The Maltese Chihuahua mix is an adorable small-sized mixed-breed dog created by combining the Mediterranean Maltese and the Mexican Chihuahua to produce a small dog perfect for the elderly couple or single individual, or as a family pet for a growing family unit.
The Maltese and chihuahua mix dog is known as the Malchi dog and is similar in size to both the Chihuahua and Maltese parent breeds, so you’ll get no surprises in size with this designer breed. The Malchi dog is fast becoming one of the more popular Chihuahua and Maltese mixed-breed combinations to grace American homes.
Image credit: ilo__and__hau
See if the Malchi dog could be your next family pet by reading on!
Maltese and Chihuahua mix dogs – At a glance
| Weight: | 5–15 pounds |
| Height: | 12–14 inches |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Coat colors: | White, black, cream, brown. |
| Temperament: | Loving, bold, affectionate. |
| Suitable for: | Elderly companions, active families or single individuals, first-time pet owners. |
What does a Maltese Chihuahua mix dog look like?
As with most other designer dog breeds, it’s very difficult to accurately predict the physical appearance of the Maltese Chihuahua mix. The Malchi dog will inherit different parts of their physical appearance from each parent breed, with it’s most prominent Maltese feature being it’s luxurious coat, which is typically a shorter coat.
Meanwhile, the Chihuahua genetics could shine through in brown coat color. However, it’s possible that your Maltese and Chihuahua mix dog will inherit various coat colors of either white, brown, tan, cream, or black, or a mixture of coat colors.
It will likely inherit the curly fur of the Maltese – their coat will require regular grooming and regular brushing to keep their coat healthy. Given that they have dense, curly hair, keeping their coat clean will be important – be sure to regularly wash your Maltese and chihuahua mix dog’s coat.
As both the Maltese and Chihuahua are toy dog breeds, you can expect your Maltese and Chihuahua mix to be small in size, standing roughly a foot tall and weighing less than 15 pounds. As with most designer toy breeds, their combination will produce a very small designer dog breed.
Your Malchi dog may more closely resemble the Chihuahua, or it may more closely resemble the Maltese – it’s a toss up! As with all designer toy breeds, it can be difficult to predict their exact physical appearance, as that depends on the predominant genes.
The history of the Maltese and Chihuahua mix dogs
As with most designer breeds, the Maltese and chihuahua mix dog doesn’t have an extensive history to draw from. It’s likely that the Maltese and Chihuahua mix dogs was created sometime during the 1990s and early 2000s, when crossbreeding became popular throughout the United States.
Despite this short crossbreeding history, the Maltese and Chihuahua have long and storied histories – one in the Mediterranean, the other in Mexico – both leading to popularity in the United States and the creation of the Malchi dog. To learn more about the history of the Maltese Chihuahua mix, we’ll explore the histories of each parent breed.
The history of the Maltese
There’s some dispute as to these precise origins of the Maltese, but they are widely believed to herald from the Mediterranean archipelago of Malta. Fondly kept as a companion dog, there’s some evidence that the Maltese has a genetic relationship to the Spitz-type dog and is closely related to the Bichon Frise and Havanese breeds, as well as other toy dog breeds.
The Maltese is exclusively kept as a companion pet and for show trials. They are beloved as companions for the elderly person because of their small size. As with most toy breeds, the Maltese are known for excessive barking, but otherwise are generally wonderful family pets.
Even-tempered and good with other pets, they’re a great addition for a furry family, or those with children. The Maltese was first exported to the United States in the mid-19th century and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888.
How popular are Maltese?
Maltese are one of America’s more popular toy breeds – ranking not far behind the Chihuahua in the American Kennel Club’s annual popularity rankings. These small, spry pups are well loved by Americans of all stripes!
In 2021, the Maltese ranked as the 39th most-popular dog in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club.
Who are Maltese a good dog for?
Given their small size and friendly nature, Maltese are perfect dogs for those living in apartments, or for those with other family pets and children. Given their single coat, Maltese dogs aren’t well-suited for cold weather climates.
How did Maltese come about?
The exact history of the Maltese is unfortunately largely unknown, but they are thought to herald from the archipelago of Malta, although this is disputed. They share a close genetic relationship with a Bichon Frise and Havanese, along with other toy dog breeds.
