely sheds and doesn’t have that “pooch” odor some people don’t like.
While this dog produces less dander and pet hair around the house, no one guarantees that you’ll be free of allergies. It depends very much how severe your conditions are. But, it is still the kind of dog you can easily have around inside an apartment. It won’t leave dog hair all over.
It is also worth mentioning that the Maltipoo is not an official dog breed. It is not recognized by the AKC. However, you can find fan clubs created by Maltipoo owners and enthusiasts.
Physical Appearance
The Maltipoo is a small dog, even as an adult, so its weight will range between 5 and 12 pounds. When it comes to the color of a Maltipoo puppy, they can vary quite a lot. The Poodle contributes to this part, with its coat available in a variety of colors.
The coat is usually not too dark or dark spots don’t cover too much of the dog’s body. This is due to the Maltese, a dog with an entirely white coat. When a dark coat is combined with a white coat, colors will come out faded.
So, Maltipoo puppies will usually have light colors, with darker spots here and there. Of course, it is also possible to find dark colored Maltipoos. This depends very much if the Poodle chosen as parent had a dark-colored coat. So, it is quite easy to find a desirable puppy in a litter, with so many color options available.
Regarding coat texture, there are various options here as well. Yes, it is possible to find Maltipoo puppies with different types of coat. A version would be a soft and silky coat. A second option is puppies with a thick and curly coat, Finally, a third version is the puppies with wiry and wavy coats. It is a matter of personal preference when it comes to the coat your puppy should have.
Temperament and Personality
The Maltipoo is a friendly and playful dog. It is loyal to its owner and family and loves spending time with its favorite humans. Whether you feel like relaxing on the couch or walking around the park, the Maltipoo will be happy to be at your side. Some Maltipoo dogs may have the tendency to warn the presence of strangers, by barking. However, this is not a good watchdog, as most of them befriend people rather fast.
If you want to picture the temperament of the Maltipoo, just think about its parents. Both the Poodle and Maltese have amazing personalities and characters. They are loving and charming at the same time, getting along with people of all ages. They can even get along with other dogs and animals if they are properly socialized since they are young pups.
One of the biggest advantages of the Maltipoo is that it inherits the intelligence of the Poodle and the affectionate nature of the Maltese. The result is a sweet and smart dog you will love having around day after day.
But, what you need to remember is that a puppy can display the traits of one breed more or less. In other words, puppy can have more of the traits of the Poodle or more of the traits of the Maltese. Of course, this is not a bad thing, as both breeds are adorable. Yet, you should not expect to find the ideal balance between the temperaments of these two breeds.
Still, there’s nothing to worry about. The mix has great genetic material. So, with a bit of attention, socialization, and training, it is easy to get the ideal pup.
What about health issues and lifespan?
When you get a dog, it automatically becomes a member of the family. So, it is normal for you to want to know about its lifespan. Unfortunately, dogs live shorter lives than we do, so the best thing we can do for your best companions is to ensure them a happy life.
But, it is an advantage to have a small dog breed, as they tend to live much longer. In the case of the Maltipoo, the life expectancy of these dogs is between 12 and 13 years. You just need to make sure you find a reliable dog breeder and get a healthy puppy. This way, you may even have a dog exceeding these limits.
Concerning health, the Maltipoo enjoys great health in comparison with other mix breeds. However, it is indeed prone to certain health issues. The pups inherit not just the traits of their parents, but also their health risks as well. So, here is what you need to know about the potential health problems of the Maltipoo.
- It can suffer from the White Shaker Syndrome. It is specific to the Maltese and other dog breeds with white coats. This condition is associated with high levels of stress and it manifests through body shakes;
- It can develop progressive retinal atrophy. This will lead to blindness, as the retina gets gradually damaged;
- It can suffer from epilepsy, which manifests through seizures of various intensity and duration. Unfortunately, the causes will remain unknown;
- It could develop patellar luxation, which is triggered by an abnormality in the dog’s leg. It can make the knee cap get out from its position in the femur’s joint;
- It can develop leg-calve-Perthes-disease, which will cause the hip joint to degenerate slowly in time. Thus, walking can become difficult, uncomfortable, and painful as the illness advances;
So, yes, there are some health risks you need to consider before getting a dog. But this happens in the case of every dog breed, not just in the case of the Maltipoo. Before you decide upon a dog breed or another, you need to have these aspects in mind. This way, you will be able to prepare for the worst case scenario, in case it happens.
Still, it is possible to avoid all these by getting the puppy from a responsible dog breeder. Adopting a correct diet for your dog and making sure it enjoys plenty of exercising also helps. Of course, let us not forget about period visits to the vet’s office.
Grooming and maintenance
While we already established the fact that this is a hypoallergenic dog breed that sheds very little. But, coat will require a good amount of attention. It can grow to have a medium length and because it can get rather curly, you will have to groom it in order to avoid unwanted tangles.
So, to minimize the existence of dog hair and dander inside the house, grooming your dog periodically is recommended. If you can’t do it daily, it would be great if you could groom it every other day. This will make your dog look presentable at all times and will keep its coat free of dust and dead hair.
But, if you want to ease your grooming task, you can always give it a puppy cut. Thus, the Maltipoo will look like a pup and will make you spend less time grooming its fluffy coat.
Choosing the breeder is key to enjoying a healthy puppy
It may take a while to find your ideal Maltipoo puppy, but it is better to wait for a high-quality puppy. Take the time to find it, as it’s better than ending up with a sick dog. Bear in mind that responsible dog breeders will not have puppies throughout the year. This is a sign that they’re concerned for the health and well-being of their dogs than producing puppies for profit.
So, you may have to be put on a waiting list until you will have the chance to get a puppy. But, this shows you that the breeder is trustworthy and cares for his dogs. Always choose your puppy from this kind of breeders and avoid puppy mills at all costs, as they can lead to disappointment and sadness.
from Feedster https://www.feedster.com/pets/the-maltipoo-everything-you-need-to-know-about-it/
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