The teacup Maltipoo, a petite canine with a generous heart, results from crossbreeding a small Maltese and a toy Poodle. Despite not receiving official recognition from kennel clubs, it is cherished by families worldwide. This article explores the experience of owning these diminutive treasures including the Teacup Maltipoo lifespan, health issues, training tips etc.
Uncovering Historical Roots
The origins of the Maltipoo are intricate, challenging to pinpoint due to its crossbreed nature. While it could theoretically occur accidentally, many are intentionally bred to be tiny. The Maltese, half of the Maltipoo, traces back to Ancient Greek times, with a breed known as “Melita” from Malta dating as far back as 280 B.C. Mentioned by those close to the British Royal family in Victorian England, the modern breed reflects historical influences from both the Maltese and Poodle, speculated to originate from Germany.
Teacup Maltipoo in Pop Culture
In the last two decades, the surge in popularity of “designer dogs” includes the Maltipoo. Purposeful crossbreeding, exemplified by the tiny stature of teacup dogs, gained traction. Celebrities like Paris Hilton, with her teacup Chihuahua, brought attention to these minuscule companions. The teacup Maltipoo, combining small size with a loving demeanor and a teddy bear-like appearance, became immensely popular, especially for those seeking hypoallergenic dogs.
Breeding the Teacup Maltipoo
Breeding teacup Maltipoos involves selecting the smallest dogs in litters, perpetuating the process to gradually reduce adult sizes, with an average weight below 5 pounds. This meticulous selection poses health risks, particularly when the runt of the litter is involved. Breeding runts together increases the likelihood of deformities or health issues in the offspring.
In essence, the teacup Maltipoo, with its rich history, cultural significance, and unique breeding, stands as a beloved companion, navigating a delicate balance between admiration and potential health considerations.
Teacup Maltipoo Lifespan, Health, Personality, and Training
Teacup Maltipoos are quite a popular dog breed with a lifespan of 10 years. They are loved for their small and cute size. If you ever imagined a cross between a Maltese and a Toy Poodle, and you loved it, then this intelligent and affectionate dog is for you. However, before you bring one into your household, Dog Enquirer would want you to know more about their health, personality and training. Firstly, a Teacup Maltipoos is merely 8 inches tall size. This doesn’t stop them from having energetic and playful personalities. You have to also take care not to mistakenly injure them due to their small size. This dog is also an excellent choice for people with allergies.
Teacup Maltipoo Health Problems
Firstly, it is important that we let you know that Teacup Maltipoos suffer from several health problems. This is as a result of their small size and genetic makeup. Some of these health issues are inherited from their parents. Breeders are also to blame because they acted irresponsibly in the first place when they unethically tried to produce smaller dogs. Some of the common health problems that affect Teacup Maltipoos are:
Heart defects: Teacup Maltipoos suffer from different kinds of health issues including heart problems. Some of these are patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), mitral valve disease (MVD), or pulmonic stenosis (PS). Conditions like this affect the blood flow and oxygen delivery in the body of the Teacup Maltipoo.
Teacup Maltipoo has to be treated if it is diagnosed with cardiomyopathy arrhythmia. This is to ensure that the condition doesn’t become severe. Anti-arrhythmic medication works well and can help the dog go ahead to live a happy and long life.
White Shaker Syndrome:
As its name implies, it’s common to white-colored dogs. However, the Teacup Maltipoos most likely inherited this from their Maltese parents or ancestors. The White Shaker Syndrome manifests as body tremors. It is usually attributed to genetics. The White Shaker Syndrome is usually observed to puppies within the ages of 6 months to 3 years. Its symptoms may include mild tremors that will progress over the next 3 days and on the 4th, the tremor would have reached full strength and will most likely remain the same unless it’s treated.
Things will get worse for the puppy if it tries to move. Thankfully, most dogs stand a good chance of full recovery if they are treated on time. It is important to give the teacup Maltipoo small dosage of medications each time it is being administered.
Dental problems: Teacup Maltipoos have very small mouths and teeth that are often overcrowded and misaligned. This is usually called ‘tiny mouth syndrome’. This occurs when the Maltipoo doesn’t have enough space in its mouth to accommodate an erupting tooth. These dental problems could give the dog bad breath, cause severe tooth pain and problem when eating. Mind you, the older they get, the more that they become prone to dental problems. So, if you smell a bad odor coming out of your pooch’s mouth or if adult teeth are falling out, you should do all that you can to seek the help of a veterinarian.
Other tell-tale signs of dental problems with your Teacup Maltipoos are blood in the mouth, bumps, and sores. Hence, it is very important to get your dog checked by the veterinarian first if you adopted from shelters.
Allergies
Maltipoos are a great choice among dog owners. This is because they are hypoallergenic dogs but the pooch itself are susceptible to some allergic reactions. They react to certain food due to artificial additives, flavoring, and poor quality. You have to watch out for some grains like soy and wheat as they could trigger some allergies. You also have to watch out for plastic feeding bowls that are reeking with artificial chemicals. Even the fibers in a carpet can also be possible triggers. Do all that you can to be observant as toys, shampoos, cleaning agents, and detergents often trigger one form of allergic reactions that could trouble your dog. So, if you notice any rashes, excessive scratching, dryness and even coughing, you would have to take your Teacup Maltipoo to the veterinarian.
