Comparison
Maltipoo vs Cockapoo
By Casa Trufa ·
For information only: it does not replace a visit to your veterinarian.
The Maltipoo is smaller, at 4–7 kg (9–15 lb), and more of a homebody; the Cockapoo is bigger, at 6–11 kg (13–24 lb), and has considerably more energy. Both are Poodle crosses, shed little and have no pedigree. The decision depends almost entirely on how much daily activity you can give the dog.
How do they differ, point by point?
| Aspect | Maltipoo | Cockapoo |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Maltese × Poodle cross | Cocker Spaniel × Poodle cross |
| Adult weight | 4–7 kg (9–15 lb) | 6–11 kg (13–24 lb) |
| Height at the withers | 25–35 cm (10–14 in) | 30–40 cm (12–16 in) |
| Energy | Moderate | High |
| Temperament | Sociable, bright, playful | Cheerful, sociable, active |
| Daily exercise | Walks and play | Long walks and play: real activity |
| Shedding | Very low, varies with the coat | Low, varies with the coat |
| Coat care | Frequent brushing; groomer every 6 to 8 weeks | Frequent brushing; groomer every 6 to 8 weeks; ears |
| Pedigree | No: it is a cross | No: it is a cross |
| Parents’ tests | Patellar luxation, PRA, hip dysplasia | Hip dysplasia, PRA, FN, eye exam |
| In an apartment | Very well | Well, if it gets out enough |
| In the hot lowlands | Adapts, with a short coat | Adapts, with exercise in the cool hours |
Sizes and weights of the breeds we raise: those on our breed pages. They are typical ranges, not a promise about a particular puppy.
Which one to choose, depending on your life?
- You live in an apartment and your routine is quietMaltipoo
- You go out to walk or play for a good while every dayCockapoo
- You want the smaller of the twoMaltipoo
- There are children who want a tireless playmateCockapoo
- It will mostly be cared for by an older personMaltipoo
Neither is for you if the dog would spend the whole working day alone, if you cannot see yourself brushing it several times a week, or if a pedigree matters to you.
How are they alike?
In the Poodle. From it they inherit a continuously growing coat that sheds little, an ease of learning and a wish to be with their people. Both are crosses, and so in both the size and the coat vary from one puppy to the next: nobody can guarantee them.
Neither has a pedigree. The FCI does not recognize them, and the ACCC (Asociación Club Canino Colombiano, Colombia’s FCI member kennel club) cannot register them. What to ask for, in both, are the parents’ health tests.
Which difference do you notice most at home?
Energy. The Maltipoo comes from a companion dog and is content with walks and play. The Cockapoo comes from a gundog: it needs to really move every day, and if it does not, it gets bored and shows it.
The second is size. Three or four kilos (7 to 9 lb) of difference sounds like little and changes practical things: carrying it in your arms, the cabin carrier, how much it eats.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, a Maltipoo or a Cockapoo?
Neither is better: they are for different lives. The Maltipoo fits quiet routines and small spaces; the Cockapoo fits active families who get out every day.
Which sheds less, the Maltipoo or the Cockapoo?
Both shed little. In both it depends on each puppy’s coat: the curlier, the less shedding. Neither is one hundred percent hypoallergenic.
Which is bigger?
The Cockapoo: 6–11 kg (13–24 lb), against the Maltipoo’s 4–7 kg (9–15 lb). These are ranges; in a cross, size cannot be guaranteed.
Breed profiles