Maltipoo characteristics
| Trait | Rating | How common |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small | 24% of breeds |
| Energy level | Medium | — |
| Trainability | Medium | 48% of breeds |
| Friendliness | Very High | 22% of breeds |
| Good with children | Medium | — |
| Grooming needs | High | 20% of breeds |
| Shedding | Very Low | 7% of breeds |
| Barking | Medium | 41% of breeds |
| Protectiveness | Medium | 38% of breeds |
| Adaptability | High | 31% of breeds |
| Typical lifespan | 14 years | — |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes | — |
“How common” is the share of the 321 breeds we score that sit in the same band. Ratings describe the breed, not any individual dog.
Is the Maltipoo right for you?
The Maltipoo is a compact little dog that fits small homes easily and never crowds a room. In terms of temperament, it usually does well with children given socialization and supervision and announces visitors but stops short of guarding. Day to day, the Maltipoo thrives on daily walks plus a bit of active play, which is the single biggest factor in whether it will suit your routine.
Exercise and daily routine
The Maltipoo thrives on daily walks plus a bit of active play. With medium energy and low athleticism, a consistent daily routine keeps this breed physically and mentally satisfied. Skipping exercise is the most common cause of problem behaviour, so match the Maltipoo to a lifestyle you can realistically maintain.
Grooming, shedding and upkeep
The Maltipoo requires frequent brushing and regular professional trims and leaves virtually no hair around the house. It is considered hypoallergenic, which — combined with its low shedding — makes it one of the easier breeds to live with for allergy sufferers.
Temperament and training
The Maltipoo picks things up at a fair pace with steady practice and gives voice moderately, typically when something warrants it. It would rather have company and manages only brief spells alone, so plan for company or gradual alone-time training if you work away from home. Early socialization and positive, reward-based training bring out the best in this breed.
What stands out about the Maltipoo
Most breed descriptions call everything “loyal and intelligent”. These are the ratings where the Maltipoo genuinely differs from the rest of the catalogue — the things worth knowing before you commit.
- Shedding: Very low — the Maltipoo sheds far less than most breeds. Only 7% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Athleticism: Low — the Maltipoo is less athletic than most breeds. Only 10% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Grooming needs: High — the Maltipoo needs more grooming than most breeds. Only 20% of breeds we score share this rating.
What a week with a Maltipoo actually costs you
| Exercise | About an hour a day of walking and play suits it. |
|---|---|
| Coat | Brushing several times a week, with professional grooming at intervals. |
| Time alone | Wants company. Long days alone are where the problems start. |
| Noise | Average for a dog — it will bark at the door and at things it dislikes. |
Where the Maltipoo fits — and where it does not
Each verdict below comes from the ratings in the table above, so you can check the reasoning rather than take it on trust.
| Household | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment living | Good fit | Medium energy and medium barking travel well into a flat. |
| Families with young children | Depends | Medium child tolerance: fine with supervision and older children, less so with toddlers. |
| First-time owners | Good fit | Medium trainability without an unusually strong will makes the learning curve forgiving. |
| Homes with cats | Good fit | Low prey drive makes cohabitation straightforward in most cases. |
| Long working days | Depends | Low independence — this breed wants company and shows it when it does not get any. |
| Allergy households | Depends | Recorded as a low-allergen coat. No dog is truly hypoallergenic — meet the individual dog before deciding. |
Guides the Maltipoo is ranked in
The Maltipoo earns a place on 5 of our lifestyle shortlists:
Perfect for
- Apartment living
- Senior owners
- Allergy sufferers
- Small families
Things to consider
- Can be fragile
- Variable traits
- May be yappy
- Regular grooming needed
Not sure which breed is right for you?
Take the free DoggyQ quiz and get a personalized match from 321 breeds based on your lifestyle, home and preferences — plus a full report on what living with that breed actually costs.
Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- Is the Maltipoo good with children?
- The Maltipoo can be good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
- Does the Maltipoo shed a lot?
- The Maltipoo has very low shedding and is considered hypoallergenic.
- How much exercise does the Maltipoo need?
- With medium energy, the Maltipoo needs moderate daily exercise such as a good walk or two.
- How long does the Maltipoo live?
- The Maltipoo typically lives around 14 years.
- Can the Maltipoo live in an apartment?
- Yes — the Maltipoo is small and not overly vocal, so it adapts well to apartment living with daily walks.
- Is the Maltipoo easy to train?
- The Maltipoo picks things up at a fair pace with steady practice. Consistency, early socialization and reward-based methods work best.
- Can the Maltipoo be left alone during the day?
- The Maltipoo would rather have company and manages only brief spells alone. Build up alone time gradually and provide enrichment to prevent boredom.