Maltipoo Temperament: Pros, Cons, & Family Suitability

Have you got your heart set on a Maltipoo puppy? If that’s the case, then you’d most likely want to learn more about the Maltipoo temperament and personality traits. In this guide, we discuss all about the Maltipoo temperament, their pros, cons, and what you should consider before adopting this adorable little Dood. Let’s get started! 

What Is A Maltipoo?

The Maltipoo is a hybrid cross between the Maltese and Poodle. Both purebred parents probably don’t need much introduction. The Maltese and Poodle have been around for a while and they’re one of the most popular and well-known dog breeds out there. By combining the Poodle and Maltese, we get the most charming, sweetest pocket-sized pup. 

The Maltipoo is a relatively new designer breed and it’s thought that they were first bred in the late 90s or at the beginning of 2000s. Over the past decade, these pups have gained much popularity, just like any other Doodle breed. 

The Maltese is a toy-sized breed, which makes this pup the ultimate lapdog. For obvious reasons, Malteses are always crossed with either Toy or Miniature Poodles. Simply because it wouldn’t make sense to cross a toy-sized Maltese with a large Standard Poodle. 

Regardless of their size, the popularity of Maltipoos is on the rise, and we can certainly understand why. Not only do they look cute, the Maltipoo temperament is loved by many dog owners all across the globe. 

Most Common Maltipoo Temperament Traits

Whenever we cross two different purebred dogs, their puppies can lean on either side of the lineage – both in terms of looks and also their personality traits. Or, they combine the best traits from both of the parent dogs. Therefore, it’s safe to say that the Maltipoo temperament is inherited from its Poodle and Maltese parents. 

Maltese dogs are praised for their easy-going and affectionate nature. Thanks to their sweet and gentle disposition, they make excellent family pets. Poodles, on the other hand, are notoriously intelligent pups that are extremely loyal to their families. They’re also super energetic. After all, Poodles were first bred for hunting birds. 

As you can imagine, the Maltipoo hybrid cross combines the best traits from the tiny, affectionate Maltese and the intelligent and fun-loving Poodle. The Maltipoo temperament can be described best as loving, gentle, intelligent, and people oriented. 

However, the downside of being such an affectionate and loyal pup is that Maltipoos are prone to separation anxiety. For this reason, leaving a Maltipoo alone for long periods of time is a big no-no. 

Of course, we can never predict a Maltipoo’s temperament with 100% accuracy before birth. We can, however, make guesses based on the temperament of their parents. Still, each puppy is unique and even puppies from the same litter can have complete opposite personalities. 

In fact, many ethical breeders conduct personality testing before placing their puppies into forever homes. This is probably the best method of pairing each puppy with the most suitable owner, and vice versa. 

Maltipoo Temperament: Pros & Cons

Maltipoos are tiny and cute, and come with low-shedding coats. What’s there not to love about them? Well, even though the Maltipoo does make a great companion for many, it’s still crucial that you’ve thoroughly studied the Maltipoo’s personality traits. After all, you need to weigh all the pros and cons before you adopt your new furry family member. 

Maltipoo Temperament: Pros

Friendly & Good Natured

Even though Maltipoos are extremely compact dogs, they pack a lot of personality. One of the best Maltipoo temperament traits is that they’re so affectionate, loving, and gentle. They’re also playful and charming, which means you’ll never get bored with them. Overall, they’re just a joy to be around. 

Maltipoos also absolutely adore their humans. They thrive on human interaction and they bond very well with their families. And guaranteed, a Maltipoo will gladly spend the most of its day by your side taking part in your everyday activities, snoozing on your lap, and receiving all the kisses and cuddles that you have to spare. 

If you’re looking for the perfect lapdog, then the Maltipoo is definitely the right choice for you. But don’t worry, they’re not lazy either. In fact, they’re quite energetic and enjoy all sorts of activities both indoors and outdoors. But at the end of the day, there’s nothing that a Maltipoo enjoys more than snuggling up on the couch with you. 

Intelligent & Easy To Train

Did you know that the Poodle is ranked as the world’s second smartest breed behind Border Collie? Of course, the tiny Maltipoo inherits a fair share of it, as at least a half of its genetic makeup comes from the Poodle. 

