Havapoo vs Maltipoo: Which Small Doodle Is Right for You?

Scroll through enough “cute small dog” posts online and you’ll eventually hit a wall where you genuinely can’t tell if you’re looking at a Havapoo or a Maltipoo. Same fluffy teddy-bear face. Same curly coat. Same “please pick me up” eyes. Even breeders mix them up in photos sometimes.

So let’s clear this up properly. Both of these little dogs are Poodle mixes — that’s where the similarity comes from — but the other half of their DNA is completely different, and that other half shapes a lot more of the dog than most comparison articles give it credit for. One comes from a Havanese parent, the other from a Maltese parent, and once you know what each of those breeds brings to the table, the differences between a Havapoo and a Maltipoo start making a lot more sense.

We place both breeds regularly at Puppy Heaven, out of our boutiques in Las Vegas, NV and Sunrise, FL, and we get asked “which one is right for my house” almost every week. So we pulled together everything we’ve learned from 21+ years of doing this — plus a close look at what the parent breeds actually contribute — to give you a real answer instead of a “both are adorable” shrug.

The Fast Answer: Havapoo vs Maltipoo At a Glance

What You’re Comparing	Havapoo	Maltipoo
Parent breeds	Havanese x Poodle	Maltese x Poodle
Weight	Usually 7–30 lbs	Usually 4–20 lbs (often lighter)
Height	8–15 inches	8–14 inches
Build	Slightly bigger, a touch lankier	Smaller, more compact and stout
Coat	Wavy to curly, low-shedding	Curly to silky, very low-shedding
Barking	Generally quieter	Can be more vocal, especially alone
Personality vibe	Social, curious, adaptable	Deeply attached, affectionate, a bit clingier
Alone-time tolerance	Somewhat better, still needs company	Prone to separation anxiety if left too long
Trainability	Smart, eager, sociable learner	Highly trainable, very eager to please
Lifespan	12–16 years	12–16 years
Best for	Active families, homes with kids or other pets	Singles, couples, anyone home often

The numbers are close, and that’s not an accident — both are Poodle mixes, after all. But the personality and coat differences below are where most families actually make their decision.

Where These Two Mixes Came From

Both the Havapoo and the Maltipoo are recent American creations, part of the same wave of Poodle-mix popularity that also gave us Labradoodles and Goldendoodles, starting in the late 1980s through the 1990s and 2000s. Breeders wanted small, low-shedding, allergy-friendlier companion dogs, and Poodles were the obvious partner because of their famously hypoallergenic coat and sharp intelligence.

The Maltipoo pairs that Poodle with a Maltese — a breed with centuries of history as a pure lap dog, bred almost exclusively for companionship and known for being intensely devoted to its person. The Havapoo pairs the Poodle with a Havanese, Cuba’s national dog, a breed that historically worked as a watchdog and circus performer as much as a companion, which is part of why Havapoos often come across as a little more socially confident and outgoing.

Neither breed has kennel club recognition, and neither has a long, fixed breed standard the way a purebred does. That’s actually useful to know upfront: within either breed, you can get real variation from litter to litter depending on which parent’s traits show up stronger.

Appearance: Can You Actually Tell Them Apart?

Honestly? Sometimes not without a closer look — this is the most-asked question we get about these two breeds. But there are a few tells:

• Size is your first clue. Havapoos, on average, run a bit larger and can reach up to 30 pounds in some lines, while Maltipoos more often stay in a smaller, lighter range.
• Body shape. Maltipoos tend to look more compact and stout. Havapoos are often slightly longer and lankier in the body.
• Coat texture. Maltipoo coats often lean softer and silkier thanks to the Maltese side, while Havapoo coats can be a bit coarser or wavier depending on the litter.
• Eyes and face shape. Maltipoos tend to have rounder eyes, while Havapoos can carry a slightly more almond-shaped eye from the Havanese side.

Color-wise, both breeds show up in a huge range — white, cream, apricot, black, chocolate, silver, and multi-color combinations are all possible in either breed, so coat color alone won’t help you tell them apart.

Personality: This Is Where the Real Difference Shows Up

If you only remember one section from this whole article, make it this one, because the personality gap between these two breeds matters more day-to-day than any measurement in the table above.

