Maltipoo Price: How Much Does a Maltipoo Cost?

The Maltipoo is a small crossbreed of a Maltese and a Poodle, and its compact size and soft coat make it a popular apartment dog. As a crossbreed, it is not recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club, so prices are set by individual breeders rather than by a breed standard.

This guide covers what Maltipoos cost from breeders and rescues, what moves the price, and what the first year and each later year add. Every figure comes from a published guide and carries a check date of Oct 12, 2026.

The breeder range is wide because the cross is sold by everyone from hobby breeders to large commercial operations. Lower prices tend to come from small local breeders. Higher prices often reflect health testing, small adult size, and popular coat colors.

Rescue and shelter fees are set to cover care, not to reflect demand. Maltipoos and similar small mixes appear in shelters regularly, though a young puppy is rarer than an adult.

• Generation. Breeders talk about F1 and F1B. An F1 has one Maltese parent and one Poodle parent, and an F1B has an F1 Maltipoo parent and a Poodle parent. Prices vary with generation.
• Size. Maltipoos come in toy and miniature sizes depending on the Poodle parent. Tiny adult sizes are often priced higher, though very small dogs may carry added health risks.
• Coat and color. Apricot, cream, and other popular shades may cost more. Coat type is not fixed at birth, so ask how the breeder estimates it.
• Health testing. Breeders who screen parents and offer a written guarantee have higher costs and often charge more.
• Location. Prices differ by state and metro area, and shipping a puppy adds to the total.
• Contract terms. Puppies sold with breeding rights cost more than pet puppies sold with a spay or neuter requirement.

Guides disagree because they sample different breeders and different sizes. A source that focuses on teacup or toy-size puppies will publish a higher range than one built around standard pet puppies.

Read the label on each row, then compare with breeders near you. Be wary of any dog sold as a teacup. The term has no formal definition, and very small puppies may have more health issues.

Rescue groups and shelters list Maltipoos and Maltese or Poodle mixes. Two sources in the table above report rescue fees, and fees usually include vaccinations, spay or neuter, and a microchip.

Adult dogs have temperaments that are already visible, which helps if you have children or a quiet home. The tradeoff is that a rescue dog may arrive with a history you only partly know, so ask for veterinary records.

A Maltipoo needs a small crate, a bed, a harness, bowls, and chew toys. The first months also bring vaccines, a wellness exam, and training. Spay or neuter surgery is a one-time expense that usually falls in the first year or two, depending on your vet's advice.

Ask your breeder or rescue what has already been done. Some items may be included in the purchase price or adoption fee.

After year one, the yearly bills are food, routine vet care, grooming, and replacement toys and supplies. Maltipoos are small, so food costs are modest. Grooming is where the budget grows.

If you prefer to budget by month, the table below shows the same costs in monthly terms.

These figures leave out pet insurance, boarding, and emergency care.

A Maltipoo's coat grows continuously and can mat if brushing is skipped. Many owners book a professional trim every few weeks and brush at home between visits. The cost depends on coat length, the groomer, and your area, so ask local groomers for rates before you buy.

Some owners learn to clip at home, which lowers the bill but takes time and equipment. Keeping the coat short reduces how often you need an appointment, though not to zero.

Small dogs may be prone to dental disease, kneecap problems, and tracheal issues, and Maltipoos may also inherit conditions from the Maltese and Poodle sides. Not every dog develops these, and severity varies. Still, any of them can bring bills well above routine care.

Ask the breeder what health testing the parents have had, and talk to a licensed veterinarian about what to watch for. Pet insurance bought while the dog is young may exclude conditions that show up later, so read the exclusions closely.

• Ask for health records on both parents and the expected adult size.
• Visit in person or join a live video tour, and meet at least the mother.
• Insist on a written contract that covers the health guarantee and return policy.
• Be cautious about sellers who list many breeds or always have puppies ready.
• Walk away from anyone who pressures you to decide quickly.

Fake puppy listings are a common online fraud, and the Federal Trade Commission has warned about them. Small designer breeds are frequent bait because demand is high. A typical scam shows appealing photos, a price that seems too good, and pressure to pay by gift card, wire, or payment app before you see the dog.

Run a reverse image search on the photos, ask for a live video call with the puppy, and never send a deposit to a seller you cannot verify.