The Maltipoo dog breed is small in size. He weighs 3–9 kilos and stands 20–36 centimetres at the withers, depending on which parent breed he takes after.
Generally, Maltipoo puppies are birthed in a litter of 3–7. Once they are 8 weeks old, they are ready to go to their new homes. They become fully grown when they turn one year of age.
The Maltipoo, being a mixed-breed dog, will inherit the physical features of his parent breeds, the Maltese and the Miniature Poodle. However, his body structure will resemble that of the Maltese than the Poodle.
The head of this designer dog should not look too small nor large with the rest of the body. This mixed breed has a short muzzle with a dark nose and dark-coloured, tight lips. His eyes are dark and round, whilst his ears are set high and wide apart.
The Maltipoo coat's length and texture vary depending on his parent breeds. He may sport a soft, wavy coat with a nice curl or a scruffy, harsh coat. The coat may differ in colours, which include cream, white, apricot, silver, brown, café au lait, black, silver beige, grey, red, blue, and phantom.
Do Maltipoos shed?
The Maltipoo dog breed's coat is low-shedding, which is the reason why he was developed in the first place. This small mixed breed was designed for people with pet allergies who may want to have a dog.
However, the Maltipoo still requires a good deal of grooming despite his low-shedding coat. He will need daily brushing to remove matts and tangles. Maltipoo dogs that inherited the curlier coats of the Poodles need professional grooming every 4–6 weeks.
This designer dog breed will only need to be bathed once every 3 weeks. Bathing him too often can dry his coat and skin, leading to skin problems. He also needs his coat trimmed, similar to other Poodle mixes. This can be done once or twice a year.
However, the hair surrounding the breed's face and his head is another matter. These areas must be clipped once a month to prevent these from covering and irritating your puppy's eyes.
The Maltipoo breed, just like all dogs, has other basic grooming needs aside from keeping his coat in tip-top shape. You will need to clean his ears to prevent wax build-up and trim his nails to avoid overgrowth. Periodontal disease is very common in small dog breeds. Thus, tooth brushing should be a daily habit.
Are Maltipoos hypoallergenic?
The Maltipoo breed's coat is hypoallergenic, although many will argue that there is no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic dog. All dogs produce dander, but hypoallergenic breeds have lower amounts of this allergen. Thus, the breed is the best choice for dog owners with allergies.
However, this does not guarantee that you're completely safe from allergic reactions. Cleaning and dusting your home regularly will prevent the accumulation of dander. Washing your dog's bed, blankets, and toys is also an effective method to wash the dander away.
Restricting your dog from entering some rooms in your house and giving him access to some specific rooms will also lower the chances of triggering allergies.