Crested Malt Basics
The rare and unusual Crested Malt might not be one of the most widely available designer dogs, but it certainly is a popular hybrid. Developed by crossing the sweet Maltese with the friendly Chinese Crested, this mixed breed pooch can also be a good choice for people with mild dog allergies. As both of the parental breeds are considered to be hypoallergenic, it’s safe to assume that their offspring will inherit the same traits, as well.
Having parents that are bred to be companion dogs also means that the Crested Malt will be ideally suited for the same role. Friendly, laid-back and with a happy-go-lucky attitude, these hybrids are are a real joy to be around. As they’re very adaptable, as well, they can be a great choice for everyone from singles to families with kids to seniors!
This designer dog breed is also known as Crestese, Chinese Crestese, or Crested Maltese.
The Crested Malt is a low-maintenance dog with a friendly, sweet personality that will disarm you in an instant.
Origin
It might be ironic, but the origin of ancient dog breeds seems to be far better documented than that of designer dogs! Even though hybrid breeds are a relatively recent occurrence, there’s not much information available about their creation and development. To make matters even more complicated and convoluted, there’s still a lot of mixed breed dogs that are a product of ‘accidents’ rather than intentional breeding efforts. It’s almost impossible to know when or where a certain hybrid breed was first created.
The same goes for the Crested Malt. There have, undoubtedly, been many Chinese Crested and Maltese mixed dogs through history. It’s just we can’t know when it became a product of deliberate breeding and when it was an unwanted crossbreeding. However, it’s highly likely that the Crested Malt, like all other designer dogs, was first created in the United States, sometime in the last two decades. Don’t let lack of information about this breed’s origin fool you into thinking that they don’t have an impressive and noble ancestry. These designer dogs might be new on the scene, but their parents have been around for centuries.
Pedigree
The family tree of the Crested Malt speaks volumes about the breed’s qualities. The Maltese is among the oldest dog breeds in the world, and the Chinese Crested has been around at least since the 19th century- and there’s evidence to indicate that its history is far longer than that. Throughout the centuries, both of these breeds have been treasured for their great personalities and attractive looks, and not much has changed in terms of their popularity.
However, even though both parents of the Crested Malt are well-respected and recognized by the American Kennel Club, their offspring doesn’t have the same status. The official canine clubs don’t recognize any mixed breeds as breeds in their own right, therefore there will be no official pedigree papers for your new Crested Malt puppy. Don’t let that discourage you, though- their noble ancestry is all the proof of pedigree you need.
Food/Diet
They don’t say ‘let food be thy medicine’ for nothing! A well-balanced, healthy diet will provide a good foundation for your dog’s overall health, so it’s crucial to ensure they get all the nutrients their body needs. To meet the dietary requirements of a Crested Malt, you can’t go wrong with a high-quality dry dog food. Not only that it’s the most convenient way to feed your pet, but it’s also the safest option, as it ensures that ever nutrient is right there in your dog’s bowl. Choose kibble that’s suitable for your Crested Malt’s size (toy or small dogs), age (puppy, adult, or senior) and activity level (low to medium).
Additionally, you can always decide on cooking your pet’s meals or feeding them a raw diet. Of course, if you want to prepare the food for your pet, you’ll have to consult with a veterinary nutritionist. Otherwise, you risk serious deficiencies that could lead to health issues.
It’s also important to note that you shouldn’t overindulge your new pet with treats and yummy meals. Due to their petite frame, the Crested Malt can quickly gain weight- and even a little extra can lead to obesity when you’re this tiny. It goes without saying that overweight dogs have many health issues to deal with, so it’s better to cut back on doggie snacks than to be sorry later on.
A well-balanced, healthy diet will provide a good foundation for your dog’s overall health.
Training
Teaching your pet some basic manners is a must- but it’s not always an easy feat. Luckily, the Crested Malt is a highly trainable dog. In fact, they are among the breeds that are considered suitable for beginner dog owners. Even if you haven’t had the opportunity to train a dog before, it’s likely that you’ll have no issue training a Crested Malt!
Owing to its intelligence and docile, obedient personality, this hybrid won’t have any problem learning where to do their business or how to behave in a dog park. Actually, as they’re very eager to please their humans, these designer dogs can be trained to perform tricks or understand a variety of commands. Use positive reinforcement methods of training to ensure your pet enjoys the learning process- and that it’s not stressful or tiring for them.
In case you have a Crested Malt puppy, don’t wait until they grow older to begin teaching them. Start with the basic training and socialization as soon as possible. While they have a friendly and docile personality by default, these pooches still need to learn how to feel relaxed around strangers and other pets- not to mention get the proper potty habits.
