Malchi (Maltese and Chihuahua mix)
What is a Malchi dog? Also known as the Malachi, Maltese x Chihuahua or Maltechi, Malchi is a designer hybrid that results from crossing the Chihuahua and the Maltese. Although the dog is small and barks quite excessively, he is endowed with great personalities of being playful, affectionate, and gentle. Since it favors the characteristics of the Maltese and Chihuahua, Malchis are usually available in quite a number of different colors, the main two being tan and white. With a somehow round head and tiny body, the Malchi is either likely to have short or long hair depending on whose hair genes were favored more. If you are looking for a little dog with a huge personality, search no more. The Malchi absolutely fits your needs. To prevent your Malchi from being aggressive or overprotective, ensure to socialize Maltese Chihuahua cross dog early enough with children as well as other members of your family. But Malchi dogs generally don't do so well with children. As such, the most ideal companion of a Malchi would be an older couple or elderly person who is comfortable with a slow-paced life.
Image of Malchi dog
Malchi size (full grown)
Small dogs will always remain to be small even at maturity. A full grown Malchi is likely to grow to a weight of 7 to 12 pounds and a height of 6 to 12 inches when the dog reaches adult age. Since the Malchi results from crossing a Chihuahua with a Maltese, the resulting Malchi offspring is likely to vary greatly even within puppies in the same litter. As mentioned before, the crossbreed's fur depends on whose genes were favored the most. Regardless of the fur length, Malchi's coat is quite easy to maintain due to its softness. Malchi dogs also have a low shedding coat which is a big plus. Talking of the facial qualities and features of the Malchi, the Malchi ears take on those of the Maltese to become folded over and long. Malchis have dark brown lovely eyes, often hidden behind the fur fringe that usually hangs on the forehead to look like large eyebrows.
How long do Malchi dogs live?
Malchis tend to live a little bit longer than other dog breeds. Malchi dog has a normal life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. But the average age at which they are likely to die naturally is around 13.5 years. This could be as a result of body malfunction or fatal illness that could occur as a result of aging. While this is just an approximation of the average lifespan of Malchi dogs, some of these tiny canines can even live for longer, with some even attaining 17 years of age. Malchi females also tend to live longer than their male counterparts (mostly a year extra).
Recommended Malchi-related products for you:
Malchi is small in size, docile and mischievous, ideal for many dog owners. Therefore, many dog lovers also choose to customize dog commemorative coins and pins to express their love for them. Especially on a dog's birthday, customize a challenge coin for it and draw the dog's name on it as a testimony to accompany each other!
Exercise requirements of a Malchi
How active a Malchi dogs? Although apartments and small condos are ideal for the Malchis, they will need sometime playtime outside as well as inside the house. A good walk per day could be sufficient, but occasional visits to a dog park to socialize with other animals would also be an ideal treat. She is likely to get tired quite quickly due to the small body size. Ensure to do a mixture of mental and physical stimulation as well to keep your Malchi dog happy and healthy.
Malchi's Health Conditions
Some Malchis may be prone to dental, ear and eye problems, and Maltese Chihuaha mix dogs need frequent checking for possible health issues. Ensure not to leave your Malchi outside for so long especially during the winter months because Malchi dogs are sensitive to cold weather. Get a dog coat for your Malchi dog to wear during walks in the cold season. This protects the little dogs from getting health issues, as they are meant to be indoor dogs.
To avoid any chances of acquiring a sickly puppy, ensure you get your Malchi pup from a reputable breeder with health clearances. Visit the Mulchi puppy in its breeding environment and get to know his parents. A Malchi is likely to inherit the following health problems from his parents:
Patellar luxation
Heart problems
Hypoglycemia
Collapsed trachea
Open fontanel
Hydrocephalus
Liver problems
Shivering
Eye problems
Reverse sneezing
Syndrome of White dog shaker
Although your Malchi is likely to go through his entire lifespan without getting any of these diseases, being aware of the possible health risks is important. Ensure to pay regular visits to the veterinarian for Malchi checkups and vaccinations.
Feeding the Malchi
You will need to give a specialized diet to your Malchi containing high fiber, as these hybrid designer dogs are prone to having intestinal and digestion issues. As such, consider feeding dry food to prevent the risks associated with indigestion. Also, ensure to feed your Malchi an amount of food that is appropriate with his size. The nutrient-rich foods for your Malchi pup should be divided into 2 or 3 meals during the entire day. As the Malchi grows, adjust the amount of food and feeding frequency appropriately.
History of the Malchi
Just like the majority of designer hybrid dogs available, the Malchi crossbreed originates from the United States. Designer breeds have deliberately been created from purebred dogs with a positive intention of minimizing the transfer of hereditary disorders while picking up the best traits from the two parents. Just like the Malchi, almost all names of designer dogs blend the names of the two parents that sire them. As long as breeding of new dogs is done with purpose, care, thought, and understanding, creating new hybrid dogs with a positive motive is okay. Unfortunately, due to the increased demand for problem-free designer breeds, some breeders are just out to make money without taking these precautions. All you need is to be very careful about this. With very little information about the beginnings of the Malchi, it would be good to have a look at the parent's history to "predict" what kind of a dog a Malchi could be.
