Breeding a Pug and Maltese together is known as crossbreeding. This brings about many questions such as caring, nutrition, temperament, health, and so much more about these puppies. In this article, we’re taking an in-depth look at this crossbreed to help you understand this breed.
An Overview Of The Pug Maltese Mix
The Pug Maltese mix also referred to as the Malti-Pug. This cute little dog has a huge personality and can weigh anywhere from 10-20 pounds fully grown. Their height can range from 10-14 inches tall depending on their gender. Their average lifespan will vary between 10-15 years.
Helping you understand the personality, needs, behavioral issues, and health problems can help you decide if this is the right mix for you.
The Malti-Pug has a huge personality with an extremely playful side that comes from the Maltese parent. This little guy/gal will be alert with some protective tendencies they get from the Pug parent.
Basically, crossbreeding a Maltese and Pug produces a spunky, fun-loving puppy that will make a great family pet!
Now Let’s take a look at some other things you should consider before buying a Malti-Pug.
Maltese Pug Mix Info
I’ve done some in-depth research on this breed, to help you decide if this is the right dog for you.
Health Problems Of The Pug and Maltese Mix
Both the Pug and the Maltese are known small dogs that have some common health issues.
Pug
The Pug is considered one of the biggest dogs in the toy dog classification. This breed is known as a brachycephalic dog and due to this, they are known for all kinds of health problems. Be sure to read this article to understand the health issues of Pugs.
One of the biggest issues you’ll face as a Pug owner is a fact that they can suffer from breathing issues, especially, when exposed to the heat for long periods of time.
Maltese
Like the Pug, the Maltese is classified as a toy breed dog. Like all dogs, this breed is prone to health issues such as:
- Deafness
- Dental problems
- Shaker syndrome
- Patellar Luxation
- Hydrocephalus
- Open fontanel
- Run knee
- Portacaval shunt
- Eye problems
- and etc..
What This Means For The MaltiPug
As you can see, both the Pug and the Malti parents are prone to some of their own health issues. When they are crossbred, this means that the pup will inherit health issues from both parents.
Here are some of the issues you as the pet parent will face.
Major Health Issues
- Dental Diseases
- Patent Ductus arteriosis (PDA)
- Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (Dry Eye)
- Brachycephalic syndrome
Minor Health Issues
- Pug Dog Encephalitis
- Ectropion
- Hypoglycemia
- Canine Hip Dysplasia
- Patellar Luxation
- Distichiasis
Your pooch may also experience issues such as fold dermatitis, allergies, deafness, and seizures.
As a Malti-Pug owner, you’ll want to ensure that you have pet insurance which will enable you to take them to the vet for regular checkups, dental exams, and eye exams.
Appearance Of The Malti-Pug
The Malti-Pug is a compact, square-shaped pooch. This small dog will have a fairly deep chest with a broad rounded head with a medium-length muzzle.
If your pooch gets most of its genes from the Pug parent, they may have more of a square muzzle.
This breed will have dark round eyes that will portray an eager but gentle expression.
Coat Colors
The coats of both parents are extremely different, which means that the mixed puppy’s coat will vary. Your pooch may inherit the Pugs double layer coat with a soft, smooth coat of the Maltese.
Some pups may inherit the single-layer coat from the Maltese parent, which is also silky and flat.
The crossbreeds are also known to have a rough wiry coat with a soft texture.
Unfortunately, it is hard to know what the coat will look like until you see the puppy. However, you can expect the colors to be fawn, black, or even white.
Average Life Expectancy Of The Maltese Pug Mix
As mentioned above, the average life expectancy of the Maltipug will range from 10-15 years. Diet, exercise and overall health will determine the lifespan of this breed.
Trainability
This breed is intelligent, which should make them pretty easy to train. That being said, they can have a stubborn side. If they don’t want to do something, they are NOT going to do it.
They’ll do best with positive reinforcement training, so make sure you have plenty of doggie treats.
Nutrition Requirements Of The Pug Maltese Cross
The Malti-Pug is such a small dog, therefore, it’s important to watch their diet. They are prone to obesity, so you’ll want to make sure you get them on a regular feeding schedule.
A dog this size will most likely only require a cup of food in one day. Of course, it will depend on your dogs, age, and activity level.
Choose high-quality dog foods that will provide them with the nutrients they need to stay healthy. Avoid buying them the cheaper foods that are full of fillers without any nutritional value.
If you have a puppy, opt for food that is formulated for puppies. Puppies have different nutritional requirements than adults.
I’d recommend asking the breeder what type of food they will thrive on.
