Black and white Maltipoos are among the bi-colored variants of the Maltipoo breed. Their contrasting colors further highlight the overflowing charm and natural fluffiness they have. But how can a Maltipoo acquire these colors?
Black and white Maltipoos primarily inherit their black markings from their Poodle parents. Due to their stunning appearance and gentle nature, black and white Maltipoos are sought after by many families in the United States.
Continue reading all the way to the end to discover more fascinating facts about the black and white Maltipoo. By consulting this guide, you’ll determine if this Maltipoo variant is the right dog for you.
What Is a Black and White Maltipoo?
The black and white Maltipoo is a bi-colored or parti-color variant of the Maltipoo breed. It is characterized by a coat that is at least 50% white and has some black patches all over. Like other Maltipoos, this variant is loving, gentle, and friendly, making it a suitable pet for most families.
There are two possible ways to produce a first-generation (F1) black and white Maltipoo. It can be through crossing a parti Poodle with a Maltipoo or crossing a parti Maltese with a black Poodle.
As designer dogs, black and white Maltipoos are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Therefore, they are unable to take part in competitions held by the said organization.
Nevertheless, some registries like the Dog Registry of America (DRA) and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR) recognize several hybrid dogs, including the black and white Maltipoo.
Are Black and White Maltipoos Rare?
Black and white Maltipoos are not rare. This is due to the fact that both of its parent breeds carry the gene that gives them a parti coat pattern. Recall that black and white is a variation of bi-color or parti coat pattern in dogs.
Moreover, although black coats do not exist in Maltese dogs, this doesn’t mean that Maltipoos can’t have some black markings. In fact, black is among the most common coat colors of Poodles, including white.
This means that the black and white Maltipoos inherit their black markings exclusively from their Poodle parents. Meanwhile, their white portions may come from both the Poodle and the Maltese.
Black and White Maltipoo Appearance
As with other Maltipoo variants, the black and white Maltipoo generally stands anywhere between 8 and 14 inches. Meanwhile, its weight varies from 5 to 20 pounds — typically heavier than a purebred Maltese.
Male black and white Maltipoos are slightly bigger than their female counterparts. These small dogs reach their full-grown size between the ages of 12 and 15 months.
Because of its size and color, some people might confuse the black and white Maltipoo with a Shih Tzu. But keep in mind that Shih Tzus are slightly larger than a typical black and white Maltipoo.
Also, as opposed to a Shih Tzu’s straight coat, the coat of a Maltipoo is usually wavy. Lastly, Shih Tzus are naturally brachycephalic, while black and white Maltipoos have normal and longer snouts.
Watch the video below to see how adorable the black and white Maltipoo is:
Black and White Maltipoo Color Genetics
There are two primary genes that are responsible for the existence of black and white coats in Maltipoos — the tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1) and the piebald or white spotting genes.
The dominant form of the TYRP1 gene (B allele) gives dogs a black coat color. Meanwhile, its recessive form (b allele) produces the brown coat color. Note that the dominant gene always masks the effect of a recessive gene.
Since the B allele is dominant over the b allele, a Maltipoo with at least one copy of the B allele will acquire a black color, even if it also carries one b allele. This is how a black and white Maltipoo gets its black markings.
On the other hand, its white portions are produced through the action of the recessive form of the white spotting gene (s allele). Hence, a Maltipoo must have exactly two copies of the s allele for it to have white markings.
Black and White Maltipoo Temperament and Personality
Black and white Maltipoos are generally loving and gentle dogs. Despite their small size, they are vigilant of their surroundings and will bark as soon as they spot something suspicious, making them excellent watchdogs.
Like its Poodle and Maltese parents, black and white Maltipoos can get along well with other dogs. Although they are good with children, they could easily get injured if unruly kids handle them poorly.
Black and white Maltipoos are also among the dogs that are trainable and intelligent. Yet, they also have high emotional and environmental sensitivity. Sudden changes in these aspects may have a great impact on them.
Lastly, true to their Poodle parents, black and white Maltipoos can get attached to one person only. They also have a tendency to be destructive if they are not given adequate activities to burn off their excess energy.
Black and White Maltipoo Lifespan and Health Issues
As with other Maltipoos, the black and white Maltipoo can typically live for as long as 10 to 14 years. However, their sex and the size of their Poodle parent may affect this life expectancy.
