Maltese Chihuahua Mix: A Complete Guide To Traits And Care

The Malchi is a Maltese Chihuahua mix and it is a relatively new hybrid dog breed. It is a small fluffy dog that loves to hug and bark. This little pooch is intelligent, playful, and full of energy. And there are a lot of other things you should know about it.

Height	12-14 inches
Weight	5-12 pounds
Lifespan	12-15 years
Coat colors	white, cream, black, and brown
Temperament	Affectionate, intelligent, playful
Health problems	Patellar Luxation, Patent Ductus Arteriosus, Hemophilia, Hypoglycemia
Exercise needs	30 minutes a day
Price	Around $500 – $1000

• The Malchi – History And Origin
• Appearance – Small Dog With A Cute Face
• Temperament – A Loving But Feisty Dog
• Health Problems Of The Malchi
• Taking Care Of A Malchi
• Getting A Malchi

Key Takeaways

• The Malchi is a mix of a Maltese and a Chihuahua.
• Relatively new mixed-breed dogs, originating in the 2000s.
• It is a small-sized dog that is 12-14 inches tall and 5-12 pounds heavy.
• The coat is different depending on the genes of the parents.
• It can be a hypoallergenic dog breed.
• Intelligent dog with a streak of stubbornness.
• Can develop “small dog syndrome”.
• Life expectancy of 12 – 15 years.
• Requires around ¾ cups of high-quality dog food for small breeds.
• Costs around $500 – $1000.

The Malchi – History And Origin

This hybrid dog breed appeared in the 2000s so it hasn’t got much history under its belt. But its Maltese and Chihuahua parent breeds do.

The Maltese – This breed has a long history spanning from ancient times. Its name comes from the country of Malta, where it is believed to be first introduced. There are records for this breed existing since 500 BC. The ancient Greeks and ancient Romans loved these dogs. They were even mentioned by Aristotle. The AKC officially recognized the Maltese in 1888, and to this day it is one of the most favorite dog breeds.

The Chihuahua – It is believed that the Chihuahua comes from the Techichi dog, which the Toltecs described in the 9th century C.E. Once the Toltecs were conquered by the Aztecs, the Aztecs used these dogs in their rituals. They believed that the dogs were spirit guides who took dying souls through the underworld. The modern history of the Chihuahua starts in Chihuahua, Mexico, where the breed was first taken from and brought to America. The AKC officially recognized the Chihuahua in 1904.

Appearance – Small Dog With A Cute Face

This half Chihuahua half Maltese breed, is understandably a pretty small dog, but it has a sturdy body with short and slender legs. Its tail length varies, but it is commonly long with a natural curve. It has a rounded or apple-domed head, with either upright triangular ears, or floppier ones. It has large round eyes and a black nose.

Size

This is a small dog with an average height of 12-14 inches, and an average weight of 5-12 pounds. Because of this, they are generally considered to be toy breeds. Understandably, the size will vary with every dog, depending on its parents, gender, and age.

Coat And Color

This dog’s coat can be different, depending on the genes it inherits from its parents. The coat length can vary from short, medium, and long, depending on the coat that the parent Chihuahua has. The fur is slightly wavy and generally soft. The coat can come in a variety of colors, which usually include white, cream, black, and brown. It can also have spotted or brindled markings on the coat.

Temperament – A Loving But Feisty Dog

The Maltese mixed with Chihuahua will make a small and affectionate breed, that loves being a lap dog. It loves being around its owner so much, that it develops separation anxiety if left alone for too long. That can lead to destructive behaviors.

These dogs are also known for their “small dog syndrome”. Because they are so small and afraid of being injured, they develop this as a defensive mechanism. You will notice your dog jumping on you, growling, barking, whining, and behaving aggressively if it feels threatened.

The Malchi is very intelligent but reaches a stubborn streak that asks for more consistent training. When it comes to dealing with strangers, this dog is shy, suspicious, and protective of its home and family. So expect some growling and barking at strangers. They aren’t very good with small children or other pets at the home as well.

Health Problems Of The Malchi

The Maltese Chihuahua puppy can live around 12-15 years. It is a generally healthy dog but there are a few common health issues it can develop.

• Patellar Luxation – This is a skeletal disorder where the patella, or the kneecap, moves out of its place and gets luxated. You will notice your dog skipping or running on three legs. With time, it can lead to arthritis of the knee.
• Patent Ductus Arteriosus – This is a heart disorder where a small arterial shunt persists between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. You will notice symptoms like difficulty breathing, loud heart murmur, abnormal pulses, and exercise intolerance.
• Hemophilia – This is an inherited blood clotting disorder due to a deficiency in clotting Factors VIII and IX. Your dog will have problems with clotting and it will bleed spontaneously. It might also get worse with internal bleeding and shock.
• Hypoglycemia – This disorder is described by having low blood sugar. It can happen due to many reasons like extreme exercise, malnutrition, or xylitol toxicity. You will notice symptoms like weakness, muscle twitching, altered behavior, seizures, and others.

