Difference Between Maltese & Maltipoos

Mixing poodles with other pure-bred dogs has become a common trend over the last few decades. Maltipoos are one of those designer hybrids, a combination between a toy or miniature poodle and a Maltese. The Maltese and its mixed offspring have many similarities, but there are differences as well with the Maltipoo inheriting various poodle traits.

  1. Coat Color

    • While both Maltese and Maltipoo dogs are small companion dogs that shed very little or not at all, there is a difference in coat color. A Maltese is a completely white dog, so a Maltipoo will often be born with patches of color throughout its white hair, an inheritance from its poodle parent, whose coats come in black, white, apricot and brown.

    Size Differences

    • Maltese dogs are extremely small, with females measuring only 8 to 9 inches, males measuring just 8 to 10 inches and both genders weighing in at around 6 to 9 lbs. Maltipoo size differs depending on whether the parent Maltese was bred with a toy or miniature poodle; they vary between 8 and 14 inches and 5 and 20 lbs.

    Personality

    • Both Maltese and Maltipoos are loving and playful dogs, but a Maltese may be harder to housebreak than a Maltipoo. They both should be socialized early to avoid stranger anxiety, but Maltipoos are known to be high-strung animals and do better with older children who know how to handle them better.

    Health Issues

    • Maltese dogs often get sunburns on their skin where the hair line separates and also have teeth issues, so feeding them dog biscuits can help keep their mouth healthy. Maltipoos can be prone to a variety of problems, including epilepsy and white dog shaker syndrome, the latter of which results in lack of coordination and rapid eye movements. Maltese dogs can live in excess of 15 years, with some living as long as 18 years. Maltipoos typically live 10 to 15 years.