What to buy for a maltipoo puppy

Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Maltipoo Puppy in Singapore!

Looking for a Maltipoo Puppy in Singapore? Here we tackle everything you need to know on caring for them in Singapore and common questions new parents may have! 

Maltipoos are a cross breed of a Maltese and Toy Poodle and are known to be clever, playful and extremely affectionate. This deliberate breeding of the two very popular and desirable breeds was done to introduce a breed that combines the favourable traits of both parents into the perfect combination. Cross breeding doesn’t automatically create a new breed, it actually takes generations to produce a breed with similar characteristics to both parents because that’s how genes work! Maltipoos gentle temperament makes them more suited for indoor living (like we do here in Singapore) and they make excellent therapy dogs! 

Why Get A Maltipoo Puppy?

• Maltipoos are famous for their cute and fluffy faces that resemble a mini teddy bear that have won the hearts of many!
• If you are a new dog owner, Maltipoos are one of the “easier” breeds to handle and generally don’t require high maintenance. They are highly affectionate, gentle and charming!
• A Maltipoo is often referred to as a designer breed because two parents (of different breeds) are purposefully bred to combine favorable traits from each parent. 
• While there is no guarantee that any dog will be non-shedding, Maltipoos are pretty close. Their poodle hypoallergenic genes means that they have very low or non-shedding coats. Very easy upkeep!
• Maltipoos are very friendly and generally get along with anyone they meet, their gentle natures make them dogs that love to cuddle with their family. They have a good balance of active playfulness with their gentle nature.
• Not to mention, Maltipoos love the indoors. They make great apartment pets and don’t require a big backyard to keep them happy. They are amazing snuggle bugs but are also down to play for daily exercise. 
• What’s not to love! Here in this article we cover everything you need to know with a Maltipoo at home.

Is It a Good Idea To Bring Up a Maltipoo in Singapore?

Definitely! Maltipoos are one of those breeds that adapt well to new environments, they thrive in apartment settings and don’t require large amounts of exercise.

A 15 minutes walk is enough to keep them happy and healthy which is perfect in Singapore for a walk around your neighbourhood!  

Training

Maltipoos are intelligent and eager to learn so training typically isn’t challenging! Like many dog breeds they respond the best to positive reinforcement and encouragement, they are also extremely food motivated.

Puppies absorb lots of information when they are younger so training should be short and consistent. Start with the basics and once they master that you can move on to harder tricks! 

We recommend using 50% of their daily kibbles for training (we’ll be talking about their diet in a bit!) and limiting their treats to a few a day because they are still growing! 

Potty training! Good news is that Maltipoos are intelligent and quick to train. Always be in control and observe the signs when your puppy needs to go. Set up a pee tray near their sleeping area in a playpen, dogs know not to soil their bed and will learn to pee on the tray. Having this setup is crucial and it is important to encourage good behaviour! 

Their gentle nature will require positive training and patience. Have fun training! 

Nutrition

A puppies nutritional needs are best met through a diet of traditional kibbles, until they are 10 months – 1 year old kibbles should make the bulk of their diet. You can choose to include home cooked meals once a week, foods like salmon, chicken breasts, carrots and sweet potato are very good for pups.

Make sure to feed your Maltipoo according to their size and weight. Never overfeed your pup! As a smaller breed, obesity and plaque build-up are serious issues that can snowball to more health problems in the future.

Dry foods like kibbles also promote good oral health by removing plaque as it’s being chewed. When your dog reaches its adult years you can transition to a fully home cooked diet if you want to, do consult your vet too on what is best for your Maltipoo! 

It is important to not overfeed your pup with treats especially when they are puppies because they are still developing. Look for single ingredient treats and stay away from treats that have a long ingredient list. Many of them are harmful and can increase the risk of cancer later on.

How Should I Groom My Cavapoo?

A slicker and pin brush works the best for a Maltipoos thick and lucious coat. You can use a detangler spray too to make combing out tangles easier. 

Brushing your Maltipoo should be a daily thing especially in SIngapore’s climate, it helps get out tangles before they turn into harder to get out matts. It also distributes their natural oils around their fur and skin for a shiny coat.

Maltipoos coat can vary from straight to wavy to curly, depending on which parent’s genes are more dominant. Curlier fur like Poodles will require more maintenance aka more brushing! 

Just like us humans, there are different types of haircuts a Maltipoo can get. You can consult your groomer on this! Comfort is key when grooming so pay attention to any cues your pup might give you.

