Do Maltipoos Shed a Lot? Breed Facts & Care Tips

The Maltipoo—a cross between a Maltese and a Poodle—is a toy or miniature dog popular for their friendliness, intelligence, and fun-loving nature. Another bonus for some Maltipoo parents is that these little dogs don’t shed a whole lot. This also makes them a popular choice for people with dog allergies.

Read on to find out more about the Maltipoo’s coat and how to care for it. We will also share which breeds are considered the best choices for people with allergies due to not being heavy shedders.

Do Maltipoos Shed a Lot?

All dogs shed to an extent, but Maltipoos are not heavy shedders as neither the Poodle nor the Maltese is. That said, both Poodles and Maltese dogs require daily brushing—Poodles because of their long, curly coats (unless clipped short) and Maltese because of their long, silky coats that can get matted or tangled if not properly maintained.

How to Care for a Maltipoo’s Coat

Because both parent breeds require daily brushing, it is a good idea to brush your Maltipoo daily to keep their coat in the best possible condition. Unbrushed coats can lead to matting and tangles that can become uncomfortable or even painful for your dog. Some dogs even develop skin sores from a lack of brushing.

Apart from that, Maltipoos’ coats are pretty low maintenance. You might want to take your Maltipoo to the groomer approximately once every month for a tidy-up trim, bath, and nail trim—unless you plan on doing this yourself, of course.

Are Maltipoos Hypoallergenic?

No dog is truly 100% hypoallergenic because, whether a little or a lot, all dogs shed. However, since Maltipoos shed rather little, they might be a better choice for someone with allergies than heavier-shedding breeds like Samoyeds, Golden Retrievers, and Siberian Huskies.

Some allergy sufferers that choose to parent dogs find that regular brushing, vacuum cleaning to reduce dander around the home, pet air purifiers, and washing the fabrics (like dog beds) that their dog is often in contact with can help reduce the allergens that trigger an allergic reaction.

Which Dog Breeds Are Hypoallergenic?

As mentioned, all dogs shed dander that can cause an allergic reaction, but some breeds are labeled “hypoallergenic” due to being of the low-shedding variety. As such, these breeds are often popular with people allergic to pet dander.

What Causes Pet Allergies?

Pet allergies typically come from pet dander, which are proteins you can find on the skin and fur of pets. Dander is on both the skin and saliva of pets and as they lick themselves, they spread this dander to their fur.

As the fur sheds, it’s easier to stir up and ingest, irritating pet allergies. Hypoallergenic pets still produce the same levels of dander, but since they don’t shed as much, it’s less likely for the dander to find its way into your airways and cause allergies to flare up.

Tips for Dealing With Pet Allergies

Since there’s no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic pet, you need to know what you can do to help reduce the likelihood of a flare-up. Keep in mind that these things can help, but it’s still a good idea to reach out to a medical professional to see what’s right for you.

1. Clean Up Regularly

Since pet allergies come from dander and dander can settle onto different surfaces, keeping a clean home is one of the best ways to help reduce pet allergies. Vacuuming, cleaning up clutter, and simply keeping a tidy house are some of the best ways to keep pet allergies from becoming a problem.

2. Brush Your Pet Daily

Since pet hair is one of the primary ways dander spreads from your pet to you, keeping up with brushing your pet is one of the easiest ways to keep dander and excessive hair from piling up. Not only does it help with pet allergies, but it will also help keep your pet’s hair from knotting or matting.

3. Keep Up With Baths

As your pet licks themselves, they’re spreading dander to their fur, and when you bathe them, you’re washing all this dander right off. You’ll want to give them a bath about once a month, and don’t overdo it because when you’re bathing them, you’re also washing off beneficial nutrients and oils.

4. Use an Allergen-Catching Air Purifier

An air purifier with a filter element that can catch allergens like dander is one of the best ways to keep pet allergies from flaring up in your home. You’ll need an air purifier for each room your pet goes into, but it will go a long way in keeping allergens low.

5. Have a Pet Free Zone

If you suffer from pet allergies and have a pet living in your home, your body needs time to reset each day. Having an area of your home where you can spend some time away from all the dander is one of the best ways to do that. You can have this area anywhere in your home, but we recommend your bedroom since this will give your body plenty of time to reset each night.

Are Maltipoos Good Family Dogs?

Whether someone in your household suffers from allergies or not, Maltipoos are often very family-friendly dogs. They’re charming, friendly, good-natured, and typically get along well with children and other pets with proper socialization.

That said, it’s best to always supervise children around Maltipoos and teach them to interact respectfully with them. These are quite dainty little dogs and need to be treated very gently.

Maltipoos really enjoy being part of the family and do well living in apartments due to their small size. As long as they get enough walks and exercise—and love, of course—daily, they should be perfectly happy. They’re also said to be somewhat vocal and sensitive dogs that won’t hesitate to alert you if something makes them suspicious (i.e. an unusual noise nearby).

Final Thoughts

In brief, Maltipoos do shed but not a lot. They do need to have their coats brushed on a daily basis, though, to make sure it stays free of matting and tangles. It’s also recommended to see a groomer once per month for a bath and general tidy-up. If you notice dryness, redness, scabbiness, or patchiness on your Maltipoo’s skin, please see a vet.

See Also:

• Are Maltipoos Hypoallergenic? Important Facts & Tips

• Do Maltese Shed a Lot? (Tips for Reducing Shedding & FAQs)

Featured Image Credit: marketlan, Shutterstock