Whether big or small, it’s fact that some breeds are just destined to be your best friend. Companion dogs are loveable, loyal, and make your life that little bit happier, but with so many breeds how can you be sure which one is perfect for you?
The answer is through research, and so whether you are looking for a new friend, or want to expand your Doodle knowledge, today we will be revealing all there is to know about the Maltipoo Golden Retriever mix.
Table of Contents
The History of the Breeds
Maltipoo
As is the case with many a Doodle, the Maltipoo can be classed as a designer dog, bred specifically to be the perfect companion. This breed’s history can be traced back to the great race among designer dog breeders in America to create the next big breed to sweep the USA.
The breeders were after a dog that was low shedding, easy-going, and small enough to have a broad appeal no matter the family or living situation. The cross they landed upon was a mix between a Maltese and a Poodle.
Maltese, named after their origin in Malta, is an ancient breed of Bichon, making them one of the earliest small companion dogs. Their small size and friendly personality made them a great comforter – with accounts of ladies keeping them up their sleeves!
Poodles on the other hand are of German descent and were used to retrieve game from water. Because of this, they were bred to have a water-resistant coat – avoiding any hazards of prolonged duration fetching game, which has come to be their most defining feature.
Golden Retriever
A breed that originates in the Scottish Highlands in the late 19th century, it is hard to believe that at one point in time these golden-coated dogs were highly undesirable. Their popularity can be attributed to Dudley Marjoribanks, a Scottish Businessman and avid hunter.
The breed is actually a cross between a wavy-haired Retriever and the now extinct Tweed Water Spaniel. Bred specifically to aid in hunting in the harsh Scottish weather, the Golden Retriever is as loyal as it is hard working.
The calm and sensible temperament paired with an unparalleled work ethic aided in solidifying the Golden Retriever as the go-to hunting companion and gun dog. While today they most commonly enjoy restful domestic life, their laid-back demeanor, and eagerness to please make them a world-class family companion.
How the Golden Retriever Maltipoo Cross is Achieved
There are many ways to breed dogs, and the reason for the different methods comes down primarily to the health of the parents. Natural insemination is only viable if the dog’s temperament and physicality are aligned – and while Maltipoos and Golden Retrievers are similar when it comes to personality, the size may cause some issues.
Maltipoos are much smaller than Golden Retrievers, and this fact adds a risk factor to natural insemination. For this reason, impregnation via artificial means is the best bet. By injecting semen into the female directly, you can bypass any major risks in the insemination process, achieving the cross in a safe and secure manner.
There are also many health risks for the dame should she be the smaller of the parents in terms of whelping due to the possible size of the puppies. Any reputable breeder would not only ensure that the female was the larger of the two mating dogs but that they sourced a health tested pair who were a similar size (a larger Maltipoo and smaller Golden Retriever).
What is the Golden Retriever Maltipoo Cross Called?
Being such a niche breed – there is no confirmed name for the breed. However, typically cross names are decided based on a blend of parent names, and so an obvious choice would be the Golden Maltipoo.
The Pros of the Golden Maltipoo
At the intersection of two companion breeds, the Golden Maltipoo is tailor-made for family life. They have a sensible, hard-working, and intelligent temperament as the result of two hunting breeds and a companion dog, meaning they will be incredibly motivated – and therefore a breeze to train.
Along with their personality, the size and coat are incredibly easy to manage. With no dense curls, this breed is nice and low-maintenance as far as maintenance is concerned. This makes them a great choice for a big and busy family, or first-time owners looking to test the water in the dog world.
The Cons of the Golden Maltipoo
One con of the breed is that it is such an extrovert, the Golden Maltipoo suffers from extreme separation anxiety. There is nothing this breed loves more than spending quality time with their family. Whether it is out and about, or a cozy night in, this dog requires a steady supply of social interaction to stay happy.
Another con is the shedding. While their coat is easier to maintain than other Doodles, there is a high likelihood your dog will inherit the coat shed of its Retriever parent, meaning that twice a year there will be a hairmageddon. This means that while tangles are less of a concern, lint brushes will be essential to reigning in the amount of hair this breed will lose on a daily basis.
Is the Cross Ethical?
