History
The Maltipoo and the Yorkiepoo
As well as aiming for a low-allergenic coat, Poodle crossbreeders have focused on producing very small companion dogs.
Maltipoos and Yorkiepoos are two tiny and very appealing crossbreeds. The Maltipoo is a cross between a Maltese and a
Toy or Miniature Poodle while the Yorkiepoo is a cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Toy or Miniature Poodle.
History of the Maltipoo and Yorkiepoo
Both Maltipoos and Yorkiepoos became known Poodle crossbreds in the last decade, as more breeders looked for dogs
of various sizes that were low-shedding and potentially good for allergy sufferers. The Maltipoo and Yorkiepoo are among
the smaller Poodle crossbreeds and, with their particularly attractive features, they are now very popular as lapdogs.
These diminutive crossbreeds also have a high public profile. Maltipoos (often known as Moodles), in particular, have
enjoyed the spotlight through their association with designer-dog and designer-handbag toting celebrity owners.
Maltipoos are popular in many countries. Yorkiepoos are popular in the USA.
Recognition of breed
There is no official breed standard for the Maltipoo or Yorkiepoo. The North American Maltipoo/Maltepoo Club and
Registry provides a description of the crossbreed and accepted crossbreeding of first generation and second generation
Maltipoos.
The organisation <www.Yorkiepoo.org> provides a description of the aims of Yorkiepoo breeders. Yorkiepoo breeders
provide first generation crosses.
Characteristics of the parent breed
The coat of the Maltipoo or Yorkiepoo varies but they may inherit the low-shedding, low-dander coat associated with
Poodles. This makes the Maltipoo or Yorkiepoo a potentially good option for allergy sufferers.
Maltipoos are smart dogs, reflecting the intelligence of the Poodle parent breed. The Maltese is a healthy toy dog with
long silky hair and a gentle manner. The Maltipoo often displays the quietness of the Maltese.
Yorkiepoos are smart, curious dogs, ideally with the intelligence of the poodle and the determination and resilience of the
Yorkshire Terrier.
The parents of the Maltipoo or Yorkiepoo will determine many factors. Parents with bad traits, such as a snappy Maltese,
stubborn Yorkshire Terrier or a highly-strung Toy Poodle, may influence the personality of their offspring. If the parents
are obedient and good natured then the puppies are most likely to share those characteristics.
Early generation Maltipoos and Yorkiepoos
Maltipoos are most commonly first-generation crosses (the direct offspring of a Toy or Miniature Poodle and a Maltese).
Either breed can be the sire or dam. Second generation crosses are also being bred, according to the North American
Maltipoo/Maltepoo Club & Registry.
Yorkiepoos are most commonly first-generation crosses (the direct offspring of a Toy or Miniature Poodle and a Yorkshire
Terrier). The dam should always be the bigger of the two parent breeds to avoid puppies getting too big and complicating
the delivery for the mother.
Multi generation Maltipoos and Yorkiepoos
The North American Maltipoo/Maltepoo Club & Registry provides some guidelines on multi generation breeding. Only two
second generation Maltipoos can be used to breed third generation dogs.
The Yorkiepoo is not intended to be a multi generation crossbreed.
Cross-breeding goals
The Maltipoo and Yorkiepoo have both been bred as companion dogs. The low-shedding coat of the poodle makes the
crossbreed a potentially useful dog for allergy sufferers.
The small size of all the parent breeds ensures that, despite variations, the crossbreeds are likely to be small, and many
are tiny.
Maltipoo breeders have focused on producing a small, healthy, low-shedding family dog and some plan to further develop
a multi-generation crossbreed.
Yorkiepoo breeders are not aiming at developing a new breed. The goal of crossbreeding the Poodle and Yorkshire
Terrier is to produce a healthy, happy toy dog with less genetic problems and a soft-silky low-shedding coat.
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Maltipoo characteristics
There is no official breed standard for the Maltipoo but the North American Maltipoo/Maltepoo Club & Registry offers
these guidelines.
