Maltipoo Full Grown: Size, Appearance, Price & More

The Maltipoo is a delightful designer dog breed resulting from the cross between a Maltese and Poodle. As a hybrid or "designer breed," this pup comes with a unique combination of traits from both parent breeds. While puppies are adorable, it's important to understand what your Maltipoo will be like once it reaches full maturity.

In this guide, we'll explore everything you need to know about Maltipoo size, appearance, personality, care needs, and more at full grown size. By understanding what to expect as your puppy matures, you can be fully prepared to care for your dog throughout its lifespan.

Size at Full Grown

Maltipoos are considered a "toy" breed due to their small stature. On average, a fully grown Maltipoo will stand 8-12 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 6-18 pounds.

However, due to their hybrid nature, size can vary significantly puppy to puppy. Some may take after the smaller Maltese parent and max out closer to 6-8 pounds. Others may inherit more of the Poodle genes and grow larger up to 15-18 pounds.

Generally, smaller Maltipoo parents will produce smaller offspring, while larger parents tend to result in bigger pups. Size can also be influenced by sex - males often grow larger than females.

No matter the exact measurements, Maltipoos remain petite dogs suitable for apartment living. Their small stature makes them a great choice for owners with limited space.

Appearance at Full Grown

The Maltipoo coat also varies based on parentage. Common coat types include:

• Long, silky hair like a Maltese
• Wavy or curly hair like a Poodle
• Combination of wavy/curly fur with longer hair on body

Coat colors include cream, apricot, gold, brown, black, and mixes thereof. Many have bi- or tri-color patterns.

By 2 years, their adult coat is fully developed. Regular professional grooming is needed to keep hair mat-free and styled. Untrimmed hair can grow very long!

Other distinguishing adult features include dark button eyes, a short snub nose, upright ears, and a tail curled over the back. Some may have facial hair like a beard and eyebrows.

Personality at Full Grown

The Maltipoo personality shines as an affectionate, playful, and engaging companion. As puppies mature into adults, these traits amplify in positive ways:

• Remain very attached and bonded to their family
• Love people and doing activities with their owners
• Entertain themselves but prefer human interaction
• Trainability increases as they realize pleasing you earns rewards

Some watchdog tendencies from the Poodle side may emerge. Overall, they are friendly and gentle dogs perfect for households with children.

Price

As a designer hybrid, Maltipoos command premium prices compared to purebred dogs. The average cost for a well-bred Maltipoo puppy from a reputable breeder is $1,000-3,000.

Prices vary depending on coat color, parents' pedigree lines, number of generations removed from purebred dog ancestors, and demand in your area.

Adopting a Maltipoo from a shelter may cost $100-300 in adoption fees.

Food and Feeding

Aim to feed your Maltipoo high-quality small breed dog food at full grown. The daily amount depends on their size and activity level, but averaged 1/2 to 1 1/2 cups per day split into 2 meals.

Provide fresh water at all times. Daily treats can be training rewards, but watch calories to avoid weight gain in such a petite pooch.

Some owners stick with the same puppy food at maturity if well-tolerated. But most vets recommend switching to an adult formulation around 1 year age.

Lifespan

The average Maltipoo lifespan is 12-15 years when provided excellent care, nutrition, and regular vet checkups.

Some may live to be 17+ years old. Proper socialization and mental/physical stimulus as an adult helps keep them happy and healthy into their senior years.

Health at Full Grown

Being a mixed-breed, the Maltipoo may inherit health concerns from either parent. Common issues to watch for at maturity include:

• Teeth and gum disease
• Skin allergies
• Eye problems like glaucoma
• Joint issues like patellar luxation
• Breathing problems in flat-faced breeds
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

High-quality nutrition, annual checkups, and routine cleanings/testing helps prevent or catch issues early. Pet insurance offers peace of mind.

Care and Nutritional Needs

Maltipoo care as an adult involves:

• Brushing coat 2-3 times per week to remove mats and distribute natural oils
• Bathing as needed to keep coat clean (try to avoid over-bathing)
• Regular brushing of teeth 2-3 times per week to prevent dental disease
• Trimming nails once per month if not worn down naturally
• Cleaning ears weekly to prevent infection
• Regular vet checkups and vaccinations

Provide mentally and physically stimulating activities like training, puzzles, playtime, and walks to ensure happiness and wellness.

Cost of Ownership

Estimated typical annual costs to keep your adult Maltipoo happy and healthy:

• $500-800 on high-quality food, treats, toys
• $200-400 on grooming every 4-8 weeks
• $400-600 on annual vet visits, tests, vaccines
• $50-150 on vitamins, supplements, flea/tick prevention
• $100-300 on unexpected medical bills or medication

Excluding initial purchase price, plan to spend $1,250-2,250+ per year on average for pet expenses.

Possible Behavior Changes

As Maltipoos mature, some personality shifts may occur:

• Increased independence but still affectionate
• Natural watchdogs - may bark more at noises/intruders
• Settled down from hyper puppy energy
• Stronger bond and loyalty to their people
• More responsive to training procedures

socialization and exercises their minds and bodies regularly to prevent unwanted behaviors.

Notable Characteristics

In summary, some key things to note about full-grown Maltipoos include:

• Small stature of 6-18 pounds
• Varied coat types like wavy/curly, long hair
• Playful, gentle, and affectionate temperament
• Trainability and bonding improves with age
• Average 12-15 year lifespan with care
• Daily needs like grooming, mental stimuli
• $1200-2250+ per year ownership costs

With proper care and training from an early age, the Maltipoo blossoms into a wonderful family companion for years to come.