Thanks to their high levels of intelligence, Maltipoos generally respond very well to training, especially when food and treats are involved. They’re eager to please their humans, which means that it shouldn’t be much of a hassle to raise your Maltipoo puppy into a well-behaved adult. 

On the other hand, the Maltese and Poodle can both have a stubborn streak. If your Maltipoo has inherited the same trait, be prepared for some challenges along the way. The key here is to start training your pup early on, from the moment you bring them home. And, of course, staying consistent. 

What’s more, keep in mind that intelligent, social, and active dogs like the Maltipoo need to express all that pent up energy they have. Think of daily exercise like walkies and playtime, but also mental stimulation through interactive games and puzzles, and training. Otherwise, you might have to deal with a bored pup, which often leads to undesirable and destructive behaviors. 

Are They Good With Strangers?

Maltipoos are equally friendly with their family members and strangers. They adore adults and children, and even other dogs and cats. As social little creatures, Maltipoos love meeting new people and receiving all the compliments they can get. 

However, there are two things you should keep in mind. Firstly, every dog, including the Maltipoo, should be socialized from an early age to people of all ages and races, and other animals. This helps your puppy get used to meeting new people and pets, and they’ll very likely be much friendlier towards strangers once they get older. Secondly, Maltipoos are quite vocal pups. So, it’s not uncommon for them to bark when they meet strangers. They only mean well, though! 

Ideal For Apartments

Thanks to their small size, Maltipoos can equally thrive in bigger houses and smaller apartments. They don’t require much space, and they rather spend most of their time by your side anyway. 

If larger Doodles might not feel as comfortable in apartments, then that’s not the case for Maltipoos. The Maltese-Poodle mix is such a small dog that they have plenty of space to roam around pretty much anywhere. And they won’t accidentally knock over your precious vase while taking a U-turn in the living room. 

But with that being said, Maltipoos still need to exercise regularly. Maltipoos are fairly active and playful dogs. So, be sure to take your pup for daily walkies and playtime, as this is an absolute must for them. 

Other than that, a Maltipoo won’t feel uncomfortable in an apartment in any way. All spaces seem large to them! 

Maltipoo Temperament: Cons

Sensitive

One of the less desired Maltipoo temperament traits is that they can be quite sensitive. They tend to not tolerate very loud and overly stimulating spaces, big changes to their routine, and overall chaotic situations or households. These pups thrive best in calm environments, where their humans spend their days adoring them. 

You’ll also want to establish and stick to a schedule, which includes mealtimes, bedtimes, potty breaks, and so on. Of course, slightly diverting from your routine from time to time shouldn’t cause any problems. However, a set routine helps your pup handle those more stressful situations and periods. For instance, if you’re moving or when there are big changes in the family, such as separation or welcoming babies. 

Additionally, you should never raise your voice at a Maltipoo, as they’re extremely sensitive to negative reinforcement. But we must say, regardless of the breed, you should never scold your pup. Positive reinforcement is the only way to go. 

Separation Anxiety

Although it’s endearing to watch your Maltipoo bond so well with you, this can also lead to certain issues. It’s in their nature to interact and receive lots of love from their humans. But they can also become overly attached to their owners. 

This can often lead to separation anxiety, which will not only cause your pup excessive stress, but it can also lead to behavioral issues. Some dogs start showing symptoms of separation anxiety after their owners leave, whereas others start showing the symptoms right when they realize that you’re about to leave the house. 

The usual signs of separation anxiety in dogs include whining, excessive barking, howling, appetite loss, going potty inside the house, pacing, excessive chewing and digging, or becoming destructive. 

Although you can manage separation anxiety with crate training and introducing your puppy to safe alone time with fun enrichment toys, there’s only so much you can do. 

Maltipoos are generally sensitive and they are prone to separation anxiety. That’s just how the Maltipoo temperament is. For this reason, this breed is not the best choice for you if you have to leave your pup alone for long hours at a time. If that’s the case, you should most certainly consider hiring a dog walker or a pet sitter while you’re away.

