The Teacup Maltipoo is the smallest version of the popular and charming Maltese Poodle mix. This teacup Poodle mix is bred to be a miniature companion for apartment dwellers and is also considered hypoallergenic.
The Teacup Maltipoo is also known for his adorable puppy eyes and a great silky coat.
Unlike the standard Maltipoo, the miniaturized Teacup version should weigh under 10 pounds or less depending on the method of miniaturization.
This teacup dog is best suited for homes with smaller pets and older children that can understand how fragile he is.
Is the Teacup Maltese Poodle mix is the right companion or therapy dog for you?
Well, if that is the case you are in the right place. In this Teacup breed variation guide, we are going to cover all that you need to know about this amazing canine.
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About the Teacup Maltipoo
The Teacup Maltipoo is not a separate breed but a smaller version of the Maltese and Toy Poodle.
This dog is also known as Teacup Moodle a name that is not common for most dog lovers.
Both the Toy Poodle and the Maltese are great companion dogs. It is not surprising that they were crossed to create incredible Maltipoo. These dogs first appeared in the 1990s.
Their popularity has been on the rise since then.
The Maltese and Toy Poodle mix is a small mixed breed but because of the demand for Teacup versions of popular dogs the Teacup Maltese Poodle came to be.
You may also like: The complete guide to the Maltese Poodle mix
There are several ways that a teacup dog can be created and they include;
- Breeding of runts
- Crossing with smaller breeds
- Introduction of the dwarfism gene
Let us look at each of these options in a bit of detail.
1. Breeding of runts
In some cases, a dog litter may have underdeveloped or smaller than usual puppies. These pups are known as runts.
These smaller puppies develop to be small dogs on maturity than the rest of the canines in the litter.
The main reason for this is that as puppies they are not able to compete for the mother’s milk as well as the other pups would. This leaves them underdeveloped and vulnerable to health complications.
Repeated breeding of Maltipoo runts can help breeders achieve the teacup size.
This method is breeding Teacup Moodles is not recommended as it increases the chances of the teacup doodle developing heart and immune conditions later on.
You should avoid puppies that are bred from Maltese Poodle mix runts.
There is a reason why a puppy would be bone underweight and it is not always good.
2. Introduction of the dwarfism gene
Introducing the dwarfism is another way in which the Teacup Maltese Poodle mix can be created.
When this is done, the dog’s growth is restricted making him weigh less and have shorter legs.
However, this is not always purposely done as in other cases dwarfism can occur normally due to a genetic mutation.
Just like the breeding of runts, this method of developing Teacup Maltipoos is considered unethical and is highly discouraged.
These puppies are more likely to lead a poor quality of life and are susceptible to health problems.
If you suspect that you have a dwarf Maltipoo you should carry out a DNA test for the dwarfism gene.
Some of the implications of introducing the dwarfism gene in a Maltese Poodle are;
- Dental problems
- Breathing difficulties
- Swollen joints
3. Crossing a Maltipoo with a smaller breed
This is the most common method of Teacup Maltipoo breeding which involves crossing him with a smaller and different breed.
Mixing with smaller breeds is arguably the best method of Teacup Maltese Poodle creation. Canines created using this method are less likely to suffer from health problems.
However, the drawback to this method is that you lose some of the original Maltese Poodle mix traits. You will not be guaranteed of getting a pooch that looks and acts like the Maltese Poodle cross.
Another problem is that there is just a handful of dog breeds smaller than the Maltipoo.
The most common breeds used are;
- Chihuahuas
- Maltese
- Teacup Poodle
1. Mixing a Maltipoo with a Chihuahua
Chihuahuas also commonly known as Chis, are the smallest dogs on the planet, standing between 5 and 8 inches.
The offspring of a Maltipoo and a Chihuahua will most likely be teacup-sized and has to look more like the Maltipoo to qualify as a Teacup Maltipoo.
If the cross looks more like the Chihuahua he will not be a Teacup Maltese Poodle mix but a Maltipoo Chihuahua mix.
This teacup mix is also likely to inherit the Chihuahua stubbornness, something that any potential owner should keep in mind.
2. Mixing with the Maltese
Maltese dogs can weight 5 pounds at least. Crossing a Maltipoo with a small-sized Maltese is a great way to create the Teacup Maltese Poodle mix.
