How Big Do Maltipoos Get? Size and Growth Chart by Age

If you have one of these fluffy bundles of joy, you know that most Maltipoos stay very dinky. But what size are they when full-grown? On average? And, how big are they at different stages? Today, we'll do a deep dive into the breed.

As a primer, an adult Maltipoo usually grows to around 8 to 14 inches tall or around 20-35 cm at the shoulder and weighs roughly 3 to 9 kg (about 7 to 20 pounds). This all depends on whether their Poodle parent was a toy or miniature.

That said, there is a lot of variation, from tiny teacup Maltipoos to sturdier standard Maltipoos, so it is normal to wonder how your puppy will turn out.

For a full overview of temperament, grooming, training and life stage care, you can learn more about Maltipoos in our main Maltipoo dog breed guide.

Key takeaways

• Most Maltipoo dogs reach their final adult size between 9 and 12 months, with most of the growth in the first 6 to 9 months.

• A typical full-grown Maltipoo is 8 to 14 inches (20-35cm) at the shoulder and 3 to 9 kg, but some lines are smaller, like toy Maltipoos, and others are standard, larger Maltipoos.

• The size of a Maltipoo depends on the size of the Poodle parent, their genetics (for example f1 Maltipoo or f1b Maltipoos) and their nutrition.

• Extra tiny teacup types can be less robust and need very careful handling and vet support.

• Keeping your Maltipoo healthy with good dog food, regular weigh-ins and routine checks helps keep your Maltipoo at a safe weight.

The history of the Maltipoo

The Maltipoo was first bred in the United States in the 1990s as a friendly companion for people who wanted a low-shedding designer dog.

Breeders crossed the tiny Maltese with a toy Poodle or miniature Poodle to mix the soft coats of both breeds with the brains and trainability of the Poodle. Over time, this mix became a very popular small family dog breed.

If you would like a wider look at Poodle crosses like Cavapoos and Cockapoos, have a read of our top 10 Poodle cross breeds.

Why some Maltipoos are tiny, and some are sturdier

The biggest driver of size is simple genetics. Maltipoo parents with a toy or miniature Poodle will pass those size genes on.

A miniature parent tends to be bigger than other so called mini Maltipoos, while a toy Poodle or smaller Poodle parent tends to breed toy Maltipoos.

You will also see terms like:

• f1 Maltipoo – a first-generation cross, one pure Maltese and one pure Poodle.

• f1b Maltipoos – a backcross, usually Maltipoo to Poodle, often used to fix coat type or even to achieve other specific physical characteristics.

Because of this variety, Maltipoos typically do not come in a single standard package. Instead, you will meet tiny sofa potatoes and more solid, bouncy walkers, all under the same breed label.

To see how a similar cross compares, you can check our Cavapoo vs Maltipoo guide.

So, how big do Maltipoos get? And when do they stop growing?
Most adult Maltipoo dogs reach close to their final height by about 9 months and their final weight by 12 to 14 months.

Below is a simple Maltipoo size guide using typical figures of different sizes of the breed. However, every pup is different, so this is a guide, not a rule.

These ranges are pulled from owner reports and expert charts.

Quick tip: Remember, you see your Maltipoo every day, so slow growth can be easy to miss. A monthly photo next to the same object, plus a quick weigh-in at home or at the vet, helps you track real changes in weight and help you monitor their body shape.

Teacup Maltipoo size

The phrase teacup Maltipoos is usually used for the tiniest lines, where a full-grown Maltipoo may weigh under 2.3 kg (around 5 lb).

This small size can look adorable on social media, but the trade-off is a more fragile body and a higher risk of health issues like low blood sugar, fragile bones and dental problems. Teacup dogs often need more frequent meals and very gentle handling.

If you are tempted by micro dogs in general, our guide to teacup dogs explains the pros, cons and welfare concerns of the tiniest pets.

Toy Maltipoo size

A typical toy Maltipoo from a toy or miniature Poodle line might reach 8 to 10 inches tall and 4 to 7 lb or 10-17 cm as an adult.

These toy Maltipoos still count as a small dog, but they are often a bit more robust than teacups, especially around children. They tend to suit flats and city living very well.

Mini Maltipoo size and “standard” Maltipoos

The "standard" Maltipoo is the largest variation, resulting from a Maltese and a Standard Poodle, while the more common "mini" (or Toy) Maltipoo is from a Miniature or Toy Poodle parent.

Being bigger, standard Maltipoos can cope better with boisterous play, and they often enjoy longer walks.

If you like to compare with other hybrids, our Poodle parent breed guide explains how the different size of the Poodle (toy, mini and standard) is used to shape designer crosses.

Predicting the size of a Maltipoo is part science, part best guess.

Look at the parents and the generation

• Ask your breeder about both Maltipoo parents and whether they are from toy, mini or mixed lines.

• Check if your Maltipoo is an f1 Maltipoo, f1b Maltipoo or later generation, as this can slightly change typical size.

• Ask to see adult relatives, not just Maltipoo puppies, to get a real picture rather than just numbers.

• This is also a good time to ask honest questions about any known Maltipoo health issues in that line.

Use growth charts and vet checks

• Many Maltipoo owners use charts that suggest you can double their weight at 14 to 16 weeks to guess adult weight, a method also used for other small breeds.

• Your vet can help track weight and height at each check-up. If your pup is racing ahead of the curve or lagging behind, they can explore nutrition, hormones or underlying health.

No matter how big Maltipoos get, what matters most is that you keep your Maltipoo in a healthy body condition.

Everyday care and nutrition

• Feed them a complete dog food suitable for a small breed.
  Stick to measured portions so you do not accidentally give your Maltipoo too many calories.

• Treats should be small and count towards their daily allowance.

If your Maltipoo needs extra support, such as joint care for slightly larger Maltipoos, your vet can suggest supplements and exercise plans.

Grooming, exercise and checks

Regular walks help muscle tone and a healthy heart, and grooming your Maltipoo is not just about looking cute. When you brush them, run your hands over the ribs, spine and waist to check they are not getting too round or too skinny.

If you are considering adding a Maltipoo to your family, or you already share a sofa with one, having the right cover in place matters too. Our Maltipoo pet insurance is built around you and your furry friend, helping you with peace of mind when things go wrong.

No matter which type of Maltipoo you choose, the basics are the same. Choose responsible breeders, track growth, and work with your vet so you can keep your Maltipoo at a happy, healthy size.

We see the same Maltipoo questions again and again from worried owners, so let us answer a few in plain English.

How big do adult Maltipoos get compared with other Poodle crosses?

In general, adult Maltipoos are smaller than many other Poodle mixes. Compared with Cavapoos and Cockapoos, the typical Maltipoo size sits at the daintier end of the scale, thanks to the tiny Maltese parent.

If you want to go deeper, this info on designer dog breeds explains how crosses like this sit in the wider world of hybrids, and our own Maltipoo breed guide pulls that into a real-life view.

When do Maltipoos stop growing?

Most adult sizes are set by 12 months, but some standard Maltipoos can fill out a little after that. For most families, you can think of your dog as full-grown by their first birthday, with the main changes after that coming from fitness and food rather than extra height.

Are teacup Maltipoos a good idea?

Teacups can be sweet, but the teacup Maltipoo's size makes them more delicate, often requiring stricter feeding routines and increasing the risk of health issues. If you have young children or a busy home, a slightly sturdier toy Maltipoo or mini may be a kinder choice.