A Maltipoo from a reputable breeder typically costs between $1,500 and $4,000, with most falling in the $2,000 to $3,000 range. Adoption through a rescue is significantly less, usually $100 to $600.
The purchase price is only the start. Once your dog is home, food, grooming, vet care, and pet insurance add up to roughly $1,000 to $2,000 per year. Over a 12 to 15 year life, the full cost of owning a Maltipoo commonly runs $13,000 to $20,000 or more.
Here is the full breakdown so you can budget honestly before you commit.
Maltipoo cost at a glance
Purchase price
| Source | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Reputable breeder | $1,500 to $4,000 |
| Most common range (reputable) | $2,000 to $3,000 |
| Rare color or teacup size | $3,500 to $5,000+ |
| Rescue or shelter adoption | $100 to $600 |
First year estimated costs (beyond purchase)
| Cost | Estimated range |
|---|---|
| Initial supplies (crate, bed, collar, leash, bowls) | $150 to $400 |
| Puppy vet visits and vaccines (series) | $300 to $500 |
| Spay or neuter | $200 to $500 |
| Microchip | $50 to $100 |
| Puppy training classes | $100 to $300 |
| First year total (beyond purchase) | $800 to $1,800 |
Ongoing annual costs
| Cost | Estimated range |
|---|---|
| Food (quality small-breed kibble) | $300 to $700 per year |
| Professional grooming (6 to 8 sessions) | $240 to $600 per year |
| Routine vet care (exam, vaccines, parasite prevention) | $250 to $400 per year |
| Pet insurance | $360 to $720 per year |
| Supplies, toys, treats, miscellaneous | $200 to $400 per year |
| Annual total | $1,350 to $2,820 per year |
What affects the Maltipoo price?
Not all Maltipoos are priced the same, and the differences are not random.
Breeder reputation and standards. A breeder who health-tests both parent dogs, provides vet records, raises puppies in a home environment, and offers a health guarantee has higher costs to cover. Those costs are reflected in the price. A significantly cheaper puppy from an unknown source usually means those standards were skipped.
Color. White and cream Maltipoos, the most common colors, tend to be at the lower end of a breeder's range. Rare colors like solid black, chocolate, red, and phantom markings command a premium, sometimes pushing prices past $4,000.
Size. Very small “teacup” or micro Maltipoos are often priced higher because the breeding is more selective and the demand is high. For more on what teacup sizing actually means, see our Maltipoo size guide.
Location. Breeders in high-cost cities and states typically charge more than those in rural areas, both because of their own overhead and because of local demand.
Generation. F1B Maltipoos (75 percent Poodle) are sometimes priced higher by breeders who emphasize their lower-shedding coats.
Adoption versus buying from a breeder
Adopting from a rescue costs $100 to $600, covers initial vaccinations in most cases, and gives a dog a needed home. Pure breed-specific rescues do exist for Maltipoos and poodle mixes, though availability is limited compared to other breeds. A quick search for “Maltipoo rescue” plus your state will show what is near you.
The honest trade-off with adoption is less certainty about the dog's background, early experiences, and health history. That is not a reason to avoid it. Many wonderful Maltipoos come through rescues. It just means having a vet exam done early and going in with realistic expectations.
Buying from a reputable breeder gives you a known health background, parent health test results, and support from someone who knows the breeding. It costs significantly more upfront and is worth spending the time to find a breeder who is genuinely responsible.
Why a very cheap Maltipoo is a warning sign
A Maltipoo priced at $300 to $800 from a breeder is not a bargain. It is almost always a sign that health testing was not done, the parents were not properly screened, and the puppies were raised in poor conditions.
Puppy mills and irresponsible backyard breeders keep prices low by cutting the costs that responsible breeders cannot. The result is often a puppy with undisclosed health issues that become expensive to treat, and sometimes heartbreaking outcomes, within the first year or two.
Before you buy, a responsible breeder should be able to show you:
- Health clearances for both parent dogs
- Where the puppies were whelped and raised
- Vet records for the puppies
- A health guarantee, typically 1 to 2 years
If a breeder refuses to show health testing, pushes you to buy quickly, or will not let you see where the puppies are raised, walk away. The ASPCA's guidance on finding responsible breeders is worth reading before you start.
First year costs in detail
The first year is always the most expensive, even before you count the purchase price.
Puppy vet visits: Puppies need a series of core vaccines over the first few months, plus deworming, a flea and tick prevention plan, and a general health check. Budget $300 to $500 for the puppy series alone.
Spay or neuter: Most reputable breeders require or strongly recommend this. The procedure runs $200 to $500 depending on your vet and location. Some animal shelters and low-cost clinics offer it significantly cheaper.
Initial supplies: You will need a crate, a soft bed, food and water bowls, a collar, a harness, a leash, nail clippers, a brush, puppy pads for training, and basic toys. Done thoughtfully, this runs $150 to $400.
Training: A puppy class or group obedience course costs $100 to $300 and is genuinely worth it for a breed prone to separation anxiety and slow potty training. It is easier and cheaper to build good habits early than to fix problems later.
Ongoing annual costs in detail
Food. A small-breed Maltipoo eats roughly 25 to 50 lbs of dry food per year. A quality small-breed kibble costs $30 to $60 per bag. Budget $300 to $700 annually, more if you feed a fresh or raw diet. Feeding a good diet costs more upfront but reduces health expenses over time.
Grooming. Professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks adds up to 6 to 8 visits per year. At $40 to $75 per visit, that is $240 to $600 annually. Dogs with curlier coats or those whose owners do less brushing at home will be toward the higher end. For the full grooming picture, see our Maltipoo grooming guide.
Routine vet care. An annual exam, core vaccines, and a monthly heartworm and flea prevention plan typically run $250 to $400 per year in a normal, healthy year. Dental cleanings, which small dogs often need regularly, add $300 to $700 when required.
Pet insurance. Monthly premiums for a Maltipoo typically run $30 to $60 per month, depending on your coverage level, deductible, and location. That is $360 to $720 per year. For a breed with known health predispositions, including patellar luxation, eye conditions, and white shaker syndrome, insurance is worth serious consideration. An unexpected surgery or specialist visit can easily run $2,000 to $5,000 without coverage.
Is pet insurance worth it for a Maltipoo?
For most owners, yes. Maltipoos are generally healthy dogs, but small breeds have specific conditions that can be expensive to treat. A single orthopedic surgery for a dislocated kneecap, one of the breed's known risks, can cost more than a year or two of insurance premiums.
Pet insurance works best when you buy it young, before any conditions are documented, since most plans exclude pre-existing conditions. For more on what health issues Maltipoos are prone to, see our Maltipoo health guide.
The total cost of owning a Maltipoo
Adding it up honestly:
- Purchase price from a reputable breeder: $2,000 to $3,500 (typical range)
- First year setup and puppy care: $800 to $1,800
- Annual ongoing costs: $1,350 to $2,820
- Over a 12 to 15 year lifespan: roughly $13,000 to $20,000+
Those numbers are estimates, not guarantees. A healthy dog with no significant health events will cost less. A dog that develops a chronic condition or needs surgery will cost more. Pet insurance reduces the unpredictability of the high end.
The financial commitment is real. So is the return. Maltipoos are 12 to 15 year companions.