Teacup Maltipoo Lifespan
The average lifespan for the Teacup Maltipoo to live is 10 years. However, some may live longer than 10 years while others don’t stay around any longer. However, we have heard some people say 12-15 years is the life expectancy of a Maltipoo. We believe strongly that they live on the average of at least 12 years depending on which type of poodle it was bred. This dog would live longer if miniature poodles are used longer due to its smaller size. Truthfully, the genes that your Teacup Maltipoo inherits from their parents can influence their lifespan.
In fact, some genes inherited may make your Teacup Maltipoo more susceptible to certain diseases or conditions. Also, some may make them more resilient or immune. Smaller dogs live longer than the large-sized dogs. Despite all these, it is important to take you dog for a walk and give your pet regular exercise. You should also avoid feeding your Teacup Maltipoo any human food, especially chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, or anything that contains xylitol.
You might not know this, but the way you groom your dog also determines a lot including the lifespan. A poorly taken care of dog is most likely to have it’s lifespan cut short. Hence, we advise every dog parent to keep their coat clean, shiny, and mat-free. Their nails should be trimmed regularly as well. Remember to brush their teeth regularly to prevent any infections.
Of all that we have stated above, the greatest way to keep your Teacup Maltipoo to live longer than its average lifespan is by showing your pet love. Your dog is also a member of your household. Do all that you can to go to an ethical breeder right from the beginning. You wouldn’t want to see your pet suffer from conditions arising from genetics. Show your pet love.
Teacup Maltipoo Personality
They are friendly dogs and make great companions. If you plan to get a Teacup Maltipoo into your household, you would enjoy a combination of positives such as an affectionate and playful dog. Some of these characteristics will help you know and understand the personality of the Teacup Maltipoo better.
Intelligence: Although they could be a bit headstrong at times, the Teacup Maltipoo are considered highly intelligent dogs. They were bred from the Maltese and Poodle with many even insisting that the Poodle is the world’s second smartest dog breed. So, you can understand the intelligence of the Maltipoo. Those who have this dog claim that it sometimes gets bored if not given the opportunity to use its brain which can be in form of learning new tricks.
Loyalty: Look, forget their small size, Maltipoos are known for their loyalty and strong bond to their owners. In fact, they are protective as well and will warn of any danger sensed. So, it is clear that this dog offers far more than its cute appearance.
Sociability: While they may alert their owners of any impending dangers, the Teacup Maltipoo are generally friendly dogs. They love to socialize with human beings, other dogs and animals. They are not aggressive or territorial. They enjoy being shown love by everyone.
Energy level: They require regular exercise because of moderate to high energy level. It is advisable to give your dog daily exercise as this will help keep them healthy.
Adaptability: Teacup Maltipoos can adjust to different environments and situations. They usually like plenty of room to play despite their small size. In fact, they would be more than happy moving into apartments or small spaces that allow them to play and exercise. They can also tolerate either hot or cold weather climates but not extreme temperatures.
Independence: Teacup Maltipoos do not like to be alone. They prefer to be around their owners and suffer from separation anxiety. They thrive on human interactions. Hence, you may have to hire a a dog walker to make up for the hours you are not able to be with your pet. There are instances of the Teacup Maltipoo suffering severe cases of separation anxiety when you even go down to the nearest store. So, you have to teach your dog how to spend some time alone right from an early age. Truthfully, we will not advise those who work long hours or travel often to get this dog breed.
Teacup Maltipoo Training
Teacup Maltipoos are trainable, smart and are eager to learn new commands and tricks. They are always eager to please their owners and get some rewards. However, they could get a little stubborn sometimes so you will have to be patient and authoritative. You will have to begin their training sessions while they are puppies. We advise you to train your Teacup Maltipoo with positive reinforcement. Use these tips as guide on how to train your Teacup Maltipoo:
Start early: You have to start while still a puppy, to give your Teacup Maltipoo some basic training. Start with some basic commands such as teaching how to sit, stay, get up, and leave it. Remember, to be patient if your puppy doesn’t do as you command immediately. Thankfully, reputable breeders start introducing their puppies to potty training and crate training and obedience training early.
You can start from a full day as this will help you to establish a routine. You pup will love this as they thrive on schedules.
Use positive reinforcement: Here, you will have to reward your puppies for doing something right. Treats, toys, praise, or affection. In all you do, ensure that you do not hit your dog or yell as these would make them afraid or even resent you. To be honest, we are not big fans of any physical force or harsh methods. This includes choke collars, shock collars, or alpha rolls. This could leave your pup traumatised.
Be consistent: You will have to be consistent especially during basic training such as sit, stay, come, down. If you keep changing methods during command training, your puppy will be left confused. Maltipoos are generally intelligent and they learn quickly. Based on my own personal experience, consistent training helps but let your puppy know who is boss without getting aggressive.