Chihuahua History
Named after a Mexican state Chihuahua during the 1850s, this short-haired dog has two theories of origin. One being that these dogs resulted from breeding small Chinese hairless dogs with local dogs. It is highly thought that these were brought in by Spanish traders. Another theory says that the Chihuahua descended from south and central American dog known as Techichi way back in the 9th Century. The Chihuahua was then taken to America after the 1850s and started being shown as the 18th century came to an end. The first Chihuahua was registered by the AKC in 1904. This short-haired Chihuahua was bred with the Pomeranians or Papillons to get long-haired varieties. Eventually the Chihuahua became popular to attain the 11th position in popularity according to the AKC. The Chihuahua is a daring, brave, alert, and confident dog that tends to closely bond with one particular person. The dog can also be demanding and quite sensitive in his attention and affection. Just like the Malchi, he isn't so natural with children.
Maltese History
Being among the oldest toy-sized breeds, he can be traced back at least 2000 years. Although his exact origins aren't so clear, some sources say he's from Italy, some say from Asia, while others from the Isle of Malta. Across Europe, this breed was common among the royals till the 16th Century. The Maltese breed almost became destroyed in the 17th and 18th Centuries in an attempt to breed them to squirrel-sized animals. Mixing them with toys and miniature dogs like Poodle and spaniels came to their rescue, which brought about new breeds. The Maltese available today was bred in the 1800s by English. Maltese is a lively dog filled with superb personality and has also become very successful in dog shows. He is easily trainable and loves people a lot since he assumes everyone and everything he meets is a friend. Due to his size though, a Maltese dog not well suited for families with little children and could be a little bit harder to housetrain.
Inherited Traits of the Malchi
As mentioned earlier Malchis tend to combine the traits from the Maltese and Chihuahua parent breeds, resulting in a designer hybrid that is protective and energetic to the point of becoming very clingy to always relax on your lap as earlier discussed.
Depending on which parent traits they favor more, they may be difficult or easy to train. In case the Malchi takes more of the Chihuahua, you will definitely expect stubbornness while training. In case he takes more of the Maltese who is always eager to please his owners, the training could be a little bit simpler. The easiness or difficultness of training could also fall somewhere in between.
Since Maltese and Chihuahua breeds are small, they produce a similar small Malchi that is likely to be vulnerable to injuries. Malchi dogs also inherit the excessive barking character from their parents. These little animals, therefore, need to be handled carefully. If teased or threatened, Maltese Chihuahua Mix dogs may become aggressive in a bid to self-defend themselves.
Malchi pros and cons
What are the pros of owning a Malchi dog? Malchis can be great family dogs. Malchis are playful, loving, and protective, making them good family pets. Maltese Chihuahua mix dogs have solid-white coats, which is a color that is usually sought-after by dog owners. Although Malchis are fun and less active than many dogs, they don't need tons of exercise to remain healthy and happy. Are Malchi dogs suitable for apartment living? Small enough, Chihuahua Maltese mix dogs are perfectly suited for condos and apartments. Do Malchi dogs shed? Malchis are minimal shedders which is a big advantage for people who are looking for a low shedding pet.
What are the cons of owning a Malchi? Due to their nature of being aggressive, Malchis are not very good friends of small children. Maltese and Chihuahua mix dogs are likely to suffer from separation anxiety that easily leads to excessive barking. Other cons of owning a Malchi include the dog's temperament - a Malchi dog can be a little bit stubborn during training and requires extra patience from the owner. Due to their small size, Malchi dogs are susceptible to injuries and need gentle handling.
How to groom a Malchi dog
As a result of the white variety of their coats, Malchis are moderately high-maintenance dogs. If you happen to own cream or lighter-tan colored Malchi, you will definitely have a lot of work to ensure the lovely Malchi fur remains stain-free as close as possible to their light-colored fur. As such, frequent baths will be needed while concentrating more on the face particularly around the mouth and under the eyes where staining is likely to occur. Bathing a Malchi should be done gently to avoiding stripping his natural oils that keep Malchis in perfect condition.
After you have bathed your Malchi, ensure to dry his ears after cleaning them. Malchi ears tend to fold over, and some extra moisture could be trapped with a likelihood of causing infections. To prevent irritations as a result of nasty ear infections, dry the ears thoroughly but gently. Using a regular pin brush and comb, you can brush your Malchi thrice a week to remove any tangles in case your Malchi is the longer-haired hybrid cross, as these small animals do not shed a lot. After every few weeks, ensure to trim the nails of your Malchi to decrease the chances of scratching when the dog is jumping on you or something and also enhance excellent health of his paws.
Malchis need moderate to frequent regular grooming. This depends on whether they are short or long-coated. For the long-coated Malchis, more attention will be needed, with some need to visit the pet grooming parlor very frequently, or giving you a lot of work at home.
Ensure to brush the teeth of your Malchi at an early stage to reduce any incidences of dental diseases that the hybrid is susceptible to. This also promotes fresh breath when the Malchi is licking and kissing you.