Yappiness

Lastly, a slightly less desired aspect of the Maltipoo temperament is that they are quite vocal, even yappy. They like to bark, a lot, mostly when they encounter strangers or when they think that there’s an imminent danger. For instance, when someone’s knocking on the door. If only they were bigger, they would make great guard dogs! Then again, they’ll definitely alert you when someone tries to break into your house.

All jokes aside, Maltipoos tend to bark either when they get super excited when you arrive home, during exhilarating playtime, or when they feel that you should pay more attention to them. Of course, they also like to bark at strangers, regardless if it’s a human or another pet. 

While to some extent it can be very cute to witness your pup having such a big personality, excessive barking can also become a problem if you don’t establish boundaries early on. In addition to that, excessive and loud barking can cause issues in apartment buildings, or even in your own household. 

If your Maltipoo does enjoy barking a bit too much, you might want to reach out to a professional dog trainer or try the Online Puppy School by Baxter & Bella. At the end of the day, your Maltipoo’s behavior is directly linked to their training and socialization.

Are Maltipoos Suitable For You?

Now that we’ve covered the basics and weighed all the pros and cons of the Maltipoo temperament, let’s do a quick recap so you can decide whether or not this dog is the right fit for you. 

Ultimately, you want to make sure that you adopt a pup not only based on their cute looks, but also their personality. And before you make that huge commitment, carefully consider whether or not the Maltipoo fits with your lifestyle and family dynamics. 

The Maltipoo is a suitable pup for you if you:

• Are looking for an extremely loving and gentle companion that can’t get enough of cuddles and snoozes on your lap.
• Prefer a smaller dog that can live comfortably in both apartments and larger homes.
• Have plenty of time for daily exercise, playtime, and stimulating activities, such as interactive games, puzzles, and training.
• Don’t mind a vocal pup.

A Maltipoo might not be the best choice for you if you:

• Have to leave your dog alone for long periods of time during the day.
• Can’t accommodate a dog that’s prone to barking, especially if you have thin walls with neighbors or a newborn baby in your home.
• Have a chaotic lifestyle.

Maltipoo Temperament: FAQ

Do Maltipoos Bark A Lot?

Maltipoos are known to be quite yappy dogs. They like to express their emotions with barking, as if they were trying to talk in human language. And they can also be quite loud. Maltipoos like to vocalize their joy, excitement, but also curiosity, and even disapproval. For instance, if they don’t get enough attention from you, it’s highly likely that your dog will let you know about it.

In addition to that, excessive barking can also indicate that your pup is not mentally or physically stimulated enough, or that they struggle with separation anxiety. The former can be easily managed with the proper amount of exercise and playtime each day. The latter, however, will require a bit more effort on your end. Our article on How To Help A Dog With Separation Anxiety can help you with that. 

Do Maltipoos Shed?

As both the Maltese and Poodle parents are single-coated, the Maltipoo sheds very minimally, if any at all. The Maltipoo is considered one of the best and safest options for people who struggle with dog dander allergy. And as an added bonus, your furniture, floors, and clothes won’t be covered in dog hair, either. 

On the other hand, Maltipoos are relatively high-maintenance when it comes to grooming. Maltipoos with curly coats are especially prone to matting so each day you should schedule in a brushing session. Regardless of their coat type, these pups also need regular hair trims every 4 to 8 weeks. 

Are Maltipoos Good Pets?

The short answer is yes! In fact, Maltipoos are great pets for almost anyone – singles, families, and people living in apartments or huge houses alike. They’re gentle, sweet, and loving. They also tend to bond very well with their families. 

On the other hand, due to their outgoing and affectionate nature, the Maltipoo is only suited for people and families that don’t have to leave their pet alone for the majority of the day. 

Maltipoo Temperament: Final Thoughts

The popularity of Maltipoos is on the rise and for a good reason. They’re fun-loving and cuddly dogs that have such big personalities, especially if you consider how small they are. But before you take that huge step and commit the upcoming 12 to 15 years to caring for this precious Dood, it’s crucial that you carefully consider all the pros and cons of the Maltipoo personality. 

Whether you’re planning to adopt a Maltipoo or you’re just curious to learn more about this tiny little pup, we hope you learned some interesting facts about the Maltipoo temperament.