Last Updated on August 23, 2021 by Fumipets

Many individuals who are considering getting a dog are put off by the prospect of fur scattered about their home and settling on their carpets, furniture, and clothes.

A Maltipoo may be the right dog for you if you want a tiny dog that won’t have you cleaning multiple times a day and lint-rolling your clothes before leaving the home.

Maltipoos are tiny dogs that weigh between 7 and 14 pounds and have a lot of personality, intellect, and love. As the name implies, this designer dog is a cross between a Maltese and a Poodle, both of which are renowned for being low shedders and excellent companion animals.

So, how does their offspring, the delightfully adorable Maltipoo, do in terms of shedding?

Do Maltipoos shed?

Although all dogs shed to some extent, Maltipoos are said to be extremely low shedders. In fact, they were designed specifically for allergy patients. The litters produced when a Maltipoo is mated to a Poodle have the least amount of shedding.

Let’s look at the Maltipoo’s shedding habits, discover whether they’re a suitable match for allergy sufferers, and learn about their grooming requirements.

How Much Do Maltipoos Shed?

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but every dog sheds in some way. Throughout his life, no dog has the same set of hairs.

The older, brittle hair is naturally pushed out of the coat and replaced with new growth. This cycle of coat replenishment and subsequent hair loss varies greatly across breeds and even within dogs of the same breed.

Because Maltipoos don’t have an undercoat, they don’t shed as much as double-coated dogs during the summer. During extremely hot summers, you may notice a small increase in lost hair, but the difference will be insignificant.

When it comes to year-round shedding, a Maltipoo is a fairly mild shedder. As the coat cycles through its development stages, a few hairs may fall out here and there, but the quantity of shed hairs scattered about your house will be limited.

The genetics and lineage of a Maltipoo determine whether he sheds very little or very much.

Genetics

A litter of pups with different degrees of shedding is produced when a purebred Maltese and a purebred Poodle are crossed. Some Maltese puppies may inherit their coats from their Maltese parents, resulting in little shedding.

Other pups may develop a Poodle-like coat and shed very little. Some will be a good mix of the two and fall in the centre.

Pedigree 

The more backcrossing there is in your Maltipoo’s family tree, the less probable shedding will be.

Certain Situations Can Cause More Shedding

A significant, abrupt shift in the quantity of lost hair is the reason for worry and should be addressed by your veterinarian. The following are some of the possible reasons for abnormal hair loss:

• Flea allergy.
• Hypothyroidism.
• Malnutrition.
• Allergic dermatitis
• Alopecia.
• Mange – either sarcoptic or demodectic.
• Aconthosis Nigrican.

Neurodermatitis is a skin disease that may affect Maltipoos who are often agitated (such as those with separation anxiety). In these situations, the nervous dog may lick himself excessively, removing the coat and agitating the skin until it is raw and susceptible to infection.

If you think your Maltipoo has an underlying disease that is causing excessive shedding, please contact your veterinarian as soon as possible so that a little problem does not turn into a big struggle.

Is it true that Maltipoos are hypoallergenic?

Many people misinterpret the word hypoallergenic and believe that a dog designated as such would never cause allergic responses or shed. Both of these hypotheses are incorrect.

Proteins present in a dog’s dander (dead skin cells), saliva, and urine trigger allergic responses, thus a highly sensitive individual may have an allergic reaction to any dog.

Hypoallergenic is defined by Merriam-Webster as “having a low probability of producing an allergic reaction.” As a result, a hypoallergenic dog breed is considerably less prone to cause allergies, although this is not a guarantee.

Why is being hypoallergenic linked with the phrase “minimal shedding”? While dog hair does not cause allergic responses, allergens like dander, saliva, and urine often cling to it.

As a result, the less a dog sheds, the fewer allergies it spreads throughout the home.

The Maltese and the Poodle, the Maltipoo’s parent breeds, generate little dander and are considered to be hypoallergenic, especially the Poodle. Because the proteins present in their dander, saliva, and urine vary sufficiently from those found in other dogs, allergy patients typically tolerate these breeds well.

Now you can understand why breeders thought of combining these two breeds when they wanted to produce a tiny, new, cute crossbreed with a double dosage of low-shedding tendencies for individuals who couldn’t handle most dogs.

Maltipoos are deemed hypoallergenic in response to the inquiry.

When Does a Maltipoo Shed Its Puppy Coat?

Beginning about the age of ten months, a Maltipoo’s silky puppy coat will progressively be replaced by a somewhat stiffer adult coat.

In certain Maltipoos, the process may be accelerated, and an increase in shedding may be observed when the puppy coat is shed. Other Maltipoos may take longer to adapt to adult coats, perhaps until their second birthday.

Many owners may not detect the shift or notice an increase in the quantity of lost hair with these pets since the transition is so gradual.

If your Maltipoo’s pedigree contains one or more backcrosses to a Poodle, you may notice a small change in texture as his mature coat develops, as well as lightening or deepening of colour. Maltipoos descended from a Maltese-heavy family are unlikely to detect any major coat changes.

Grooming Requirements for Maltipoos

Despite the fact that Maltipoos do not shed much, regular grooming is still essential and helpful. Brushing is the one element of grooming that should be done on a regular basis.

Brushing your Maltipoo many times each week is essential, regardless of whether the coat is wavy, curly, or mainly straight.

Brushing:

Both you and your dog should enjoy the experience.

Is a great time to check for injuries, cuts, hot areas, parasites, and other problems.

Maintains the coat’s condition.

Removes shed hairs from the coat before they get matted or strewn around the home.

Increases blood circulation to the skin’s surface.

Protective oils are distributed evenly throughout the coat, ensuring that it remains healthy, shiny, and strong.

It is not necessary to have a large collection of expensive tools to do the task. For most Maltipoos, a basic double-sided pin and bristle brush will suffice. Gently work your way through the coat, looking for mats in high-friction places like under the collar and behind the ears.

A good detangling spray may help you cope with matting and keep your coat smooth and silky.

It is not essential to clip the coat, although it is an alternative during the hot summer months. To keep the face region clean, hair around the eyes and lips may need to be trimmed every month or so.

If your Maltipoo’s coat gets filthy, give him a wash with a mild, pH-balanced dog shampoo, but remember that over-bathing can result in dry, itchy skin. Once a month or so should be enough to maintain the coat in good shape.

Tear stains may be a problem for Maltipoos due to their Maltese ancestors. If tear stains beneath the eyes persist after a bath, add baking soda to the area and scrub it clean with a toothbrush, or use tear stain removal pads that have been pre-soaked.

Maltipoos, like other breeds, will require their nails cut once or twice a month, their ears cleaned on a regular basis, and their teeth washed at least twice a week.