General appearance
Coat
Colours
Size Ranges
: The size of a Maltipoo will vary depending on the parent breed, but their mature weight is generally between 5 and 12
pounds (2.2 and 5.4kg). The height to shoulder is ???: Maltipoos come in a variety of colours, with light colours (including
white, silver and cream) being more common. : The coat is silky: The breeds mixed will produce varying results.
Yorkiepoo characteristics
Living with your Maltipoo or Yorkiepoo
Both Yorkiepoos and Matipoos are small dogs with big personalities.
General behaviour
Maltipoos are described as feisty, cuddly, alert, gentle, loving balls of fun.
Yorkiepoos are described as friendly, curious, lively, self-confident, playful, watchful and loving.
Activity levels
Maltipoos are active dogs that will enjoy going for walks. They like ball games and playing in safe open spaces.
Yorkiepoos are energetic dogs. They are agile and can jump high and run very fast. They appreciate regular walks and
playing in safe open spaces.
Barking
Maltipoos like to bark.
Yorkiepoos like to bark.
Temperament
Maltipoos are loyal family dogs but can be reserved and aloof with strangers.
Yorkiepoos are happy and fun-loving dogs. They love people and dislike being excluded from family activities. Yorkiepoos
are intelligent and easily trained but they can display stubbornness. They make excellent watchdogs.
With both dogs temperament must be selected to avoid barking, aggression to strangers, dominance behaviour with
certain family members and overt aggression around other dogs. Discrepancies can exist with any crossbred dog. Also,
the temperament of the dogs is directly related to parentage.
Other pets
Maltipoos can be good with other pets.
Yorkiepoos can be good with other pets.
Children
Yorkiepoos and Maltipoos can be good with children, but, as with all dogs, supervision and training are recommended.
As Yorkiepoos and Maltipoos are very small dogs they can be easily hurt and may require protection from young children.
Trainability
Maltipoos are bright and easy to train.
Yorkiepoos are intelligent and they learn tricks easily if rewarded with treats.
Working
Maltipoos and Yorkiepoos may be used in pets as therapy work. Their small size makes them suitable for contact with the
elderly. A low-shedding coat may also provide an advantage when working with people.
General health and lifespan
The average lifespan for a Maltipoo or a Yorkiepoo is about 10 to 15 years but parentage is one factor that will influence
longevity.
Health problems experienced by Maltipoos include liver shunts, epilepsy, common skin diseases, eye problems, patella
luxation, hip dysplasia and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. Porto systemic shunts is a rare but well documented inherited
disorder that may also occur. As the Yorkiepoo ages, endocrine disorders especially Hypothyroidism and Cushings
disease are common.
Health problems experienced by Yorkiepoos include liver shunts, epilepsy, common skin diseases, eye problems, patella
luxation (a knee problem), hip dysplasia, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (a genetic hip-joint disease). Porto systemic shunts
is a rare but well documented inherited disorder that may also occur. Yorkshire Terriers are also prone to tooth decay,
although this is less likely in the Yorkiepoo. As the Yorkiepoo ages, endocrine disorders especially Hypothyroidism and
Cushings disease are common.
Maltese breeds often get “White Shaker Syndrome”, a poorly understood neurological disease seen commonly in little
white dogs like the Maltese. Maltipoos would most likely have a reduced risk of this syndrome.
Breeders of Maltipoos or Yorkiepoos should screen for eye diseases, patella luxation, hip dysplasia and Legg-Calve-
Perthes disease.
Space needs
Maltipoos can live in a house or an apartment, as they are active indoors.
Yorkiepoos can live in a house or an apartment, as they are active indoors.
Grooming
Grooming requirements will vary but many Maltipoos are low-shedding. Maltipoos require daily brushing and combing to
prevent the coat matting. They also need regular clipping. For a clipped look some owners will clip the face every month.
The body can be clipped every year or two. Regular bathing, ear cleaning and possible plucking as well as nail trimming
are recommended.
Grooming requirements will vary but many Yorkiepoos are low-shedding. Yorkiepoos require daily brushing and combing
to prevent the coat matting. They also need regular clipping. Regular bathing, ear cleaning and possible plucking as well
as nail trimming are recommended. Any hair growing into the eyes needs to be clipped to prevent irritation,
