MALCHI

Apartment Living

Good for 1st Time Owners

Tolerance Levels

Affection for Family

Kid Friendliness

Stranger Friendliness

Ease of Grooming

General Health

Trainability

Prey Drive

Exercise Needs

Energy Level

History

The Malchi does not have a long history as it’s a new breed that is a crossbreed between a Chihuahua and a Maltese. Maltese are an ancient breed used in the Greek and Roman period as trade goods and the Chihuahua originated in Mexico. Malchi is a little dog believed to be a spirit guide and was used to protect souls. Over the last decade, it has emerged as one of the popular dog breeds that start with the letter "M".

Temperament & Personality

The Malchi is a miniature dog which barks loudly but is also affectionate, gentle, and playful. Although high spirited and aggressive, they are very protective of their family. Malchi's are quite intolerant to children, but a close supervision is needed whenever they are with children as they may get irritated and scrappy once annoyed by the kids.

Malchi is best suited for families without children or other animals. The dog can become stubborn at times because of its Chihuahua roots. However, the Maltese side may allow it to please its owner. Additionally, the dog loves to cuddle up.

Exercise

They are mainly lap-dogs but won’t mind physical activities. The owner should expect this dog to be low on energy. The dog also loves short walks and running a short distance.

Grooming

This breed has moderate grooming needs if it has a white coat, but it needs frequent bathing to keep its skin clean and light. The owner should also clean and dry its ear immediately after bathing. By doing this, it will prevent nasty ear infection. The dog needs brushing three times per week with a regular pin brush and a comb. To get good paw health, one should trim the nails every week and brush twice a week.

Health Problems

The Malchis can suffer from minor health issues like Corneal Dystrophy, Shaker Leg Syndrome, Cryptorchidism, Mitral Valve Dysplasia, Portosystemic Shunt. Progressive Retinal Atrophy, etc. Major problems are Patellar Luxation and Patent Ductus Arteriosis(PDA). Some regular tests to track the health of the dog includes knee Tests, DNA for Pra, Blood and full body physical examination, Heart Analysis, etc.

Training

They are an intelligent creature so training won't be an issue if done with firmness and positivity. Scolding and harsh tone won’t do anything useful in their coaching. If not trained properly, they can become aggressive and stubborn towards everyone. Short training sessions for a couple of times per day are enough to keep them healthy.

Feeding

The owner should feed them only dry foods as they may suffer from indigestion. The dog should be fed diet rich foods which are rich in fibre and divided into three meals per day.