Breed comparison
Maltipoo vs Maltese: a Poodle cross next to the purebred it comes from
The Maltipoo crosses the Maltese with a Poodle, aiming to keep the Maltese's devoted, cheerful nature while adding a wider range of coat colors and, often, an easier grooming texture. Both are true toy companions bred for closeness with their people rather than independence, so the choice mostly comes down to coat, color range and how much predictability you want from a litter.
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
| Maltipoo | Maltese | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 3 to 7 kg | 2 to 4 kg |
| Height | 20 to 36 cm | 20 to 25 cm |
| Life expectancy | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Daily exercise | 60 to 90 min | 60 to 90 min |
| Energy | 3 / 5 | 3 / 5 |
| Easy to train | 4 / 5 | 3 / 5 |
| Shedding | 1 / 5 | 1 / 5 |
| Good with children | 3 / 5 | 2 / 5 |
| Apartment friendly | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
Size and coat
The Maltese weighs just 2 to 4 kg (4 to 9 lb) and stands 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 in), with a single layer of long, straight, silky white hair that sheds very little but tangles quickly without daily brushing.
The Maltipoo is similar in size at 3 to 7 kg (7 to 15 lb) but with a wider height range of 20 to 36 cm (8 to 14 in), and a coat that ranges from silky and straight to curly or wavy depending on genetics, usually low shedding either way.
Color range
The Maltese comes in essentially one color, white, sometimes with a light ivory tinge, a hallmark of the breed for centuries.
The Maltipoo offers a far wider color range inherited from its Poodle side, including cream, apricot, silver, black, brown and parti coloring, giving prospective owners considerably more choice in appearance.
Temperament
Maltese are bold, cheerful and devoted, scoring high for friendliness with strangers and other dogs, though only moderate for ease with children given their small, delicate frame.
Maltipoos inherit that same affectionate, people focused nature, and many owners report a slightly calmer, less barky temperament than the purebred Maltese, though individual personality still varies.
Grooming and barking
The Maltese needs daily brushing to prevent its silky coat from matting, plus regular tear stain cleaning around the eyes, and scores relatively high for barking, often used to announce visitors or express excitement.
The Maltipoo needs a similar daily brushing routine, with curlier coated individuals needing slightly more attention, and while it also barks readily, some owners find crosses show a touch less of the Maltese's more insistent vocal habit.
Health and lifespan
Maltese live 12 to 15 years and are prone to luxating patella and dental crowding in their small jaws, so regular teeth brushing from puppyhood helps avoid costly dental work later.
Maltipoos live 12 to 15 years as well, sharing a similar risk for luxating patella, with individual health outcomes depending on the specific Poodle line involved in the cross. See a vet if either breed develops a persistent, dry cough, which in small breeds can sometimes point to early tracheal or heart issues worth investigating.
Cost and daily practicalities
Grooming is the main recurring cost for either breed, with a professional trim every six to eight weeks and a good comb and slicker brush for daily use in between.
Both breeds do best in a household that can offer near constant company, since their small size and companion breeding history mean they generally struggle more with long stretches alone than a sturdier working breed would. Both also generally get along well with other dogs when socialized early, though introductions to much larger dogs should still be supervised.
Choose the Maltipoo if
- Wants the classic, uniformly white silky coat
- Prefers a fully predictable purebred size and temperament
- Interested in the breed's long, well documented companion history
- Comfortable with a dog that barks readily to announce visitors
- Fine with daily brushing for a single layer coat
Choose the Maltese if
- Wants a wider range of coat colors to choose from
- Interested in a coat that may be somewhat less prone to matting depending on texture
- Comfortable with some variation in adult size between individual puppies
- Drawn to a potentially calmer, less vocal temperament
- Fine with a newer, increasingly popular designer cross
Is the Maltipoo hypoallergenic?
No dog is completely hypoallergenic, but the Maltipoo, like the Maltese, sheds very little and is often well tolerated by people with mild allergies. Spending time with the specific dog beforehand remains the best way to judge an individual reaction.
Which is calmer, the Maltese or the Maltipoo?
Many owners report the Maltipoo as slightly calmer and less prone to frequent barking than the purebred Maltese, though this varies by individual dog and which parent's temperament comes through more strongly.
Do Maltese or Maltipoos need a lot of exercise?
Neither breed needs much exercise, and a couple of short walks plus indoor play generally meets their needs. Both are companion breeds better suited to closeness with their owner than to serious athletic activity.
Which is easier to find, a Maltese or a Maltipoo?
Purebred Maltese are widely available through established breed clubs and have a long documented history, making health records easier to trace. Maltipoos are also widely available given their popularity, though as a cross their health and appearance are somewhat less predictable from litter to litter.