When it comes to family-friendliness (5/5) and city suitability (5/5), the Maltipoo shines across the board. It copes very well in an upper-floor apartment, gets on well with children (4/5) and other dogs (4/5) and, thanks to its strong wish to please, is easy to train (trainability 4/5). With a medium energy level (3/5), it enjoys long walks just as much as puzzle games in the living room.
But don't underestimate two challenges. First, "hardly sheds" doesn't mean "low-maintenance". The soft, curly coat with no undercoat mats without regular, thorough brushing down to the skin (grooming effort 3/5). Second, its loving, extremely people-oriented nature has a flip side: Maltipoos don't like being left alone for long. If you work full-time away from home and can't take the dog with you, this devoted companion will quickly become unhappy.
Your checklist for the first conversation with the breeder
When buying a puppy, never rely on statements like "checked by a vet" – check the facts on site. Go through these points carefully when you visit:
- Ask to see the patellar luxation results: Ask to see the vet exam forms for the knee joints of both parents in the original.
- Ask about other risks in the line: Ask specifically whether cases of von Willebrand disease are known in the lines.
- Watch the parents' teeth and breathing: Take a close look at the mother (and the father if possible) – does the dog breathe completely silently, and does it have clean, correctly aligned teeth?
- Check coat and grooming: See whether the puppies are already being gently introduced to the brush, paw checks and having the eye area trimmed.
- Test how they cope with everyday life: Because the Maltipoo is so focused on people, the puppies should be growing up in the middle of family life and greet you in a friendly, curious way without shyness.
On HonestDog, a breeder profile only goes live once the breeder has completed sign-up: an identity check with ID and selfie, proof of club membership or a §11 permit (the breeding license under Germany's Animal Welfare Act) where applicable, a knowledge test on breeding and animal welfare, and agreement to the HonestDog breeding standards, which among other things rule out breeding with extreme-breeding traits. Health tests of the parent dogs that breeders upload are shown right on the profile; ask to see the original results when you visit. Your next step: compare the profiles of Maltipoo breeders on HonestDog, look at the health records they've uploaded and ask directly about the next litter.
