A Maltipoo is a cross between a Maltese and a Toy or Miniature Poodle. They are also sometimes called Malti-Poos, Maltipoos, Maltepoos, or Multi-Poos.
As with all crossbreeds, it might be challenging to predict the size of a Maltipoo depending on which parent it takes after and whether it was crossed with a Miniature or Toy Poodle. Maltipoos are seldom if ever, crossed with a Standard Poodle.
A Miniature Poodle stands at about 15 inches at the shoulder when fully grown while a Toy Poodle stands at only 10 inches.
Hence, a Maltipoo’s size can range in size from five to twenty pounds and in height from eight to fourteen inches tall at the shoulder.
Being small dogs, Toy Maltipoos will reach their full size in about 9 months, and Miniature Maltipoos could take one to two months longer.
If you’ve been wondering about the growth of your beloved Maltipoo, this blog post is for you! We’ll go through the various growth stages of a Maltipoo so you can try to predict the eventual size of your Maltipoo pup.
Other articles you would like: Do Maltipoos Like Water? and Interesting Facts About The Teacup Maltipoo
Table of Contents
At What Age Is A Maltipoo Full Grown?
A Maltipoo has an average lifespan of 10 to 13 years. Like other small breeds, Maltipoos reach adulthood rapidly and can be considered adults when they are around a year old.
Toy Maltipoos bred with a Toy Poodle are smaller and mature faster, reaching full size at about 9 to 11 months. Miniature Maltipoos bred with a Miniature Poodle are larger and take longer to reach full size, maturing at about 11 to 13 months.
Maltipoo Growth Stages
Here is a step-by-step guide on what to expect at each age.
0 to 2 weeks
At this age, a Maltoppoo puppy will only weigh 0.5lbs/0.2kg or less. During this period, the pup will be with its mother and littermates. You don’t even have to feed it because they will be breastfeeding and getting all their nutrition from their mother’s milk.
3 to 8 weeks
The puppy is growing rapidly and can gain several pounds in a week. It is still nursing from its mother and starting to get more active.
8 to 12 weeks
The puppy might be completed weaned off its mother at about 8 to 10 weeks. Small dogs like Maltipoos can leave their mother at about 8 weeks while larger dogs might only be ready to leave the litter at about 10 to 12 weeks.
4 to 6 months
Your puppy will be about half its full-grown weight by this point. The puppy will weigh about 7lbs/3.1kgs by the sixth month. The growth spurt will start to slow down at this stage. Some smaller Maltipoos can reach their maximum height at about 6 to 7 months.
7 to 9 months
Smaller Maltipoos are likely already full grown, attaining a height on the low end of the 8 to 14-inch range.
10 to 12 months
The larger Maltipoos are probably full grown and will be on the higher end of the range and closer to 14 inches at the shoulder, and weighing closer to 20 lbs.
Above 1 year
After their first birthday, almost all Maltipoos have reached adulthood, while the largest Maltipoos might still have a month or so to grow a little more.
How Do I Check My Maltipoo’s Height And Weight?
Weight and height are good indicators of whether your puppy has reached adulthood or how fast it’s growing. These values are also important to gauge whether your dog is obese.
For growing puppies, you should measure their weight and height every month to monitor how well they are growing.
To measure your Maltipoo’s height, you will need a tape measure and a flat surface. After you have your tools ready:
- Make your puppy stand on a flat surface with its legs evenly spread. This will ensure your dog stands at maximum height.
- Keep your dog still or have someone help you keep the dog still. Maltipoos are playful so you might want an extra pair of hands!
- Once your Maltipoo is in position, measure the length from its withers to the floor and note it down. To locate the withers, feel between the base of your dog’s neck and midway between the shoulder blades.
- Compare the height figure to the average height range of Maltipoos provided above.
To measure your Maltipoo’s weight:
- Get a bathroom weighing scale. If you already own a bathroom weighing scale for yourself, then you can use it. Place the weighing scale on a flat hard surface for accuracy.
- Place your dog on the weighing scale and record the final weight. Again, you need to keep your dog still for accurate results.
- If your puppy doesn’t stay still, which is likely, you can get your combined weight. This means that you get on the weighing scale while carrying your dog and record the weight. You then put your dog down and weigh yourself. The difference between these two values is your pup’s weight!Â
What Determines A Maltipoo’s Size?
You can predict how big a Maltipoo is going to be mainly by its size, parentage, and generation. However, this is an estimation because your dog can outgrow your expectation, as it is difficult to predict the genetics of mixed breeds.
Some factors that will dictate how big a Maltipoo will get include:
Genetics
As mentioned before, Maltipoos are crossbreed dogs. Often, the Maltese parent is a standard size and it is the Poodle parent that varies in size.
If your Maltipoo is the offspring of a Maltese and a Toy Poodle, then it will be smaller in size as Toy Poodles are smaller than Miniature. If the Maltipoo has a Miniature Poodle parent, then they will be larger.Â
In addition, the Maltese might be a consistent size, but they too will vary. A Maltese that conforms to the breed standard will range between 8 to 10 inches at the shoulder.Â
Their Generation
Not all Maltipoos have to be 50:50 hybrids. Some hybrids are backcrossed into a purebred line to obtain more of a particular characteristic and Maltipoos can be 75% Poodle and 25% Maltese or any other mix.
