Crested Malt: Your Complete Guide

Considering a crested Malt for you or your family? Or perhaps you’ve adopted one and want to learn more about how to train them? In either case, understanding more about a crested Malt can aid you in your decision.

The crested Malt is a unique breed that combines a Maltese and a Chinese crested. When these dogs are combined the result is a toy breed that’s cute, loyal, and easy to care for. In fact, it’s a highly sought-after toy breed because many versions of this dog can be hypoallergenic, which is great for families that are allergic to dogs.

While crested Malts can be a great choice for you and your family, it’s still important to learn more about them before you consider adopting them.

There’s a lot to learn about crested Malts but you’re in the right place. Learn about the temperament, size, appearance, and health of a crested Malt in our article. Read on to learn more below.

Quick Look at the Crested Malt

Below is a quick glance at the crested Malt in terms of its physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.

What Is the History of Crested Malts?

Crested Malts are a combination of Chinese crested and Maltese dogs. The breed shares traits from both parents, so most of their history is intertwined with the Chinese crested and the Maltese.

However, one thing we do know about the crested Malt is that it’s the result of designer dog breeding; a process that occurs when breeders want to create rare dog breeds for competitive shows or higher price tags. This practice began a few decades ago, which is when the crested Malt is likely to have entered the mix.

To better understand the history of the crested Malt, it’s important to learn more about the parent breeds. There is also a lot of debate around the origin of the Chinese crested. For example, some experts believe that the dogs originated from Mexico and were made popular by ancient cultures like the Aztecs.

However, another theory is that these dogs came from African hairless dogs that went to Asia during the 13th century. Due to this debate, it’s hard to pinpoint the breed’s origin. One thing that’s known for sure is that the Chinese crested started to appear in the 1500s.

On the other hand, more is known about the Maltese. These dogs come from the island region of Malta and have been around since the 5th century. Malteses are known for accompanying nobility and most of them were status symbols for the upper class. Eventually, the Maltese spread through Europe due to the Crusades and new trade routes to Asia.

What Do Crested Malts Look Like?

The crested Malt is a mix between the Chinese crested and the Maltese, so it’s common for the breed to share traits from both parent breeds. That said, most crested Malts do share some notable features and you can learn more about their appearance and size below.

Crested Malts have a distinct appearance that’s unlike other similar dogs. The main feature that stands out is their long floppy ears. Their ears are huge and can be larger in size than their legs.

Additionally, the crested Malt’s ears stand out because the rest of their facial features are usually small. Their snout is small and pointed, their eyes are small, and their head is small in general.

The last thing to note is some information about their coats. Their coats are usually wiry and come in a few colors including blue, black, white, and cream. However, there may also be a combination of these colors on a crested Malt. Overall, they’re considered a toy breed by most breeders but their general size and appearance can vary based on the traits of their parents. That said, they’re rarely hairless and may sometimes even be hypoallergenic.

What Size Is a Crested Malt?

Crested Malts aren’t the biggest dogs and they tend to be on the smaller side. You’ll usually find crested Malts that are 5 to 10 pounds and they’re considered a designer toy breed. When it comes to crested Malts’ height, they’re about 10-12 inches at the shoulder. There may be some variation in size and build depending on the traits that the dog inherits.

What Is a Crested Malt’s Coat Type and Length?

The crested Malt has a medium or long coat depending on the traits of their parents. In most cases, crested Malts have a coat type that’s smooth and silky. Some slight variations may also happen but for the most part, their coat type remains consistent within this range.

What Is a Crested Malt’s Temperament?

Crested Malts have an affectionate and loyal temperament with a little bit of spunk mixed in. They’re known for being sweet, friendly, and open to interacting with strangers.

Crested Malts are also smart dogs and that can lead to a little bit of curiosity sometimes. While you don’t have to worry about crested Malts damaging your furniture or being too clingy, you do need to manage their energy levels properly and they can be sensitive.

Always train them with positive reinforcement and make sure you take them on walks or play with them to stimulate their mind. Otherwise, their calm temperament can turn more extreme.

Are Crested Malts Good With Kids?