When did first cross-breed the Maltese?
As with most designer dog breeds, the Maltese was caught up in the crossbreeding craze that took the United States by storm in the late 1990s and early 2000s. As one of America’s more popular toy breeds, the Maltese is typically bred with dogs of a similar size, or impregnated through artificial insemination.
Several popular Maltese mixes include:
- Maltese Bichon Frise Mix (Malfrise)
- Corgi Maltese Mix (Cortese)
- Maltese Poodle Mix (Malti-poo)
- Maltese Pomeranian Mix (Maltipom)
- Maltese Shih Tzu Mix (Malshi)
The history of the Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is a toy dog breed with an ancient history, stretching back to the 9th century, when their progenitors – the Techichi – were companion pets of an Aztec tribe. The Toltec Peoples kept and revered this small, mute dog.
The Chihuahua was first noted during the mid-19th century in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, but were initially sold and traded with American tourists on the Mexican-American border, which led to the original importing of the Chihuahua in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Chihuahua was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1904 and has been a popular breed among Americans ever since.
How popular are Chihuahuas?
Chihuahuas are frequently among the most popular toy breed dogs in the United States!
Renowned for their fierce loyalty to their owners, the not-so-humble Chihuahua ranks as the 37th most popular dog in the United States in 2021, according to the AKC.
Who are Chihuahuas a good dog for?
Chihuahuas are renowned for their small size and big bark! They become accidental guard dogs in the family home. They’re loyal, affectionate and excitable, as well as having an active and energetic side. This makes them great family dogs for those with a house & yard that are able to offer sufficient exercise.
However, the Chihuahua has a tendency to suffer from separation anxiety, which can lead to destructive behaviors. In general, this makes them a poor fit for apartment dwellers, despite their small size.
How did Chihuahuas come about?
The precise history of the Chihuahua is unknown, but it is known to be an ancestor of the Techichi, a small, mute dog kept by the Toltec Peoples, an Aztec tribe dating back to the 9th century. Chihuahuas were next noted in the mid-19th century in the Mexican state of the same name.
When did first cross-breed the Chihuahua?
Outside of the United States, the Chihuahua was first crossbred in the United Kingdom with Jack Russell Terriers, following the conclusion of the Second World War, in an attempt to revitalize the popularity of the JRT.
Within the United States, the history of crossbreeding the Chihuahua largely dates back to the late 1990s and early 2000s, when Chihuahuas were crossbred with all different types of dogs – some naturally and some through IVF treatments. Some of the most popular Chihuahua mixes include:
- Chihuahua Bichon Frise Mix (Chi Chon)
- Chihuahua Pitbull Mix (Pit Chi)
- French Bulldog Chihuahua Mix (French Bullhuahua)
- Corgi Chihuahua Mix (Chigi)
- Chihuahua Border Collie Mix (Border Chi)
How important is a dog’s temperament to your family?
Finding a dog that fits your family’s temperament is one of the most important parts of ownership of new puppies and making that dog a part of your family. To make this transition as easy as possible, you’ll want to conduct thorough research on the possible temperaments that you new family pet may have.
Are they going to be a spry, active dog that you’re always chasing after? Or a more relaxed, laissez-faire pup that just lets life pass them by? Are they good with children, or do they have the potential for aggression? Are they supremely loyal, or are fiercely independent?
All of these considerations need to be taken into account before you select the breed you’re searching for. The possible temperament of your new family pet should be thoroughly researched beforehand to save you time, money and energy trying to make your new pet a part of the family if they are temperamentally incompatible.
What is the temperament of the Maltese and Chihuahua mix dogs?
The Maltese and Chihuahua mix dogs will adopt different parts of it’s temperament from the Maltese and Chihuahua parent breeds. It is likely to be excitable like the Maltese, but guarded like the Chihuahua. They’re fiercely loyal to their owners and know how to be loving and affectionate.
They’re a wonderful lap dog and loving family pet. The Maltese and Chihuahua mix dogs loves to get lots of attention and will often want to be the center of attention. The Maltese and chihuahua mix makes a great companion dog for the elderly and fantastic furry companion.
Is the Maltese Chihuahua mix dog friendly?
