What Kind of Dog Is a Maltipoo? History, Personality & Teacup Size Guide 🐾
Breedpedia Ep.01 — the story of the Maltipoo, from 1990s America to today.
Quick answer: A Maltipoo is a small companion dog created in the United States in the 1990s by crossing a Maltese with a Toy or Miniature Poodle. Most adults weigh 5–15 lb (about 2–7 kg), and the tiniest ones, often called teacup Maltipoos, stay under 5 lb (about 2.3 kg). Maltipoos are affectionate, smart and low-shedding, and they typically live 12–16 years.
Where did the Maltipoo come from? A short history 📜
The Maltipoo's story starts with two very old breeds.
- The Maltese is one of the oldest toy breeds in the world. It comes from the Mediterranean island of Malta, where it was kept as a gentle lapdog for thousands of years.
- The Poodle was developed in Germany as a water-retrieving dog. It is known for its sharp mind and its curly, low-shedding coat.
In the 1990s, breeders in the United States began crossing the two on purpose. The goal was a small, loving companion with the Maltese's sweet nature and the Poodle's brains and low-shedding coat — a dog that could suit apartments and families with mild allergies. It was part of the same "designer dog" wave that brought us the Labradoodle.
Because it's a cross, the Maltipoo isn't recognized as a breed by major kennel clubs such as the AKC. That hasn't slowed it down. Today it is one of the most popular small companion dogs in the world, and a favourite in Korea too.
What is a Maltipoo like? Personality 💕
- Affectionate and cuddly. Maltipoos bond closely with their people and love lap time.
- Smart and easy to train. Their Poodle side learns quickly with praise and treats, which makes house-training easier.
- Playful but low-energy. About 20–30 minutes of walks and indoor play a day is usually enough.
- Apartment-friendly. Their small size and calm indoor habits suit city living.
- Good with families. They are gentle and social, though very small puppies need supervision around young children.
One thing to know: Maltipoos love company and can develop separation anxiety. Short, gradual practice at being alone helps from puppyhood.
How big do Maltipoos get? Teacup, toy and mini 📏
A Maltipoo's size depends mostly on the Poodle parent. "Teacup" is not an official breed or size. It's a nickname for the smallest Maltipoos, usually bred from a small Maltese and a small Toy Poodle. You may also see micro, toy and mini Maltipoo. These are informal labels, not separate breeds.
| Size label | Adult weight | Adult height |
|---|---|---|
| Teacup / micro | Under 5 lb (≈2–2.3 kg) | Under 8 in |
| Toy | 5–10 lb (≈2.3–4.5 kg) | 8–10 in |
| Mini | 10–15 lb (≈4.5–7 kg) | 11–14 in |
Sizes are typical ranges, not guarantees. Always ask the breeder how much both parents weigh.
Do Maltipoos shed? Are they hypoallergenic?
Maltipoos are low-shedding thanks to their Poodle coat, so many people with mild dog allergies do well with them. No dog is completely hypoallergenic, because allergens also come from saliva and dander. If you have allergies, spend time with a Maltipoo before bringing one home.
Low shedding means more grooming. Brush a few times a week (daily for curly coats) and plan a professional groom every 4–6 weeks.
Maltipoo lifespan and health 🩺
With good care, Maltipoos typically live 12–16 years. The smallest ones need a little extra attention:
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia): tiny puppies should eat small, frequent meals.
- Knee problems (patellar luxation): use non-slip rugs and discourage jumping off sofas and beds.
- Dental disease: small mouths crowd teeth, so brush regularly.
- Fragile bones: handle gently and use steps or ramps where needed.
How to choose a healthy Maltipoo puppy ✅
- Meet or see the parents and ask for their adult weights.
- Ask for health records, including vaccinations, deworming and a vet check.
- Check the puppy's age. Puppies should stay with their mother until at least 8 weeks old.
- Be cautious of extreme size promises. A healthy tiny puppy matters more than the smallest possible one.
- Ask about support after adoption, such as feeding guides, travel documents and follow-up help.
Meet our available Maltipoo puppies 🏠
Kim's Pups raises and places Maltipoo puppies from Korea with families around the world. Every puppy is handled and socialized from the first weeks, and vaccinations and health checks are done before they fly. We take care of the export paperwork on our side. Every country has its own minimum age and entry rules, so read our guide to what age a puppy can fly from Korea or just ask us about yours.
See available Maltipoo puppies →
Maltipoo FAQ ❓
What kind of dog is a Maltipoo?
A Maltipoo is a cross between a Maltese and a Toy or Miniature Poodle. It's a small, affectionate, low-shedding companion dog.
When were Maltipoos first bred?
Maltipoos were first bred on purpose in the United States in the 1990s.
How big does a teacup Maltipoo get?
Most teacup Maltipoos weigh under 5 lb (about 2.3 kg) and stand under 8 inches tall as adults. Adult size depends mainly on the parents' size.
How long do Maltipoos live?
Typically 12–16 years with good nutrition, dental care and regular vet visits.
Are Maltipoos good for first-time owners?
Yes. They are affectionate, trainable and need little exercise. Owners should be ready for regular grooming and gentle handling.
🇹🇭 มอลติพูเป็นสุนัขพันธุ์อะไร?
มอลติพู (Maltipoo) เกิดขึ้นที่สหรัฐอเมริกาในช่วงทศวรรษ 1990 จากการผสมระหว่างมอลทีสที่อ่อนโยนกับพุดเดิลที่ฉลาด เพื่อให้ได้สุนัขตัวเล็กที่ขี้อ้อนและขนร่วงน้อย น้ำหนักตอนโตส่วนใหญ่อยู่ที่ 2–7 กิโลกรัม ส่วน "มอลติพูทีคัพ" คือชื่อเรียกตัวที่เล็กที่สุด ซึ่งมักหนักไม่เกิน 2.3 กิโลกรัม
มอลติพูขี้อ้อน ฉลาด ฝึกง่าย เหมาะกับคอนโด และมีอายุเฉลี่ย 12–16 ปี Kim's Pups ส่งลูกสุนัขจากเกาหลีไปยังประเทศไทย โดยเราดูแลเรื่องวัคซีน ใบรับรองสุขภาพ และเอกสารส่งออกให้ทั้งหมด ติดต่อเราเพื่อดูลูกมอลติพูที่พร้อมย้ายบ้านได้เลย 🐾
🇮🇩 Maltipoo itu anjing seperti apa?
Maltipoo lahir di Amerika Serikat pada tahun 1990-an dari persilangan Maltese yang lembut dan Poodle yang cerdas. Tujuannya adalah anjing kecil yang manja dengan bulu yang jarang rontok. Berat dewasanya biasanya 2–7 kg, sedangkan "Maltipoo teacup" adalah sebutan untuk yang paling mungil, biasanya di bawah 2,3 kg.
Maltipoo manja, pintar, mudah dilatih, cocok untuk tinggal di apartemen, dan umurnya rata-rata 12–16 tahun. Kim's Pups rutin mengirim anak anjing dari Korea ke Indonesia. Vaksin, surat keterangan sehat, dan dokumen ekspor kami urus semuanya. Hubungi kami untuk melihat anak Maltipoo yang tersedia 🐾
🇭🇰 Maltipoo（瑪爾濟貴賓）係咩品種？
Maltipoo 喺 1990 年代嘅美國誕生，由溫柔嘅瑪爾濟斯同聰明嘅貴賓犬混種而成，目標係培育一隻黐人、又少甩毛嘅細型犬。成年體重通常係 2 至 7 公斤，而「茶杯 Maltipoo」就係最細隻嘅叫法，多數唔超過 2.3 公斤。
Maltipoo 聰明易教、好啱香港嘅居住環境，平均壽命 12 至 16 年。Kim's Pups 經常由韓國送狗狗去香港，疫苗、健康證明同出口文件全部由我哋處理。想睇下而家有邊隻 Maltipoo BB，歡迎聯絡我哋 🐾