Crested Malts can be great with kids. They love to play and have tons of energy, so children and crested Malts will often tire each other out.

That said, crested Malts can be nippy when they’re play-fighting or if they get grabbed, so always supervise play sessions between a crested Malt and your child. Once your child is past the toddler ages, you shouldn’t have to worry.

Are Crested Malts Good With Other Animals?

Crested Malts can be great with other animals. While they can play a little rough with other dogs they won’t bother cats, hamsters, and other small pets. You might also notice that they’ll bark and stand firm against larger dogs; they’re all-bark no-bite in most of these situations.

That said, if you do run into issues with how your crested Malt is behaving you can focus on behavior training. Also, give your crested Malt time to adjust to their new home before introducing other animals.

Are Crested Malts Aggressive?

No, crested Malts are not aggressive. However, they are known for being nippy when playing and they might playfully swat at toys or people they’re playing with.

While this won’t be an issue for older children, keep an eye on younger children and crested Malts to avoid any injuries. These behaviors can also be trained away with behavioral training if the situation gets worse.

Do Crested Malts Bark?

Crested Malts are known for being quite vocal. When they’re playing or looking at things outside your home there’s a good chance that they’ll bark. While they’re small dogs, a crested Malt’s bark is loud and may disturb neighbors if you live in close quarters. Additionally, you might have to train them to not bark at everything in sight.

Are Crested Malts Affectionate?

Once you have a crested Malt’s trust you’ll find that they’re affectionate dogs. They love to sit on people’s laps, sit next to them, and they might even sleep in your bed. Crested Malts also have the emotional capacity to bond with several members of the family, so you don’t have to worry about a crested Malt not getting along with someone.

After a crested Malt starts to see someone more often they will also open up; they’ll slowly calm down and bark less around strangers after seeing them a few times.

Are Crested Malts Intelligent?

Yes, crested Malts are intelligent dogs. In fact, the breed is known for being responsive to positive reinforcement training, learning complex commands, and having a great memory to learn tons of unique commands. Crested Malts are also eager to please, so you shouldn’t have any issues implementing a training routine.

This is due to the genes of their parent breeds because the Maltese and Chinese crested are known for being smart dogs. They’re also smart enough to dig under fences and escape your home if you’re not careful. Therefore, we recommend dog-proofing your home and yard before adopting them.

Are Crested Malts Energetic?

Crested Malts are an energetic breed, and while they’re small dogs, they’ll make their presence known. Most crested Malts are little balls of energy and without walks and playing they will bounce around your house, not sleep through the night, and get anxious.

The good news is that they only need around 60 to 90 minutes of exercise each day to remain healthy and happy. We recommend two 30-minute walks or an hour of playing physical games like fetch and frisbee. Going to dog parks and teaching them tricks can also help you meet some of their energy demands.

Are Crested Malts Easy to Train?

Crested Malts aren’t hard dogs to train. While they can be unruly at times, they have genes from Malteses and Chinese crested dogs, which are breeds that can learn complex commands, perform tricks, and much more. Plus, they have a people-pleasing personality and you’ll find that they respond well to positive reinforcement training methods.

You can also train them for different types of situations. For example, you can focus on off-leash training if you want to take them on walks without a leash or opt for behavioral training to fix bad behaviors.

Are Crested Malts Good Watchdogs?

Crested Malts are decent watchdogs, even without training. This is because they’re vocal dogs that will bark at anything. If someone is approaching your door or if something seems wrong outside, crested Malts will let you know. That said, they’re not the best at defending your family due to their size and they might bark at things that aren’t a threat.

Are Crested Malts Good Service Dogs?

It’s uncommon to see a crested Malt work as a service dog, mainly because it’s a new breed.

However, that doesn’t mean they’re bad at being service dogs. In fact, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) allows you to train any dog as a service dog as long as they’re trained to help with a specific disability. For a crested Malt, you’re better off using them as a psychiatric service dog.

They’re great at managing emotions and can learn to apply deep pressure therapy and other methods of providing comfort. On the other hand, they’re not great as physical service dogs because of their small size. They’re too small to pull wheelchairs, open doors, and guide you through a crowd.