Generally, female black and white Maltipoos and those with Miniature Poodle parents have a longer lifespan. In fact, these dogs may even live for up to 18 years or more!
Having a long lifespan, however, doesn’t shield them from the diseases that also affect the purebred Maltese and Poodle. Check out the list below to see some of the health issues that a black and white Maltipoo may encounter:
- Epilepsy: Black and white Maltipoos are among the designer dogs that are prone to epilepsy. Recurrent seizures are the indications of this neurological disorder. Although the exact origin of canine epilepsy is currently unknown, many scientists believe heredity is a key factor in its emergence.
- Shaker syndrome: Also known as generalized tremor syndrome, this condition is mostly seen in dogs under 30 pounds, including the black and white Maltipoo. Dogs with shaker syndrome display involuntary muscle movements called tremors in one or all of their body parts. Vets usually treat this condition with prednisone.
- Mitral valve disease (MVD): Affecting some black and white Maltipoos and other small dog breeds, MVD happens when the mitral valve in the dog’s heart weakens, leaks, or wears out. MVD won’t initially manifest any clinical signs. However, affected dogs will eventually develop heart murmurs, indicating a more serious heart problem.
Immediate consultation with your trusted vet is highly advised if your dog displays any symptoms of these conditions. You can also get pet insurance to help you with your vet expenses, especially in medical emergencies.
How Much Does a Black and White Maltipoo Cost? Puppy Prices & Expenses
Following the normal selling price of the Maltipoo, black and white Maltipoos cost anywhere between $400 and $4,000. The dog’s pedigree, size, age, and generation may greatly affect the price of the black and white Maltipoo.
For example, you could expect to pay a higher price for teacup-sized black and white Maltipoo puppies with champion bloodlines. This is also true for second-generation (F2) black and white Maltipoo puppies.
However, owning a black and white Maltipoo comes with several expenses other than its selling price. Once you have one, you should also consider the initial expenses associated with owning this pooch.
Here are some things you should account for should you get a black and white Maltipoo:
| Type of Expense | Cost |
| Food and Treats | $30 – $80 |
| Bowls | $10 – $30 |
| Toys | $20 – $30 |
| Beds | $30 – $200 |
| Collars and Leashes | $15 – $50 |
| Crates and Carriers | $30 – $200 |
| Grooming Essentials | $50 – $150 |
| Initial Vet Visits | $100 – $500 |
| Initial Vaccine Shots | $50 – $300 |
| Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications | $40 – $300 |
| Neutering or Spaying | $50 – $500 |
| Microchipping | $40 – $60 |
| Dog License | $10 – $20 |
| Other Essentials | $20 – $50 |
| Total Initial Cost | $495 – $2,470 |
As you can see, the total maintenance cost for the first few months of owning a black and white Maltipoo ranges from around $495 to $2,470.
However, this can still change depending on your brand preference for some items.
Also, keep in mind that many items on the list are not considered recurrent expenses. These include the initial vaccine shots, neutering or spaying, dog license, and microchipping costs.
Places to Find Black and White Maltipoo Puppies for Sale and Adoption
Finding a breeder who sells black and white Maltipoo pups is relatively easy. Yet, before purchasing a puppy, make sure to check the legitimacy and reputation of the breeder you’re going to transact with.
Also, if you’re going to purchase your puppy online, it is crucial to know the whole procedure of safely doing it. By doing this, you can steer clear of the scammers who frequently prey on uninformed pet parents.
To help you in finding a black and white Maltipoo pup for sale, check out the list of reputable dog breeders and kennels below:
- Fancy Poo 4 U – If you live close to Mississippi, this is one of the reputable breeders where you can get a teacup-sized black and white Maltipoo. Primarily, this breeder offers some Yorkie and Poodle mixes. All of their available pups come with two sets of vaccine shots and a one-year replacement guarantee against genetic defects.
- Browns Babies – Since around 2004, this Alabama-based family breeder has been raising and selling some Poodle mixes, including black and white Maltipoos. Their pups are adequately provided with age-appropriate vaccines and deworming medications, and they also come with a one-year health guarantee.
