Cockapoo vs Maltese vs Cavapoo – Which one is a better dog breed for you?
"Find similarities and differences between Cockapoo vs Maltese vs Cavapoo"
Compare Cockapoo and Maltese. Which is better: Cockapoo or Maltese or Cavapoo?
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Name | Cockapoo | Maltese | Cavapoo |
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Origins | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Group | Designer Dogs | Companion Dogs | Companion Dogs |
Popularity Rank | 196 | 33 | 555 |
Reviews | 2 | 2 | 7 |
Rate |
Other Names | Cockerpoo, Spoodle (AU), Cockerdoodle | Maltese Dog, Maltese lion dog | Cavoodle |
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Breed Type | Cross Breed | Purebred | Cross Breed |
AKC Group | Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888 as a Toy breed. | Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. |
FCI Group | Not recognized by FCI. | Recognized by FCI in the Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the Bichons and related breeds section. | Not recognized by FCI. |
Breed Recognition | American Canine Hybrid Club Designer Breed Registry Designer Dogs Kennel Club International Designer Canine Registry | American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club | American Canine Hybrid Club Designer Breed Registry Designer Dogs Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. International Designer Canine Registry |
Price | 900-1100 | $600-$800 | $1200-$1800 |
General Appearance - Cockapoo vs Maltese vs Cavapoo
Size | Small | Small | Small Medium |
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Weight | 12-24 pounds (5.4-11 kg) | 6.5-9 pounds (3-4 kg) | 12-24 pounds (5.4-11 kg) |
Avg. Weight | 18 pounds (5.7.5 kg) | 6.7 pounds (3.5 kg) | 18 pounds (5.7.5 kg) |
Height | 10-15 inches (25-38 cm) | Male: 8-10 inches (21-25 cm), Female: 8-9 inches (20-23 cm) | 11-18 inches (28-45 cm) |
Avg. Height | 12.5 inches (31.5 cm) | Male: 9 inches (23 cm), Female: 8.5 inches (21.5 cm) | 14.5 inches (36.5 cm) |
Hair & Care - Cockapoo vs Maltese vs Cavapoo
Coat | Curly Wavy | Feathered | Curly Wavy Straight |
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Colors | Black Brown Silver Tan Red White | White | Black White Chestnut Tricolor Apricot Cream Sable Red sable Phantom |
Grooming | Professional: This breed needs a lot of work to keep in good condition. | Average: The Maltese requires average grooming effort. | Advanced: The Cavapoo requires a lot of grooming. |
Shedding Level | Cockapoos are low shedders. | Malteses shed none to minimal. | Cavapoos shed moderately. |
Characteristics - Cockapoo vs Maltese vs Cavapoo
Temperament | Affectionate Cheerful Intelligent Loyal Playful Social Alert Friendly Loving Going Responsive | Active Easygoing Intelligent Responsive Docile Gentle Playful Sweet Tempered | Gentle Loving Intelligent |
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Intelligent Rank | Average: Cockapoo's has average obedience intelligence. | Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one. | Very smart: Cavapoo is an excellent dog breed. |
Trainability | Cockapoos are easy to train. | Malteses are quite easy to train. | Cavapoos are very easy to train. |
Playfulness | The Cockapoo is a playful breed. | Malteses, like any other dog breed, like playing. | Cavapoos, like any other dog breed, like playing. |
Sensitivity Level | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. |
Affection Level | Cockapoos are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Malteses are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Cavapoos are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
Social Needs | Cockapoos are a social breed. | Malteses need a lot of social interaction. | Cavapoos need a lot of social interaction. |
Barking | Average: The Cockapoo barks occasionally. | High: The Maltese is a very vocal breed. | Average: The Cavapoo barks occasionally. |
Watchdog Ability | Cockapoos are average watchdogs. | Malteses are average watchdogs. | Cavapoos are one of the best watchdogs. |
Territorial | Cockapoos are average defenders. | Malteses strongly protect their territory. | Cavapoos are not the best to protect their territory. |
Biting Potential |
Low The Cockapoo has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Maltese has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Cavapoo has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Mouthiness | Cockapoos have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Malteses have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Cavapoos have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. |
Impulse to Wander or Roam | Cockapoos have average wanderlust potential. | Malteses are not the biggest explorers. | Cavapoos tend to escape less than other breeds. |
Prey Drive | Cockapoos don't have an impulse to catch or chase small animals. | Malteses have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | Cavapoos have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. |
