Havapoo vs Maltipoo: Which One Is Right for Me? (With Pictures)

Designer dogs have become all the rage. This happens when you mix two dog breeds to create one with the best features of the parent dogs. The Havapoo and the Maltipoo are among these designer dogs. The Havapoo is a hybrid of the Poodle and Havanese. The Maltipoo is created by breeding the Poodle and the Maltese. Both of the resulting dogs tend to be affectionate, loving, and relatively small. This is due largely in part to the toy or miniature Poodle being used in breeding.

In general, the Havapoo and Maltipoo share a lot of the same characteristics. The Havapoo is slightly larger than the Malti but not by much. The Havapoo is also easier to groom and may bark less than a Maltipoo. However, both dog breeds are cuddly and intelligent making either one a great addition to any size home.

Let’s take a more in-depth look at both breeds below so you can better understand these lovable little dogs and determine which is best suited for your lifestyle.

Visual Differences

At a Glance

Havapoo Overview

To understand the Havapoo, you must meet the parents. Poodles are known for their intelligence and are considered to be only behind the Border Collie in this area. They are regal dogs that love their owners and tend to be loyal. For the Havapoo, the toy and miniature Poodles are often used in breeding instead of the standard. This is why, like the Maltipoo, the Havapoo stays relatively small in stature. The Havanese also bring small sizes to the table. Native to Cuba, the Havanese are well known for being lap dogs and are quite affectionate with their owners.

Personality / Character

Havapoos are tiny sweethearts that need love and affection. In most situations, they become attached to their owners and feel the need to follow them everywhere. When it’s time to unwind, they enjoy sitting on your lap or near you. Due to their size, rough play isn’t good for them. Instead, they need to be carefully cared for and monitored to avoid accidents due to their size. The Havapoo do inherit the Poodle’s tendency for anxiousness. This is especially noticeable when they are left alone.

Exercise

While the Havapoo needs to avoid rough play and exercise, that doesn’t mean they aren’t full of energy. These little dogs don’t require a lot of exercise to stay healthy, but they enjoy it. Short walks, playing in the backyard, and a game of fetch are great ways to ensure a Havenese burns off energy and stays healthy. Keep in mind, due to their size, rough terrain isn’t recommended when taking them on walks or adventures.

Training

The Havapoo is easy to train, especially with the right motivation. Due to their high intelligence levels, these little dogs love to learn tricks and show off. Often, rewards are the way to go with the Havapoo but many prefer the praise of their owners over treats. Havapoos do not respond well to a loud voice, harsh words, and criticism. If you wish to get the most out of a training session with a Havapoo, keep your tone calm and the training consistent.

Health & Care

Overall, the Havapoo is considered a healthy dog breed. They have a life expectancy of 10 to 14 years and can easily achieve this with proper care and routine veterinarian visits. However, they are susceptible to inherent issues from their parent breeds. The Havanese are known for having heart murmurs and hearing issues. Poodles often deal with diabetes, bloat, and Addison’s Disease. Being aware of a predisposition for these issues can help you keep your Havapoo healthy.

The Havapoo requires moderate grooming and does well with being brushed several times per week. You’ll also want to keep their nails trimmed and their teeth brushed with dog-safe toothpaste. As with any pet, a well-balanced diet and access to fresh water are needed.

Suitable for: All Dog Lovers, Especially Those in Small Accommodations

The Havapoo is a great companion for anyone who loves dogs. The best part about these little dogs is that they don’t require a lot of space. If you have a big home and other pets, a Havapoo will fit right in. If you live in a small home or apartment without much room, they are just as happy there. Havapoos do good with all family members but keep in mind their small size. Any children who will be around a Havapoo should be taught how to be gentle with them to help avoid the potential for any injuries.

Maltipoo Overview

Did we mention that Havapoos are small? Well, the Maltipoo is even smaller. You may not notice the difference as it isn’t much, but it’s there. Maltipoos inherit the traits of both the Poodle and Maltese, their parent breeds. The Maltese are known for wanting to cuddle with their owners while the Poodle is regarded for their intelligence. The Maltipoo has both of these traits in spades. Like the Havapoo, they have long life expectancies and are overly healthy dogs. The Maltipoo is also ideal for dog owners who deal with allergies as they produce less of the allergy-inducing proteins. They are also easy to groom and shed less than many dog breeds.

Personality / Character

The Maltipoo is a loving, bundle of joy to have around the home. They do great with kids, the elderly, and other pets. The connection these dogs make with their owners is quite deep. They can pick up on their owner’s emotions and are often used as therapy dogs due to this. The Maltipoo is also quite intelligent. This makes training easy, however, they do inherit the stubborn streak of the Maltese. You may also find that they aren’t happy with being left alone which may result in barking or other tendencies when suffering from separation anxiety.

Exercise

The Maltipoo doesn’t require a lot of exercise even though they are full of energy. Due to their intelligence, interactive fun should also be part of their exercise routine. Walks and time playing in the yard are great. Games like fetch, hide and seek, and even fun toys are good for a Maltipoo. You’ll find that an hour a day is a great amount of time for activities for this breed. Walks, and putting their noses to use, are among some of their favorite things to do.

Training

Maltipoos can excel in training if you know how to work with them. They do not react well to harsh words and yelling. Instead, rewarding and praising is the way to go with this breed. Due to their intelligence, Maltipoos do well at agility and obedience competitions. You will find, however, that due to their tendency to suffer from separation anxiety, they may become barkers. This issue should be addressed early in life and can easily be controlled with the right training.

Health & Care

Maltipoos are relatively healthy dogs but they do require regular veterinarian visits to stay up to date on vaccines and care. Like any hybrid breed, they are susceptible to breed-specific issues and illnesses. Grooming should be done at least once a day to care for their coats. Luckily, they aren’t heavy shedders. Caring for their nails at least once a month is suggested along with brushing their teeth with dog-safe toothpaste a few times per week. As with any dog, a well-balanced diet and access to fresh water are a must for the Maltipoo.

Suitable for: Dog Lovers with Lots of Time for Attention

The Maltipoo is an excellent dog for all types of lifestyles. If you live in apartments or large houses, they’ll fit right in. They also do great with all family members, including children. As with the Havapoo, however, kids should be taught early that being gentle is a necessity for this dog breed. The Maltipoo loves showing affection and care for their owners. They do suffer from separation anxiety and need to be part of a family where attention can be given to them.

Which Breed Is Right for You?

Determining whether the Havapoo or Maltipoo is right for you isn’t an easy task. Both dogs are ideal for families and have tons of love to give. Both breeds enjoy spending time with their families and only require minimal care. The Havapoo is often the go-to for those wanting a low-maintenance dog as they require less grooming. They also suffer from separation anxiety less often than the Maltipoo. However, the Maltipoo is known for being easy to train, eager to please, and great for those who deal with allergies to pets. No matter which of these dog breeds you choose, you’ll have a new family member that offers you and other family members tons of love and affection.

See Also:

• Maltipoo vs Chihuahua: How Do They Compare?
• Havapoo vs Cavapoo: Main Differences (With Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: (L) Wirestock Creators, Shutterstock | (R) marketlan, Shutterstock