While some like their Labradoodle on the larger size, let’s not forget the tinier option that comes from using a small Miniature or even a Toy Poodle in the parent mix. Once you get down into the tinier sizes this then opens up the potential to mix the Labradoodle with a whole world of Toy breeds.
Enter the Maltese, possibly one of the most glamourous-looking toy breeds. Who wouldn’t be intrigued to see what a cross between the impossibly cute shaggy Labradoodle and the silken Maltese? The epitome of a designer dog, read on to find out more about the fabulous cross.
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Labradoodle History
The Labradoodle is a cross between a Labrador Retriever and one of the three sizes of Poodle (Standard, Miniature, or Toy). While this mix was noted to have occurred as early as the 1950s it was around 1989 that the term Labradoodle became commonplace, and the popularity really increased.
The publicity surrounding the Labradoodle increased in the early 1990s when many guide, assistance, and/or therapy dogs associations realized the Labradoodle would be an option for individuals who experienced dog allergies. Often the addition of Poodle genetics greatly reduced the amount of shedding that would be associated with Labrador Retrievers.
The Labradoodle’s smarts and low shedding coat attracted the attention of normal domestic pet owners and there was a meteoric rise in the number of breeders over the course of the ’90s and 2000s. Generally, Labradoodle owners favor the breed’s natural friendliness while their energetic and affectionate nature makes them popular for active singles, couples, or families with children.
Maltese History
Unsurprisingly the Maltese breed can be traced back to Malta. It is likely that its true roots may be from elsewhere, but it is on the island of Malta that the breed became fully established over 29 centuries ago. From here they migrated with traders to Europe and Asia.
We all know the ancient Egyptians were fond of cats but, did you know, that they also highly prized the little Maltese dog. Hieroglyphics have been found which depict this breed as a companion to women and there was a superstition that this adorable pooch was endowed with healing properties. Egyptians would encourage their Maltese to sleep alongside them in the belief they would magically restore their health overnight. The breed also found popularity with the ancient Greeks.
The Maltese is firmly a lapdog, with a luxurious white glossy coat. They thrive on affection are naturally trusting and come with a good dose of spunk for their small stature.
What do you Call a Labradoodle Maltese Mix?
The Labradoodle Maltese mix needs a title that denotes a mix that would be 25% Labrador, 25% Poodle, and 50% Maltese. We already have the Maltese Poodle mix known as the Maltipoo. The Labrador Maltese is rarer however goes by the title of Matador.
Here at Know Your Doodles, we suggest that a suitable title for the Labradoodle Maltese mix would be the Malabresedoodle or the less complicated Maltese Labradoodle.
Why is the Labradoodle Maltese Cross Being Bred?
The Maltese Labradoodle is tricky to track down and we couldn’t find any active professional breeders. There are some listings and these relate mostly to accidental litters, normally when two unneutered domestic pets have crossed paths.
The Benefits of a Labradoodle Maltese Mix
As there are not many recorded accounts of a Maltese Labradoodle we have to use our imaginations about what this cross might offer up. Firstly, adding a pinch of Poodle has the chance to significantly reduce the shedding associated with both the Labrador and the Maltese making this cross an option for those with sensitivities to pet hair and dander.
This also has the potential to create a truly adorable-looking pooch. Think of the chance of a bright white toy-sized dog with the forever happy Labrador disposition and a softly curled coat. You also have the bragging rights to a much rarer Doodle hybrid.
The Cons of a Labradoodle Maltese Mix
The cons that with come with picking a rarer crossbreed such as the Maltese Labradoodle include uncertainty about just what their adult pup may look like. There is less available evidence on points such as health and fully grown weight and size but maybe that just makes for a more exciting life.
The potential cons of mixing the fairly vocal Maltese with the Labradoodle is that you may end up with a tiny pup with a big voice if not tackled early on with training and positive reinforcement techniques.
