Introducing the sassy and charming Malchi

Last Updated on April 23, 2023

A tiny dog with a big bark, the Malchi is the combination of the Maltese and Chihuahua. This pup takes many positives from both parents, including their charming demeanor.

Also known as the Malachi or Maltechi, this playful and sassy mixed breed can get up to some mischief if their owners neglect to socialize them.

Gorgeous smiling Malchi
Source: @eti.liv / IG

Keep reading to learn if this little dog is right for your home!

What is a Malchi dog?

The Malchi is a new breed and doesn’t have a long history, and likely became a crossbreed in the 2000s somewhere within the United States.

It’s unlikely this breed had a presence before the 21st century because both of the Malchis parent breeds originate on opposite ends of the world.

Breeders likely wanted a Chihuahua with longer hair, but it’s also possible they wanted a Chihuahua that had less sass and more class considering the Maltese have a more gentle and calming personality.

Both the Chihuahua and Maltese rank 30-40th in breed popularity, so it could be as simple as combining two high profile and profitable breeds. 

All designer breeds won’t receive recognition from the American Kennel Club, and the Malchis is no exception.

There aren’t any designer breed kennel clubs that give this breed recognition, but they may achieve this in a few years.

The sassy and mouthy Chihuahua

Cute Chihuahua with its dress
Adorable little Chihuahua dog in a blanket

With unclear origins, the sassy Chihuahua has a history that historians often dispute.

One of the most prominent theories is their ties to Central or South America thanks to their Technichi dog parent that the Toltecs kept as temple guards. 

Toltec carvings dating to the 9th century C.E. depict a dog that looks similar to the Chihuahua.

When the Aztecs conquered these people, they absorbed the Toltec society. The Aztecs thought the Chihuahua could see into the future, use mystic powers, and act as spirit guides. 

Another theory is their origins in China as a hairless dog that the Spanish eventually took to Mexico and bred with native dogs.

Regardless of their true origins, the Chihuahua as we know it today was found in the state of the same name in 1850.

These doggies came to the United States in 1890, where the American Kennel Club quickly recognized them as a distinct breed in 1904. They are one of the most popular breeds in the world and are a favorite celebrity pup.

The fabulous Maltese

Adorable Maltese blending with the winter outdoor
Classy Maltese dog

The Maltese dog is a popular and ancient toy breed that has pictures and sculptures littered throughout Europe. Greek, Roman, and Egyptian poets and writers loved to depict them on tombs, artifacts, and paintings.

Even with this prominent history, their exact origin is unknown.

Many dog lovers believe this lapdog came from the Isle of Malta in the Mediterranean Seas from Spitz or Spaniel-type dogs. It’s also possible the Maltese came from Italy or Asia.

No matter the theory, the Maltese found popularity in the 15th century in French aristocrats’ arms.

Many royal ladies like Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth I, and Mary Queen of Scots adored these small dogs and included them in their own portraits.

These pups came to the United States in the late 1800s, but the AKC didn’t recognize them until the 1950s.

The Maltese often wins best in show and is among the most popular breeds, usually coming close to the Chihuahua.

What does a Malchi dog look like?

Fabulous Malchi with its dress
Source: @rolex_the_malchi / IG

While the Chihuahua Maltese mix doesn’t have a standard appearance, there is a look that retains some consistency due to their small size. Mix dogs often look like a combination of both of their parents.

The Chihuahua mix Maltese with either have a medium length or an apple-shaped head. Both are in proportion to their body.

Although a Malchi can have upright or floppy ears, they often sport the droopy ears that hand past their brown eyes and nose.

This designer dog’s tail can either shoot upwards and curl in like the Chihuahua parent or flop over their back like the Maltese.

The Malchi neck is of sufficient length and supports their head to keep them alert and ready.

Both the topline and body are level, with their shoulders sloping slightly to the front. In the chest, the ribs stick out. The structure of their bones is delicate and light, which helps make their feet cute and dainty.

How big will a Maltese Chihuahua mix get?

Smiling Chihuahua Maltese mix posing outdoor
Source: @athena.and.zeus / IG

The Malachi is a toy breed with a predictable height and weight because both parents are also in the toy breed category.

This hybrid dog will sit at your heels and only stand 12-14 inches (30.4-35.5 cms) tall and weigh 5-12 pounds (2.2-5.4 kgs). Malchis, like the Toy Poodle, are small enough to fit in a purse.

Males and females of this dog breed won’t vary much in height and weight. Malchis will take six to nine months to grow fully.

