Maltipoos are the offspring of breeding two historically family-friendly pooches—a Miniature or Toy Poodle and the diminutive Maltese. The Maltipoo is considered a designer dog and it has a big personality for being such a small bundle of fur. Does this big personality mesh well with families? Good news! Maltipoos typically do well with kids and families as a result of the breeding parents’ history, so you can feel at ease bringing a Maltipoo home to join the family.
Families & Maltipoos
Both the Poodle and the Maltese have a reputation for being family-friendly. Maltipoos are known to be intelligent dogs, enjoy learning new tricks and behaviors, and love to make their owners happy, so they tend to do well in training classes. Always use positive reinforcement training and you’ll have a well-trained pup in no time.
Maltipoos are also known to have high-energy bursts, but this can be mitigated by daily walks and a few play sessions every day. Tug of war, fetch, puzzle toys, and chase are just some of the activities that Maltipoos enjoy doing to work out their excess energy. Despite these energetic activities, Maltipoos also love to sit and cuddle their families at the end of the day.
Children & Maltipoos
Maltipoos tend to get along well with children of all ages, but there are some things to consider before introducing the dog to your household. The dog will need proper socialization from a young age, so it doesn’t feel anxious around children. Maltipoos have been known to experience separation anxiety, so they’ll likely want to spend as much time as possible with the children and adults in the family.
Maltipoos are small in stature and can be fragile, so children in the household will need to learn to be gentle with the dog. For this reason, it might be better to wait until any children in the household are at least 6 years old to prevent any injuries to the dog.
Behaviors of Maltipoos
Maltipoos can be sensitive dogs and will need a daily routine to help them thrive in their home environment. They prefer to spend all day with their family members and don’t like to be left alone, but crate-training your dog will help them learn to feel safe even if you’re not at home.
Both the Maltese and Poodle parent breeds are both known for being vocal barkers, so Maltipoo owners should be prepared for their cute bundle of fur to sound off often. Maltipoos can be protective of their home and their people and will bark as if they’re a much larger breed.
Conclusion
The Maltipoo is the result of the breeding combination of the Maltese and a Toy or Miniature Poodle. These small, but vocal, pups are family-friendly and do well with children if they’re probably socialized. They’re highly intelligent and react well to positive reinforcement training. They can be high-energy pups and enjoy playing fetch, catch, and more with their families.
Related Read:
- 160 Awesome Maltipoo Names: Fun & Cute Options For Your Dog
- How Good Will a Maltese Be With Kids: Facts & FAQ
Featured Image Credit: voronaman, Shutterstock