Apartment Friendly | Cockapoos are very apartment-friendly dogs. | Malteses are very apartment-friendly dogs. | Cavapoos are very apartment-friendly dogs. |
Adaptability | Cockapoos adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Malteses adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Cavapoos adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. |
Tolerates Being Left Alone | Cockapoos do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work. | Malteses tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. | Cavapoos tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. |
Fighting Dog |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Good With - Cockapoo vs Maltese vs Cavapoo
Stranger Friendly | Cockapoos are very stranger friendly dogs. | Malteses are very stranger friendly dogs. | Cavapoos are very stranger friendly dogs. |
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Child Friendly | Cockapoos are kid-friendly dogs. | Malteses are kid-friendly dogs. | Cavapoos are average friendly dogs towards children. |
Cat Friendly | Cockapoos are very cat-friendly dogs. | Malteses are very cat-friendly dogs. | Cavapoos are average friendly towards cats. |
Dog Friendly | Cockapoos are very dog-friendly dogs. | Malteses are very dog-friendly dogs. | Cavapoos are very dog-friendly dogs. |
Office Friendly |
No Cockapoo is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Maltese is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Cavapoo is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
Senior Citizens Friendly | Cockapoos are usually recommended for elderly people. | Malteses are usually recommended for elderly people. | Cavapoos are commonly okay with elderly people. |
Pet Friendly | Cockapoos are one of the friendliest dog breeds. | Malteses are one of the friendliest dog breeds. | Cavapoos are generally with other pets. |
Good For First Time Owners |
No Cockapoos are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
No Malteses are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
No Cavapoos are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
Service Dog |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. |
Therapy Dog |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. |
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Boat Dog |
Not really Cockapoo breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Not really Maltese breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Yes Cavapoo breed usually likes being on a boat. |
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Health Factors - Cockapoo vs Maltese vs Cavapoo
Health Issues | The Cockapoo is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | The Maltese is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | Very healthy dog breed. |
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Health Problems | Luxating Patella Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) | Collapsed Trachea Hypoglycemia Patellar Luxation Portosystemic Liver Shunt Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Reverse Sneezing White Dog Shaker Syndrome | Hip Dysplasia Patellar Luxation |
Life Expectancy | 14-18 years | 15-18 years | 10-15 years |
Hypoallergenic | No | Yes | Yes |
Energy Level | Cockapoos have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you. | Malteses have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you. | Cavapoos have a higher energy level than other dog breeds. |
Exercise Need | Cockapoos have an average exercise need. | Malteses exercise need is very minimal. | Cavapoos have an average exercise need. |
Sleeping Need | Cockapoos sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered as a lazy breed. | Malteses sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered as a lazy breed. | Cavapoos are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend to much time with sleeping. |
Avg. daily food consumption | 0.5 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | Recommended daily amount: 1/4 to 1/2 cup of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 0.5 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
Weight Gain Potential | Average to High. | Average. | Average to High. |
Weather & Climate | Tolerates warm and cold weather. | Prefers warm weather |
Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Cavapoo can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. |
Stinkiness |
Medium The Cockapoo has an average chance of bad smell. |
Medium The Maltese has an average chance of bad smell. |
Medium The Cavapoo has an average chance of bad smell. |
Drooling tendency | The Cockapoo is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. | The Maltese is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. | The Cavapoo is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. |
Reproducibility - Cockapoo vs Maltese vs Cavapoo
Gestation Length | 60-64 days | 60-64 days | 60-64 days |
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How often can the have a litter? |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Litter Size | 4-6 puppies | 3-5 puppies | 2-8 puppies |
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