Taking Care Of A Malchi

Taking care of Malchi puppies requires you to think about their nutrition, grooming, exercise, and training needs.

Nutrition

Malchies are small dogs so they don’t require a lot of food to function. The average amount you should feed is around ¾ cups of dog food divided into three servings.

Always make sure that you give your dog high-quality dog food. This means that dog food should be low in carbs and high in protein. Because Malchies can suffer from digestive issues, their diet should also consist of lots of fiber. Besides that, a normal diet should also include enough vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fatty acids.

Grooming

If your Malchi has a short coat, it will need less attention with grooming. If it has a longer coat, it will need more attention and care. Normally, you should brush your short hair Maltese Chihuahua mix 2-3 times a week. The long-haired mixes require daily brushing of the coat. Both dogs also need trimming, especially on the hair covering the eyes.

Bathing should be done once every 3-4 weeks. Make sure you always use a special shampoo meant for dogs. Also, trim your dog’s nails regularly, and brush its teeth daily. You should also check its ears and clean them from time to time, especially after bathing. You might also need to wipe around its eyes from time to time to prevent stains, although not all Malchies require this.

If you need help with grooming your dog, you can always go to a professional groomer for help.

Exercise And Training

Because they are so small, Malchies don’t need too much exercise during the day. On average, around 30 minutes of exercise daily is enough for them. You can take your Malchi puppies for a short walk twice a day and that would be enough. Make sure to include some mental stimulation as well.

When it comes to training, you should always start it as soon as possible. These dogs are pretty intelligent so you won’t have a problem teaching them commands. They do reach a stubborn streak at some point, so you have to be consistent. Use techniques like positive reinforcement and obedience training to achieve the best results. Make sure you make your training sessions short and fun for both of you.

Another important thing is that this breed can be difficult to housebreak. So you should set aside some time to train it how to potty throughout the day.

Getting A Malchi

If you think this pup is the right one for you, there are two ways to get one. One is to find a breeder and buy one, and another is to adopt it from a shelter.

Buying A Malchi

The average price for a Chihuahua mixed with Maltese breed is around $500 – $1000. The prices vary according to local demand, location, gender, coat color, and reputation of the parents.

The size is also important. Smaller dogs tend to have higher prices compared to larger dogs lately. For example, Teacup Yorkies cost around $1,000 and $3,000.

If the Malchi’s parents are award-winning dogs, they will produce healthier breeds that are more expensive. But don’t expect to get your Malchies to a dog show, as hybrid breeds are not accepted by the AKC.

Because there are no specific breeders of Malchis, here are some breeders of Maltese and Chihuahua dogs:

• Breeders for Maltese dogs include Regal Maltese and Malta Angel Maltese.
• Breeders for Chihuahua dogs include Brislin Chihuahuas and Guichon’s Chihuahuas.

Adopting A Malchi

Another way you can get this dog is to visit the local rescue shelter. Adopting a dog is a humane thing to do and it will cost you less. Animal shelters do not always have the breed you want. You might find other mixes like the half Chihuahua half Labrador, half Great Dane, or other interesting hybrid dogs.

Always have in mind that besides paying for the dog, you will also need to take care of it and that can be costly. The best places to find Malchis would be shelters for Maltese and Chihuahua dogs.

• Some shelters for Maltese dogs include the American Maltese Association Rescue and the Maltese Rescue of OKC.
• Some shelters for Chihuahua dogs include the Texas Chihuahua Rescue and the Yankee Chihuahua Rescue.

Is The Maltese Chihuahua mix For You?

This designer dog is a crossbreed of the Maltese and a Chihuahua, and it is called a Malchi. It is a relatively new dog breed from the 2000s but is loved by many people around the world.

Malchies are small, compact dogs that have shorter or longer fur with a variety of colors and markings. They are considered lap dogs and love to cuddle with the family at home. Because these dogs are so small, they can develop “small dog syndrome” and become aggressive towards larger dogs and people. They are intelligent dogs but can get stubborn without proper early training.

These dogs are generally healthy, with a life expectancy of 12-15 years. They also require proper and regular grooming, nutrition, exercise, and training.

FAQ

Are Malchies good apartment dogs?

Yes, the Maltese Chihuahua puppy is a great dog for apartment living. It is a small dog that doesn’t need a lot of exercise, so you don’t need a big yard for it to run around in.

Are Malchies good for first-time owners?

Malchies are great for people that have never had another dog. They are small dog breeds who are very affectionate and fun to be around. They are intelligent and not very aggressive, so they are easy to train.

Are Maltese Chihuahua mix good dogs?

Maltese Chihuahua mixes are one of the best family dogs. They connect with the family and want to play and hug. They are not very good with small children because sometimes they may hurt them due to their small size.