Maltipom Breed Information

Grooming

You should brush your Maltipom at least once a week to prevent tangles from forming in their coat, as well as remove dead hair and distribute natural oils throughout the coat. Your Maltipom will also need regular nail trimming, teeth brushing, and ear cleaning. 

To keep your Maltipom smelling fresh between baths (which you should only give them when necessary), you can bathe them with dog shampoo every 2 to 3 months. Be sure to use a shampoo designed for dogs so it doesn’t weigh down their coats. 

Brushing their teeth twice a week is the minimum recommendation to help remove plaque and prevent tartar accumulation. This buildup may lead to gingivitis (gum inflammation) and periodontal disease, both of which can result in tooth loss. Brushing their teeth at least two times a week, with special toothpaste made for dogs, will help prevent these problems. 

Exercise Needs

Maltipoms are small dogs, so they don’t require much exercise. A brisk daily walk is sufficient for these toy dogs. However, because they are small, you should use a harness instead of a collar to prevent injury to their trachea. 

Maltipom puppies need plenty of playtime to burn off energy and develop social skills. Play with your pup indoors or in an enclosed yard that has been fenced in. If you have a large yard, let them run around and explore the territory during playtime.  

You can also engage in games like fetch and hide-and-seek with your puppy to help them get some exercise while having fun too. 

Health

The breed is generally healthy and has no major health concerns. However, some conditions can be seen more commonly in small breeds like the Maltipom.  

They may suffer from cataracts, a condition in which opacities develop in the lens of the eye, causing loss of vision. Joint problems can be caused by several factors including injury or trauma during growth, obesity, and lack of exercise. Hip dysplasia is one of the most common orthopedic diseases seen in dogs today. All of these conditions can be treated with regular vet checkups. 

Aging affects all parts of your dog's body, including his ears. As your Maltipom ages, he may experience a gradual decline in hearing ability.  

Lifespan

The average Maltipom lifespan is between 12 and 15 years. This is quite a long span for a dog of this size. A good and balanced lifestyle and diet can help with a longer lifespan. 

Training

Maltipoms are intelligent dogs that love to please their people. They are extremely people-pleasing and bond closely with their family members. Training should begin early in order to establish a good foundation for their future.  

Puppies are usually a joy. But most people don't realize it's going to take a lot of time and energy on both the part of the owner and the dog. The earlier you start training your pup, the easier it will be for both of you. 

Training for the first 10-12 weeks should be limited to 10 minutes per day. After that, you can gradually increase the amount of time spent on training until you reach 30 minutes per day by the time your dog is 6 months old. You should also follow a positive reinforcement approach to training with positive rewards such as treats or praise. They can easily become bored with repetitive tasks and may even become resistant if they receive harsh corrections during training sessions. 

Your Maltipom is a social animal and loves nothing more than playing with other dogs and people, so it's important that they have plenty of opportunities to socialize during early puppyhood.  

They tend to be very sensitive when left alone and may develop separation anxiety if they don’t receive at least some independence training before being left alone for the first time.