Essential tools you need for grooming your Malchi at home
Pin Brush
Pin Comb
PH-balanced conditioner and shampoo for dogs
Styptic powder and dog toenail clippers
Toothpaste and toothbrush recommended for dogs
Electric clipper
Forceps, Otic solution, and gauze
Malchi temperament
Combining the personalities of the Maltese and Chihuahua, the resulting Malchi becomes playful, gentle, affectionate and goofy. The Malchi has tried as much as possible to take on from both of their parent purebreds with a belief of the Malchi being a big dog trapped in a small body. A Maltese and Chihuahua cross dog is a highly spirited dog and can also be aggressive and overprotective of his family. Although the Malchi shows a lot of love to his people, he isn't so tolerating to children of any age. If the Malchi gets annoyed, he may become snarly or snappy, and supervision is highly advised when young children are involved. While this menace can be curbed by early training and socialization, Malchi still remains a better fit for families without little children as well as other kinds of animals. Prepare yourself for a constant barrage of talking each day, as the Malchi likes barking at almost anything and everything. The Malchis may also inherit a stubborn streak from the Chihuahua, making its trainability a little bit harder than other dog breeds. Fortunately, the Maltese come into place at this point with an eager-to-please trait. Additionally your Malchi will want to cuddle on your lap and will always get excited when he sees you. If you, therefore, need a jolly, small companion, the Malchi will fit you perfectly!
Potty Training a Malchi
Potty training a Malchi may not be as smooth as it can be for other dog breeds. Just be prepared to sacrifice an extended period of your time to potty train this little dog. They show good results in obedience training but have a few issues with potty training.
The first step in this Malchi Potty Training process is to identify a pottying spot outside your house where you'll be taking your Malchi pup to relieve himself.
Points to note before you proceed with potty training:
When the Malchi pup is left unattended, use a crate.
Take your dog to the same spot at regular intervals and ensure to praise and give rewards in the form of treats.
Keep away from puppy pad training or paper training, as this could confuse the puppy, and you may end up repeating the entire process again, or end up with a Malchi that isn't potty trained.
Feed your Malchi at intervals that are regular while you watch the amount of water he's drinking and when he's played a lot, as accidents are bound to happen at this point.
Crate training
As soon as your Malchi arrives home, start training immediately without wasting any time. Have a crate ready for your pet to use when sleeping and resting. You will notice that your Malchi can almost train himself to stay in the crate in a bid to seek for comfort and security, making the crate his special place at home. If you happen to realize your Malchi pup doesn't want to be in the crate, just put a toy or a few treats so as to encourage him to stay there.
Endeavor not to force your Malchi puppy into the crate and also don't use it as a means of locking up or punishing him. Ensure to make the crate a pleasant place for Malchi to be in. every time your pup gets into the crate during the first few times, give a treat. He will eventually associate the crate will a positive and sweet experience, and he will definitely like it.
The puppy shouldn't be locked up in the crate for an extended period of time, and you shouldn't also force the puppy into the crate. Your Malchi needs to associate this place with a pleasant and positive experience.
After your puppy has learned the crate being ma safety net, you can now start training him to go out to the potty area outside the house. Watch out for any signs that your pup wants to potty and take him out to the potty area. Ensure that he really does potty and take him back to the house in his crate.
Signs to watch out for include sniffing on the floor, going round in circles, or going to a particular place he had previously messed (soiled). The pup can also be taken out after having taken meals and drinks at intervals as well as after he has woken up and played around.
After the puppy gets to know the potty area outside the house, ensure to give a reward in the form of a treat and praise him whenever he pottys at that particular spot. Ensure also he doesn't play outside during the potty training, as he could associate going outside to playing instead of pottying. Now introduce a command such as "Go potty" to your Malchi after he has relieved himself inform of praise. Ultimately, you will not have to keep taking your dog to potty outside. You'll just need to open the door and utter the command for your puppy to out and relieve himself.
Avoid punishing your Malchi puppy due to accidents in the house during housetraining process, and also don't dare to rub his nose on his pee. Malchi pup may lose trust and even fear you, making the potty training process hard to continue with.
By all means, avoid using housebreaking pads to potty train your puppy, as you will definitely not want to train your puppy to pee in the house with a misconception of changing later and confusing your Malchi.
With proper techniques of training that use positive reinforcement methods, you will have a friendly and pleasing companion for long.
How to train a Malchi dog
Since the Maltese and Chihuahua Malchi parents don't mind a lot of physical activity, so does the Malchi offspring. They all come down to being lapdogs. As such, expect your Malchi not to have large bursts of energy.
When it comes to training, it all depends on the parent traits that were favored more. But the mix is generally intelligent and eager to please those they love, which reduces complications during the training process. To bring out the best of these little dogs, early socialization and training are important. Remember that these small dogs have a stubborn side from one of their parents. If you fail to socialize and train correctly and in time, they are likely to show negative behaviors such as being aggressive towards other dogs, display destructive behavior. Chihuahua and Maltese mix dog will also be nervous or timid and display nipping if not watched out well.
Due to the level of sensitivity, Malchis don't like harsh or scolding tones when being trained. All you need during the training process is consistency and patience if you want to achieve good results.
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