Maltipoo Colors: 4 Common & 2 Rare Ones (With Pictures)
By Brooke Bundy
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Crossing a Miniature or Toy Poodle with a Maltese gives you a Maltipoo. These include F1 generation dogs with the parents being either a purebred Maltese or Poodle, resulting in 50% of each breed, F1b which is 75% one breed with 25% of the other, such as a Maltipoo mating with a Poodle or a Maltese, or F2 which involves mating two Maltipoos.
This mixed breed can come in many colors due to the multiple color combinations possible in Poodles. A purebred Maltese is always white, or white with lemon or tan markings, so the most common Maltipoo colors are white or cream. However, in rare circumstances it’s possible to get a black or brown Maltipoo. Let’s compare common Maltipoo colors and talk about whether there’s any advantages of one color versus another.
The 4 Most Common Maltipoo Colors
1. White
Given that purebred Malteses are already white, and so are many Poodles, it makes sense that this is one of the most prominent Maltipoo colors. It’s important to note that a true white Maltipoo won’t have any other markings, whereas cream colored Maltipoos may have a soft, warm yellow hue or other markings mixed in their whitish fur.
2. Cream
Light cream is one of the most popular Maltipoo shades that may be mistaken for white. The difference is that some parts of their body may be white while other areas, such as the ears, face, and tail, are golden in color. They may also be parti-colored or tri-colored.
3. Apricot
Resembling teddy bears, apricot Maltipoos have fur the color of honey, and often have reddish locks around certain parts of their body such as their ears and tail. Sometimes apricot Maltipoos receive random splashes of the darker red color in different places, and these patches may appear or disappear over time.
4. Red
This color is still considered popular but is more rare than the first three types. A truly red Maltipoo doesn’t have any lighter hues, unlike the apricot colored Maltipoo which might have a glint of gold.
The 2 Rarest Colors for a Maltipoo
1. Brown
Darker Maltipoos are uncommon. Light brown Maltipoos are often nicknamed “Cafe au lait,” whereas a dark brown Maltipoo might be termed “Mocha.”
2. Black
This is the least common color of all Maltipoos, but highly coveted. If you find one, you’ll likely pay much more for it than you would for one with a lighter colored coat. Unfortunately, Maltipoo coats are known to lighten over time, so even if you get a black Maltipoo, it could eventually turn brown, gray, or silver.
What’s the Best Color for a Maltipoo?
The best color Maltipoo depends on your budget and preferences. The price range for a Maltipoo varies greatly, with the general estimate hovering between $400 and $4,000. Factors such as color do play a part in the total price. For example, black colors being in demand + being relatively rare = higher price.
Other than price and personal preferences, there aren’t many other considerations when it comes to color. All shades of Maltipoos are known for their intelligence and loyalty to their owners and they all share a common life expectancy of 14-16 years.
White Maltipoos are the only type that have medical issues related to their color. Like other small, white dogs, they’re susceptible to shaker syndrome, a condition which causes their body to experience tremors. However, medication usually resolves the situation. Tear-staining is also an issue in lighter colored dogs, so you will need to groom around their eyes and bottoms more frequently.
Conclusion
Maltipoos can come in many different shades and sizes. When deciding which one is right for you, you’ll mostly need to evaluate your patience, preferences, and price you’re willing to pay. While white may be the most common type of Maltipoo, they’re also the only one with health problems associated with the color of their fur. Black Maltipoos are the rarest form, but they’re also the most expensive and may take you longer to find. If you want a moderately priced Maltipoo, then cream, apricot, and red are also valid choices, as are parti-colored and tri-colored coat patterns.
Featured Image Credit: Master1305, Shutterstock