What to Expect from the Labradoodle Maltese Mix
Size and Weight
As we do not have a great number of fully grown Maltese Labradoodle mixes in circulation to give averages, we will predict based on the parent breeds.
The Maltese sits firmly in the Toy breed family. Standing at 8″ to 10″ tall and weighing no more than 8 lbs. This compact pup is favored by those who love being able to carry their dog with ease.
The Labradoodle however comes in three sizes depending on the Poodle parentage.
- Toy Labradoodle – 8″ to 14″ and up to 20lbs
- Miniature Labradoodle – 14″ to 16″ tall and weighs 15lbs to 25lbs
- Standard Labradoodle – 21″ to 24″ and weighs as much as 95lbs
It makes sense that a Toy Labradoodle is the most sensible match for the Maltese but as we can see from above even the smallest Labradoodle is a fair bit bigger than the Maltese. This makes it harder to predict consistent sizes in the Maltese Labradoodle mix. As a general estimate, we could expect a fully grown of this mix to be in the region of 10″ to 14″ in height and somewhere between 10lbs and 20lbs.
It is also pertinent to note that due to the size difference not only should the larger dog be the damn but there is the potential for growth and bone problems due to the incompatible sizes of the parents. This in turn poses the moral question of crossing the Labradoodle with the Maltese.
Color and Coat Types
A common misconception is that the Maltese only come in white however they do have a slight variation that includes ivory, lemon, and faint tan. They have long dense silken coats that require meticulous brushing and are prone to shedding.
This will be mixed in with the Labradoodle which brings an almost infinite list of color and marking combinations. They should also bring the Doodle coat type that can vary between dense curls and soft waves.
This means the Labradoodle Maltese mix may be more likely to present with white or lighter colorings and will often have a longer looser Doodle-type curl pattern. Due to the longer-length coat and reduced shedding, a regular brushing and grooming schedule will be a must.
Health
To consider the potential health pitfalls for a Maltese Labradoodle mix we can look at conditions that overlap in both the Maltese and the Toy Labradoodle. The good news is both parent breeds are considered generally healthy as long as they are sourced from reputable breeders.
The conditions that may be passed on are those commonly seen in small dogs, which in fact may be improved by the addition of the Labradoodle that increases the smaller size of the Maltese. Some of the conditions which may appear in the cross include:
- Dental problems (due to their smaller heads/jaws)
- Luxating patella (kneecaps that move abnormally)
- Hip dysplasia (due to their small hip joints)
Temperament
The Labradoodle genes will offer up a friendly, loyal and energetic demeanor while the Maltese brings sass and bravery. You can expect an affectionate lap dog who will want to be near its family at all times. That’s the positive but good training is needed early to stop the Maltese Labradoodle from developing separation anxiety which they may be prone to.
Early socialization is key also as there is the potential for the Maltese’s brave streak to be dominant and can lead to some fiery interactions with larger dogs. It is hoped that the Labradoodle’s more social streak can temper some of this to make the Maltese Labradoodle a bit more well rounded socially
Exercise Needs
A Maltese Labradoodle is going to be on the upper end of the Toy breed category some may be able to sustain a bit more walking than the smallest of Malteses who are firmly lap dogs. Think local walks around the block or a short burst of play in the yard.
The mix will be adaptable to those who have limited outdoor space as they can easily meet their exercise needs with indoor play and outdoor potty breaks. Their small size means some extra considerations have to be made about taking them out in extremes of cold or heat.
Feeding Requirements
While the Labrador genetics may make your little Maltese Labradoodle a bit of a greedy Gus, the good news is this hybrids food bill will not be expected to kill your bank balance. The crux of it is smaller dogs need less food and if you go for the smallest variations then this could be as little as .5 to 0.75 cups of good quality dry kibble split over two meals.
Sometimes smaller breeds can find eating their food tiring so some owners will instead opt to split meals over three sittings. Alternatively, this pampered pooch would delight in hand-feeding throughout the day as part of training.