This method is also great as most of the original traits of the Maltese Poodle are maintained.
A Teacup Maltese developed using this method can also be referred to as an F1B Maltipoo. This is if the parents of the Maltipoo used in breeding are a Poodle and a Maltese.
A Teacup Moodle bred by this method also likely to be more pleasant and as more playful as the Maltese.
3. Crossing a Maltipoo with a Teacup Poodle
Teacup Poodles are the most popular choice for most Teacup Maltipoo breeders.
A Teacup Poodle can weigh as little as 4 pounds and stand at under 10 inches. And because Poodles are one of the Maltipoo’s parents, this is a great breeding choice while retaining most of the Maltipoo qualities.
I would say that is the perfect Teacup Maltipoo breeding method.
The Teacup Doodle is more likely to have a curlier coat that is non-shedding or sheds very little. This also means that this Teacup Maltese Poodle mix will be more allergy-friendly.
5 Fun facts about the Teacup Maltese Poodle
- They make great therapy dogs due to their caring nature and friendly disposition.
- Both the Maltese and the Poodle have had their fair share of royalty.
- These dogs love being around their owners and can adapt to any home.
- Teacup Maltipoos are very fragile dogs that should be handled with a lot of care.
- This dog’s name can be spelled differently depending on your location: Malt-e-poo, Malt-i-poo, or Malt-a-poo.
Pros and cons
Pros
✓ Perfect for small homes and apartments.
✔ Highly adaptable and can live anywhere.
✓ Eager to make new friends.
✔ They have a forever-puppy appearance.
✓ Intelligent and quick learners.
Cons
✗ They may be small but they are high maintenance.
✘ It can be difficult to housebreak.
✗ Avid barkers, especially when excited.
General Characteristics of the Teacup Maltipoo
| Teacup Maltipoo summary table | |
|---|---|
| Height | Under 10 inches |
| Weight | 4- 10 Pounds |
| Lifespan | 10-15 years |
| Breed Type | Mixes and more |
| Purpose | Therapy and companion dog |
| Suitable For | All families/individuals |
| Grooming requirements | High |
| Color Variations | Black, White, Cream, Fawn, Chocolate, Apricot, Gray |
| Health concerns | Patellar luxation, Heart conditions, Progressive retinal atrophy |
| Temperament | Loyal, Loving, Intelligent, Playful, Sociable, and Affectionate |
| Other names | Teacup Moodle, Teacup Maltese Poodle mix |
Height and weight
A fully grown Teacup Maltipoo should stand under 10 inches tall and should weigh between 4 and 10 pounds.
The Physical appearance
This dog should look like a small living Teddy bear.
However, without a breed standard, this pooch can look more like one parent more than the other. He can be elegant like the Maltese or sturdy like the Poodle depending on the dominant parent.
In most cases, the eyes are brown or blue in rare cases.
The ears should be floppy and the tails should curl over the body.
You may also like: The guide to the cute Mini Husky.
Coat appearance and shedding
This dog should have a curly and thick coat like the Poodle but can occasionally have the Maltese’s soft, long and flowing coat.
The coat length can vary from medium to long.
The Teacup Maltipoo should shed very little or should be non-shedding.
Fortunately, for allergy sufferers, this dog is considered hypoallergenic as he traps most of his dander under his coat but no dog can be 100% hypoallergenic.
Colors
A Teacup Maltipoo can come in a variety of colors that include the following;
| Chocolate | Black | White |
| Beige | Gray | Cream |
| Blue | Red | Silver |
| Apricot | Merle | Black and white |
Teacup Maltese Poodle Temperament and personality traits
Teacup Moodles are full of energy, love, and life.
This is one of the friendliest dogs that you will ever meet and he thrives on attention and affection.
They make excellent lapdogs and get highly attached to their owners and tend to think that they are bigger than they are.
There is nothing that this dog loves more than leaving a smile on his family members and showering them with love and affection.
Teacup Maltipoos easily get anxious and destructive and should not be left alone for extended periods. It is recommended to always leave someone to tend to this teacup dog when you are out of the house.
They tend to bark a lot, especially when they are bored or super excited.
