The Papitese is a cross between two companion dogs: the Papillon and the Maltese.
Also sometimes known as the Maltese Papillon Mix or the Maltillon, the Papitese is a popular choice among people who love small dogs.
This hybrid is a highly social and loving dog that enjoys spending time with their owners.
Playful and charming, the Papitese will surprise you how adorable he is. This hybrid is loved by many thanks to his super lively nature.
Check out the following facts and information to determine if this cuddly, affectionate dog is right for you and your household.
Table of Contents
Some Quick Facts About the Papillon Maltese Mix
| Breed Type: | Crossbreed/Mixed Breed |
| Other Names: | Papitese, Maltillon |
| Size: | Small-sized dog |
| Good Watch Dog: | Yes |
| Good Guard Dog: | No |
| Average Weight: | 6 to 10 pounds |
| Average Height: | 8 to 10 inches |
| Lifespan: | 14 to 15 years |
| Apartment Living: | Yes |
| Ideal for: | For families with older children and older couples |
| Coat: | Medium length, dense, wavy |
| Coat colors: | Black, White, Brown, Silver (or mix of these colors) |
| Suitable for first time owners: | Yes |
| Trainability: | Easy |
| Hypoallergenic: | No |
| Shedding: | Low |
| Grooming Needs: | Brushing should be done daily to help keep their coat healthy |
| Energy Levels: | Medium |
| Exercise Needs: | At least 30 minutes of exercise every day is required |
| Tolerance to being left alone: | Low, A Papitese puppy can be left at home alone for around two hours up till the age of six months |
| Feeding and Diet: | Around ½ to 1 cup of dry dog food per day, divided in to two or three meals |
| Possible Health Issues: | Patellar Luxation, joint issues, liver disease (Porto-Systemic Shunt), heart disease, vision issues and dental problems |
| Temperament: | Social, Loving, Playful, Friendly, Charming, Lively, Intelligent, Affectionate, Energetic, Cuddly, Loyal |
| Cat Friendly: | Yes, with early socialization |
| Dog Friendly: | Yes, But Proper Socialization Is Recommended |
| Kid Friendly: | Yes, best suited for homes with older children (early socialization is must) |
| Barking Tendencies: | Yes if they take after the Maltese parent |
| Price: | $800 to $1,000 |
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What Is A Papitese Dog?
The Papitese is a result of crossbreeding a Papillon and a Maltese. This designer dog has won many admirers due to his long, silky fur, expressive eyes, semi-erect ears and cuddly size.
Small in size, the Maltese x Papillon Mix is sturdier than his Papillon parent but is certainly delicate, and must be supervised around children and larger dogs.
Loyal and affectionate, the Papitese can be a great choice for those looking for a dedicated family pet. Besides becoming attached to their owners, the Papitese gets along well with other pets.
But where does the Papitese come from? Let’s us take a look at the history of the Maltese Papillon Mix.
The Origin of the Papitese
Despite being a popular designer dog, the Papitese doesn’t have a well-documented history of its own.
Most mixed breed dogs are believed to be developed in the US, but the exact origins of the Papillon Maltese mix are unknown.
People who want to have a better understanding of this mixed breed dog or to know whether getting one is right for their household can study the respective histories of both parent breeds.
The History of the Maltese Breed
The Maltese is one of the world’s oldest lap dogs and is believed to be over 2800 years old. The little dogs were proudly owned by Ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks.
The history of the Maltese breed is difficult to pin down, as the term was once used to refer to several toy breeds. In fact, some historical references to the Maltese were descriptions of Pomeranians.
Unlike certain breeds, the Maltese most likely originated from Malta (hence the breed’s name). They were developed from local spitz-like dogs for hunting purposes. According to unconfirmed sources, the breed has roots in Asia and is associated with the Tibetan Terrier.
So far, the most convincing theory is that the little dogs were originally bred in Malta, and were immediately snatched by Romans.
Similar dogs have been depicted on pieces of art in Greece and Egypt, where owners would build lavish tombs for their deceased dogs. These lap dogs were also a favorite among royalty.
Queens were particularly fond of these pups, feeding them in gold bowls. Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth I both owned and adored their Maltese dogs. More recently, these little pups have become a favorite among celebrities, including Elizabeth Taylor and Halle Berry.
Over the years, the breed has had several different monikers. These include the Spaniel Gentle, Roman Ladies’ Dog, Melitaie Dog, Maltese Terrier, Maltese Lion Dog, Comforter Dog and Shock Dog.
The modern Maltese was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1888.
The History of the Papillon Breed
The Papillon is yet another lap dog that was first bred from the ancient Toy Spaniels in Spain.
This companion dog was very popular in France in the 16th century when it first got the name, Papillon. Papillon means “butterfly” in French and refers to the dog’s large, winged ears.
Another variation of the dog, called the Phalene, also got its name from the French. Phalene, which means “moth” in French, refers to the dog’s dropped ears, just like the wings of a moth.