Maltipoos bond hard, and they bond to one person or one household intensely. That Maltese heritage means a Maltipoo often wants to be wherever you are, on your lap if possible, and can struggle noticeably with being left alone for long stretches. This isn’t a flaw — it’s exactly what the Maltese was bred for over centuries — but it does mean Maltipoos tend to do best in homes where someone is around for a good chunk of the day.

Havapoos are affectionate too, but they carry a bit more of the Havanese’s social confidence. They’re still happiest curled up with their favorite person, but they tend to handle being on their own a little better than Maltipoos, and they’re often described as more adaptable in multi-pet or multi-person households. Many Havapoo owners also report their dog being a bit more playful and outgoing with strangers and new situations.

Neither breed is aloof — that’s simply not in either gene pool. But if you’re gone nine hours a day for work, a Havapoo is generally the more forgiving choice of the two, while a Maltipoo will do best if your schedule allows for more consistent company.

Training: Both Are Smart, But They Learn a Little Differently

Thanks to the Poodle half of their DNA, both breeds are genuinely intelligent and pick up commands quickly compared to a lot of small breeds. Neither one is a training headache.

Maltipoos are frequently described as extremely eager to please, which pairs beautifully with their strong attachment to their owner — they want your approval, and that makes obedience training and house-training move along smoothly for most families.

Havapoos are just as trainable, but their slightly more independent streak means they sometimes need a bit more variety in training to stay engaged — short, fun sessions work better than long repetitive drills. Positive reinforcement (treats, praise, play) is the way to go with either breed; neither responds well to harsh corrections.

Socialization is worth extra attention with both, but especially with Maltipoos given their tendency toward separation anxiety — gradually building up alone-time tolerance from puppyhood makes a real difference later on.

Exercise Needs: Which One Wants to Play More?

This is one of the clearer differences between the two. Havapoos, on average, carry a bit more energy and enjoy more active play — fetch, longer walks, backyard time — making them a solid match for families with kids or anyone who wants a slightly more adventurous small dog.

Maltipoos are generally content with shorter walks and indoor play sessions. They’re not lazy dogs by any means, but they tend to be satisfied with less overall activity than a Havapoo, which can actually be a plus if you live in a smaller apartment or have a more low-key lifestyle.

Both breeds do well with daily mental stimulation too — puzzle toys, short training games, and sniff-focused walks help keep either dog from getting bored, since both are intelligent enough to need more than just physical exercise.

Grooming and Shedding: The Coat Showdown

Both breeds are marketed as low-shedding and allergy-friendlier thanks to their Poodle parent, and both are genuinely a good option for many allergy-sensitive households — though it’s worth remembering that no dog is ever 100% hypoallergenic.

Between the two, Maltipoos generally have the edge for shedding — the Maltese side contributes an already low-shedding, single-layer coat, so when combined with Poodle genetics, Maltipoos often come out slightly ahead of Havapoos on the “will this dog cover my couch in hair” scale.

Where it evens back out is grooming effort. Both breeds need regular brushing — two to three times a week at minimum — to prevent mats, especially around the ears, armpits, and belly where curly or wavy coats tend to tangle first. Both also typically need a professional groomer visit every 6 to 8 weeks for a trim, and both need routine ear cleaning since their floppy ears can trap moisture. If your household includes an allergy sufferer, it’s genuinely worth spending time with both breeds beforehand, since individual reactions vary far more than breed marketing suggests.

Health Considerations for Both Breeds

Because both are hybrids, they generally benefit from a bit of “hybrid vigor” compared to some purebreds, but they can still inherit health issues from either parent line, so it’s worth knowing what to watch for.

Havapoo-specific watch points (inherited mainly from the Havanese and Poodle sides):

• Heart murmurs and other minor cardiac concerns
• Hearing issues, particularly in dogs with more white in their coat
• Diabetes and Addison’s disease, both linked to the Poodle side
• Bloat, though less common in smaller Poodle mixes than in larger breeds

Maltipoo-specific watch points (inherited mainly from the Maltese and Poodle sides):

• Luxating patella (a kneecap issue common in small breeds)
• Dental crowding, since small mouths often mean crowded teeth
• Tear staining and eye sensitivity, common in the Maltese line
• White Shaker Syndrome, a rare but documented condition in white-coated small breeds

As with any designer breed, the single biggest factor in how healthy your puppy turns out is the quality of the breeding behind it — parent health screening, genetic testing, and proper early care matter more than which mix you choose. This is exactly why every puppy that leaves our care has already been vet-checked and comes with a health guarantee, rather than being a gamble.

