A Teacup Maltipoo or a Gallon of Milk—Which Weighs More?!

Rocky Kanaka |

Mar 7, 2023

Toy breeds are dogs that weigh about 5 pounds or less on average, and the teacup Maltipoo definitely meets those qualifications!

An absolutely tiny mixed-breed, teacup Maltipoos are the smaller version of the extremely popular Maltipoo, a mix of Maltese and miniature Poodle. The Maltipoo has been a popular breed for years, and appeared in pet stores long before “Doodles” and Poodle mixes were popularized. A teacup Maltipoo is a mix of Maltese and toy Poodle, the smallest of the Poodle varieties.

Get to know this tiny fluffy dog in our complete guide to the teacup Maltipoo, plus what it takes to own one of your own.

Meet the Teacup Maltipoo

No need to use your imagination any longer—we’re starting our guide to the micro teacup Maltipoo by introducing five adorable examples of the breed! Instagram and other social media platforms are a great place to start when you want to know what it’s like to own a certain kind of dog. Dog lovers all over the world are sharing their experiences and cute photos/videos of their pups every minute of the day!

1. Latte

teacup maltipoos — *^Source:*^{@Teacup_Latte}

Latte (right) is a tiny three-year-old teacup Maltipoo who was born in Seoul, South Korea, but now lives in Toronto! A pup with tons of friends, you can see just how tiny Latte is next to another small breed: the Bichon Frise.

2. Maeve

Another pup originally from South Korea, Maeve now lives in Canada and is cute as a button! A dignified little pooch, Maeve prefers the comfort of a soft sweater and a cozy bed to almost anything else.

3. Panipopo

This playful little teacup Maltipoo is Panipopo who lives in Portland with her family. Always willing to play or get into mischief, Panipopo knows how to keep herself entertained!

4. Luke & Kiwi

Luke and Kiwi are two handsome Maltipoo brothers from Texas who absolutely love to dress up, lounge in the sun, and of course, enjoy the spoiled dog life! At 11 and 3.5 lbs, these tiny little Maltipoos are a good example of how much variation there can be with this breed.

Teacup Maltipoo Basic Info

Maltipoos are a mix of the tiny Maltese and the Poodle, but to make a Maltipoo “teacup,” they must be part toy Poodle. Poodles come in three sizes: standard, miniature, and toy. Toy Poodles and Maltese are extremely small breeds, usually under 6 lbs and 10 inches high. When crossed, the resulting teacup Maltipoo puppies have the same dainty features as their parents.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of Maltipoos and teacup Maltipoos are the result of unethical breeding practices including backyard breeding and puppy mill breeding. This is because the teacup Maltipoo is not an actual breed but a mutt or a mix with no breed standard or oversight. Still, you can regularly find teacup Maltipoo puppies for sale in pet stores and online, so here’s what you need to know about these sweet little pups.

Teacup Maltipoo Temperament

The teacup Maltipoo is known for its gentle, even, loving temperament. Part Poodle—one of the world’s smartest dog breeds—these pups are often intelligent and emotional, though not particularly high-energy or driven to perform. However, some teacup Maltipoos have outgoing, playful personalities, and enjoy engaging in social play and activities with humans and other dogs.

Generally good with children, it’s important to remember just how small the teacup Maltipoo is. Young children will need to be extremely respectful and careful with these little dogs, so they may be better in homes with older children or adults only.

Teacup Maltipoo Size

Because teacup Maltipoo breeding is unregulated, there’s a fair amount of differentiation between individuals of the same mixed breed. In general, teacup Maltipoos are less than 6 lbs and stand at around 8—10 inches tall.

Remember, that your Maltipoo’s specific mix will also impact their final size. For example, a dog that is 50% Maltese and 50% toy Poodle may be a different size than a dog who is 50% Maltese and 50% Maltipoo.

Teacup Maltipoo Health

Before we discuss teacup Maltipoos specifically, it’s important to note that teacup breeds, in general, are known to have a host of health issues. While they might be cute, breeding dogs to be extremely small has had an impact on their overall wellness. Some health issues common amongst teacup and toy breeds include:

Heart defects
Tracheal collapse
Low blood sugar
Hydrocephalus
Cognitive issues
Digestive problems
Dental disease

Maltipoos are prone to a number of health issues on this list, including heart issues, tracheal collapse, and dental disease. Shaker syndrome—a condition that causes tremors—is another relatively common condition that affects the teacup Maltipoo. Most common in white dogs, this condition likely comes from the Maltese side of this breed’s ancestry.

Where To Find a Teacup Maltipoo for Sale

Unfortunately, it’s very difficult or nearly impossible to find a reputable teacup Maltipoo breeder. Instead, if you’re interested in owning one of these pups, we suggest checking with local animal shelters, visiting online rescue resources, and searching for breed-specific rescues.