Choose some high quality treats you can feed them sporadically. Also, invest in an automatic feeder or a good dog bowl. Whatever you do, don’t leave the food lying around for them to eat, as they will have a tendency to overeat.
Exercise Requirements
This small dog is will require at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day. This can consist of a short walk, make sure you have a good leash to keep them from running away.
If they take after the Pug parent, you’ll want to ensure you avoid walking them in mid-day when it’s too hot.
Be careful not to overexercise this dog, as this may cause injuries for their tiny joints.
Socialization
You’ll want to start socializing this breed as early as possible. Early training and socializing will ensure that your Malti-Pug becomes a well-developed dog that actually listens to you.
Socialization is important to ensure that your pooch becomes acclimated to all types of sounds, smells and sounds in a positive manner.
Breed Loyalty
When you build trust with your Malti Pug, you can expect a loyal companion that is always by your side.
Both the Pug and the Maltese are “velcro dogs.” Which means that they cling to their owners and show unconditional love.
Be prepared to look before you step to ensure you don’t step on your pup!
Grooming Requirements
The grooming needs for this pooch will vary from dog to dog. The amount of grooming each pup requires will depend on which parent it inherited most of its genes.
If the pooch acquired most of the genes from the Pug family, you can expect to brush them at least 1-3 times per week. Regular brushing will help you remove dead hairs and control the heavy shedding.
You’ll want to invest in a great grooming brush to help you maintain your Malti-Pug.
Puppies that inherit most of their genes from the Maltese parent, will have a longer coat, but won’t shed quite as much as the dogs with the Pug-like coats.
The Maltese coats are more prone to developing mats and tangles and will require more brushing. Again, you’ll want a great brush or comb to help you keep their coat looking tangle-free.
Bathing
All dogs will need to be bathed at least once every three months. Some dogs may require more bathing than other dogs, it really just depends on the particular pooch.
Never bathe your Malti-Pug too often; as it can strip the natural oils from their skin making their coat dry and itchy.
If your pup inherits most of its genes from the Pug, you may want to bathe them at least once a month to help control the smelliness. You’ll want to opt for a dog shampoo that is designed for dogs with sensitive skin.
A Maltipug with most of its genes from the Maltese parent will do fine with one bath every 3 weeks. Use a shampoo that is formulated for dogs, such as Earthbath’s All-Natural Coat Brightener Shampoo.
Regular bathing will help control the oils that a dog’s body produces.
Ear Cleaning
Regular cleaning of the ears will help keep your dog’s ear canals and outer ear clean. A Pug has fold-over ears, while a Maltese has are drop-shaped that hang close to the dogs face.
Your Malti-Pug will most likely have velvety ears that hang close to their face. Cleaning your Malti-Pugs ears will be a part of your regular grooming regime.
Cleaning dogs ears are not hard, and if you don’t feel up to the task, you can take your pooch to a professional to get their ears cleaned.
Most veterinarians recommend that dogs ears should be cleaned at least once a month.
Nail Clipping
The Malti-Pug will be more active than its parents, therefore you’ll want to ensure you’re not neglecting their nail care.
Long neglected nails can cause them to split or crack, especially, when your pooch is walking, playing, or running. Keep your dog’s nails short and trim, in fact, here are some great nail trimmers that will help you cut your Malti-Pugs nails without clipping the quick.
Teeth Cleaning
Most pet owners don’t think about cleaning their dog’s teeth. However, cleaning your dog’s teeth is just as important as nail trimming and ear cleaning.
Lack of oral hygiene can lead to diseases and infections, just like in humans.
Opt for a gentle brush and a dog-specific toothpaste. Human toothpaste can be toxic to dogs.
I’d recommend talking to your veterinarian to help you determine which toothpaste to use and to show you how to brush your dog’s teeth.
With proper and regular grooming, your dog will live a healthy and happy life. Starting the grooming routine early will help get your pooch conditioned to the process, which make your life so much easier!
Temperament
Both parents are gentle, affectionate, and trusting, which make them a great family dog. You can expect the Malti-Pug to be a small dog physically, with a huge personality.
Each dog will have its own unique personality, but you should expect a dog that is full of energy.
You shouldn’t have to worry about aggression, as the parents are known to be an aggressive breed.
This small dog prefers to be a lap dog and loves its human companion. The Malti-Pug is an intelligent breed with a silly side.
Living Conditions
Unlike big dogs, they will be fine living in a home with a small backyard. They are perfect for apartment living, due to their lower energy levels, although be prepared for their bursts of energy.
Make sure they have plenty of toys to help keep them entertained. You may even opt for a playpen to keep them safe when you don’t have time to watch them.