In addition, hybrids can be F1 crosses, which means it is a first-generation Maltipoo from one purebred Poodle and one purebred Maltese.
They also can be F2 crosses, which is also a 50:50 Maltipoo bred from two F1 Maltipoos.
All these different generations have a varying percentage of the Maltese and Poodle genes. If a dog has a higher percentage of Poodle genes then it will look more like a Poodle and vice versa.
Diet And Nutrition
The amount of food a dog needs depends largely on its size and activity level. Smaller dogs tend to have higher metabolisms and burn more calories than larger dogs, so they require more frequent meals.
Growing puppies need high-quality nutrition to build strong bones, muscles, and connective tissue.
Puppy’s immune systems are also still developing, so they need nutrients that will help them fight off infection. A poor diet can lead to developmental problems, a weakened immune system, and a host of other health problems.
For instance, puppies who don’t eat enough calories may fail to grow at a healthy rate. Those who consume too many calories, on the other hand, may end up overweight or obese. Both under- and over-nutrition can cause joint problems later in life.
The best way to ensure that your dog is getting the right amount of food is to consult with your veterinarian and follow their recommendations.
How Do I Help My Maltipoo Grow Optimally?
While most of their growth will be based on genetics, there are a few things that you can do to help your Maltipoo grow at its best rate.
Feed your dog according to its age
Puppies under six weeks should be fed exclusively on breast milk from their mother.
Between 6 weeks and 8 weeks, you can slowly start to introduce puppy food to your dog’s diet. Most of your dog’s food should still be their mother’s milk till they are about 3 to 4 months.
From 4 months, puppy food can be fed in small amounts but many times a day. It is recommended that you feed three meals a day until the pup is fully grown, upon which the frequency can be cut back to twice a day.
In addition, puppies should be fed specific puppy food, as they need more calories and protein to do all that growing. Once your pup is an adult, switch gradually to adult food as the extra calories might end up as fat.
When switching over to adult food, don’t make the change suddenly and completely. Start first by introducing small amounts of the adult food, slowly increasing the amounts until totally switched over.
A sudden switch might give your pup gastrointestinal distress and you might have one sick pup!
Do not give human food
Human food can cause obesity and indigestion in your dog because their bodies are not built to process our foods.
Furthermore, some human foods that are perfectly okay to you can be dangerous for your dog. A good example is chocolate or garlic, which we humans commonly eat but are toxic to dogs, especially small ones that Maltipoos.
Be stingy with treats
Too many treats for your dog can lead to obesity. Obesity in dogs, like in human beings, comes with a range of problems, so don’t give in to those puppy eyes and treat excessively. As a general rule, about 10% of their daily calories can come from treats.
Physical activity
Maltipoos are playful, active dogs that love to be outdoors, but don’t over-exercise your pup as it could hurt their growth and damage their joints.
While every dog is different, Maltipoos generally require moderate amounts of exercise. A daily walk or play session is usually enough to keep them happy and healthy.
However, like all dogs, they will benefit from having access to a safe, fenced-in area where they can run around and explore. This is especially important if they live in an apartment or other small space.
Vaccinations
Ensure you take your Maltipoo for all the necessary vaccination as this is important for their overall health.
A vaccinated, healthy Maltipoo has a better chance of reaching its optimum weight at the appropriate age, while an unvaccinated pup bears the risk of contracting serious, often fatal diseases like distemper and parvovirus.
Canine distemper is a highly contagious virus that affects dogs of all ages, from puppies to adults. In addition, canine distemper can stunt a dog’s growth. Puppies who contract the virus may end up being smaller than they would have otherwise been.
Canine parvovirus, or parvo, is a highly contagious virus that can cause severe illness in dogs.
Symptoms of parvo include vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and lethargy. One potential long-term effect of parvo is stunted growth. This is because the virus attacks the cells that are responsible for development.
Stunted growth is more likely to occur in puppies who are severely ill with parvo and required intensive treatment.
However, even puppies who recover from parvo may experience some slowing of their growth rate. If you suspect that your dog has been exposed to parvo, it is important to seek veterinary care immediately.
Conclusion For “When Is A Maltipoo Full Grown”
Maltipoos are a great breed for people looking for a small dog that is easy to take care of and has a low-shedding coat. They make excellent companions and are known for being friendly, intelligent, and playful.
As with any breed of dog, however, it’s important to do your research before bringing one into your home to ensure you can provide the right kind of environment and care.
Maltipoos reach their full size at around 9 to 13 months old and will weigh between 5 and 20 pounds, making them the perfect size for many homes.
If you’re considering adding a Maltipoo to your family, be sure to keep these things in mind so you can provide them with the best possible life!
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- When Is A Cavapoo Full Grown Size?
- When Is An Aussiedoodle Full Grown?
- Maltipoo Dog Breed Guide, Pictures, Sizes, And Info
For more information about the Maltipoo Breed, check out the video below:
