| Origin | Unknown |
| Size | Small |
| Height | 9 to 15 inches |
| Weight | 15 to 22 pounds |
| Life Expectancy | 12 – 15 years |
| Breed Group | Designer Dog |
| Affection Level | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Friendliness | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Activity Level | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Barking/Howling Level | ⭐⭐ |
| Pet Friendly | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Kid-Friendly | ⭐⭐ |
| Shedding | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Easy to Groom | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Easy to Train | ⭐⭐ |
Origin
The Malteagle pooch is a relatively new hybrid dog, claimed to have come around the 1980s and whose origin is unknown. This is a cross between the popular floppy-eared Beagle and the angelic Maltese. With its insufficient documentation on how its history began, anyone who is interested in this designer dog has to take time into knowing its lineages.
The instinct and historical temperament of the Malteagle dog can only be predicted based on how his parents act. First off is the Beagle– the pride of the UK. We commonly know him as the popular dog represented in the famous comic strip “Peanuts”, but he’s known to be a lot more than just being called Snoopy. The Beagle is a scenthound that looks close to a miniature Foxhound and he was used in hunting or in tracking down a certain smell.
Just like the Malteagle, the Beagle’s origin is also clouded by mystery, but it’s believed that he has been around during the time of King Arthur. Right from the start and even up until now, the Beagle is known for its keen sense of smell.
Another parent breed is the Maltese, an ancient toy breed that can be traced back to at least 2,000 years ago. The dog was everywhere and he was even mentioned by Aristotle and got himself represented in several Egyptian artifacts. Despite his historical prominence, the breed’s native land is uncertain.
Nevertheless, the pooch was a common favorite by the French aristocrats and British royals. The way his glamorous coat looks truly puts him in a deserving spot in this high-caliber group of people.
Appearance
Photo from: ange_malteagle (IG)With the combination of sizes from its parents, a Malteagle will fall in the category of small dogs. Take note that the Beagle is a compact pooch that can be small to medium. A Maltese, on the other hand, is unquestionably minute.
As a result of this hybrid breeding program, the Malteagle is expected to be a little larger than his Maltese parent, but he still falls in the toy breed group. He’s ideally 9-15 inches tall and 15-22 pounds heavy.
When it comes to his physical appearance, he can take on the physical traits of one of his parents or both. The coat is often described by owners as soft, shiny, short, and dense. With the Beagle’s famed tri-color, a Malteagle may have more colors in his fur, mainly in the back and some parts of the head or face.
The ears are droopy but they aren’t as prominent as that of the Beagle. The face is nothing but adorable and the tail is shaped like a sickle. Aside from these descriptions, the nose is naturally black and the eyes, brown or hazel.
Temperament
One of the reasons why some dog lovers aren’t fond of hybrid dogs is due to their combined and “unpredictable” traits. However, this isn’t the case for our Malteagle. Thanks to both of his parents’ outstanding behavior, it’s no surprise if the offspring grows up with pleasing manners and attitudes.
Affection
As a loving dog, the Malteagle will push himself to really get close to his family. As much as possible, he’ll try to get himself involved in various activities as long as it means getting to spend time with his favorite people.
Although it’s common to spoil our pets due to how cute they are, you have to hold back yourself sometimes as this may pave the way for your dog to take control over your emotions.
He’s extremely trusting and, therefore, can be quite sensitive if someone breaks his trust. Since he adores humans so much, it generally doesn’t matter where he is as he loves being either on your foot, in your lap, or wrapped around by your arms.
Friendliness
Breeders and owners often describe him as sweet and social. He’s also intelligent and loyal to the core. Only when you raise him with adequate attention and care as well as training will he be able to easily form bonds with other dogs, pets, and kids.
With early socialization, this pooch won’t develop high levels of wariness toward unfamiliar faces who pose no threats. It’s also understood that being friendly toward others and initiating games is good for his well-being.
As part of his bringing up, any owner has to give him firm reassurance that he’s well-loved. This is because, if he’s not trained to mellow his possessiveness and aggression, he’ll end up making enemies rather than friends should you pet or give your attention to other dogs.
Activity Level
The Malteagle is super energetic despite the small size! He is best suited to owners who have loads of time in their hands to spend with this time-demanding dog.
Games and other stimulating activities need to be involved in his daily routine to prevent him from developing annoying destructive habits like unnecessary barking or howling, chewing, or urinating in improper places.
He’s a great apartment dog considering his not so big size. You only have to take him out once in a while so he can play under the sun, late in the afternoon or early in the morning, or get to socialize with other dogs.
Letting him spend all his energy during the day is beneficial for owners who love to have their full night’s rest. Basically, when you’re asleep, your pooch will be snoozing with you.
Care
There are lots of advantages should you get yourself a small dog like the Malteagle. Aside from his amazing personality, cheeky face, and unequaled levels of energy, the size would also mean that taking care of him won’t be as task-heavy as it would be with a medium to large dog.
Grooming
If the Malteagle follows more after his Maltese parent, there’s a high chance of him becoming a hypoallergenic dog. However, if you are uncertain about how heavy his shedding is going to be, it’s best to commit yourself to groom him several times a week if not daily.
Vacuuming your carpet and furniture remains an essential home routine to avoid fur build-up. Nonetheless, the Malteagle is tagged as a minimal to moderate shedder.
When it comes to his baths, his typical long coat has to be detangled first with a quality brush. Only then can you lead him to the bathtub and get the water running. If he has been used to getting washed during puppyhood, he’ll show signs of excitement at the sight of the water.
Use products made for dogs or the ones prescribed by the vet if he has skin conditions. Don’t forget to keep his ears clean, his teeth brushed, and his nails trimmed. When to know if his nails need to be cut? It’s when you can hear clicking noises while he walks on the floor.
Food and Diet
Despite the small stature and build of the Malteagle pooch, his outbursts of energy can make him feel really hungry during mealtime. Don’t worry though as he won’t gulp a big meal during the day.
The ideal serving for him is around 1/2 to 1 cup of dog food each day. You have to calculate his weight and the amount of food he needs to consume. If you aren’t sure about the portion size, consult your vet.
He would be able to check on his age, size, energy, and health status before recommending the right meal and its amount. This dog, with his Beagle bloodline, can’t be given free access to food.
Meals that are high in protein and complete in vitamins and minerals will keep him pumped during agility training or other vigorous activities. Feed him 3-4 times a day as a puppy and lessen it to two times as he turns into an adult. There should be clean water available all day for him.
Exercise
If you think that by getting a small dog such as a Malteagle, you’re set to a laid-back lifestyle then that’s where you’re wrong. A Malteagle puppy’s perfect matches are free-spirited owners. He needs to let go of his pent-up energy or he’ll end up pouring it through other ways.
At least 60 minutes of sweating out a day are enough to keep him boosted and zested. This helps maintain his healthy weight too. Keep him in an enclosed yard to keep him from running away or picking up scents that can lead him out of your property.
If there are other dogs in your home, then the better. They will play with each other most of the time and this lessens your burden to keep up with his daily exercise requirement. Still, this shouldn’t be taken as a substitute for your bonding with him.
Training
Another form of exercise you can grant him is several pieces of training. These are the drills for the brain. Keep it short and fun as well as meaningful. As soon as you bring him home, you have to lay out all the house rules reasonably.
Start with the basics to level it up with his mental capacity. Crate training, obedience training, and basic commands are a few of what you can teach him.
Expect that some Malteagles will learn things quickly while others would need months to fully grasp the puppy lessons. Bear in mind that high patience will take you and your pet to a good place eventually. He can be mildly stubborn but occasional treats will keep him going.
Never punish him harshly for his mistakes. Yelling and physically harming him can lead to behavioral problems. Go for positive reinforcements and if there’s an older dog in the house, he can help teach your puppy how things are done in your home.
Health Problems
Usually, since this is a hybrid dog, he’s set to have a much wider gene pool. Mixed breed pooches are seen to be healthier than purebreds. They are able to avoid several health problems that commonly arise in one specific type of dog.
In spite of this, you still have to get your puppy checked in case he may have inherited some issues like patellar luxation, hypothyroidism, and joint issues.
Other complications you have to be aware of are the following:
- Pulmonic stenosis
- Deafness
- Cataracts
- Mitral valve disease
- Hydrocephalus
- Glaucoma
- Progressive retinal atrophy
Should there be any signs of concern, whether physical or behavioral, you have to immediately contact your vet or bring your Malteagle pet to the clinic. Investing in his health needs can aid in lengthening his lifespan.
Pros and Cons of Having a Malteagle
To sum up, here is a list of its pros and cons to know whether a Malteagle is a great pet for you or not.
Pros
- Compact
- Easy to carry
- Low-maintenance
- Highly active
- Doesn’t require loads of food
- Can be trained
- You’ll get the best of the Beagle and the Maltese breeds
- Affectionate
- Strongly loyal
- Ultra-velcro
Cons
- Can be extremely jealous
- Not fit as a guard dog
- It may tend to be noisy
- Can’t be left alone with kids due to his size
- Can act spoiled
- No standard physical appearance
- Requires a very active lifestyle
Do Kennel Clubs Recognize the Malteagle?
A few clubs and registries do recognize the Malteagle dog. For the registries, we have the Dog Registry of America, Inc., International Designer Canine Registry, and Designer Breed Registry. As for the clubs, the Malteagle is openly accepted in the American Canine Hybrid Club and Designer Dogs Kennel Club.
Other prestigious clubs like the American Kennel Club don’t consider the Malteagle an official breed due to it being a hybrid dog.
His parents are individually recognized though with the Beagle ranking 6th in the breed popularity ranking and the Maltese firmly grasping the 37th spot.
Cost
The price for every Malteagle puppy largely depends on the breeder. Several factors like the location, age, sex, demand, and season can either put more or lessen the price tag of this sociable dog.
If you are planning to buy one from a reputable breeder, the range goes from $800 to $1000. This can get even higher in some cases.
While we do recommend that you only support ethical breeders, the best option to get your puppy is by adopting. The process doesn’t cost a lot and the typical charge is around $75 to $150 to cover the expenses of taking care of him.
Malteagle dogs from shelter homes are ensured to be healthy and capable before setting them up for adoption.
Where to Adopt or Buy a Malteagle
If you have made up your mind and you sincerely think that the Malteagle pooch is for you, here are the top places you can check should you either adopt or buy one. Just take note that if you’re planning to bring home a rescue, you have to check the Beagle or Maltese adoption centers.
Do make your research before closing a deal.
ADOPT
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