Side by side
Put a few breeds side by side before you make up your mind.
Pick up to four. The URL updates as you go, so you can send this comparison to whoever you are arguing with.
| Breed |  Cockapoo |  Maltipoo |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | United States, popularised in the United Kingdom | A deliberate designer cross, popular from the late twentieth century onwards, combining the ancient Mediterranean companion Maltese with the Poodle, one of the oldest and most versatile of European water dogs. Most Maltipoos are first-generation crosses bred for companionship rather than work. |
| Group | Crossbreed | Crossbreed |
| Size | Small to Medium | Small |
| Coat | Variable, from loose waves to tight curls to a flatter spaniel type coat | Soft, wavy to curly low-shedding coat in white, cream, apricot, grey or parti colouring |
| Weight | 4.5 to 11 kg | 2.5 to 7 kg |
| Height | 25 to 38 cm | 20 to 35 cm |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 yrs | 12 to 15 yrs |
| Exercise need | 6/10 | 5/10 |
| Affection | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Grooming needs | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Barking | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Good with children | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Good with other dogs | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Trainability | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Prey drive | 4/10 | 2/10 |
| Copes alone | 3/10 | 3/10 |
| Drool | 1/10 | 1/10 |
| Shedding | 3/10 | 3/10 |
| Flat fit | 6/10 | 9/10 |
| Running cost | €163 / month | €138 / month |
Cockapoo verdict
An affectionate Cocker Spaniel and Poodle cross where coat, size and energy vary litter to litter, so no two Cockapoos are quite alike.
Get one if
- · Owners wanting an affectionate, people focused companion that bonds closely with the family
- · Households able to commit to regular professional grooming regardless of coat type
- · Families realistic that allergy friendliness is a possibility rather than a certainty
Think again if
- · Anyone choosing a Cockapoo purely to avoid grooming costs
- · Allergy sufferers relying on reputation alone rather than testing their own reaction first
- · Households that cannot offer much daily company or structured alone training
Maltipoo verdict
The Maltese-Poodle cross built for laps, flats and low-shedding coats.
Get one if
- · First-time owners wanting an affectionate, trainable companion
- · Flat and apartment households looking for a small, quiet-to-moderate dog
- · Families with gentle, considerate children
Think again if
- · Households where the dog would be alone for long working hours
- · Owners wanting a low-maintenance coat without regular grooming
- · Anyone expecting a guaranteed coat, size or temperament from a first cross