Maltipoo Lifespan Guide – How Long Do Maltipoos Live?

The Maltipoo (AKA Maltepoo, Mal-t-poo or Moodle) is a cross breed between a Maltese and a Poodle. As it is a mixed breed dog there can be a bit of variation in lifespan depending on the generation, size, gender as well as genetics.

If you want to know more about the lifespans of Maltipoos, keep reading this article to find exactly how long Maltipoos live for.

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How Long Do Maltipoos Live?

On average, Maltipoos live for 10 to 15 years. There are many factors that affect the lifespan of a Maltipoo including size, gender, whether they are desexed or intact as well as their generation. Give your Maltipoo the best chance of living the longest life possible by exercising them daily, feeding them a healthy diet and keeping on top of vet appointments.

teacup maltipoo — Maltipoo via @jeonju_hellopet

Factors That Affect Maltipoo Lifespan

There are many factors that can affect the lifespan of a Maltipoo. This includes but is not limited to:

Size (Teacup, Toy, Miniature or Standard)
Gender (Male vs Female)
Desexed vs Intact
Generation (F1, F1b,F2 etc.)

How Size Affects Maltipoo Lifespan

The size of a Maltipoo greatly impacts upon their lifespan. Teacup Maltipoos have the shortest lifespan as they often suffer from size related health issues. Toy Maltipoos can also suffer from size related health issues. Generally, Standard or Miniature Maltipoos live the longest.

Size	Lifespan
Teacup Maltipoo	7 to 9 years
Toy Maltipoo	9 to 15 years
Mini Maltipoo	12 to 15 years
Standard Maltipoo	12 to 15 years

Teacup Maltipoo Lifespan

Teacup Maltipoos have a lifespan of 7 to 9 years. They have the shortest lifespan out of all the Maltipoo sizes due their high risk of suffering from size related health issues. Teacup Maltipoos can can pass away at even younger ages than seven if they develop health complications.

Toy Maltipoo Lifespan

Toy Maltipoos usually live for 9 to 15 years. Genetics, diet, lifestyle and exercise impacts upon the lifespan of Toy Maltipoos. If you want to give your Toy Maltipoo the best chance of living a long life make sure to feed them a healthy balanced diet and also give them adequate daily exercise.

Mini Maltipoo Lifespan

Mini Maltipoos have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. They have a similar lifespan to the Standard Maltipoo size as they are a small breed yet not so small that they suffer from size related health issues like Teacup Maltipoos.

Standard Maltipoo Lifespan

Standard Maltipoos live for 12 to 15 years. Their lifespan is the same as a Miniature Maltipoo. They are the largest size of the breed so they do not suffer from the same size related health issues that Toy and Teacup Maltipoo may have.

How Generation Affects Maltipoo Lifespan

Cross breed dogs such as Maltipoos are thought to be healthier than their purebred parents and therefore may have slightly longer lifespans. Nevertheless, with each successive generation (first to second to third), the health benefits of cross-breeding decreases so older generations may not live as long as first generation Maltipoos.

F1 Maltipoos have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years. They have the most hybrid vigor of all Maltipoos generations as they are the first generation (Maltese x Poodle). F1 Maltipoos are considered to be the healthiest generation so they may have longer lifespans than the other generations. F2 and F3 Maltipoos may have slightly shorter lifespans than F1 Maltipoos as they are more likely to have hereditary health conditions.

Female vs Male Maltipoo Lifespan

Female Maltipoos generally live 1 to 1.5 years longer than Male Maltipoos. This is especially the case for desexed Female Maltipoos. Gender does not usually have a major effect on lifespan and differences in longevity is mainly seen in desexed versus intact dogs.

Desexed vs Intact Maltipoo Lifespan

Desexed (AKA neutered or spayed) Maltipoos live slightly longer than intact Maltipoos. Desexed Maltipoos live longer as the procedure can reduce health risk such as cancer and obesity in both male and female dogs. It is also thought that desexed dogs live longer because they get into fewer fights and therefore get fewer injuries.

Maltipoo Life Stages

Socialization Period (until 3 months old)

The socialization period is one of the most crucial times in a Maltipoo’s life. The first eights weeks is spent with their mother and littermates. During this time they learn so much about their world. Breeders will begin introducing new experiences to the puppies in the litter and then at eights weeks the puppies will go to their new homes where their owners will continue the socialization process.

