Designer dogs, also referred to as hybrid breeds, have caught the attention and won the hearts of dog lovers everywhere. The trend grew as breeders intentionally began to experiment with replicating the most desirable traits of purebreds through crossbreeding. The practice isn’t new – it is, after all, how most dogs that are now considered purebred came into being.

The Maltipoo

Among the most popular of the current trend of designer dogs is the darling Maltipoo – a cross between a Maltese and a Poodle.  Maltipoos tend to inherit the good temperament and affectionate attributes of the Maltese and the intelligence and agility of the Poodle.

As with all designer dogs, the physical characteristics can go either way. Puppies born within the same litter may even grow to look very different from one another. Most Maltipoos reach an adult weight of 5 to 10 pounds. Due to crossbreeding some experts believe a number of the specific genetic weaknesses such as joint dysplasia, epilepsy, and allergies typical in many purebreds are diminished. They make wonderful companion dogs, as evidenced by the number of Maltipoos adopted by enchanted owners.

A most desirable aspect of the Maltipoo is the opportunity to produce a dog with a hypoallergenic coat.  Both the Maltese and the Poodle have hair, not fur, and they are non-shedding which eliminates many of the allergens that trigger human suffering. Some Maltipoos produce the characteristic curly coat of the Poodle, and others have the super straight, silky coats common of the Maltese, while still others have a scruffy, rougher textured coat. Both Poodles and Maltese require consistent care and grooming. How to groom a Maltipoo depends greatly on which characteristics your pup inherits.

Maltipoo Grooming Styles

The Maltipoo grooming style is as dependent on the individual preference of the owner as it is on the demand of the dog’s physical characteristics. Maltipoos are not recognized by the American Kennel Club or other purebred-sanctioning organizations so there are no “breed standards” for confirmation to work toward.

A Maltipoo with more of the Poodle parent’s characteristics will demand extensive grooming.  A regular bath and a haircut every six to eight weeks should be expected.

A puppy with the Maltese parent’s traits will need daily combing or brushing to keep the soft hair silky and prevent tangles and matting. Less frequent baths are recommended and may be supplemented by dry shampoos. Most Maltese only require occasional clipping to keep the hair neat and out of the dog’s eyes. Some owners choose to tie the hair over the eyes in a topknot.

Maltipoo Haircuts

Owners of this adorable designer breed have the unlimited options of a variety of versatile Maltipoo haircuts and hairstyles.  Groomers like the ability to experiment with the cut and the creativity offered by Maltipoo grooming options.

Maltipoo haircut styles following the attributes of a typical Poodle cut may feature a

• Bikini or Miami Cut – face and feet are shaved leaving a pom at the end of the tail and the body hair is left to grow to the desired length.
• Continental Cut – features a shaved belly, face, and legs while the hair on the rest of the body is brushed full and allowed to grow with poms cut at the feet.
• Pet Clip or Puppy Cut – perhaps the most popular of Maltipoo hairstyles involves shaving the body along contours while the hair on top of the head is pulled to a knot and fastened with a band. The ears are scissor-clipped and brushed full.
• Kennel Clips or Utility Clips – the hair is scissor-cut along the body contours and the face, feet, and tail are shaved, leaving a pom at the end of the tail. Ears are trimmed and brushed full.
• Lamb Cut – popular for show Poodles. This is essentially the same as a Kennel Clip but the hair is typically longer and the same length along the body.
• Town and Country Clip – hair is shaved on face, legs, and belly but everywhere else is any desired length and brushed full.

A Maltipoo with typical Maltese hair quality will require a different approach. Maltese hair is long and can reach the floor. The haircut involves more of a trim for a neat appearance than a styling effect. The Maltipoo haircut along the design of the Maltese may include

• Puppy Cut – a convenient and easy to maintain Maltipoo hairstyle features a short clip along the entire body with the hair on the head left long and tied with a bow.

Practical, Healthy Maltipoo Grooming

A daily brushing and combing and regular visits to a groomer aren’t all the grooming requirements to maintain your Maltipoo’s hairstyle. Other practices are essential to your Maltipoo’s good health and appearance from head to toe.

• Bathing – unless your puppy is unusually dirty (rolls in muck, puddles, or dirt, or if he met with the business end of a skunk), you will want to bathe ideally once a month and no more than once a week. Even good quality pet products can dry the skin and deplete essential oils necessary for a shiny coat and healthy skin. Make sure the puppy stays warm while drying.
• Ears – most Maltipoos have droopy ears, and with that characteristic comes the inherent risk of infections. It is important to keep the ears clean and dry. Hair should be pulled from the ear canal to remove wax buildup and earmites.
• Eyes – a healthy Maltipoo has bright, alert, intelligent eyes. To keep the dog’s eyes healthy, exercise caution when bathing to avoid getting shampoo or other chemicals in the eyes. Even “no more tears” shampoos can cause irritation. Keep the hair around the eyes clipped or pulled back. Tear stains are especially prevalent on light-colored dogs and often indicate medical conditions such as
  • Excessive tearing
  • Moisture-bearing bacteria
  • Red yeast
  • Infections
• Teeth – a Maltipoo’s teeth should be brushed and scraped on a daily basis for good dental hygiene and to prevent tooth decay and gum infections.
• Nails – Maltipoos’ nails are fine and they grow quickly. Nails should be trimmed regularly to prevent snagging, tearing and ingrown nails.
• Anal glands – both male and female Maltipoos have anal gland that should be expressed from time to time. Failure to drain the two sacs located just under the skin at either side of the anal muscles can cause the glands to fill with fluid and become very uncomfortable. A Maltipoo with engorged anal glands may scoot or drag their bottom to release the fluids. Seriously engorged glands may require veterinarian care.
• Exercise – is another critical element of a good grooming program as well as of the dog’s overall health. Develop a suitable routine that provides adequate activity to keep your Maltipoo’s physical and mental development strong.

A healthy, well-adjusted Maltipoo can provide fifteen years or more of unconditional love and companionship for his or her owner. Adopting any dog requires a serious commitment from the human to provide at a minimum; safety, health care, food, shelter, grooming and LOVE. A pet is not disposable.