A Maltipom is a hybrid dog that is a cross between a Maltese and a Pomeranian. These breeds are two of the most popular of all toy dog breeds. Breeding them together as a hybrid can combine many of their best traits into an adorable designer dog that is an affectionate and fun-loving pet.
Maltipom Appearance
Since both of their parent breeds are very small dogs, the Maltipom is also a small dog. The Maltese stands about 8 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs only 2 to 8 pounds. They are single-coated, with a solid white, silky coat that is similar to human hair. They are known for being a good breed for people with allergies. The Maltese has droopy ears, lustrous black eyes, and a black nose.
The Pomeranian is also tiny. They stand 5 to 11 inches tall at the withers and weigh between 4 and 8 pounds. They have a thick, textured coat with a fluffy, plumed tail that lies over the back. They usually have a ruff of fur around their necks. They come in a wide variety of colors, though orange-red is probably the most commonly seen, along with black and off-white. Poms have a foxy face and upright ears.
When these two breeds are bred together, the Maltipom puppies can be a range of colors, depending on the color of the parents. White, cream, and pale colors are popular with Maltipom breeders, but some Maltipom breeders can have Maltipom puppies of other colors for sale.
Most Maltipom puppies appear to have upright ears with a face that resembles the more pointed, foxy face of the Pomeranian, but with any hybrid dog you can expect puppies to express some variety in their appearance. Some Maltipoms may look more like the Maltese while others look more like the Pomeranian.
You can expect a full-grown Maltipom to be the same size as his parents – no more than 11 inches tall and weighing around 8 pounds. The coat can resemble the Maltese single coat or the Pom’s thicker double coat, depending on the individual dog. Depending on coat type, you should plan to brush your Maltipom several times per week to avoid any mats. If you are looking for a Maltipom because you have allergies, be sure to meet the candidate first so you can verify that you aren’t allergic to that particular dog.
You can see photos of Maltipoms of different ages and colors on this site.
Maltipom Temperament
Owners say that the Maltipom is a good combination of its parent breeds. The Maltese is a warm, loving, cuddly dog, while the Pomeranian is alert and protective, but also lively and playful. Both breeds are devoted to their owners. You can expect a Maltipom to be affectionate and energetic. They can be suspicious of strangers, but they will accept them once you give the okay. The Maltipom usually gets along well with other pets, especially if they are raised with them from a young age.
Maltipoms make a good dog if you live in an apartment. They are active and need some daily exercise, but a good walk will usually satisfy them. They are good with older children. Because of their small size, they can be injured by rough play with small kids. They make an excellent pet for older people.
Socialization is a good idea for all dogs, and this is also true for Maltipoms. Take your Maltipom puppy to places where he can meet friendly strangers and other friendly dogs. Keep your puppy leashed, but invite people to pet him and give him a treat. Take him to the park (not the dog park where dogs can play too roughly for a toy dog), the pet store, and other places where you can meet people who like dogs. The purpose is to build confidence in your Maltipom so he won’t be unnecessarily afraid of ordinary things. These trips are also a good way to teach your Maltipom good manners in public.
Training Maltipom Puppies
We recommend puppy preschool or puppy kindergarten classes for Maltipom puppies. These are classes just for puppies where they can interact with each other and where your Maltipom puppy can learn some basic manners. They are a great way for puppies to gain some socialization with people and other dogs their own age. Many pet stores and local kennel clubs offer these classes on a regular basis.
You can also teach your Maltipom puppy some basic obedience. Just because he’s a toy dog doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have to know some simple commands! Many toy dogs become spoiled and will exhibit behavior problems if they are allowed to do whatever they want at home. This is often called “small dog syndrome.” Obedience lessons can be a good idea for all dogs, regardless of their size.
Maltipom puppies can be hard to house train. Some breeders recommend using a crate to help with house training. Puppies are reluctant to soil their sleeping area so if your puppy sleeps in his crate at night, it will encourage him to wait to potty until you take him outside. You must be sure to take him outside last thing at night and first thing in the morning, because a puppy cannot wait a long time to relieve himself. Be sure to praise your Maltipom puppy when he potties outside to let him know that’s what you want him to do. Harsh methods will only cause setbacks.
Maltipom Health
Both the Maltese and the Pomeranian tend to be long-lived breeds. The Maltese often lives to be 12 to 15 years, while the Pomeranian may live to be 12 to 16 years. Both breeds are sturdy and normally healthy, though, as with all breeds, there are some health problems that can crop up. Some of these issues can be passed along to Maltipoms.
Luxating patellas (slipped knee caps) are a common problem in toy dogs. This is an issue that can occur in Maltese and Poms so it’s something that might also happen in Maltipoms. The condition can vary in severity from a mild problem to something that requires surgery to correct.
Tracheal collapse is another problem that can occur in many small dogs. It happens when the dog’s windpipe collapses and it may be aggravated by a dog pulling against the leash. For this reason, it’s often recommended to use a harness for toy dogs instead of a collar and leash. If your Maltipom is honking and coughing when he pulls against the collar and leash, it could be a sign that tracheal collapse is a problem. Other symptoms are exercise intolerance and a cough that becomes worse in hot weather or when your dog exercises or becomes excited.
Both the Maltese and the Pomeranian, like many toy breeds, can have problems with their teeth. It’s important to take care of your Maltipom’s teeth on a regular basis by brushing them and providing your dog with dental chews and chew toys. You can buy toothbrushes and toothpaste for dogs at your local pet store or online. Dogs usually enjoy having their teeth brushed – doggy toothpaste comes in treat flavors. Ask your vet to check your dog’s teeth for any problems when you visit for check-ups.
Most other problems that can affect these breeds, or which might affect your Maltipom, occur only occasionally and are not very common.
Questions for Maltipom Breeders
If you’re interested in Maltipom puppies for sale, there are some questions you should ask Maltipom breeders. Breeders love their dogs and they want their puppies to go to good homes, so they are usually happy to talk to you. They expect people to have questions. Things you might like to ask include questions about the health of the puppies’ parents and what kind of contract or guarantees they offer about their puppies. You can discuss what kind of vaccinations their puppies have before they go to their new homes and what kind of inoculations they will need in the future. Ask questions about the puppies’ temperaments and what the dogs are like as adults. If you are serious about buying a Maltipom puppy, you can talk about things like house training and anything else you need to know about living with one of the dogs.
Maltipom Puppies for Sale
Maltipom puppies are very popular, so you can find many breeder websites with information about Maltipom puppies for sale. You can browse photos, learn more about the dogs, and contact breeders. Prices for Maltipom puppies usually start around $350 and go up, depending on the breeder’s location and other factors. http://www.cuddlycotons.com/maltipompuppies4sale.htm You can also find teacup Maltipom puppies for sale if you are looking for very small Maltipoms. However, if the puppies are bred to be even smaller than normal, there is an increased chance of health problems, so be careful about getting a puppy that is too small.
The Maltipom is a charming little dog with a playful, energetic personality. They can combine the best of the Maltese and the Pomeranian. If you are interested in a small dog that is cuddly and fun, the Maltipom could be the right dog for you.