Be patient: You will have to be patient with your Teacup Maltipoo. However, ensure that training begins at the age of 8 weeks (same age you should bring home the puppy) from a legitimate breeder. Note that the earlier that you start, the better for you. Thankfully, at 8-weeks, your Maltipoo would not have formed any habits. This is a good thing as you won’t have behavioral issues to deal with regarding your puppy. Ensure that training sessions are kept short. In fact, 10 to 15 minutes at a time several times daily should be enough. Remember to end each session on a positive note, with a reward or a game.
Have fun: In all that you do, keep training your Teacup Maltipoo in a fun and relaxed away. Use your creativity and imagination to teach your dog different situations and environments that test their skills and intelligence. They are intelligent and quickly learners so learning will be fun for them. Remember to always celebrate their progress and do not use aggressive means to get them to obey commands. Keep your canine in good health to help extend his lifespan.
Q&A Session On Teacup Maltipoos
1. How big are Teacup Maltipoos?
Teacup Maltipoos small-sized dogs. They are to live in apartments and households of with limited space.
2. What is the lifespan of Teacup Maltipoos?
Teacup Maltipoos are produced by mating Maltese and Toy Poodles. They are small dogs, though they live for between 10-13 years. Male Teacup Maltipoos have a life expectancy that is 1 to 1.5 years shorter than females.
3. How many puppies can a Teacup Maltipoo give birth to?
Essential factors to consider include the mother’s body size and health, type of breeding, and the numbers of the parent breeds. On average, the litter count for a Teacup Maltipoo is 2 to 6 pups.
4. When does a Maltipoo reach maturity?
Fully grown Maltipoos reach their maximum sizes at around 12-15 months. Nonetheless, their development is affected by the health and size of the mother. The size of a Teacup Maltipoo depends on various factors, such as breeding technique, litter size of the parent breeds, among others.
5. Can Maltipoos get big?
A Maltipoo is not a giant dog; they result from crossing two tiny species – Maltese and Toy Poodle. A standard Maltipoo weighs an average amount ranging between ten and fifteen pounds, with heights ranging from ten to fourteen inches. Despite Teacup Maltipoos being even smaller, they can get bigger if they inherit more genes from the Poodle side, or if they are under-exercised or overfed.
6. Does a Maltipoo stay small?
Maltipoos stay small, as typical Maltipoos are bred to be miniature or tiny. Tea Cup Maltese is a small breed and hardly grows after reaching adulthood.
7. Do teacup Maltipoos bark a lot?
When Teacup Maltipoos get excited, bored, seek attention, alert their owners of something or even suffer from anxiety, they may bark a lot. In fact, they may also bark more than standard Maltipoos because of their small size and vulnerability. However, through proper training, socialization, and mental stimulation their barking can be reduced.
8. What is the cause of death for Maltipoos?
The Maltipoos can die from accidents, injuries, diseases, infections and even old age. Some health problems that affect Maltipoos are dental issues, eye problems, heart defects, liver shunts, skin allergies, epilepsy, and joint disorders. Their small size and genetic defects have made Teacup Maltipoos more prone to these health issues.
9. Are Maltipoo dogs intelligent?
Yes, Teacup Maltipoos are highly intelligent dogs just like their parent breeds the Maltese and Poodle. There are those who even claim that the Poodle are the world’s second smartest dog breed. They respond well to positive reinforcement training methods.
10. Do teacup Maltipoos have health problems?
Yes, Teacup Maltipoos have more health problems than standard Maltipoos. This is because of their small size and breeding methods. They are often bred from runts or dwarfed dogs that have genetic defects or health issues. They may also suffer from low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus) bone fractures, organ failure and even respiratory problems.
11. At what age can a Maltipoo get pregnant?
Maltipoos are a healthy crossbreed. The best age to breed a Maltipoo is around 2 years. There are experts who insist that the female Maltipoo should not breed until after her first or second cycle.
12. What is the Average Price of Maltipoo Puppies?
Well, this depends on the bloodline of the parents and the breeder’s reputation. However, the price for a Maltipoo puppy ranges from $400 – $2,000. Additionally, health certificates/inspections and desired physical and temperament features, also influence the price of Maltipoo Puppies. We have even heard of Maltipoos being sold for as low as $100 by some unethical breeders. So, you need to be cautious enough to avoid buying a sick pup.
Generally, a healthy Maltipoo with excellent tiny features which may include small and expressive eyes and is available in rare colors such as champagne and black, vaccinated, microchipped and all health certificates in order, will cost you $2,875. However, you can also get a parti-colored puppy of regular size, vaccinated, microchipped and vet checked for $850.
13. Can Maltipoos be aggressive?
Yes, Maltipoos can get aggressive if they suffer from health problems. Also, if they are exposed to improper training methods they could react negatively. Remember, these dogs could inherit less-desirable traits from both parents. However, Maltipoos respond best to positive training techniques, are sensitive and do not like negative training techniques.
Meanwhile, If you are in need of a treasure trove of information on dog breeds, grooming, care, training, and supplies, ensure that you bookmark Dog Enquirer at https://dogenquirer.com . We are optimistic that you will master the art of pet care and reap the rewards of a healthy, happy dog in no time.
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