The Papillon made its way to the United States in the early 20th century. The breed is still a very popular companion dog in the United States and Europe. In 1915, the AKC officially recognized the breed.
So what should you expect from the Maltese and Papillon Mix? How big does a full grown Papitese get? And is this the right dog for you?
Keep reading to learn all you wanted to know about the Papitese with pictures, facts, information, and more.
The General Appearance of the Papitese
The Maltese Papillon Mix dog is a cross between two toy-sized companion dogs, so he should just be as small. The sturdier Maltese helps to harden the fragile bones of the Papillon in the mix.
With bright, vibrant eyes and a seemingly smiling expression, the Papitese always looks happy and alert.
They generally tend to have furry, flopped ears, but not every dog will have the butterfly ears of the Papillon parent. Although they are small in size, they have a moderately-sized muzzle and a black nose with well open nostrils.
The long, silky fur of the Papillon Maltese Mix is one of the most attractive features and it comes in a range of colors, including black, white and brown. Most of these dogs actually have a mostly white body with black or brown patches.
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Lilly BellePapitese Size, Height and Weight
The Papillon Maltese Mix is a small toy dog. The Papitese weighs around 6 to 10 pounds. When it comes to height, this little dog will only stand around 8 to 10 inches tall.
Don’t let their diminutive size deceive you, though! Papitese dogs are energetic and lively dogs who prefer to play and run around rather than sleep on the couch all day long.
Due to their tiny body, however, these dogs are ideal for apartments and small homes since they can get enough exercise from just walking or running around.
Papitese Behavior and Temperament
If you’re interested in a dog that is sociable and affable, then the Maltese mix with Papillon can be a great choice for you.
Both the Maltese and the Papillon are friendly dogs that love their family, get along well with children and other pets, and tend to be friendly with strangers as well.
The Papitese inherits all of those social traits, making him a true delight. It’s hard to resist his charms, especially when combined with his winning personality.
His small size and normally happy disposition makes him a great choice for families with older children as well as older couples.
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However, there are a few things you need to know if considering bringing on a Papitese. First of all, you need to know that the Papitese are overly sensitive and harsh words can easily upset and frighten them.
These little pups are sensitive to their owners shouting at them and may even shut down or develop anxiety issues. For that reason, training should be done in a patient manner. Otherwise, you may end up causing great emotional damage to your pet.
Moreover, Papitese are not good guard dogs. However, they are good watch dogs and will normally alert you when a stranger is nearby. This is a natural instinct for most dog breeds, including most Papiteses, so no particular training is needed.
On the other hand, their small size and overall friendliness implies that they are not particularly effective in deterring potential criminals. It’s difficult for such a small dog to cause a lot of damage, even if they want to.
Despite that, the Papitese is a wonderful dog for families with children, cats and other animals. Since they are friendly and playful, they tend to interact with almost everyone. Being intelligent, they can learn to get along with people quite easily.
Your Papillon mixed with Maltese is going to show you a sweet, loving and loyal personality. Papitese dogs form strong bonds with their owners and can be emotionally traumatized if they are left alone for far too long.
Training
The confident and curious Papitese responds well to training and enjoys pleasing their owner.
They are easy to train and quick to master basic commands from a young age. However, housetraining Papillon Maltese Mix puppies can take much longer than average due to the smaller size of their bladder.
Potential owners should understand this and allow their young puppies to take enough bathroom breaks.
Again, avoid any harsh words or punishment-based training methods since they are very sensitive and this might upset them.
For the best results, use positive reinforcements like constant praise, treats and other rewards for acceptable behavior. If you’re unsure of the best training methods for your Papitese puppy, you can contact a professional dog trainer.
Socialization
Early socialization, an important aspect of training, can play a major role in the friendliness and adaptability of this designer dog.
Socializing your Papitese from a young age will benefit the pooch greatly.
Firstly, the process will allow your Papitese puppy to grow into a confident and calm adult. He will also feel at ease when interacting with humans and other dogs.
Socialization can begin as early as two-and-half weeks. Starting from this age, owners should introduce their puppies to different people, dogs, cats, scents, and places.
Papitese Exercise Needs
The Papillon Maltese Mix has tons of energy for such a small pup, but unlike many other Papillon mixed breed dogs, this hybrid’s exercise needs are relatively minimal.
The Papitese can get enough exercise by walking and running around indoors and playing with interactive dog toys to enhance mental stimulation.
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Outdoor activities for the Maltillon should be supervised by an adult and this dog should not be left alone outside.
Minimal exercise needs and low activity levels make the Papitese a wonderful companion for urban and apartment living.
Moreover, the Papitese may not cope well in cold weather, and winter coats or sweaters may come in handy if you live in cold-winter regions.
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Are Papitese Dogs Hypoallergenic?
If you’re debating on whether to add a Papillon Maltese Mix dog to your family, a common concern is shedding. We already know that the Papitese is one of the most cheerful companion dogs you can own. But does the Papitese shed?