Because Maltipoos are a relatively common mix, you have a good chance of finding one available for adoption. If you don’t, you might come across a different kind of dog and fall in love!

Teacup Maltipoo FAQ

Don’t worry if we didn’t answer your question about teacup Maltipoos above—we’ve got answers to all of the most common questions from folks just like you who are charmed by the micro teacup Maltipoo!

How big does a teacup Maltipoos get?

Most teacup Maltipoos weigh no more than 6 lbs and stand at about 8—10 inches at the shoulder. Remember that because teacup Maltipoos are an unregulated mixed breed, there will be variation between individuals. It’s also important to remember that some Maltipoos will have additional ancestry beyond Maltese and Poodle, and may exhibit breed traits that are not common amongst average Maltipoos.

How much is a teacup Maltipoo?

Because Maltipoos are an entirely unregulated mixed breed, the backyard breeders often producing these puppies have managed to boost their prices to incredible heights. Some breeders sell their teacup Maltipoos for as much as $3,000+.

If you instead find a teacup Maltipoo at a dog shelter, rescue, or humane society, you’ll pay just $150—$400.

Do teacup Maltipoos have health problems?

Yes. Most teacup dog breeds are prone to a host of health problems, the most common being heart, vision, dental, and cognitive.

What is the downside of a Maltipoo?

The biggest downside of the Maltipoo is that it’s nearly impossible to purchase one ethically. While adoption is a great option, buying a teacup Maltipoo from a breeder isn’t something we recommend.

Where can I find teacup Maltipoo breeders?

Instead of looking for teacup Maltipoo breeders, we recommend searching for your new best friend at a local animal shelter, humane society, or rescue.

Where can I find a teacup Maltipoo for adoption?

Google is your best friend when you’re trying to adopt a dog! Start by checking out public adoption sites like PetFinder or Adopt A Pet where you’ll be able to search for adoptable dogs in your area.

What is a teacup Maltipoo’s full-grown size?

A teacup Maltipoo usually weighs less than 6 pounds and stands about eight to ten inches tall at the shoulder.

What is a mini teacup Maltipoo?

There’s no such thing as a mini teacup Maltipoo—the teacup Maltipoo is as small as this breed gets!

Are teacup Maltipoo hypoallergenic?

No! In fact, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. While many teacup Maltipoos are low shedding, they can still trigger an allergic reaction and will drop some fur and dander. Remember that humans can be allergic to dog fur/dander, saliva, and urine and that even if a dog drops less fur, those other factors are just as prevalent.

What is an apricot teacup Maltipoo?

“Apricot” refers to the color of a dog, in this case, a teacup Maltipoo! The apricot dog color is a light strawberry blonde with a reddish hue that can come in slightly darker or lighter tones.

Maltipoos are most often an apricot tone, but you can also find examples of black teacup Maltipoos, brown teacup Maltipoos, tri-colored teacup Maltipoos, and other unique colorations.

What is the best food for teacup Maltipoos?

Little dogs still need big dog nutrition, and can’t just survive on treats no matter how much they beg! Some of our favorite dog foods for toy breeds like the teacup Maltipoo or Chihuahuas include We Feed Raw’s raw meat recipes, Front of the Pack’s air-dried formula, and Nom Nom’s delicious fresh-frozen dog food.

What is the best food for your dog?

The three foods that are super healthy and that almost every dog loves, even the pickiest dogs, are:
1. The Farmer’s Dog.

This is a fresh-frozen food that’s delivered to your home in just the right amounts for your dog. There are a number of fresh frozen dog foods available on the market and I tested them all. The Farmer’s Dog came up the winner with my picky dogs. You can see the fresh frozen food test here.

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2. Sundays Food For Dogs

This is an air-dried food. It has the convenience of kibble (just pour it in the bow) but is much much healthier. It’s like little pieces of jerky, so dogs go crazy for it. There are a number of air-dried foods on the market. My dogs tested 3 of them. You can see the results of the air-dried food test here.

Get 35% off your first order + free shipping w/ code ROCKY35

3. We Feed Raw.

This raw food for dogs comes delivered to your home is perfectly sized portions for your pup. They primarily source their ingredients from trusted U.S. farmers, with two exceptions: venison and lamb. These ingredients are sourced from New Zealand, where some of the highest-quality and most ethically raised venison and lamb can be found. Pasture-raised and grass-fed and finished, we highly recommend trying these formulas if you’re interested in the best-quality ingredients. Save 25% on your first order.

Supplements:

I highly recommend using a supplement on your dog’s food, not matter what you feed them, to ensure the meal is balanced and they are getting all the right supplements to help them stay healthy. The supplement I use is called The One from Front of the Pack. It has 12 ingredients that have been clinically-proven to keep your dog’s joints, skin, heart, digestion, and even their breath in tip-top shape. It’s also a powder, so easy to sprinkle on your dog’s food. For a limited time, when you buy one month you get a second month free.