Maltipoo

Maltipoos can do well with children who already know how to be calm and gentle. Expect a toy-sized dog that is moderately active, barely sheds and needs professional grooming on a cycle. The big catch is company: this breed genuinely struggles when the house is empty all day.

Maltipoo is a cross, not a standardised breed, so there is no official standard for it. The figures above are the American Kennel Club standards for its two parent breeds — Maltese and Poodle (Toy) — and an individual dog lands somewhere between them, varying by generation.

The Maltipoo crosses two of the oldest companion breeds there are, and the result is about as small as dogs get — often under seven pounds fully grown. It is affectionate, soft-coated and genuinely charming, and for an adult household or a family with older, careful children it can be a lovely long-lived companion. Two honest cautions. At this size the dog is fragile: a fall from a sofa or an accidental step can cause real injury, which makes it a poor match for toddlers. And both parent breeds were bred purely for human company, so a Maltipoo left alone during a working day is likely to become vocal and distressed. The coat needs daily attention or a short clip.

Day to day. Moderately active — a proper daily walk plus some play in the garden or the hallway keeps this breed happy. On noise, it is very vocal, so thin walls and close neighbours are worth thinking about.

The coat, honestly. This breed barely sheds and needs professional grooming on a cycle. That is the trade every low-shedding dog asks for: you are not vacuuming hair, you are booking and paying for a groom every few weeks, and brushing between visits or the coat mats down to the skin.

Being left alone. Struggles on its own. If your house is empty from the school run until the evening, this is the breed most likely to be unhappy about it — and separation problems are one of the top reasons dogs end up back in rescue.

Training. Trains at an average pace. Consistent, reward-based training from day one does most of the work.

• You would rather brush and pay a groomer than vacuum every day
• You are short on space and want a dog that fits your home

• Your house is empty from the morning drop-off until the evening
• Nobody has budgeted for a groomer every few weeks
• You share walls with neighbours who need quiet
• A surprise vet bill would be a real problem this year

Rough running cost: $$$ (one of the pricier dogs on our list) — because it eats very little, which keeps food costs down, and the coat needs a professional groom on a cycle, and that is the bill people forget.

Those are relative bands, not live prices. For real numbers across every pet we cover, see the pet cost study and the cost calculator.

Maltipoo is a cross, not a standardised breed — two from different litters can differ in size, coat and shedding. Everything on this page is the typical middle of that range.

Rescues do have Maltipoos and Maltipoo crosses, usually adults whose size, coat and temperament you can see rather than guess at.