Maltipoos have taken the dog-loving world by storm in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. These little designer dogs combine the intelligence of a Poodle with the affection of a Maltese, making them fantastic companions for families, singles, and seniors alike. But before bringing one home, it’s really important to understand the financial commitment that comes with owning a Maltipoo. After all, the costs go way beyond just the purchase price, and throughout their life, you’ll need to foot the bill for food, vet care, grooming, and more. So, how much does it actually cost to own a Maltipoo? That’s what you’ll learn here, as we break everything down into sections, helping you plan a budget and, ultimately, decide whether a Maltipoo is the right breed for you.
The first expense to think about is the cost of buying your Maltipoo, and prices will vary depending on whether you buy from a registered breeder or adopt from a rescue shelter. A Maltipoo puppy from a registered breeder will cost between $4,000 and $6,000, but if you’re lucky enough to find one available for adoption, the price is much lower, usually between $400 and $800 in fees.
Whichever is most appealing to you, there’s one thing you should be very cautious of when looking for your Maltipoo – puppies that are being sold for very low prices. These often come from unregistered breeders who don’t always follow the best breeding practices, resulting in puppies that could suffer from serious health issues in the future. So, to make sure you’re getting a healthy, well-socialised pup, only ever buy from a registered breeder or adopt.
Maltipoos from registered breeders come with an average price tag of $4,000 – $6,000. Where a puppy is actually priced within this range will depend on various factors, which we’ll look at further down the page, but to give you an example, a Maltipoo puppy bred from a champion bloodline and with a rarer coat colour will sit at the higher end of the price scale.
If you’re trying to keep your costs lower, adopting a Maltipoo from a shelter could be the best option, with average fees ranging from $400 – $800. Even better, this cost usually covers things like vaccinations, desexing, and microchipping, keeping your first-year expenses down more. However, adopting a Maltipoo isn’t the easiest thing to do, especially since they’re designer breeds that often don’t end up in rescue organisations. So, while the costs may be significantly lower, you may have to wait a bit longer and do more research before you can bring one of these little fluffballs into your life.
Regardless of where you get your Maltipoo from, there are a few factors that will influence how much you’ll pay for them. These include:
Like many Poodle mixes, Maltipoos are classified by their generational breeding, and this is one of the things that influences the cost the most. It can be quite difficult to work out what these different generations mean (and how it affects the price of a puppy), so here’s a simplified explanation:
On a similar note, the parent dogs’ bloodlines will also affect the price of a puppy, and while Maltipoos aren’t recognised by Dogs Australia because of their cross-breeding, if the Maltese or Poodle parents (or both) have a show-wining background and meet their own breed standards, there’s a good chance that their puppies will sit at the higher end of the $4,000 – $6,000 price range.
On the subject of coats, this is another thing that heavily influences the price you’ll pay for a Maltipoo. Maltipoos can inherit a variety of coat types, from soft waves to tighter Poodle-like curls, but it’s the puppies with a non-shedding, hypoallergenic inherited from the Poodle that tend to be more expensive. Similarly, rarer coat colours like red, chocolate, or parti-coloured Maltipoos often fetch higher prices.
Maltipoos also come in various sizes, depending on whether they’ve been bred from a Toy or Miniature Poodle. This is something else that affects pricing, and Toy Maltipoos tend to be more expensive as they’re smaller and in higher demand than Miniature Maltipoos, which are often more affordable.
The level of care that the breeder has invested in raising their puppies is another thing that influences prices, and reputable breeders who have carried out genetic health testing to check for inherited issues and provided early socialisation will charge more. This is simply because these things come at a cost to the breeder, and this needs to be picked up in the price of the puppies.
You’re also going to need to budget for the essential supplies your Maltipoo needs for a comfortable, safe, and happy life in your home. Here’s what you’ll need to pick up and how much you’ll likely spend:
The cost of owning a Maltipoo doesn’t stop at their essential items. You’ll also need to have the finances in place for their ongoing maintenance, including food, vet bills, and grooming. Let’s take a look at the average cost of these in more detail.
While Maltipoos are small dogs that weigh between 4kg and 7kg when fully grown, they still need around 100g – 160g of food every day to keep up with their activity level and provide them with the right amount of nutrition. If you take the diets listed below into consideration, this means your average monthly dog food bill could come to $60 – $200.
One thing to keep in mind with your dog food expenses is that the amount you’ll spend will vary depending on your dog’s age and health, as well as the brand you choose and the ingredients it contains. For the best advice, speak to your veterinarian, who will also be able to advise on the correct portion size for your individual Maltipoo.
Just like all other dog breeds, Maltipoos will also need regular, routine vet care to stay healthy. This is another thing you’ll need to budget for, and the average costs are:
Because of the Poodle lineage, a Maltipoo’s coat grows continuously, which means regular professional grooming is needed every few weeks. Here’s what you can expect to pay for this:
Training is very important for Maltipoos as they can inherit quite a stubborn streak from their parents. Luckily, there are a few training options available, and each comes with its own pricing:
Maltipoos make wonderful pets, but like any other dog, they need time, attention and, most importantly, money. Understanding the full cost of ownership is the first step in deciding whether this is the right breed for you and your family, and taking into account that a Maltipoo has an average lifespan of 14 – 16 years, you’ll need to be prepared to foot the bill for quite some time. But if you’re confident you’ve got what it takes to care for a Maltipoo properly, you’ll be rewarded with an affectionate and playful companion.
Welcome to Pets Online, a team of pet parents, animal lovers and veterinarians devoted to providing you with everything you need to know about pets.