Given the need for artificial insemination, there is a case to be made that the physical disparity of the two breeds makes this cross questionable ethically. While their temperaments are aligned, meaning that the puppies will be well rounded in the personality department, the fact that natural impregnation is risky calls into question whether they should be bred at all.
Due to the size differences between to two breeds, it will also make sizing highly unpredictable as the puppies could take after either parent. This is notwithstanding the potential whelping complications for the dame.
Any purposeful breeding of the Maltipoo and Golden Retriever should only be taken on by a considered and experienced breeder who has researched all the implications and had extensive health testing on both dogs.
If you are looking at a Golden Maltipoo joining your family you must do your due diligence with regards to the breeder.
Why Cross the Golden Retriever and the Maltipoo?
The Maltipoo Golden Retriever cross is a niche among designer dogs. It’s no secret that the Goldendoodle is a hugely popular Doodle breed (which we have covered in great detail here) however, some owners are looking for a smaller pet.
Sometimes a small dog is a non-negotiable, and so by crossing a Golden Retriever with a Miniature Poodle to create a smaller Goldendoodle you can get closer to that perfect portable pet. However, with the dog being 50% Retriever, this may still be too big for some.
The answer? Add a Maltese to the mix. These dogs fall into the toy category, which means that the likelihood of a smaller dog is more than with a Goldendoodle – which solves a lot of potential issues that may put owners off getting a Goldendoodle.
However, due to genetics, this can still not be guaranteed and would be considered a high risk if the ultimate aim was to create a pint-sized companion.
FAQ:
Height & Weight
You can expect your Golden Maltipoo to be 14 – 20” tall fully grown and a healthy 30 – 50 lbs in weight. This is on the larger side of small breeds but is by no means huge. This size is perfect for a smaller house provided you make sure to take regular walks – but with that in mind, your furry friend is at little risk of feeling cramped.
Colour & Coat
The Colour is fairly cut and dry. With the Retriever parent, it should be pretty evident what color coat you can expect – it’s in the name! While Maltese can be bicolor or darker shades in rare cases, they are most commonly white, so your dog is almost guaranteed to be on the lighter side regardless.
The coat may vary thanks to the Poodle lineage, but with two straight to wavy coated breeds in the mix, there is a very good chance you can expect a flatter coat. The Poodle ancestry in this breed may counter some of the notorious Retriever sheddings, however, which will save you a small fortune on lint rollers in the long run.
Maintenance
A flat coat means less work relative to other Doodle crosses, but with two medium to long-haired parents, grooming trips will be necessary. At a minimum, you should aim to give your dog a brush twice a week to reduce any risk of knots or tangles, but the main way to prevent such issues will be to keep your dog’s coat length in check.
Health
As this cross is smaller than a Golden Retriever, these dogs benefit from a reduced risk of problems common in larger dogs, but they are not however without risk.
Mainly you should prioritize getting regular check-ups regarding your dog’s circulatory system. Issues such as Portosystemic Shunt, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, and Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis are all health risks you may encounter with a Golden Maltipoo, and so it is crucial you keep up to date with regular trips to the vets.
Temperament
As mentioned previously, this breed is well equipped for busier households. Sensible and easy-going, not to mention both playful and personable, Golden Maltipoos are great dogs, especially around children providing they are socialized early and trained appropriately.
They are highly well behaved on walks or journeys thanks to their hunting breed history and work well as a pack for the very same reason. All the breeds in this cross are complimentary when it comes to temperament, and as such, they make for a great well-rounded dog.
Exercise Needs and Feeding Requirements
Despite being on the smaller side, these dogs have a lot of energy. They like to lead an active lifestyle and will require a minimum of two hours of exercise daily to satiate their athletic appetite. Whether this is a long walk or playing at the park, you can expect this breed to pack some serious gusto.
With lots of exercise comes lots of food, and your dog will be needing 1-4 cups of food a day. Of course, size and energy levels specific to your dog will factor into this amount, but relative to their size, Golden Maltipoos have a fairly large appetite.
In Summary
So, if you are considering a Doodle mix but haven’t landed on the perfect cross, then maybe the Golden Maltipoo is the dog for you. Whether you are a first-time dog owner or are a seasoned pro looking to add to your pack of pooches, this loveable and loyal breed will fit in no matter what.
Still not convinced? Then why not check out some other lesser-known Doodles, such as the Doxiedoodle, or the Cava Tsu.