The Chihuahua Maltese mix is going to be a friendly and affectionate pup. Both parent breeds are renowned for the love and affection they show towards their owners, but a healthy suspicion of strangers.
Is the Maltese and Chihuahua mix dog easy to train?
Despite the Chihuahua’s stubborn nature, you can expect your Maltese and chihuahua mix dogs to be relatively easy to train. Training should be done regularly from the earliest weeks of your Chihuahua Maltese puppy’s life. Training can take on many forms, from positive reinforcement training to reward-based training. Both are methods of obedience training designed to create an obedient pup that’s able to listen and follow commands.
How much can a Maltese Chihuahua mix weigh?
The average weight of a Maltese and chihuahua mix dogs is between 5 and 15 pounds.
How tall can a Maltese Chihuahua mix get?
The average height of a Maltese and chihuahua mix dogs is between 12 and 14 inches tall.
Similar-sized breeds
There are a few similar-sized breeds to the Maltese and chihuahua mix.
These include:
- Jack Russell Terrier
- Shih Tzu
- Cocker Spaniel
- Pomeranian
- Havanese
Does the Maltese Chihuahua mix shed?
In general, you can expect your Chihuahua Maltese mix dog to be a low to moderate shedder, requiring regular brushing as well as a trip to a professional groomer once per quarter, or as necessary.
How much exercise does a Maltese Chihuahua mix require?
As a toy dog breed, you’ll notice that your Chihuahua Maltese mix is a spry and active family pet. Typically, your Maltese and chihuahua mix dog will require between 30 and 45 minutes of daily exercise.
In addition to physical exercise, the Chihuahua Maltese mix will need mental stimulation. Mental stimulation is incredibly important to a young dog’s brain development, and – if you’re leaving your Chihuahua Maltese mix alone for several hours, then consider purchasing a KONG toy (and filling it with their favorite treats) for them to enjoy while you’re gone!
How long can a Maltese Chihuahua mix live?
The average lifespan of a Maltese and chihuahua mix is 12-15 years.
What health conditions could the Chihuahua Maltese mix dog have?
- Patellar Luxation (Kneecap Dislocation)
- Eye Infections (Eye Issues)
- Retinal Dysplasia (Eye Issues)
- Hemophilia (Blood Disorder)
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus (Heart Condition)
How can you find a Maltese Chihuahua mix puppy for sale?
Before you start searching for a Chihuahua Maltese mix, consider searching for a Maltese and chihuahua mixed to adopt! Adoption is one of the great ways to save a Malchi dog from spending their days in a kennel or rescue center, on top of this, adoption is generally cheaper than purchasing a Malchi dog from a toy dog breeder.
If you’re unsuccessful in finding a Malchi dog to adopt from your local animal shelter or rescue center, you can search online at AdoptaPet.com.
How much does a Maltese Chihuahua mix puppy cost?
The average cost of a Maltese Chihuahua mix puppy is between $400 and $1000. While this isn’t as high a price as some other mixed breed dogs, the cost of adopting a Malchi dog is usually around $300, cheaper than the middle-of-the-road options when it comes to purchasing a Malchi dog from a reputable breeder.
If you’re still considering purchasing a Chihuahua Maltese mix dog, consider reading our article on purchasing dogs through ethical breeders and how to avoid the products of puppy mills.
Is the Maltese Chihuahua mix the right breed for you?
If you’ve been searching for an active, spry family-oriented pet that doubles as a lapdog and inadvertent guardian, then the Maltese Chihuahua mix could be the perfect breed for your family.
However, if you’re uncertain about whether or not the Maltese and chihuahua mix is the right breed for you, consider reading our dozens of other breed guides to learn more about the other mixed-breed pups out there that might be a better fit for your family.
Sources:
- https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/healthcare/luxating-patella-in-dogs
- https://www.vscot.com/site/blog/2021/05/17/dog-eye-infection
- https://www.animaleyecare.com.au/breeder-info/172-retinal-dysplasia.html
- https://wagwalking.com/condition/hemophilia
- https://www.merckvetmanual.com/circulatory-system/congenital-and-inherited-anomalies-of-the-cardiovascular-system/patent-ductus-arteriosus-in-animals
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/most-popular-dog-breeds-of-2021/