Maltipoo Temperament: Do They Make Good Family Dogs?

Let’s be honest, it’s hard to resist the adorable Maltipoo. With their expressive eyes and fluffy bodies, it’s easy to see how they’ve managed to gain such widespread popularity in such a short period of time. If you’ve fallen under their spell as well, you might be wondering if this breed has more than just good looks. Today, we’ll discuss the temperament of the Maltipoo to help you determine if this breed would be a good pet for your family.

Maltipoos: A Brief Overview

This designer breed is a cross between a Maltese and a Poodle. Although their exact origins are somewhat unclear, it is generally believed that this breed was created in the late 1990s. Because of their cute, small stature, and puppylike appearance, the breed exploded in popularity shortly after its introduction. In addition to good looks, the Maltipoo has a wealth of other desirable qualities as well. They are relaxed, docile, and sweet-natured, making them excellent choices for homes with other animals and young children. In addition, they are highly sought after by those with allergies as they are very low shedding. This breed has relatively low exercise and grooming needs, which makes them low maintenance. First-time dog owners and experienced ones alike are sure to fall in love with this breed for one reason or another.

Maltipoo Health and Wellbeing

As with any dog breed, proper exercise and nutrition are key components to their well-being. Maltipoo owners should aim for one or two good walks per day or about 30 minutes to one hour of playtime in the backyard. They are a small breed and will only weigh between 5 and 20 pounds at maturity. At this size, dogs should eat between 1/3 cup and 1 1/3 cups of high-quality food per day.

Although Maltipoos are generally healthy dogs, they are affected by certain health issues that owners should be aware of. Luxating patella is one of the most common ailments which is characterized by a misalignment of the bones in the kneecaps. It has varying stages of severity, and treatments range from medication to surgery. It’s also to be on the lookout for dental issues, problems with vision, obesity, and epilepsy. For peace of mind, owners may want to consider purchasing pet insurance.

Training Your Maltipoo

Maltipoos are very smart and tend to pick up commands with ease. This comes as no surprise as their two parent breeds, the Maltese and the Poodle, are also some of the most intelligent dogs out there. Because of this, training your Maltipoo at home should be a relatively easy process. With enough time and dedication, it’s entirely possible to teach them dozens of words and phrases. Simple ones like stay, sit, and lay down are good choices to start with. From there, you can progress to more complex commands, such as roll over, fetch, or wave.

Owners with less time on their hands can opt to bring their Maltipoos to training classes instead. These are somewhat affordable at about $40 to $60 per session. Although many owners take their dog to one session weekly for about a year, others opt for less frequent lessons. it all depends on your dog’s individual needs!

Maltipoo Temperament

As we stated earlier, Maltipoos are as sweet as can be. However, personalities will range from dog to dog, and members of the same breed can have vastly different personalities. Generally speaking, a great deal of their personality is formed during the first few months of their life. Maltipoos that are properly socialized will enjoy spending time with young children, other animals, and strangers. They are naturally outgoing and love making friends. They are fiercely loyal to their families and enjoy spending most of their time in their owner’s shadow.

However, there is always a chance your Maltipoo might display certain behavioral issues. According to PetMaltipoo, excessive barking, separation anxiety, hyperactivity, and house training issues are some of the most common problems. Additionally, aggression might be an issue as well, although this is less common and usually caused by underlying pain or trauma. In order to combat these less desirable traits, socialize your Maltipoo early in life, take them for routine vet visits, refrain from scaring them, and if all else fails, consider hiring a professional trainer.

Final Thoughts

In essence, the pros far outweigh the cons when it comes to this breed. Maltipoos make excellent family pets, and they have the ability to adapt well to a number of different household dynamics. They are clever, cheerful, sweet, and social, and generally just a pleasure to have around. As long as owners raise their Maltipoo with love and care, they will return it tenfold!

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