Due to their small stature, they don’t have a lot of growing to do! For this reason, they adapt well to apartment living.

Their coat-style varies significantly

A Maltechis coat varies depending on what parent they take after.

The short-haired chihuahua breed could produce a Malchi with little fur, but if the Maltese hold preference, their mixed breed child will have hair that hangs to the floor. 

Most of the time, the Malchi will have a combination of the curly, fluffy long hair of the Maltese and the Chihuahua’s scruffy short hair.

The Maltechis comes in many colors, including black, white, brown, fawn, and cream. They often sport more than one color at once in blocks, but somethings they’ll fade together.

Most Malchis have markings on their snout, eyebrows, ears, belly, and tail.

Are Malchi Dogs aggressive or affectionate?

When the Maltese and Chihuahua’s personalities combine, you get the playful, gentle, affectionate, and goofy tiny Malchi.

One of this mixed breed’s prominent traits is their perception of self because these little guys think they’re bigger than they actually are.

The Malchi has a lot of spunk and can become aggressive towards dogs, cats, and strangers.

They get nippy and bite people they don’t trust because they’re trying to protect their family. In the case of small children, they may turn that aggression back towards your kids.

Malchis require supervision around elders and toddlers because they have low patience for pulling or rough play.

With early socialization, your pup won’t have any issues adjusting to strange people and may even withhold some of their watchdog tendencies. 

If you want to see just how clingy Malchis are, check out this video:

Barking will get worse if they suffer from separation anxiety, which is common in the Malchi breed. Their aggression will amplify as well, and they’re more likely to bark at every passerby.

Both the Chihuahua and Maltese parents have high trainability, so directing the Malchi out of bad habits will be a breeze.

Use early training, positive reinforcement, and food rewards because they will resent you if you yell or take too long to correct excessive barking behavior. 

Both the Chihuahua and Maltese parents are low-energy lap dogs and cuddle buddies who prefer to spend time with their families. Malchis still love to run and play, so be sure to keep them active.

Malchis are often low-maintenance

Malachis usually have low to medium grooming needs, but it depends on which parent their coat takes after.

Malchis, while not lazy, aren’t in constant need of mental stimulation and prefer to act like a lap dog rather than an exercise pal.

The Malchi has an incredibly low tolerance to cold weather but can handle warm summers. It’s better to exercise your Malchi indoors during the winter.

This lapdog prefers your company

The purebred Maltese and Chihuahua don’t mind physical activity, but they are more than happy to lay around with you all day.

These low energy cuties still want to get outdoors for playtime, but you won’t need to commit to more than a brisk walk daily to keep them healthy.

These small dogs will only need 30 minutes of low-energy exercise a day, which amounts to 7 miles of walking per week.

Since training is ongoing for the Malchi, you can use this time to tire them out while teaching them manners simultaneously.

Just like other dogs, Malchis will love toys. Give them loofahs and soft chew toys that they can lay on as well as play.

Are Malchi dogs hypoallergenic?

Playful Malchi on a windy day
Source: @maisymaethemalchi / IG

The Malchi may have a hypoallergenic coat if they take after the Maltese, but if you have allergies, you’re better off searching for a purebred dog that guarantees this coat.

The Maltechis grooming needs depend on what hair type they inherit

If your Malchi has the Chihuahua’s short hair, you will only need to brush and bathe them on occasion. Even if you were to neglect this coat, the Malchi is unlikely to suffer tangles or mats. The Chihuahua coat shed occasionally.

However, if your Malchi has the long, eye-catching Maltese coat, you’ll need to commit to daily brushing and combing.

They will need regular baths, and you may need to take them to the groomer if you want your pup to keep a fancy hairstyle. This coat sheds infrequently.

You will have to trim their hair with scissors every 4-6 months for the Maltese coat.

Regardless of what coat they inherit, you will need to wash their muzzles if their fur is white or light to keep dirt from staining their hair.

Brush their teeth two to three times a week and trim your Malchis nails at least twice a month.

Maltese nails tend to grow faster than average, so you’ll need to stay on top of a trimming schedule. Finally, check their ears once a month and trim ear hair short for easy airflow.

What to feed your toy breed Malchi

Toy breeds like the Malchi are more likely to develop obesity, so you must feed them a diet that suits their small body and low-exergy needs.

Puppies and full-grown Machis that weigh 5-9 pounds (2.2-4.0 kgs) should eat from a ½ cup of an 8 O.Z. measuring cup per day, two times a day.