- Collett’s Country Kennel – Located in Louisiana, this AKC-approved kennel has been breeding teacups and tiny toy first-generation Maltipoos for a long time. Black-and-white parti is among the coat colors of their available Maltipoo pups. Their pups are all up to date on their vaccinations and receive deworming procedures every two weeks.
Meanwhile, if you’d like to adopt a black and white Maltipoo over purchasing one from a breeder, you can visit the following rescue organizations below:
- Petfinder – Since 1996, this online pet adoption resource has been helping many pet parents in finding their ideal pet companion. They have a directory of over 11,000 animal shelters and rescues across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Maltipoos are among the adoptable dog breeds that you can see on their website.
- NorCal Poodle Rescue (NCPR) – Since 1985, this tax-exempt organization in California has been saving and rehoming abandoned or homeless Poodles and Poodle mixes. Hence, it is possible to find a black and white Maltipoo here. Their toy-sized and mini dogs are all microchipped and fixed and have up-to-date vaccination records.
- Metropolitan Maltese Rescue (MMR) – Located in New York, this non-profit organization is dedicated to rescuing Maltese and Maltese mixes, including the Maltipoo. The MMR was founded in 1998 and is a proud member of the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals. Try to contact them to see if they have black and white Maltipoo puppies.
If none of these work for you, you may try visiting some purebred Maltese and Poodle breeders in your area to check if they produce this mix. You may also connect to black and white Maltipoo owners on Instagram and Facebook and ask them where they got their dogs.
Dog Name Ideas for Black and White Maltipoo Puppies
One of the most rewarding experiences for a dog owner is when their dog finally responds to its name. Apparently, naming your dog gives it a sense of identity and belongingness to the family.
If you have a black and white Maltipoo, it only makes sense to give it a name that matches its traits. For your convenience, take a look at the list of names below that will go perfectly with black and white Maltipoos:
- Oreo
- Yin-Yang
- Pepper
- Onyx
- Diorite
- Domino
- Cruella
- Tux
- Badger
- Magpie
- Sylvester/Sylvia
- Mickey/Minnie
- Equinox
- Danny/Dani
- Zigby
- Panda
- Blitzle
- Puffin
- Storm
- Marty
Primarily, all of the names listed above are connected to things, characters, and animals with black and white colors. You can try to come up with other names using this technique if none of the names above suits your dog.
You may also select a name for your black and white Maltipoo using the list of popular and unique puppy names provided by the AKC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Rarest Maltipoo Color?
Genetically, the rarest coat color of the Maltipoo breed is solid brown. This is because brown coat color is a recessive trait in dogs. Hence, a Maltipoo needs exactly two copies of the brown gene for it to be brown.
Solid black is also considered one of the rarest coat colors in Maltipoo. But as established earlier, black is more dominant than brown. As a result, even if it is rare, black has a higher genetic probability of existence than brown.
Do Black and White Maltipoos Shed a Lot?
Black and white Maltipoos do not shed a lot, just like their Maltese and Poodle parents. Contrary to other dog breeds, you won’t see them shed heavily during spring and fall as they do not have an undercoat.
However, this doesn’t imply that they don’t need some grooming sessions. Black and white Maltipoos are considered high-maintenance dogs that require regular coat brushing to keep their fur free of tangles and mats.
Are Black and White Maltipoos Hypoallergenic?
True to other Maltipoo variants, the black and white Maltipoos are hypoallergenic. In fact, both of its parent canines are listed by the AKC as hypoallergenic dog breeds.
Note that there is no dog breed that is completely hypoallergenic. However, some dogs, like the Maltipoo, produce fewer allergens in their saliva, blood, urine, and skin, making them safer for people with pet allergies.
Final Thoughts
The black and white Maltipoo is one of the most common variants of the Maltipoo breed. Primarily, crossing a parti Poodle with a Maltese or a parti Maltipoo with a black Poodle can produce F1 black and white Maltipoos.
These hypoallergenic, low-shedding dogs are loving, gentle, incredibly playful, intelligent, and trainable. They are also ideal for households with other dogs and kids who understand how to handle them properly.
Given all of these, it is now clear why many people want to get this cuddly pooch. So, do you think this dog is the perfect companion dog for you? Tell us your thoughts about the black and white Maltipoo in the comments!
