A Maltese x Toy/Miniature Poodle cross bred as a small, affectionate, low-shedding companion. Gentle and devoted, but the soft coat needs frequent grooming.
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From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
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Minimum
Free-roam home (toy)
Apartment + 2× daily 20-min walks
Crate-trained + supervised free-roam in the home. Maltipoo (Maltese × Poodle) — companion lap dog, fragile-boned, dental care + eye care.
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Recommended
Yarded family home
Home + small fenced yard or daily off-lead time
Home with secure yard, daily structured exercise, household-pet status.
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Ideal
Active home with a purpose
Multi-pet household + lap-time + social walks
Maximum welfare: space + exercise + the breed's purpose satisfied (herding, scent work, lure coursing, dock diving, agility, etc.). Maltipoo (Maltese × Poodle) — companion lap dog, fragile-boned, dental care + eye care.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
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Newborn
Newborn mammals are nursed on their mother's milk. Many are born helpless — blind, deaf, and sparsely furred (altricial, as in dogs, cats, and rodents) — while others stand and follow within hours (precocial, as in hoofed livestock).
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Juvenile
After weaning, juveniles grow quickly and become increasingly active, playful, and independent. Adult coat, proportions, and (in many species) the permanent teeth come in as they approach full size.
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Adult
Adults reach full body size and sexual maturity, with the species' mature coat and build. Sexual dimorphism — differences in size, mane, horns, or markings — is pronounced in some mammals and subtle in others.
Senior
Senior animals show aging signs such as graying fur, reduced activity, and a greater need for veterinary monitoring of joints, teeth, and organ function. Lifespan and the onset of old age vary widely by species and size.
Color & pattern variants
Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.
Excellent apartment dog. Modest exercise needs: 30-45 minutes daily of walks and play plus indoor games. Very people-focused and bonds closely, so prone to separation anxiety if left alone for long stretches. Sensitive to temperature extremes given small size and fine coat.
Diet
Feed a small/toy-breed complete diet in measured amounts, ideally 2-3 small meals as toy dogs can be prone to hypoglycaemia when very young or tiny. Avoid overfeeding and table scraps; dental-friendly kibble or dental care helps given small-breed dental crowding.
Behavior & temperament
Affectionate, gentle, and lively, typically eager to please and trainable with positive methods. Energy is moderate. Good with children (best with older, gentle kids due to small size) and other pets. Can become a barker and develop separation anxiety without early independence training.
Health
May inherit patellar luxation, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), and the Maltese predispositions to portosystemic (liver) shunts, dental disease, tear staining, and luxating patella, plus possible white shaker syndrome. Recommend patella checks, eye testing, and liver/bile-acid screening where indicated. Dental care is especially important in this toy breed.
Tips, DIY & hacks
The fine, wavy-to-curly coat is low-shedding but mats quickly; brush several times weekly and groom professionally every 6-8 weeks. Clean around the eyes daily to manage tear staining and keep ears dry. Start crate and alone-time training early. Protect from cold with a coat in winter.
