Maltipom

Origin & history

The Maltipom is a recent designer cross rather than an established breed, developed mainly from the 1990s and 2000s alongside the wider fashion for small poodle and companion crosses, largely in the United States and Australia. There is no long history or breed standard behind it, and litters are produced by crossing a Maltese with a Pomeranian rather than by breeding Maltipom to Maltipom over generations, so type is not fixed. To understand the dog it helps to look at the parents. The Maltese is an ancient Mediterranean lapdog known for its silky white coat and devotion, while the Pomeranian is a small spitz from the Pomerania region of central Europe, bred down from larger sled-type dogs and known for its fox-like face and bold, busy character. The cross aims for an affectionate, low-shedding little companion, though outcomes vary litter to litter. The ANKC does not recognise the Maltipom as a pedigree breed.

Temperament

The Maltipom is usually affectionate, lively and playful, a true companion dog that forms a close bond with its family and likes to be in the middle of things. Temperament leans on which parent a given dog favours, blending the Maltese's gentle, sweet nature with the Pomeranian's bold, busy, sometimes cheeky character. Most are friendly with children, though their small size means they suit considerate older kids rather than rough toddlers who could hurt them. They generally get on with other dogs and with cats, particularly when socialised young. They tend to be alert and quick to bark at noises and visitors, which makes a handy little watchdog but can tip into nuisance barking without guidance. They are clever and respond well to reward-based training, and early socialisation helps curb the wariness and yappiness both parent breeds can show. They do not enjoy being left alone for long.

Appearance

A very small dog, generally about 20 to 28 cm at the shoulder and roughly 2 to 5 kg, though size varies with the parents. Appearance is not fixed because this is a cross, so coat and outline differ even within a litter. The coat may be long and silky like the Maltese, fuller and stand-off like the Pomeranian, or somewhere between, and it is usually moderate to long and needs regular grooming. Colours include white, cream, sable, orange, black and parti-combinations. The face is typically small and rounded with dark, expressive eyes and a black nose, the ears may sit erect like the Pomeranian or drop like the Maltese, and the well-plumed tail is often carried up over the back.

Suitability

A Maltipom suits apartment or house living equally and is a sensible choice for gentle older owners and families with considerate children. Modest exercise needs and a willing nature make it workable for a first-time owner, as long as the grooming, dental care and barking are managed. It is very much a companion dog and does not cope well with being left alone all day, doing best where someone is around for much of the time. On climate, a fluffier double-coated Maltipom feels the heat, while a thinner-coated one feels the cold, so in the Australian summer offer shade and water and walk in the cooler parts of the day, and in winter a thin-coated dog may want a jumper.

Health

As a Maltese and Pomeranian cross, a Maltipom can inherit the health issues of either parent, so it pays to know both lines. Dental disease is very likely given the small, crowded mouths both breeds have, making tooth care a lifelong priority. Patellar luxation, a slipping kneecap, is common in both parent breeds, and a collapsing trachea, which causes a honking cough, is seen in small dogs of this kind. The Maltese side can carry a risk of portosystemic liver shunt and low blood sugar in puppies, while the Pomeranian side adds a risk of inherited eye conditions and, in some lines, a coat-loss condition. A typical lifespan is around 12 to 15 years. A responsible breeder should health-test the parents, with patellar checks and eye testing at a minimum, and be open about what runs in each line.