Happy grooming! 

Showers & Brushing

Maltipoos like every other dog breed should shower once a week or once every two weeks. Overshowering can be just as harmful as not showering enough, curlier fur will require more maintenance than straighter fur so go accordingly! 

Overshowering can strip your dog of their natural oils and cause dry and itchy skin or it can lead to their skin overcompensating oils giving you a greasy dog (Yucks!)

When showering, make sure to really get down to their skin for a clean thorough bath that will leave them smelling good all week.

Exposing your dog to the world of showering should be a positive one! Some pups like it while others take time to get used to it, so don’t worry! Use praises or even treats for your pup to build a positive association with their weekly baths.

Remember to dry them COMPLETELY. Singapore’s humid climate can give them hot spots that are painful open wounds and leave them stinky if their fur is still damp. 

Nail Clipping

Nail clipping may seem scary for your pup the first time, it’s normal! Take your dog to a spot where he/she is relaxed and take your time. You can give breaks in between along with praises and treats to let them know it’s alright.

If you look at your dog’s nails you will notice something black, that is the quick which is the blood supply that nourishes the nail. Avoid the quick when clipping your dog’s nails 

Alternatively, if you are worried, you can use a nail grinder. It is slower but its gentle and reduces the chance of hitting the quick

Brushing Your Maltipoos Teeth

When your Maltipoo first comes home you can start to touch your puppy’s gums and teeth until he/she moves away. 8-10 short seconds is okay. This will build trust with your puppy and get him/her comfortable with their teeth and gums being touched. 

You should brush your dog’s teeth 2-3 times a week to prevent bad breath and build-up of plaque that can lead to gingivitis (early stages of gum disease)

You can use a finger brush or toothbrush to clean your Maltipoo’s teeth. Beware of dental chews that claim to replace toothbrushing, they’re not true! 

Maltipoos Known Health Issues

 Unethical breeding practices typically lead to unhealthy puppies, as unscrupulous breeders may knowingly breed dogs with health issues in order to produce more puppies for sales and maximize their profits.

Pet Me Please only works with ethical breeders who screen their dogs for 200+ known health issues before breeding them, ensuring you get a healthy puppy with no genetic disease.

Every dog breed has certain conditions that they are more at risk for, whether it is due to genes or environmental factors. Not all Maltipoos will get these or any of them, but it’s good to be informed if you are considering or have a dog of this breed!

White Shaker Syndrome: is seen in dogs as tremors all over their body, involuntary muscle movements that can look like ‘shaking’ and rapid eye movements. The symptoms of White Shaker Syndrome usually show up at 6 months to three years and it’s either triggered by excitement or stress. This condition is commonly inherited by small white dogs like Maltese and Poodles, making Matipoos more prone to this genetic disease. The best way to avoid this condition altogether is to have genetic checks on parents before breeding begins.

Patella Luxation: is a condition that affects the patella (knee caps) in small dogs. It occurs in dogs when their knee joints aren’t developed properly and are prone to slipping out. In the long-run it can cause lameness in legs, degenerative bone disease or even require surgical treatment. This condition is also genetic and this is where health screening for genes of diseases are done before breeding to prevent the litter from inheriting them.

Portosystemic Shunt (PSS): is a disease where there is abnormal blood flow from the body to the liver. Because the liver is an organ that “filters” the dog’s blood, detoxifying the body, PSS can lead to many other health issues like stunted growth, poor appetite and low blood sugar. A shunt is considered hereditary and can be prevented by doing a genetic health history on parents before breeding. 

Many diseases that certain breeds are more prone to are larger due to genetic reasons, these conditions can be passed down from parents or are a result of inbreeding, something that is common in puppy mills/farms. This is why we believe very strongly in sourcing from ethical breeders that care for the health and life of their puppies. A comprehensive health screening for genetic diseases is the first step in ensuring a long and happy life for your new puppy! 

We know that bringing a new pet home is a big responsibility and can be a little scary but it doesn’t have to be!

Here at PMP we try our best to work with our breeders and families to find the perfect match for both our customers and our puppies.

Our breeders in Australia and Germany run extensive health tests on their parents to ensure that puppies will be healthy.

It is a huge responsibility but it is not at all scary. We’ll equip you with the necessary knowledge, skills and community to provide a warm and safe home for your new puppy. 

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How often do Maltipoos need to be bathed?