How to Care for a Crested Malt?

Caring for a crested Malt is a simple process once you know what you need to do. You’ll want to start by taking them to the vet every year to avoid health complications and to catch illnesses early.

Once you have a vet routine, it’s time to establish a grooming routine. Make sure you bathe them frequently, clip their nails, and brush their hair; you can offset some of these tasks by working with a professional groomer.

You can also brush their teeth, ensure they get exercise, and feed them a healthy diet to help a crested Malt live a long and healthy life.

Do You Need to Groom a Crested Malt?

Grooming a crested Malt is important. Like Malteses and Chinese crested dog breeds, you need to keep their coat healthy with baths, brushing, and managing hair length. For bathing, focus on bathing your crested Malt at least once per month. If you don’t feel comfortable bathing them, take them to a professional monthly for trims and baths.

When it comes to trimming, their claws will wear down naturally if you play with them outside but you may have to clip them. You also have to trim long hair around their ears, mouth, and sometimes between their toes. Additionally, make sure you brush their hair daily for the best results and to help with shedding problems.

Lastly, make sure you brush their teeth frequently or consider treats that have dental health ingredients.

Do Crested Malts Shed?

You have to brush a crested Malt’s coat often to remove some hair and knotting, but that doesn’t mean they shed frequently. In fact, they’re minimal shedders compared to most dog breeds and their hair is hypoallergenic. This means that you don’t have to constantly be vacuuming to prevent allergy attacks.

What Health Problems Do Crested Malts Have?

Crested Malts are a mixed-breed dog, so they don’t have as many health issues as most purebreds. That said, you still have to keep an eye on their health and make sure you bring them to the vet each year to catch any conditions.

Most health conditions they have stem from the genes of their parents. For example, breeders need to screen Chinese cresteds for any potential genes that lead to retinal atrophy, glaucoma, and other ocular diseases.

Crested Malts are also prone to joint problems like patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, and elbow dysplasia, however, these conditions are less common in smaller crested Malts.

Some other notable health issues to keep an eye on include:

• Entropion
• Hypoglycemia
• Lens luxation
• Dry skin
• Allergies
• Hypothyroidism
• Idiopathic epilepsy
• Obesity

The best way to prevent health problems is to work with breeders who have screened their crested Malts for specific health issues. You can also feed them a healthy diet and ensure they get plenty of exercise to avoid other complications.

How Long Do Crested Malts Live?

Crested Malts are a small dog breed, which means it’s common for them to last for more than 10 years. On average, most crested Malts will live for 10-13 years. However, this can vary based on the genes of the parents. In fact, some crested Malts can live for 15-17 years with exercise, proper diet, and good healthcare.

What Should a Crested Malt Eat?

Crested Malts need to eat a balanced diet. It’s best to give them food that’s made for small dog breeds and the food should be balanced in regards to fat, protein, and carbohydrates. Try to incorporate vitamins and minerals into their diet and make sure they have access to fresh water throughout the day, especially in warmer conditions.

Some good food ingredients to look for in dog food for a crested Malt include lean meats, fish, poultry, fruits, and some grains. Especially, look for omega-3 fatty acids, apples, blueberries, and broccoli.

Is a Crested Malt the Right Dog for Me?

Whether you’re a first-time pet owner or a canine enthusiast, the crested Malt can be a great choice. The crested Malt is a great companion and they can be a welcome addition to your home thanks to their calm and loyal temperament.

While they’re small dogs, we recommend having enough space for them to run around and play, so a medium-sized apartment or a house with a backyard is perfect. The good news is that you can also make it work if you live in a city that has a dog park or other public places where you can take your crested Malt.

When it comes to introducing a crested Malt to your family, you also don’t have to worry. While it might take some time for them to come around to the little ones or other pets in the house, they get along well with older children and most pets.

That said, if you have younger children, keep an eye on how they interact with your crested Malt because sometimes they can become sassy or snippy when tugged or if you play rough with them.

Overall, the crested Malt can be a great addition to your home or family. Plus, once you understand the breed, the adjustment period is a breeze, regardless of the dog’s age.