Kids and Other Dogs
This small dog will get along with other dogs, cats, and even people. They will do great with families of young children.
You’ll want to teach your kids how to handle this dog, improper handling can cause lead to injuries on their tiny joints.
Suitability
Like both parents, the Malti-Pug will make an excellent pet due to it’s docile and loving temperament.
Depending on how well you train them, they won’t most likely won’t bark a lot. You can expect them to have common dog problems such as chewing, begging, and digging.
However, with proper training, they can be molded to behave the way you want them to. This pooch will look forward to attention from their human companion, so be ready to spoil them with belly rubs and baby talk.
Both the Maltese and the Pug require a lot of human attention and are also known to suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for hours every day.
The Malti-Pug will do best in an environment where they get a lot of attention. They should do fine if you work outside of the home.
Just be prepared to have them greet you at the door wanting all your attention after spending the whole day alone.
Don’t be surprised if they chewed something or got into some destructive behavior while you were away.
Health Risks
As with any mixed-breed dog, there are some issues you need to consider as a pet owner.
Designer breeds may have more health issues than that of the purebred parent. Of course, there’s no guarantee that the Pedigree parents won’t have issues.
Whenever you get a mixed puppy, you don’t know what to expect healthwise, until it is usually too late.
Always ask the breeder if they test the parents for genetic defects. Also, take the time to meet the puppy’s parents to ensure there are no fear, health issues, or other issues you should be aware of.
Just taking the time to find out about the background and health issues of the parents can prevent you as a potential Malti-Pug owner facing a host of medical problems and thousands of dollars in vet bills.
Recognized Clubs
The Malti-Pug, also known as the Maltipug is acknowledged and recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC) and the Dog Registry of American, Inc. (DRA)
How Much Is The Pug Maltese Cross?
As with any crossbreed mix, the price of a Malti-Pug puppy will vary in price. One of the biggest things that affect the overall price is the pedigree of the parents.
The better the pedigree, the more breeders will charge for the litter of puppies. I personally recommend looking for a reputable breeder, as opposed to buying from a puppy mill.
Another thing that affects the price is the breeder you choose to buy from. Popular breeders realize they can charge top dollar for their pups, but it usually means you are getting a puppy that will be health. (be sure to ask for the papers and health records of both parents.)
That being said, you can expect to be the prices for Malti-Pugs to range from $1300 – $4000 in the United States, due to the popularity of this breed.
The prices will vary depending on whether you decide to adopt or buy the doggie.
In other countries, the prices may be lower. It really just depends on where you purchase the pup and the breeder you buy from.
Where To Get A Malti-Pug?
Finding a Malti-Pug will be a lot harder than finding one of their parents. You’ll want to look for a reputable Malti Pug breeder, which can be challenging.
Most people who adopt or buy crossbreeds will usually contact the kennel club in their country.
This will allow you to find a registry of breeders with high breeding standards. Which is great, because you know that you’re not buying from a puppy mill.
Join forums or websites online that share information about the Malti Pug. This will allow you to meet other people who have adopted or bought a Malti Pug and can recommend the breeder they used.
Green Field Puppies website, also has a huge selection of Pug Mix puppies for sale, so you can check them out.
Bringing Your New Malti-Pug Puppy Home
Getting a new puppy is fun and exciting. However, there are some expenses you’ll need to consider besides pet insurance and the cost of buying a Malti Pug.
There are certain items you’ll need when you bring your new puppy home for the first time. Some of the basics include puppy food, food and water bowls, crate or puppy pads, leash or harness, puppy gates (or baby gates), toys and some safe puppy treats.
Of course, you don’t need to buy everything at once, but it’s important to understand that your new puppy will have some basic requirements.
Your new puppy will also need to have their shots. I’d recommend contacting a vet near you to find out which puppy shots they need.
Maltese Pug Mix Puppies Pictures
Okay, so now let’s take a look at what these pups look like. I’ve found some adorable Malti-Pug puppy images on Pinterest. These little guys/gals will steal your heart.
Here’s an adorable black and white Malti-Pug puppy that will totally steal your heart.
Final Word On The Pug Mixed With Maltese
A dog comes with a lot of responsibility, regardless of what type you get. If you opt for a hybrid Pug, you may have more health issues than a purebred Pug.
If you’re still thinking about getting a Malti-Pug, you should know that they will make a perfect family pet. Just remember to take special care when handling to ensure you don’t injure their tiny joints!
References and Further Reading
ACVS – Brachycephalic Syndrome
iHeart Dogs – Kristina Lotz – Top 3 Health Concerns For Your Maltese