Although the Maltese parent is considered a hypoallergenic dog, they still shed a little. On the other hand, the Papillon has a long-haired coat that doesn’t shed a lot partly because they lack an undercoat, which is often a major source of dog shedding for many breeds.
As you can see, your Papillon Maltese Mix may have some important hypoallergenic properties due to his Maltese parent, but this mix still sheds.
Despite being low-shedding dogs, Papitese still require grooming to some extent.
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Grooming Needs
As we’ve mentioned above, your Papitese may have some hypoallergenic traits due to the Maltese parent, but this mix does occasionally shed.
Therefore, he requires regular brushing to prevent his hair from matting and to remove any loose or dead hair. Daily brushing with a bristle brush will also help remove any dust or dirt from the dog’s coat.
Bathing your dog regularly is not necessary because most dirt will be removed when brushing. Moreover, over-bathing your Papitese is not recommended as excessive shampoos and water can strip the skin of its natural oils and cause skin issues.
As with all white-coated dogs, the Maltese Papillon Mix can develop tear stains. You can prevent this issue by cleaning the eyes and face regularly with a soft, clean washcloth.
Make sure to trim your dog’s nails as needed and to brush their teeth two to three times per week to prevent dental issues.
Diet and Nutrition
The small size of your Papitese means that you won’t have to worry a lot about feeding him. As always, make sure to buy high quality dog food to help ensure proper nutrition for your pet.
Your Papitese will need to eat around ½ to 1 cup of dry dog food per day. It is also recommended to provide your Papitese with fresh water as it’s vital to dog health.
A Papillon Maltese’s diet should also contain wild Alaskan salmon oil and probiotics to improve their skin and coat health. Their diet should also include glucosamine and fish oil since these dogs are vulnerable to joint issues like hip dysplasia.
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Papitese Lifespan
Contrary to common belief, mixed breed dogs tend to live longer than their purebred parents since they basically combine the best of both.
Therefore, the Papitese has a relatively long life expectancy as they can live from 14 to 15 years.
Common Papitese Health Issues
The Papitese is generally a pretty healthy small dog, but that doesn’t mean that they are not vulnerable to any health issues.
Finding a reputable Papitese breeder who performs genetic testing before the breeding process is the best way to reduce health problems.
However, Papitese owners should still be aware of various health issues that their dogs might face. These include Patellar Luxation, joint issues, liver disease (Porto-Systemic Shunt), heart disease, vision issues and dental problems.
Maintaining your Papitese within a healthy weight range can help reduce complications, while feeding a balanced diet that is high in Omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants can help to fight inflammation.
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How Much Does A Papitese Cost?
If you’re considering a Maltese Papillon dog for sale, you need to ensure you are buying a healthy one.
This means that you should not fall for the lowest prices since those puppies sometimes have a lot of health problems.
Despite being a very small dog, a Papitese puppy can cost you a considerable amount of money.
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The average Maltese Papillon price is around $800 to $1,000. This is mainly because of the price of both parent breeds.
Reputable breeders often charge around $1,500 for a high-quality Papillion puppy, while Maltese puppies typically cost about $800 to $1, 200.
Additionally, they have relatively small litters, which can end up increasing the price of a Papitese puppy.
The figures quoted above are for puppies from reputable breeders, and in addition to being healthy, they are also wonderful pets with tons of love to give!
Apart from the cost of buying a puppy, you want to factor in food costs, vet fees and pet products like the MidWest Folding Crate for Small dogs and the Furhaven Orthopedic dog bed from reputable retailers like Amazon.
Finding Reputable Maltese Papillon Mix Breeders
If you find a breeder offering Papitese puppies for sale, it is always important to ask to see the parent dogs and the puppies.
Ask for proof of health tests and vet checkups. You should also ask if your breeder provides health guarantees.
We don’t recommend getting a puppy online, at a pet store or puppy mill. Make sure to ask some questions to determine whether this mix is right for you. A reputable breeder will be honest and answer all your questions, producing their credentials and giving you customer references.
Maltese Papillon Mix for Adoption
If you’re considering adopting a full grown Papitese dog, an animal shelter or a rescue group is definitely a good place to start your search.
Healthy and cute pups sometimes end up in animal shelters without any mistake of their own, and they require someone to give them a loving home.
You can visit or call local shelters or rescue organizations on a regular basis to find out if any Papitese dogs are there.
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Conclusion
Choosing a dog breed is an important decision, considering that you will need to take proper care of them for many years. So, is the Papillon Maltese Mix right for you?
If you are looking for a dog that just wants to love you all day, the Papitese can be a great choice. They are the ultimate lapdog with a happy, cheerful and joyful attitude. They are great with people, children and other pets.
But just remember, they need you just as much as you need them. They are very small and require your love, care and attention. With a Papitese, you certainly have found yourself a loyal companion.
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