Testing Period (3 to 6 months old)

The testing period is when a Maltipoo starts testing boundaries to figure out what is acceptable behavior and what is not. It is best to start training your Maltipoo during this time.

When training your dog it is important to use positive reinforcement techniques as dogs repeat good behavior when it is followed by a reward such as a treat or their favorite toy. Clicker training is another type of positive reinforcement training that is a good method for learning new tricks. You use a clicker device so your dog can associate a new behavior with a click and then a reward.

Maltipoos will also start teething during this period so make sure you give your Maltipoos lots of chew toys. The classic Kong Toy is really popular as you can fill it with peanut butter or other treats inside to keep your Maltipoo busy for hours on end.

Adolescent Stage (6 to 18 months old)

During the adolescent stage, Maltipoos may start displaying some regressive behavior like not listening to your training commands, being a bit aggressive or chewing up stuff. This is especially the case if your Maltipoo is not desexed as their hormones will start to kick in. Just remember that this won’t last long and be patient as your Maltipoo is a teenager.

During this period, your Maltipoo will reach their full adult size, they’ll get their adult coat and you’ll have to eventually swap over to adult food.

Adulthood (18 months to 10 years old)

Maltipoos will start to calm down and settle into their adult personality during adulthood however they will still be very active as this is a feature of the breed. You’ll start to notice that all your earlier training has paid off but you should still keep it up as Maltipoos love learning new tricks and it’s great mental stimulation.

Extending The Lifespan Of A Maltipoo

1. Feed Them A Healthy Diet That Is Age Appropriate

Aim to feed your Maltipoo a premium diet to ensure they get all their nutrients as health is essential to a longer lifespan. Cheaper dog food usually contains very low quality meat as well as fillers which is unhealthy.

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You should also aim to feed your Maltipoo food that is suitable for their life stage, depending on whether they are a puppy, adult or senior dog. Kibble formulas are customised for different dog ages as producers adjust the nutrients and supplements for each life stage. For example, senior formulas have nutrients that support bones and joints.

Try to keep snacking to a minimum. While your dog may love their treats, don’t go overboard with rewarding them with treats, especially if your Maltipoo is starting to get overweight. Consider swapping out treats for their Maltipoo toys as a reward for training exercises. You can also cut your dog treats into smaller pieces than what is provided in the packet so they last longer.

2. Take Them Out For Daily Exercise

Maltipoos may be a small dog but they still need plenty of daily exercise – both physical and mental. Take your Maltipoo out for daily walks and let them run around at the dog park or in your backyard so they use up all their energy.

As for mental exercise, you should keep training your Maltipoo into adulthood and also play some brain training games like an interactive treat puzzle or give them a classic Kong Toy that is filled with treats.

3. Keep Up Grooming

Grooming your Maltipoo is vital to keep them hygienic and healthy. The grooming routine for your Maltipoo should include steps for their coat, ears and teeth.

Regularly brush your Maltipoo as they have a thick, curly coat which can easily get tangled and matted. If untreated, tangled and matted hair can lead to skin infections or irritations. Brushing your Maltipoo is also a good chance to check their skin for any injuries, fleas or ticks. Slicker brushes are generally the best for Maltipoos.

Maltipoos have floppy ears so they are prone to getting ear infections. If you Maltipoo gets wet, make sure to dry their ears well to prevent them from getting infected.

4. Keep On Top Of Vet Appointments

Take your Maltipoo to regular vet check-ups to make sure everything is going well and so you can treat any health issues quickly as early identification can help increase a Maltipoo’s lifespan.

Additionally, make sure you keep on top of yearly vaccinations as well as flea, tick and worm treatments.

5. Make Your Home Fit For An Older Maltipoo

As your Maltipoo gets older, there is an increased risk of arthritis and joint issues which can make mobility more difficult. For these reasons you may need to modify your home to accomodate for your senior dog.

If your Maltipoo finds it difficult to lower their neck to eat food or drink water you may want to invest in raised dog bowls to make feeding easier. If it is becoming difficult for them to jump up onto your bed or couch you may want to get a dog ramp. You may also decide to invest in an orthopedic bed if your Maltipoo has joint issues to ease the pain.