Maltipom

He is not recognized by the F.C.I.

Origin
Central Mediterranean Basin <> Germany -> U.S.A.
Translation
Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Maltipom

For those who lack the willpower and already have enough pets at home, look away now. The Maltipom is a pretty bundle of fluff that's sure to steal your heart. Inheriting its gentle, affectionate nature from the Maltese and its confidence from the Pomeranian, the Maltipom has a larger-than-life personality. The Maltipom is distinguished by its small size and the fact that it rarely weighs more than 4 kg. Their long coat is luxurious, but certainly high-maintenance. Although most Maltipoms are white like their Maltese relative, many other coat colors can be seen, and many dogs will be bicolored.

History of the Maltipom

The Maltipom is a cross between the Maltese and the Pomeranian and is also known as the Pomanese. Although it is generally assumed that the Maltipom originated in North America, there is no proof of this, and no one is sure exactly when the first puppies were produced. Since the 1970s and 1980s, it has certainly been common practice to cross two plush dogs to create a hybrid, and it's likely that the Maltipom has already been around for several decades. Although the names are very similar, the Maltipom should not be confused with the Maltipoo, which is a cross between a Maltese and a Poodle.
        

A little of the Maltese

        
Lively and affectionate, the Maltese is an ancient breed, recorded in the written history of Aristotle and Pliny almost 2,500 years ago. This is a small breed dog with a big personality that's playful and energetic. Maltese live very well in small spaces and are therefore ideal for indoor and apartment dogs. They thrive on human companionship, benefit from constant attention and can suffer from separation anxiety and boredom if left alone for long periods. They are considered a toy breed, although they are thought to share common ancestry with Spitz breeds. Although they appreciate physical contact and affection, Maltese can be prone to biting if overwhelmed and are therefore not considered ideal company for young children.
Standard of the Maltese

A little of the German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian

The Pomeranian is a Spitz breed, which means they have the characteristic wedge-shaped face, erect ears and curly tail characteristics of other Spitzes, such as the Samoyede and Siberian Husky. The first Pomeranians probably originated in the former Pomerania region, a territory now occupied by Germany and Poland. It is widely believed that the breed was established in the 1700s, although these original Poms were much larger. It was Queen Victoria of England who is said to have contributed to the breed's shrinkage, with some suggesting that the breed became around 50% smaller during her lifetime. While Maltese can be compared to a lion, the appearance of the Pom and its red coat have led many to call it the Foxhound.
Standard of the German Toy Spitz / Pomeranian

Appearance of the Maltipom

Pint-sized, fluffy and utterly adorable, the Maltipom is an irresistible hybrid. With a small wedge-shaped head and a tail that curves over the back, the Pomeranian's Spitz ancestry is obvious. Their dark brown eyes have a mischievous twinkle and are hard to resist when used to beg for treats. While some dogs of the breed will have erect ears, others will have semi-erect or collapsed ears like their Maltese relatives. Their bodies are small but sturdy, and they have small, delicate legs. Measuring 18 to 21 cm and weighing just 2 to 4 kg, the Maltipom is one of the smallest hybrids on the market. When left full length, Maltipom fur can be very long and dense, although many will choose to reduce it, as avoiding cores and tangles can require a lot of dedication. Their fur is soft to the touch and generally hypoallergenic, and rarely sheds much. Most will have a white or cream coat, but fawn, brown, gray and black are also possible.

Temperament of the Maltipom

Given that both parents were kept as pets and family animals for many years, it's not surprising that the Maltipom is a sociable, well-adjusted crossbreed. Gentle and affectionate, they form close bonds with their families, but require supervision when around young children due to their very small size and delicate bone structure. A formidable little watchdog, the faithful Maltipom is always on the alert and more than happy to alert its owner to the arrival of any new person. Of course, their friendly nature and small size make them unsuitable guard dogs, although they don't seem to realize it. They have a reputation for barking incessantly at strangers, a bad habit that owners should try to remedy from an early age. Some dogs will form a closer relationship with one person, perhaps the one who feeds them or spends the most time with them. They will tend to pay more attention to that person, and this can be helpful if that person is the one who trains them.

Needs and activities of the Maltipom

The Maltipom has a low energy level and doesn't require much exercise. A brief burst of energy in the living room as the Maltipom rushes into your lap for a cuddle is characteristic of this dog. The intensity of the exercise is not great either, and the Maltipom is a fairly serene companion. Given its size and energy level, the Maltipom is an excellent dog for apartment and city living, and can spend most of its life indoors. The Maltipom is a temperate-climate dog and doesn't like it too hot or too cold.

Maintenance of the Maltipom

The Maltipom has a beautiful coat that requires regular brushing and combing to maintain. Gently brush the Maltipom's coat with a brush or comb to remove knots and dirt. Using a gentle stream of water will also help, but don't bathe the Maltipom unless necessary. White-coated dogs can develop tear stains, but using a pet wipe to clean the eyes and face can prevent fatigue. Long hair on the head can trap dirt and debris in Maltipom's ears. It's wise to check your dog's ears and clean them if necessary during grooming.

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