Maltipoo Health Testing Guide: What Poodle and Maltese Parents Need

Producing healthy Maltipoo puppies starts with properly tested parents. Here is the complete protocol for both Toy Poodle and Maltese parents in a Maltipoo programme.

Toy/Miniature Poodle Parent Testing

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (prcd-PRA) — Top Priority

PRA causes progressive blindness and is the most important DNA test for any Poodle used in Maltipoo breeding. Clear is required for the Poodle parent. Carrier is acceptable only with a Clear Maltese dam — but Clear × Clear is the ideal.

Patellar Luxation (OFA)

Toy and Miniature Poodles have a high rate of patellar luxation. OFA Grade 0 (Normal) is required for any breeding Poodle stud. Luxating patellas are hereditary and very common in small breeds — this is the most impactful structural test you can do.

Von Willebrand Disease Type I

DNA test — Clear preferred. Carrier acceptable with documentation.

Neonatal Encephalopathy (NEwS)

Relevant to Standard and some Miniature Poodle lines. DNA test — Clear required.

Hip Evaluation

Miniature Poodle studs should have OFA hip evaluation — Fair or better.

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCP)

LCP — avascular necrosis of the femoral head — occurs in small breeds including Toy and Miniature Poodles. OFA evaluation or radiographic confirmation is advisable.

Maltese Parent Testing

Patellar Luxation (OFA)

Critical for Maltese. OFA Grade 0 required. This is the number one structural health issue in the breed.

Cardiac Evaluation (OFA)

Mitral valve disease is present in the Maltese. OFA cardiac evaluation by a cardiologist is the gold standard. For a breeding Maltese — male or female — a clean cardiology exam should be on file.

Eye Certification (CAER)

Annual CAER exam. PRA occurs in the Maltese.

Portosystemic Shunt (PSS) Screening

Liver shunts are more common in small breeds. Bile acids testing at 8–12 weeks can identify affected dogs. While this is more relevant for puppies than adult breeding dogs, asking about PSS history in close relatives is worthwhile.

Combined Testing Table

Summary

The non-negotiable tests for a Maltipoo breeding are: PRA Clear on the Poodle parent and OFA patella Normal on both parents. Cardiac evaluation is required for the Maltese parent. Annual CAER eye certification is required for both. These tests, performed and documented, virtually eliminate the most common heritable conditions in Maltipoo offspring.