Dr. Sergey Uhanov
Last updated: 18th February 2026
Malchi
By
Dr. Sergey Uhanov
Last updated: 18th February 2026
Malchi is a designer breed developed by crossing the Maltese and Chihuahua. These attractive, small-sized, toy dogs have a medium built and a round head. These cross breed dogs may take the appearance of any of their parents, either being short-haired like the Chihuahua or have long, curly hair as the Maltese. Their intelligent and gentle disposition makes them ideal for participating in various events such as agility sports and competitive obedience.
Malchi Pictures
Quick Information
| Other Names | Malachi, Maltechi, Maltese Terrier Chihuahua mix |
| Coat | Long, Short |
| Color | Black, White, Cream, Brown (or a combination of all these colors) |
| Breed Type | Crossbreed |
| Group (of Breed) | Designer Dog |
| Lifespan | 15 years or more |
| Size | Small |
| Weight | 5 to 12 pounds |
| Height | 12 to 14 inches |
| Temperament | Gentle, Playful, Loving, Affectionate |
| Good with Children | Preferably older children |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Barking | Tends to bark often without a cause |
| Shedding | Moderate |
| Originated in | U.S.A |
| Competitive Registration/ Qualification Information | DDKC (Designer Dogs Kennel Club), ACHC (American Canine Hybrid Club), DRA ( Dog Registry of America, Inc), DDKC (Designer Dogs Kennel Club), IDCR ( International Designer Canine Registry) |
Malchi (Maltese Chihuahua Mix) Puppies Video
Temperament
The Malchi is loving, affectionate, devoted and loyal, attached to his owner and other family members, following them everywhere they go, a trait inherited from their Chihuahua parent. It is therefore not safe to leave them alone for a long time as they may be prone to separation anxiety quite quickly just like the Maltese, getting destructive and fussy.
Though these lively playful dogs are an excellent companion to be in the family, they are not a good choice for young children as they may snap or bark at the little ones if teased by them. Moreover, even if your kid is slightly old make sure that he does not trouble the Malchi as the dog may become destructive when taunted and disturbed. Being highly protective towards the people with whom they live, this Maltese-Chihuahua mix barks to alert them whenever they see any unfamiliar face. They also go on to emit a bark on getting startled by any strange or unusual sounds.
Care
Exercise
These playful, energetic dogs are more or less energetic, requiring regular exercise, brisk walks and considerable time to play to remain physically and mentally fit. However, make sure that you do not over exert them as they may quickly get tired by the end of the day.
Grooming
Malchi dogs with short hair similar to the Chihuahua need to be groomed minimally with occasional brushing using a brush having firm bristles for the purpose of removing the dead hairs. On the other hand, those who have inherited the long hair from their Maltese parent would require to be brushed at frequent intervals. You can also take your dog to a professional groomer to reduce the chances of matting. If your pet Malchi has short hair, then bathe him once in every six weeks whereas long-haired dogs are to be given a bath on a monthly basis. Take special care in cleaning his ears as they are highly prone to ear infections.
Health Problems
The Chihuahua-Maltese mix does not suffer from a lot of ailments. Some of the common health concerns seen in the Malchi include ear and eye infections as well as problems of the intestine and digestion.
Vaccines
The American Animal Hospital Association’s Canine Task Force in the year 2006 recommended all canine breeds to be given core vaccines that include rabies, canine parvovirus, canine hepatitis and distemper. You should also contact your vet to get a list of the shots required to keep the Malchi in a sound health.
Training
In spite of being an intelligent and quick learner, this breed displays a degree of stubbornness in its behavior, thus requiring a firm and assertive trainer who can impart obedience training to it since its puppy days through positive reinforcement methods. It is also essential to give it socialization training so that it may get over its negative traits such as barking, biting or displaying aggressive behavior towards other dogs and pets. They should even be taught how to behave with children of the family to avoid any unpleasant instances.
Just like the Maltese, this breed is also tough to housebreak. Thus, it is required to train them from the time they are a puppy. Rather than being harsh on him, supervise your pet well to develop proper toilet habits.
Feeding
As they are prone to intestinal and digestion problems, it is recommended to feed them dry dog food or a diet rich in fiber, divided into two to three meals a day.
FAQ’s
I am in Las Vegas and would love to adopt a Malchi Are there any contacts in Las Vegas?