Add another ¼ cup for pups that range 10-15 pounds (4.5-6.5 kgs). Their daily caloric intake can range between 233 to 342 calories per day.

Avoid any excess human food beyond that unless you’re feeding them treats during training because even a few extra calories could make them pack on the pounds. Just stick to high-quality dog food and wet food.

You’ll need to health screen your Malchi pup

Cute sleeping Maltese Chihuahua mix pup
Source: @eti.liv / IG

Malchis could suffer from a wide variety of health problems and aren’t overall healthy compared to other breeds.

Toy breeds, in general, suffer from a lot of health conditions because their small size is a factor of many years of poor breeding.

Eye disorders like Progressive Retinal Atrophy, retinal atrophy, retinal dysplasia, and corneal dystrophy are common. Patellar luxation, Shaker Dog Syndrome, and Sebaceous Adenitis frequently occur in this breed.

Other possible health issues related to the Malachis include:

  • Hemophilia 
  • Mitral Valve Dysplasia
  • Hydrocephalus 
  • Cryptorchidism 
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Heart problems
  • Collapsed trachea
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Open fontanel
  • Liver problems
  • Digestion problems
  • Eye and ear infections
  • Shivering
  • Reverse sneezing
  • Deafness 
  • Spina Bifida 
  • Retinal Dysplasia
  • Demodicosis 
  • Pulmonic Stenosis 
  • Glaucoma 
  • Color Dilution Alopecia 
  • Portosystemic Shunt 
  • Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (Dry Eye) 

Since Malchis are prone to so many health conditions, it’s vital to perform a health screening and occasional tests to extend their lifespan.

Do a full-body physical that includes hearing and heart tests, blood analysis, and eye examinations every six months.

The Malchi has an average life expectancy of 12-15 years

Are Malchi puppies expensive?

Adorable Malchi puppy
Source: @maisymaethemalchi / IG

Malchi puppies will cost between $300 and $1000

You’ll have to consider shipping fees, kennel popularity, and the parents’ bloodline before purchasing these pups, as these factors can make puppies more expensive. 

You can find a Malchi puppy at a shelter, adoption center, or you can purchase one from a breeder in the United States.

Despite their recent advent as a new breed, they are easy to find.

The Malchi has small litters of 1-4puppies, but they can get as high as 5-6.

Are Malchi breeders hard to come by?

Malchi breeds may be difficult to find in your area, but more are popping up daily.

While picking from a list of breeders that sell Malchi puppies, ensure that the facility you’re purchasing takes care of their pets.

Always ask to view the breeding stock in person

Be sure to ask for health records for both parents because the Malchi puppy may have multiple pre-existing health conditions.

You may find Malchi puppies for sale at the following locations:

  1. Chews A Puppy (USA)
  2. Puppy Finder (USA)
  3. Puppy Find (USA)

You’ll have better luck at a Chihuahua or Maltese adoption

It’s unlikely you’ll find this breed in an adoption center, but you can try browsing in Chihuahua and Maltese rescues under “mixes.”

It’s common for adoption centers to take in mixed breeds because there isn’t usually a dedicated shelter for that specific designer breed.

You may find Malchis for sale at these locations:

  1. Texas Chihuahua Rescue (Texas, USA)
  2. American Maltese Rescue (USA)
  3. Adopt A Pet (International)

Other Maltese and Chihuahua mixes

Dog owners who don’t think the Malchi will fit into their home should consider other mixed breeds.

These include a Maltese Shih Tzu Mix, a Maltipom (Maltese + Pomeranian Mix), a Shih Tzu Chihuahua Mix, or a PomeranianChihuahua Mix. All these cuties deserve a home, too!

Why is the Malchi the best dog for your family?

Playful Maltese Chihuahua mix dog
Source: @eti.liv / IG

The Malchi is a gentle, goofy, and affectionate toy breed that would rather sleep on your lap than play outside.

While they are excellent watchdogs, those loud barks can get out of hand. If you ignore bad behavior for too long, they could become aggressive and bite strangers.

Malchis can exist in a home with children, but they will need proper socialization and constant training to keep them out of trouble.

First-time dog owners could experience difficulty when the Malchi becomes aggressive. Be aware you will need the right personality to wrangle these sassy dogs.

What do you think of the Malchi? Do you have a cute picture of your own to share? Tell us about it below!

Further reading: Similar-sized breeds to the Malchi

  • Havamalt
  • Malti-Pin
  • Bolonoodle

Reference

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