Despite having a small body, this dog can be quite alert and protective which can add to the barking problem.
This barking problem can be solved through consistent training that should start while he is still a puppy.
| Traits | Rating |
|---|---|
| Friendliness |
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| exercise needs |
⭐⭐⭐
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| Trainability |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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| Ease of care |
⭐⭐
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| sociability |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
|
Is the Teacup Maltipoo a good family dog?
Teacup Maltipoo is a perfect family dog.
However, his small size means that he can be prone to injuries and should be handled ever carefully. Rough play with children should not be allowed.
He is better suited for home older children that can be gentler with him during play and homes that do not have large dogs.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Teacup Maltipoo?
The Teacup Maltipoo stands under 10 inches and should weigh less than 10 pounds.
Do Teacup Maltipoo bark a lot?
Yes, Teacup Maltipoos tend to bark a lot, especially when excited or bored.
Are Teacup Maltipoos healthy?
When a Teacup Maltipoo is developed from crossing a Maltipoo with a smaller breed such as Poodle or Maltese the resulting offspring is usually healthy. However, a Teacup Maltipoo can be pretty unhealthy if he developed by breeding runts or through dwarfism which is highly discouraged.
Puppies
Litter size:
1 to 3 puppies.
These puppies take between 9 and 12 months to reach their full size.
How much does a Teacup Maltipoo cost?
A Teacup Maltipoo will cost you between $1000 and $2500 depending on your breeder and location.
Finding a breeder for a Teacup Maltese Poodle mix can be difficult but you should always get your pup from a good and reputable breeder.
The breeder should be transparent about the breeding method and history of both parents.
You should also make sure that you visit the breeding facility and make sure that he/she has the best and cleanest standards possible.
If you see any red flag you should avoid that breeder like a plague.
Grooming requirements
The Teacup Maltese Poodle may be a small dog but he is high maintenance.
His coat will need frequent brushing preferably 4 times a week to prevent it from knowing and tangling.
The pooch should not be bathed more than once a month as it could cause the skin to dry.
It is recommended that you keep the coat at about 2 inches long to make it more manageable.
Dental care and cleaning the ears are also very crucial in this dog’s well being.
Exercising a Teacup Moodle
These dogs will not need a lot of exercises as they will only need 20 minutes of daily exercise at most.
Keeping the exercise indoors and only going for short walks is a great idea.
| Number of walks | 1(10 minutes) |
| Exercise needs | 20 minutes |
When playing with this pooch you should make sure that he does not jump from high places such as beds as this could easily get him injured.
How to feed a Teacup Maltipoo
This dog will need 30 calories per pound of his body’s weight.
The diet should be high quality and should be formulated from small dogs and can range from dry to raw food.
You should also check your Teacup Maltipoo’s weight to make sure that you are not overfeeding him.
How to train a Teacup Maltese Poodle mix
The Teacup Maltese Poodle is an intelligent and very trainable dog.
He should be able to pick up basic tricks and commands quickly depending on how well you are doing it.
However, housebreaking this dog can be quite difficult and should start the moment your teacup pup gets home.
Potty training is a crucial part of house training. Learn how to effectively do it by visiting this toilet training guide.
Use a lot of praises and treats when you are training this doodle to reinforce positive behavior and discourage any unwanted behaviors by ignoring.
Punishment during training should never cross your mind as it will do more harm than good.
You should also make sure that you are consistently socializing this dog by introducing him to new people, environments, and other people as well.
Teacup Maltipoo Health concerns
The most common health issues that this teacup Doodle is prone to are;
- Patellar luxation
- Heart conditions
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Tracheal collapse (avoid using a dog collar on this dog, use a harness instead)
How long does the Teacup Maltipoo live?
Teacup Maltipoo has a lifespan of between 10 and 15 years but on average he will live for about 12 years.
Breed summary
The Teacup Maltipoo is a loving and eager companion dog that is suitable for most dog lovers and families.
If you are looking for a hypoallergenic lapdog this is also the dog for you.
He is high maintenance as far as grooming and caring for his health is concerned but he has minimal exercise needs.
So, what is your favorite thing about the Teacup Maltese Poodle mix?
Let us know in the comment section below.
There you go, WOOF!
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