Maltipoo vs Poodle: Which One is the Right Dog for You?

The Maltipoo is a cross-breed of the Miniature or Toy Poodle and a Maltese. The poodle is a purebred dog, and Maltipoos are known as the designer breed. Both breeds differ in terms of exercise and training to the grooming needs. For example, a Maltipoo and a Poodle are both trainable; however, one needs a strong pack leader to avoid all sorts of behavioral issues. Both breeds are well-known for their intelligence, charming, and hypoallergenic traits, making them the top options for families or people suffering from allergies. But, deciding between the one needs further knowledge about their key characteristics. So, to assist you in making an informed decision, it is important to check out the similarities and differences between Maltipoo vs Poodle.

Maltipoo Overview

The Maltipoos is the hybrid that results out of breeding both Maltese and a Toy or Miniature Poodle. The breed is known for its affectionate and playful nature making them the ideal pet across various active households. The Maltipoo forms the perfect furry companion for your household whether you are a first-time pet owner or already own one. The breed forms the ideal companion for kids and seniors alike. This Poodle mix is a smart dog who is trainable and loves to spend time with humans and other pets.

Toy Poodle Overview

The Poodle is a purebred toy breed derived from the standard Poodle. It is sweet, smart, and good with kids and other pets. It needs a strong pack leader. These toy poodles love individuals and respond appropriately to training. They are friendly and need proper socialization. They love being surrounded by people, but they are also protective of their owners. Along with being socialized, they need an appropriate level of stimulation and exercises to prevent them from becoming timid or strung out.

Key Differences Between the Maltipoo and Poodle

Before we discuss the specifics, it is important to know that these are the best companion dogs, especially when judging between Maltipoo and Poodle. However, each breed shares unique characteristics. So, selecting between them relies on several factors, including grooming needs, size, and overall energy levels.

Size and Appearance

When you consider the Maltipoo vs. Poodle, the initial difference is determined by their size. Although both breeds often share similar overall aesthetics due to the influence of Poodle, their size varies notably. The Maltipoo is the cross between the Poodle and Maltese. Generally, the Maltipoos are smaller dogs ranging from 8 to 14 pounds and stand at a height of 8 to 14 inches. Their smaller sizes make them the top option for those living in apartments or those who wish to have smaller dogs.

Alternatively, the Poodle often comes in three varied sizes: toy, Standard, and Miniature. The toy Poodle is the same size as the Maltipoo, while the Standard and Miniature Poodles are larger. For instance, Standard Poodles often weigh around 40 to 70 pounds and stand at a height of 15 inches, making them well-suited for homes with a lot of space or families choosing the bigger dog.

Temperament and Personality

Both breeds often share loving and friendly personalities; however, they interact differently with their families and strangers. Maltipoo's personality traits are extremely social and love being around people. They thrive on attention and often develop separation anxiety whenever they are left alone for a longer time. These furry companions are best for families or individuals who offer them a lot of time and love.

Even Poodles are affectionate; however, they are more independent compared to the Maltipoos. Their ability to think and smartness make them less needy. Specifically, the standard poodles are often more reserved among strangers; however, they warm up rapidly once they feel comfortable.

Grooming and Care 

As the argument persists regarding Maltipoo vs. Poodle, one intricate factor worth considering is grooming. Both breeds are known to showcase their wavy or curly coats, which are ideal for individuals, especially allergy sufferers. However, these coats need appropriate attention to prevent the formation of tangles or mats.

The coat of a Maltipoo comes with the perfect blend of the curly hair of Poodle along with the silky texture of the Maltese breed that leads to the formation of tangles. Following the appropriate brushing routine is the key that also needs a professional groomer's attention every 4 to 6 weeks which is advised. This proves a time-consuming process while ensuring your dog stays healthier and comfortable throughout their lifetime.

Poodles, mainly of Standard sizes, need more attention in terms of grooming. Their curly, dense coats are much more prone to matting if they lack proper upkeep. Ensure that pup owners follow the grooming routine every 6 to 8 weeks, and regular brushing is often a must to keep their coats free from tangles. Although this is something that pup owners should follow, the result is truly remarkable in terms of their astounding aesthetics.

Training and Intelligence

While arguing regarding Maltipoo vs Poodle, both the breeds are well-known for their smartness especially due to their genetic pool of Poodle. This breed is considered one of the highly intelligent dog breeds and is extremely trainable. They are always at their owner's sight eager to please and grow optimally in their environments where they get mentally challenged.

Maltipoos often inherit their smartness from their Poodle bloodline as they are more independent and stubborn, specifically across the younger pups. As you opt to train your Maltipoo, it often involves a lot of patience as they respond adequately to the positive reinforcement and the subtle guidance. Both these breeds are ideal, especially for first-time dog owners who stay committed to the constant mode of training their pups.

Exercise and Activity Level

Poodles and Maltipoos often have different needs for physical activities or exercises. However, both breeds benefit significantly from physical activities, which help them remain happier and healthier at all times.

The Maltipoo dog breed is content with moderate exercise, including playtime and regular walks across the yard. Although the dogs are often noted as energetic, they do not need hours of exercise. They thrive well with quick walks or a couple of games of fetch throughout the day.

Poodles, mainly of the Standard, are considered to be highly active and need a lot of exercise. The standard poodles love longer walks, a lot of mental stimulation, and hikes. Originally, they had been bred to retrieve waterfowl, indicating that they have having higher level of energy and require a lot of activities to ward off their excessive amount of energy.

Health Considerations

Similar to almost every breed, both Maltipoo and Poodle arrive with their distinctive set of issues related to their overall health. Maltipoos often inherit their health issues from both their Poodle and Maltese parent lineage. The generic concerns involve knee issues or patellar luxation, dental issues, and a few eye conditions. Regular vet checkups prove effective in catching the issues sooner and maintaining good dental hygiene.

Although Poodles are typically healthy, they are prone to a few specific genetic issues, which are mainly common across the bigger breeds. Standard Poodles are often prone to health issues such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy, hip dysplasia, and thyroid issues. Both Toy and Miniature Poodles encounter various health issues, including luxating patellas and dental issues. Similar to Maltipoo, proper vet visits and an appropriate diet often reduce or even eradicate these prevailing issues. 

Lifespan and Longevity

Both Poodle and Maltipoo breeds have a longer lifespan, with Maltipoo living around 12 to 16 years, based on their optimal health and proper care. Their overall pint sizes generally contribute to their longer lifespan since it is a known fact that the smaller dogs live longer compared to the bigger breeds.

Poodles are very long-lived. Toy and miniature Poodles typically live for around 14 to 18 years, although the lifespan of Standard Poodles is a bit shorter, ranging from 12 to 15 years. Following an appropriate diet, care, and proper vet visits can help both breeds reach a maximum lifespan.

Conclusion

Deciding between a Maltipoo and a Poodle generally relies on activity levels, preferences, and commitment to extensive grooming. Although Maltipoos are often considered to be more laid-back and loving in nature, a Poodle is a smart, active breed that needs a lot of attention. Both of these breeds are the ideal companions so it is important to consider the things that best suit your lifestyle and family right before landing on the final decisions. Irrespective of whether you need to choose a classy Poodle or an adorable Maltipoo, both breeds offer years-long worth of love and forever companionship.