Both of these puppies are small, affectionate, low-shedding, and easy to love — so the choice usually comes down to personality. A Maltipoo tends to be the softer, more cuddle-forward of the two: a dog that wants to be in your lap and is generally content to stay there. A Yorkipoo tends to be busier, bolder, and more opinionated, because the Yorkshire Terrier half brings a real terrier streak. If you want a gentle shadow, look hard at the Maltipoo. If you want a small dog with a big motor and a sense of humor, and you don’t mind doing some training, the Yorkipoo is probably your dog.
At a glance
| Maltipoo | Yorkipoo | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult weight | Roughly 5-20 lb, depending on whether the Poodle parent is a Toy or a Miniature; many land in the 6-12 lb range | Roughly 4-15 lb, same caveat; many land in the 6-12 lb range |
| Adult height | About 8-14 in at the shoulder | About 7-15 in at the shoulder |
| Coat and shedding | Silky-straight, wavy, or curly depending on which parent wins out; sheds very little | Wavy to curly, often with the Yorkie’s fine, hair-like texture; sheds very little |
| Grooming needs | Daily brushing; professional grooming about every 4-6 weeks | Daily brushing; professional grooming about every 4-6 weeks; mats form fast in the wavy coat |
| Energy level | Moderate — a daily walk plus indoor play | Moderate to busy — closer to 30-60 minutes of activity split through the day |
| Good with kids | Yes, with gentle, supervised handling; fragile as a puppy | Yes, with gentle, supervised handling; does best with kids old enough to respect a small dog |
| Good for apartments | Very well suited; can be a barker without training | Very well suited; more likely to alert-bark at hallway noise |
| Trainability | Eager to please and food-motivated; usually the easier first dog | Smart but stubborn; needs consistency and short, upbeat sessions |
| Common health considerations | Patellar luxation, dental disease, Legg-Calvé-Perthes, ear infections | Patellar luxation, dental disease, tracheal collapse, eye conditions |
These are crossbreeds, so the parents matter more than the label
This is the most useful thing we can tell you. “Maltipoo” and “Yorkipoo” are not standardized breeds with a written standard behind them — they are Maltese crossed with Poodle and Yorkshire Terrier crossed with Poodle. A first-generation puppy can lean toward either parent in size, coat texture, and personality, and littermates often differ from each other.
A second-generation puppy bred back to a Poodle usually has a curlier, more Poodle-like coat; a puppy that takes after the Maltese side may have that long, flat, single coat with no undercoat. Neither is better. They just groom differently.
So when you visit, ask about the specific parents rather than the breed name. We source from trusted local Georgia breeders and can tell you what the sire and dam looked like and roughly how big they were. That is a far better predictor than any chart.
Temperament: the terrier difference
Both crosses share a Poodle parent, which means the real difference sits on the other side of the pedigree.
The Maltese is one of the gentlest-mannered toy breeds — trusting, affectionate, lively without being pushy. That softness usually carries through to a Maltipoo. They bond hard, follow you room to room, and can struggle with long stretches alone.
The Yorkshire Terrier was a working terrier before it was a lap dog, and it still acts like one. Yorkies are often described as brave and bossy, and that confidence shows up in Yorkipoos as curiosity, chase instinct, and a strong opinion about who is walking past the window. It makes them tremendously fun. It also means barking needs to be addressed early rather than waited out, and that a Yorkipoo may not be the right pick for a household that wants a quiet dog.
Grooming
Plan on similar routines: daily brushing at home, professional grooming every four to six weeks. Neither coat sheds much, which many families appreciate — but no dog is truly allergen-free, and dander and saliva cause reactions too. If someone in your home has allergies, spend real time with the puppy before deciding.
One practical difference: Maltipoos that inherit the Maltese’s white face often show tear staining, so daily eye wiping becomes part of the routine. Yorkipoo coats tend to be wavier and mat faster behind the ears and under the collar. We offer grooming here at the showroom, so your puppy’s first appointment can happen with people it already knows.
Living space
Both do beautifully in Metro Atlanta apartments and townhomes. Neither needs a yard. What they do need is a person around — both crosses are prone to separation anxiety, and a dog left alone ten hours a day will find ways to tell you about it.
If you live in a building with shared walls and thin floors, be honest with yourself about noise. The Yorkipoo is the louder guess.
Families
Either can be a wonderful family dog when the kids are old enough to sit still and let a small dog come to them. Both are genuinely fragile as puppies — a jump off a couch can injure a five-pound dog.
Our puppies spend time in our family home nursery before they reach the showroom, where they are socialized around children, adults, and other pets. That head start helps, but it does not replace household rules about gentle handling.
Choose the Maltipoo if
- You want the softer, cuddlier temperament of the two
- This is your first small dog and you would like an easier training curve
- You prefer a quieter household
- You do not mind daily face and eye care on a light-colored coat
Choose the Yorkipoo if
- You want a small dog with spark, mischief, and opinions
- You will enjoy training rather than tolerate it
- A little alert barking does not bother you
- You want a dog that is happy to go places with you
Come meet both in Lawrenceville
Charts only take you so far. Ten minutes on the floor with a Maltipoo and then a Yorkipoo usually settles the question on its own — people walk in certain about one and leave holding the other.
Our showroom is open Monday through Saturday, 12-7pm, and Sunday, 2-6pm. Every puppy here gets a complete health check from our on-staff veterinarian and is up to date on shots. If we do not have the cross you are after on a given day, ask about the waitlist, and ask about financing while you are here. Call (678) 253-4081 with questions before you drive out.
Frequently asked questions
Which one is calmer, a Maltipoo or a Yorkipoo?
Generally the Maltipoo. The Maltese parent contributes a gentle, lap-oriented temperament, while the Yorkshire Terrier parent contributes terrier drive. That said, individual puppies vary, and a well-exercised Yorkipoo can be very settled indoors.
Are Maltipoos and Yorkipoos hypoallergenic?
No dog is. Both are low-shedding, which many allergy-sensitive families find easier to live with, but allergens come from dander and saliva as well as hair. Spend time with a specific puppy before committing, and talk to your doctor if allergies are a serious concern.
How big will my puppy actually get?
It depends on the parents, especially whether the Poodle side was a Toy or a Miniature. Published ranges are wide for both crosses. Ask us about the sire and dam of the litter — that is the most reliable guide we can give you.
Which is easier to house-train?
Most families find the Maltipoo a bit easier, mainly because it tends to be more food-motivated and less independent. Both are small dogs with small bladders, so frequent trips out and a consistent schedule matter more than breed either way.
Do either of them do well left alone during a workday?
Both bond very closely and can develop separation anxiety. Neither is a good match for a home where the dog is alone ten or more hours a day without a midday break, a sitter, or daycare.
Meet a Maltipoo and a Yorkipoo the same afternoon
Every puppy here is health-checked by our on-staff veterinarian, raised in our family home nursery, and waiting to say hello.
1848 Old Norcross Rd, Lawrenceville, GA 30044
Mon–Sat 12:00–7:00 PM • Sun 2:00–6:00 PM
