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Yorkie Maltipoo: Pictures, Temperament, and Traits

Sarah Psaradelis

By Sarah Psaradelis

Yorkie Maltipoo

Height 6–10 inches
Weight 6–12 pounds
Lifespan 12–15 years
Colors Black, brown, tan, white
Suitable for Families looking for a lively lapdog that is full of energy
Temperament Affectionate, loving, lively, playful, and energetic

The Yorkie Maltipoo is a hybrid dog breed that consists of three different breeds—the Maltese, Yorkie, and Miniature Poodle. The result is a small and fluffy dog that resembles a teddy bear with all the great qualities of each breed.

If you have been wanting to bring home a Yorkie, Poodle, or Maltese, then the Yorkie Maltipoo is all you could ask for. Being a combination of the three different dog breeds, the Yorkie Maltipoo has a low-shedding coat, soft fur, and the small size of a lapdog.

Although not much is known about the origins and history of this hybrid dog breed, there’s no doubt that the Yorkie Maltipoo makes an adorable companion and family-orientated dog.

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Yorkie Maltipoo Puppies – Before You Bring One Home…

https://www.instagram.com/p/CXOmZqkuyd1/

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

3 Little-Known Facts About Yorkie Maltipoo’s

1. The Yorkie Maltipoo Is a Hybrid Breed

The Yorkie Maltipoo is a mixture of three well-known small dog breeds—the Maltese, the Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie), and the Poodle. When it comes to the Poodle parents, it is most often the Miniature Poodle, hence the Yorkie Maltipoo’s small size.

white yorkie on a carpet
Image Credit: Paul Murphy, Unsplash

2. Yorkie Maltipoos are “Hypoallergenic”

Most people don’t enjoy cleaning up dog hair, so finding a dog breed that doesn’t shed much is a priority for some. Well, the Yorkie Maltipoo is a hybrid dog breed from three parent breeds that are known for being low shedders and “hypoallergenic”, making them better suited for those who suffer from allergies.


3. The Yorkie Maltipoo Is Considered a Designer Dog

The Yorkie Maltipoo’s body is small, generally no larger than 10 inches tall, although most Yorkie Maltipoos don’t grow past 8 inches in height. This makes them small enough to be a lapdog, and their affectionate temperament makes them perfect for cuddles!

Since the Yorkie Maltipoo has different parent breeds, the Yorkie Maltipoo is considered a designer dog breed.

white maltipoo on the table
Image Credit: OlgaOvcharenko, Shutterstock

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Yorkie Maltipoo 🧠

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

The Yorkie Maltipoo makes the perfect family pet, and they enjoy playing and interacting with their owners. Since the Yorkie Maltipoo is so small, they are generally not the best with younger children who will try to pick up the Yorkie Maltipoo to play with them.

However, they will get along with older children and eventually become tolerant of cuddles, but they seem to be better at receiving affection from familiar family members, and less tolerant of affection from people they don’t know.

The Yorkie Maltipoo is not the best option if you work all day and they will be left alone, as this dog breed can suffer from separation anxiety if they are left alone for a long period of time.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

When it comes to other pets like cats and dogs, the Yorkie Maltipoo will need to be socialized with other pets from a young age. Other pets can pick on Yorkie Maltipoos, making them feel scared and intimidated, while cats can lead your Yorkie Maltipoo to bark a lot if they are unfamiliar with cats. They will generally get along with other pets, but socialization is key.

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Things to Know When Owning a Yorkie Maltipoo:

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Yorkie Maltipoo should be fed a diet similar to that of their parent breeds, and their diet is fairly simple. When it comes to feeding your Yorkie Maltipoo, you want to choose a diet that is balanced and contains all the nutrients they need to stay healthy.

Your Yorkie Maltipoo will benefit from a diet that contains animal-based proteins, plus healthy carbohydrates, fats, and supplements to ensure that they are getting all the vitamins and minerals they need to stay healthy.

A kibble, raw, or wet dog food formulated for toy dog breeds is suitable for your Yorkie Maltipoo, with the occasional healthy treat on the side.

Exercise 🐕

Since the Yorkie Maltipoo is so small, their exercise requirements are not as demanding as other dog breeds. However, the Yorkie Maltipoo is known for being energetic and playful, so they will benefit from 20 to 40 minutes of exercise each day.

You can take your Yorkie Maltipoo on short walks, play a game of fetch with them, or even take them for a stroll in a secure area. They will also benefit from toys and activities that can help keep them busy and prevent them from getting bored.

Training 🦮

It is best to start training your Yorkie Maltipoo from 8 weeks of age, as early training will be the most beneficial for this dog breed. Your Yorkie Maltipoo will be easiest to housebreak and socialize with from a young age, and this is a good time for them to start learning the right behaviors to prevent any unwanted behaviors as your Yorkie Maltipoo gets older.

Yorkie Maltipoos are intelligent, and they will be willing to learn new things if their learning environment is positive, and they are praised and rewarded for their good behaviors with their favorite treats and plenty of affection from you.

Grooming ✂️

The Yorkie Maltipoo has moderate grooming needs, and managing their coat is fairly simple. As a low-shedding dog, the Yorkie Maltipoo is considered hypoallergenic, which makes them ideal for families who do not want to deal with much dog hair or suffer from allergies.

Their fluffy and textured coat can be quite difficult to groom, so taking them for regular visits to the doggy parlor can be beneficial. During their visits to the groomers, you can also have your Yorkie Maltipoo’s nails trimmed and fur-trimmed to the desired length.

You will need to brush your Yorkie Maltipoo’s fur several times a week to keep their fur free from tangles and knots, and bathing should be done frequently to keep their fur in good condition.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Although the Yorkie Maltipoo is a healthy dog breed, they are still susceptible to some of the same health issues that their parents are prone to. Providing your Yorkie Maltipoo with a balanced diet and regular exercise is important in keeping them healthy, and regular vet visits can help with early diagnosis and treatments for any health conditions your Yorkie Maltipoo might develop over time.

Minor Conditions
  • Dental problems
  • Obesity
  • Cataracts
  • Skin allergies (Atopy)
  • Jaw problems
  • Dry eye syndrome
Serious Conditions
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Retinal dysplasia
  • Cancerous and benign tumors
  • Legg-Perthes disease
  • Luxating patella
  • Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis
  • Liver shunt
  • Collapsed trachea

Male vs Female

There are very few differences between male and female Yorkie Maltipoos, and it is generally the same differences seen in their parent breeds. The male Yorkie Maltipoo can be slightly larger yet more slender than females, with a more pronounced neck and head. The female Yorkie Maltipoo is generally stockier than males, with a rounder belly and shorter legs.

Both the female and male Yorkie Maltipoo have similar temperaments, but male Yorkie Maltipoos can be shyer and more reserved, preferring to bond with close family members, whereas female Yorkie Maltipoos can be more outgoing and adventurous.

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Final Thoughts

The small and fluffy Yorkie Maltipoo makes a great lapdog that is receiving cuddles and attention, while also being fairly low-maintenance and easy to care for. Their coat has slightly higher grooming requirements, but it can easily be managed with regular baths and brushes. You won’t have to worry about much hair being shed around the house, as the Yorkie Maltipoo’s shedding is hardly noticeable.

If you can spend a lot of time at home with your Yorkie Maltipoo and give them plenty of affection, while also being mindful that they can be vocal and bark a lot, then the Yorkie Maltipoo may be a good choice for you.

See also:


Featured Image Credit: (L) zoegammon, Pixabay | (R) Irsan Ianushis, Shutterstock

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