Lifespan and Long-Term Care

Good news here — both breeds tend to live long, healthy lives when properly cared for, typically 12 to 16 years. That’s a solid decade-plus of companionship either way, and it means the decision you’re making now is genuinely a long-term one worth taking seriously.

Routine vet checkups, dental care, weight management, and consistent grooming all play a bigger role in lifespan than the breed choice itself. Both dogs are small enough that obesity can sneak up quickly if treats aren’t managed carefully, so portion control matters for both.

Cost: What You’ll Actually Spend

Pricing between the two breeds tends to be fairly comparable, with variation coming more from coat color, size (teacup and toy sizing command a premium), and generation (F1 vs. F1B vs. multigenerational) than from the breed itself. Rarer coat colors and true teacup sizing in either breed can push the price higher than a standard-sized, common-colored puppy.

Beyond the upfront cost, both breeds come with similar ongoing expenses: routine grooming appointments, quality food suited to a small dog’s metabolism, dental care, and standard veterinary visits. Neither breed carries the heavier long-term medical risk that comes with flat-faced breeds, which can make lifetime costs a bit more predictable for both Havapoos and Maltipoos.

Apartment Living and Family Fit

Both breeds do genuinely well in apartments and smaller homes, largely thanks to their compact size and moderate exercise needs. Maltipoos, with their lower energy and quieter demeanor most of the time, may have a slight edge for pure apartment stillness — though they can be more prone to barking when left alone, which is worth thinking about if you have close neighbors.

Havapoos tend to shine a bit more in homes with kids or other pets, since their social confidence and slightly higher energy usually make them quicker to warm up to a busy household. Both breeds are generally gentle and patient with children when properly socialized, but as with any small dog, supervision around very young kids is important given how easily a small dog can get hurt during rough play.

So… Havapoo or Maltipoo? Here’s How to Decide

If you’re still stuck between the two, come meet a few in person — the difference in energy and personality is usually obvious within the first few minutes of playtime, far more than any article can capture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is bigger, a Havapoo or a Maltipoo?

Havapoos tend to run a bit larger, sometimes reaching up to 30 pounds and 15 inches tall, while Maltipoos are usually more compact and often stay under 20 pounds.

Which sheds less, Havapoo or Maltipoo?

Maltipoos generally have a slight edge for lower shedding thanks to the Maltese side’s single-layer coat, though both breeds are considered low-shedding compared to most non-Poodle-mix breeds.

Are Havapoos or Maltipoos better with separation anxiety?

Havapoos generally tolerate alone time a bit better than Maltipoos, who tend to bond very intensely with one household and can struggle more with being left for long stretches.

Which breed is easier to train?

Both are highly trainable thanks to their Poodle heritage. Maltipoos are often especially eager to please, while Havapoos may need slightly more variety to stay engaged during sessions.

Are Havapoos and Maltipoos good for allergies?

Both are considered allergy-friendlier due to their low-shedding Poodle coat, though no dog is completely hypoallergenic. Spending time with the specific puppy beforehand is the best way to check individual reactions.

Which is better for families with kids?

Havapoos tend to have a slight edge here thanks to their higher energy and social confidence, though both breeds can be wonderful, gentle family companions with proper socialization.

Ready to Meet Your Puppy?

Whichever mix fits your household best, the most important choice isn’t Havapoo versus Maltipoo — it’s finding a source that puts the puppy’s health and temperament first. For over 21 years, Puppy Heaven has placed more than 30,000 puppies with families nationwide, from our boutiques in Las Vegas, Nevada and Sunrise, Florida. Every puppy we place is vet-checked, up to date on vaccinations, microchipped, and backed by a health guarantee, with a starter kit included to help you get settled from day one.

Browse our current Havapoo puppies for sale or our available Maltipoo puppies for sale. If you’d like an even deeper dive into the Maltipoo specifically, our complete Maltipoo breed guide covers everything from coat types to teacup sizing. Or explore all the breeds we carry if you’re still weighing your options. Want to meet a puppy before you decide? We offer live video calls so you can see your future companion face to face first. And if budget is the only thing standing in the way, our puppy financing options can help make it happen today.