How Big Do Maltipoos Get?

Maltipoos are intelligent, fun-sized companions. A dog like this is a welcome addition to any apartment or family because of its friendliness and playfulness. Their coats vary between silk, wavy, and curly. You can also find them in white, cream, silver, blue, gray, brown, and black colors. 

Among other small breed dogs, Maltipoos are famous for being affectionate and maintaining a small size. However, like every other animal, these grow and increase in size. So the question is, just how big do Maltipoos get? Here you will find information on how big Maltipoos are at different stages of growth and what to expect as your Maltipoo grows older.

Background on Maltipoos

Crossing Poodles with other dogs is a well-known practice. Many household favorites like Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, and the Maltipoo have been created through this process. A Maltipoo is a hybrid of Maltese and a Poodle. The mix was initially done to make a dog breed that shares the hypoallergenic nature of Poodles. Thus, Maltese-Poodle mixes are excellent companions for people who have allergies. In addition, they hardly shed lots of hair and are pretty easy to train. 

The overall size of a Maltese-poodle breed varies, depending on whether the mix involves a Toy or Miniature Poodle. For instance, since Toy Poodles are smaller than minis, a Toy-Maltese combination could be much smaller than a Mini-Maltese mix. 

How Big are Baby Maltipoos?

At birth, Maltipoos usually weigh around 0.1 to 0.5 pounds. However, they can add up to 2 to 5 pounds over the next four months. Then their weight could go as high as 4 to 12 pounds in their ninth to the eleventh month. 

These sizes are averages as there is not yet a standard size for Maltipoo puppies. The nature of the breed mix goes a long way in determining how big a puppy will be and how quickly it can grow to much bigger. For example, Toy-Maltese puppies would most likely be smaller than Mini-Maltese puppies. Again, genetics plays a significant role, and it’s okay if your puppy falls slightly below or above these averages. 

How Big are Adult Maltipoos?

An adult Maltipoo weighs between 5 to 20 pounds (3kg to 12 kg) and can be as tall as 8 to 14 inches. The range of full-grown Maltese and Poodle mixes is quite broad and will vary depending on the type of Poodle involved. 

Full-grown Maltese dogs weigh about 6 to 9 pounds and are as tall as 7 to 9 inches. Poodles can reach a height of 10 inches and weigh around 6 to 9 pounds. So, a fully grown Toy-Maltese is usually about 5 to 15 pounds in weight and 8 to 11 inches in height. 

On the other hand, Miniature Poodles are 11 to 15 inches and weigh between 12 to 20 pounds. Adult Mini-Maltese dogs stand as high as 11 to 14 inches, and their weight ranges from 15 to 50 pounds. Male Maltipoos grow heavier than females when they become fully mature. These adults can be bigger or smaller, depending on the genetics of the dog’s parents (sires). 

For example, since Poodles are generally larger than Maltese, a Maltipoo could weigh on the smaller side if its Maltese genes are more substantial. On the other hand, Maltese could weigh more and appear larger if they have a more significant percentage of their Poodle heritage. 

When Does a Maltipoo Stop Being a Puppy?

Depending on the sires, Maltipoo can stay as puppies from their first day until the first year. Toy and Miniature puppies reach their adult size within 7 to 11 months. Standard puppies could grow until they are twelve to thirteen months old. In general, Maltipoos get their adult size before their first year.

During this period, they experience gradual changes in their body weight and keep growing till they become adults. It may be hard to tell which kind of mix your Maltipoo is, especially if it is a second-generation Maltipoo. First-generation Maltipoos are the direct offspring of a blend between Poodles and Maltese. While second-generation Maltipoos are children of two Maltipoos. You can use the weight and size to track growth in such cases. Or you can consult a vet for guidance. 

Can a Maltipoo Stay Small Forever?

Maltipoos cannot retain puppy size forever. Mini and Toy Maltipoos usually stop growing in the seventh to eleventh month, while those who are bred from Standard Poodles can continue growing till their first year.

Toy or teacup Maltipoos are usually a lot smaller than others. So if you prefer to own a tiny dog, get the toy mix. Still, bear in mind that it will not retain its puppy size and will add on a few more inches.

Generally, there’s no way to predict how big your dog will become. Although, its total size will depend on its genes – which kind of Poodle was crossbred and how strong the Maltese genes are. However, you can rely on the average sizes described earlier in this article.

Are Maltipoo Dogs Good Pets?

Maltipoos make excellent pets and companions. They can adapt to different environments and are suitable with families who have growing children. Also, Poodles live long – an average of 12-15 years. This means you will have them by your side for quite a long while. Due to their compact size, they don’t require as much space as bigger dogs would need to play in. They are also very friendly and easy to train. Maltipoos are relatively active and can keep a lively company. 

Like any other pet, Maltipoos need lots of love and good nutrition. However, it is essential to note that they can be pretty needy and should not be left alone for long hours. This is why they may not be the best choice if you don’t have much time to spend with them. However, if you like to be slathered with loads of affection and are willing to do the same, then Maltipoos are an excellent choice.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Rita Petcu/Shutterstock.com