Weight
The appearance of designer dog breeds is often very unpredictable. Due to the differences between parental breeds, puppies can look dramatically different one from another, even across the same litter. When it comes to the Crested Chinese and the Maltese, they might not look alike, but at least their size is very similar. As the offspring of two toy dog breeds, the Crested Malt will weigh 5 to 10 pounds when fully grown.
Temperament/Behavior
You would be hard-pressed to find a sweeter, kinder pooch than the Crested Malt. These mixed breed dogs really have hearts of gold, and they’re widely known for their friendly, affectionate temperament. Owing to their parental breeds, these designer dogs make ideal companions to seniors, singles and even families with children. If they are socialized on time, they will love kids and enjoy being their playmate- as long as the young ones are respectable and gentle to them.
In case your Crested Malt puppy favors their Chinese Crested mom or dad, you’ll notice that they’re very quiet and bark very rarely. This, in addition to their small size and modest exercise needs, makes them a perfect match for apartment-dwelling pet owners.
Common Health Problems
Due to poor breeding practices of puppy mills, people tend to think that designer dogs are ridden with genetic issues. While dogs brought up in these horrible conditions do tend to be sick. It’s not something related to their mixed breed ancestry. However, if you get your puppy from a reputable source, there’s no need to worry. With the right care and attention, hybrids get to be as healthy as any other dog. In fact, some people even claim that crossbreeding dog leads to so-called hybrid vigor, an improved resilience, and fewer genetic conditions. While there are no studies to back this up, it can be said that the Crested Malt certainly is a healthy pooch.
These Maltese and Chinese Crested mixes are prone to some eye and bone issues as they grow older, but there are no significant congenital conditions to worry about.
Life Expectancy
All things considered, the Crested Malt is a breed that’s just too rare and too recent for anyone to know what their actual lifespan is. Thankfully, by analyzing the parental breeds and their own longevity, a lot can be guessed about their offspring. With good care, you can expect your designer dog to live for at least 10 to 13 years.
Exercise Requirements
Considering their small stature and laid-back attitude, it’s no wonder that the Crested Malt is not high-maintenance when it comes to exercise. These petite pooches don’t need much physical activity throughout the day to stay content. As a rule of thumb, 30 minutes of walking or playtime each day should do the trick for the Crested Malt. Take your new pet to the dog park or play fetch with them in your yard to get them to stay fit and happy!
The Crested Malt is a highly-trainable breed that’s suitable for beginner dog owners.
Recognized Clubs
Even though official canine clubs and organizations such as the AKC don’t recognize hybrids as official breeds, there are plenty of them that do. Those of them that recognize the Crested Malt include the American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Dog Registry of America, and International Designer Canine Registry.
Coat
When it comes to the hair of a Crested Malt, there are a lot of possibilities. One of the defining traits of its Chinese Crested parent is that it has an unusual coat- or, to be precise, doesn’t have one. These dogs can come in two varieties: hairless and powderpuff, which flaunts gorgeous long and silky fur.
Mixed breed puppies can either look more than one parent or end up looking like a perfect blend of both mom and dad. In case the Maltese has been bred with a hairless Chinese Crested, their puppies can either be hairless of have medium to long white coat. And, if one of the parents was a powderpuff Chinese Crested, the litter of Crested Malt puppies, it’s more likely that the puppies will sport stunning long locks. But, in both breeding situations, all bets are off: fully coated parents can give birth to adorable hairless babies and vice versa. Expect the unexpected!
In any case, though, you can count on having to do a fair amount of grooming. A Crested Malt will have to be bathed at least bi-weekly and will need to be combed and brushed every day. To boot, if your designer dog is hairless, you can count on them needing creams and products that will keep their sensitive skin in perfect condition.
Puppies
With designer dogs in general, but Crested Malt in particular, you can always expect to be surprised. One litter of Crested Malt puppies can have four-legged babies with no hair on their body besides tufts on paws, head, and tail, or adorable white-coated furballs that are completely fluffy. The only guarantee you’ll have with these dogs is that they’ll be absolutely cute! Of course, while their unusual and beautiful appearance does contribute to their appeal, it’s not the primary reason why this breed is so loved.
The Crested Malt is a low-maintenance dog with a friendly, sweet personality that will disarm you in an instant. These affectionate and devoted pooches will bond deeply with their owners, and love to spend time around their family. Owing to their docile temperament, small stature and low exercise needs, these hybrids are perfect for seniors, people living in an apartment, or singles looking for a loving companion.
