The Maltipoo is an unrecognized breed, causing a lot of controversy and controversy. It’s no wonder – owners love their tiny, cute pets, and experienced breeders generally don’t like such a notion as a designer breed. And yet, these dogs have become very popular in many countries, and not everyone can afford such a miracle. So where did these adorable creatures come from, and what is important for future owners to know about the Maltipoo?
The origin of the breed
People have been breeding so-called designer breeds for centuries, trying not to improve the existing species, but to breed a new one by crossing two already formed types. Naturally, only purebreds with excellent qualities took part in the crossing. Such experiments made it possible to obtain offspring with the best qualities of their relatives, but at the same time the risks of genetic diseases were significantly reduced. 
When breeding Maltipu, breeders had a specific goal – to get hypoallergenic dogs that are ideal decorative pets. Their parents were representatives of two common breeds – Maltese (Maltese Bologna) and the tiniest of the poodles – Toy.
On the territory of Russia, these poodles came in the early 21st century, before that won the status of the most popular designer breed at home – in the U.S.. Despite the fact that many breeders present the Maltipoo as a purebred dog, the breed has not yet been recognized by any canine association.
Description of the Maltipu breed
Since Maltipu is an unrecognized species, no standards can be talked about. Breeders offer unique dogs with individual appearance and special qualities. The height of individuals varies from 12 to 35 cm, and weighs from 1.5 to 3.5 kg.
Representatives of this breed look like plush toys, with a dark nose lobe and cherry eyes. The look is interested and friendly. To a greater extent they remind bolonoks than poodles.
Poodles are harmoniously built, a little stocky, with a well-built body. Much of the appearance of the animals depends on the method of procreation: in one case the maltese is crossed with a toe-poodle, in another – in the mating involves two Maltese.
Coat and colors
There are three types of coat:
- Straight, silky – dogs inherit it from Maltese bolos. Wool is soft, can be both dense and more sparse, not bunched up in tangles and allows the pet to do a variety of haircuts, does not require complex care.
- Curly is soft, bouncy, and very thick hair. Dogs shed very sparingly, but such a coat without proper care quickly rolls up.
- Wavy, stiff – individuals with such a coat are found less often than others, and it is undesirable.
As for colors, then here nature has not been stingy, bestowing babies with coats of many different shades. Most popular are the puppies with a snow-white coat. But there are also dogs with other colors of fur. More often white, brown, gray, cream and apricot puppies are offered for sale. Bright representatives are babies of black color, this tone is usually combined with lighter shades.
Character
In fact, Maltipu are mestizo, so each dog has its own character traits. Still, it is possible to highlight a number of common traits inherent in most representatives of the species:
- From poodles they inherited a high intelligence;
- Poodles are playful all their lives;
- The poodles are positive, curious and energetic;
- maltipo are devoid of aggression and happy to communicate with all – people and animals, even a cat or a rodent can become a true friend for such a dog.
Of course, adult dogs lack puppy-like hyperactivity and do not mind to lie down next to their beloved owner. But they also love to explore all the corners of the house – no change will not pass by their curious nose. 
The Maltese are a great option for families with children, but keep in mind that babies can hurt the cute, little dogs without even wanting to.
Like Maltese and poodles, the dogs derived from their crosses are very fond of their families and become attached to all members of the family. They need affection, kindness and attention.
Loneliness is contraindicated to these dogs, they begin to be sad and sorrowful, experiencing severe melancholy. Therefore, if all family members are away from home most of the time, and there is no possibility to take this baby with you, then you should not consider it as a pet.
Maltipoos are agile animals that love to run, jump, and play. They are happy to go outside, but here the owner needs to keep an eye on the pet by keeping it on a leash. This measure is necessary for the safety of the pooch itself – with any threat, the crumb can not stand up for itself.
It is not uncommon for these babies to be kidnapped because they fearlessly approach strangers. There is also a risk that larger brethren can hurt such a delicate, small creature. In a quiet, peaceful place, you can give the doggie a free run.
Dogs of this breed are very loyal, they often look into the eyes of the owner, as if to say, “Well, what else can I do to please you?”
Parenting and Training
Maltipoos are intelligent, but not without a natural stubbornness, so to bring up and teach such a pet, you have to take into account its character. You should not show excessive rigidity, despotism, physical force, shouting and swinging at the dog. The method of “stick” for these dogs is not suitable, much better here helps “carrot” – praise, treats, approval, respectful attitude.
The owner must do the following:
- Training must be consistent;
- it is desirable to observe the regime, having allocated a certain time for training;
- The owner must let the pet understand that he is the leader, and therefore, his demands must be unconditionally fulfilled;
- No rudeness, but firmness is necessary.
Training can be done from the first days of the pet’s arrival in the house. Even a 2-month-old puppy is able to learn basic commands and understand – what you can do and what is forbidden.
Grooming .
Here it all depends on the type of hair cover: curly coat tangles faster, which means that the baby needs to be combed out more often, using a special brush. Long, smooth scalp hair also needs care, and it needs to be combed out with a comb. Owners of hard-haired Maltipo need to master the procedure of grooming – plucking the dead hair, or you can visit a pet salon with your pet.
