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Moodle
Designer Hybrid — United States

Moodle

The Moodle is a Maltese crossed with a Toy or Miniature Poodle: a small (about 3 to 9 kg), affectionate, low-shedding companion that usually lives 12 to 15 years. It needs regular grooming, daily dental care and plenty of company, and suits apartments and quieter homes.

Intelligence Rank (est.) #31
Size Profile
3-9kg
Care Intensity Medium
SOURCES ↓
Lifespan
12-15 years
Energy
Moderate
Trainability
4/5
Grooming
High
Family Fit
Good
Exercise
30 min/day

// COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS

Patellar Luxation

MODERATE

Condition requiring veterinary monitoring

Test: Vet Assessment

Dental Disease

MODERATE

Condition requiring veterinary monitoring

Test: Vet Assessment

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

MODERATE

Condition requiring veterinary monitoring

Test: Vet Assessment

Portosystemic Shunt

MODERATE

Condition requiring veterinary monitoring

Test: Vet Assessment

White Shaker Syndrome

MODERATE

Condition requiring veterinary monitoring

Test: Vet Assessment

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

LOW (TESTED)

Genetic eye disease causing vision loss

Test: DNA Test

// FIRST-YEAR COST ESTIMATOR

Input Variables
Buying Cost
$2,000$10,000
Setup & Supplies $1,500
$500$3,000
Grooming Frequency 6 weeks
4 wks (high maint)12 wks (low maint)
Annual Breakdown
First Year Total
Includes food, vet, grooming, supplies
Council Registration (VIC Baseline)
Mandatory Age3 Months
Desexed Fee$45 - $60 AUD
Intact Fee$160 - $210 AUD
[ VIEW RECOMMENDED GEAR → ]

// LIFETIME COST

Baseline Scenario
$20,728
Minimum allocation over 12 years
Standard Scenario
$29,480
Expected allocation over 12 years
Extended Scenario
$46,208
Extended care over 12+ years

A Moodle is cheap to feed but needs regular professional grooming, about every six weeks, which is one of the biggest ongoing costs over a 12 to 15 year life. Dental care is the other: small breeds often need professional cleans under anaesthetic. Budget about $960 a year for vet costs and set aside about $1,200 a year for unexpected bills.

// IS THIS BREED RIGHT FOR YOU?

ThinkPets ratings are our editorial judgement from the breed's size, energy, trainability, temperament and care needs. They are not measured outcomes or probabilities. How we rate

Apartment Living
Excellent
Families w/ Kids
Excellent
First-Time Owners
Excellent
Active Lifestyle
Fair
Interactive Suitability Assessment

Answer these questions to calculate your personal compatibility score with Moodles.

How much time can you dedicate to exercise daily?
What size is your yard/living space?
Hours the dog will be alone daily?
Your Compatibility
—%

Select options to calculate your compatibility.

// BREED FACTS

Grooming

Coat Type
Soft, wavy to curly
Shedding Level
Low
Home Brushing
Brush 3 to 4 times a week
Professional Grooming
Every 6 weeks
~$70 per session

Exercise

Energy Level
Moderate
Daily Requirement
30+ minutes
Activity Type
Walks, play sessions
Mental Stimulation
High (puzzles, training)

Diet

Daily Intake
0.5 to 1.5 cups
Split into 2 meals
Obesity Risk
Moderate
Monthly Food Cost
$30 - $80
Premium dry food
Special Considerations
Standard diet

// 01 Breed Profile

The Moodle, known as the Maltipoo outside Australia, is a cross between a Maltese and a Toy or Miniature Poodle. Most adults weigh 3 to 9 kg; the size of the Poodle parent is the best guide to how big a puppy will grow. It is a crossbreed, so Dogs Australia does not register it as a breed, and coat and size vary even within a litter.

Moodles are affectionate, playful and very attached to their people. They are easy to train with rewards, but they can be vocal and many struggle when left alone for long periods, so they suit homes where someone is around for much of the day.

The coat is soft and wavy to curly and sheds very little, but it is not hypoallergenic, and it mats quickly without brushing several times a week and a professional groom about every six weeks.

The main health issues come from both small parent breeds: kneecap problems, dental disease in a small, crowded mouth, eye disease, and less commonly a liver shunt or Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease of the hip. Choose a breeder who DNA-tests both parents for progressive retinal atrophy and has their kneecaps checked.

// 02 Health Considerations

Dental disease is the most common long-term problem: start brushing teeth daily from puppyhood. Kneecap problems (patellar luxation) show up as skipping or holding up a back leg; have them checked by a vet. Progressive retinal atrophy can be ruled out with a DNA test of the parents. The Maltese side carries a higher risk of a liver shunt, which can cause poor growth, vomiting or odd behaviour after meals in puppies, so mention any of these signs to your vet early. Some small white dogs develop white shaker syndrome, a tremor that usually responds well to treatment.

// 03 Care Requirements

Brush three to four times a week to prevent mats, book a professional groom about every six weeks, and keep the hair around the eyes trimmed and clean to reduce tear staining. Brush teeth daily. Keep training short and reward-based, and build up time alone gradually from puppyhood.

// 04 FAQs

Most adult Moodles weigh 3 to 9 kg. Those bred from a Toy Poodle are at the smaller end, and those bred from a Miniature Poodle at the larger end. The best guide to your puppy’s adult size is the weight of both parents.

Most Moodles live 12 to 15 years, and many small dogs live longer. Daily dental care, keeping your dog lean and regular vet checks give it the best chance of a long life.

Yes. Moodle is the name usually used in Australia for a Maltese crossed with a Poodle; Maltipoo is the name used in the US and elsewhere.

No dog is completely hypoallergenic, but Moodles shed very little, so some people with mild allergies cope better with them than with shedding breeds. Spend time with the breed before committing if anyone at home has allergies.

The most common are dental disease and kneecap problems (patellar luxation). Eye disease (progressive retinal atrophy), Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease of the hip and, from the Maltese side, liver shunts are less common but worth knowing about.

Food is cheap for a dog this size, but grooming every six weeks and dental care add up. Use the calculator on this page to see a first-year and lifetime estimate with your own puppy price.

They can. Moodles are alert and vocal, and they bark more when bored or left alone. Early training, enough company and short daily play sessions help.

Not for long. Moodles are very people-focused and prone to separation anxiety. Build up time alone gradually from puppyhood and consider doggy day care if you work long hours away from home.

Usually, yes, with gentle, older children. Their small size means rough play or being dropped can injure them, so supervise young children closely.

Ask to meet the mother, see DNA results for progressive retinal atrophy for both parents and a vet check of their kneecaps, and confirm the puppy is microchipped and vaccinated. In Victoria, check the advertisement shows a source number.