The Maltipoo can be groomed, choosing an original or classic hairstyle. It all depends on the owner’s desire. If the baby is actively involved in exhibitions, you can’t do without the help of professionals.
Bathe the dogs of this breed not often, if the baby is dirty or to participate in the show program. For the procedure, it is recommended to use special soft preparations – shampoos, balsams and conditioners. The doggie is washed and wrapped in a soft towel so that the cloth can absorb the excess water. Then you can dry the hair with a hair dryer. It is desirable to comb the hair after or during drying. If this is not done, the appearance of a dog with a silky coat may become unkempt.
Maltipu’s eyes often get sour, so you should wash them weekly with a weak tea drink or chamomile broth. Ears should be inspected regularly, but should be cleaned only when necessary – when there is a large build-up of wax or when there is heavy soiling. You can do it with a normal cotton swab.
There are usually no problems with teeth, but regular preventive check-ups at the vet won’t be out of place. In winter, the nose and pads of the pet require special care – they are lubricated with a wax-based product. 
Also, you should not forget about the mandatory treatment of the pooch from external parasites, deworming, which is carried out every 4 months, and regular vaccinations.
Contents
Such a pet is designed to live in the house or apartment, about any aviary or outdoor content is not even worth thinking about. Being in an aviary can make a cheerful, cheerful pet, sad and depressed.
Undeniable advantages of the breed are their hypoallergenicity, lack of smell, weak shedding. If the dog lives in a country house, then in good weather it can be released on the patio, where the baby can run and frolic. The area must be fenced and safe.
The Maltipoo is not just a pet, but a dog that becomes a member of the family. Naturally, he needs to allocate personal space, equip it with a bed, determine the area for bowls and provide the pet with toys.
Walk the dog every day. Representatives of this breed do not need intensive work, so 15-20 minutes to walk around the area nearby will be enough.
Feeding
Almost all breeders of designer breeds imply feeding their pets with premium and super-premium production foods that meet the needs of these special dogs. Owners can simplify the process of selecting a diet – just ask the salesperson what brand of food he feeds his dogs.
You can also get a recommendation on the matter from your veterinarian, especially if the owner is planning to pick a menu of natural products. Since the closest relative of these dogs, the Maltese is a dog with a luxurious coat, a diet is chosen for the Maltipu so that its coat will be in perfect order. 
It is recommended to feed the baby caloric food, 70-75% consisting of boiled meat – chicken, turkey, rabbit, lean fish, beef. Once or twice a week, the pet can be given pieces of raw beef.
The rest of the diet is cereals (oatmeal, buckwheat, rice), vegetables – cucumbers, bell peppers, carrots, herbs, dairy products without additives. As a treat, you can give the pooch pieces of fruit – apples, persimmons, watermelon, pears, melons, etc. A nutritious treat is honey with walnuts, but the pooch can enjoy it no more than once every 3-4 days, the portion should not exceed 3 teaspoons.
No matter how well the owner does not feed the pet, he will need to introduce additional vitamins necessary to maintain his health. Which ones will be most effective is worth consulting with a veterinarian.
Diseases
The average lifespan of a Maltipoo is 15 years. Like other representatives of hybrid species, they do not have most of the health problems inherent in ornamental breeds. Such a phenomenon professionals call “hybrid power” – crossing different species increases the vitality and fertility of their offspring.
But still, these dogs can also be diagnosed with the following diseases:
- Epilepsy;
- PRA – progressive retinal atrophy;
- seizures;
- Dislocations of the kneecaps.
Maltipo are less prone to allergies, however, it is worth carefully monitoring the pet’s diet.
Photo of a Maltipoo 
Video about Maltipu
Choosing and Buying a Puppy
The Maltipu is not yet a fully studied species, as crossing two breeds can result in unexpected offspring. But work with Maltese Bolonettes and Toy Poodles has shown that their union produces amazing, cute, gorgeous dogs. No wonder they’ve gained a lot of popularity, despite the rather high price.
If the family has decided that they need such an original four-legged friend, they should look for a suitable baby.
You may have to reserve the puppy in advance and wait until he grows up and can go home.
Professional dog breeders do not recommend buying a puppy from casual breeders, through the internet, as there is a risk of encountering scammers who want to sell the cute mongrel for a considerable amount.
The price of the offspring is influenced by various factors, such as the title of the parents, type of coat and color, sex, and external characteristics. If you want a pooch with excellent data for a show career, its cost will be much higher. It is worth bearing in mind – the breed is not recognized, so you will have to forget about participation in prestigious international events.
The price of a puppy from a kennel with a good reputation will be on average $1000 – $2000. The baby will have all the necessary documents, allowed for breeding, have a good exterior. But the dog of show class can cost much more expensive. From private breeders you can buy a puppy above $4000, of course, that we are talking about the offspring with the appropriate documents.
Maltipu is a representative of the designer breed, which is a hybrid of Maltese and poodles. People have repeatedly tried to create something new using these curly-haired, intelligent dogs, and the Maltipu is the result of a successful experiment. When you buy a puppy, the family does not get an amusing toy that can bark and wag its tail, but a loyal, affectionate, and incredibly affectionate friend.