Malti Pin Basics
If you want a small, lively pooch to be your devoted companion, the charming Malti Pin is a perfect choice. This fairly recent designer dog breed was developed by crossing the affectionate Maltese and the feisty Miniature Pinscher. When crossbred, these two popular toy dog breeds result in a petite pooch with a big personality that does great in apartments. A big city pooch, the Malti-Pin or Maltese Pin, as it is also known, will not need hours of exercise and a big yard to be happy.
These adorable hybrids are ideally suited to be pets for singles and seniors, as they prefer smaller families and generally don’t like to share attention with children or other pets. However, if socialized on time, they can get along with friendly dogs or well-behaved kids- even though they shouldn’t be your first choice if you live in a big family.
Playful, friendly, and devoted to its owner, the Malti Pin makes a wonderful companion.
Origin
The Maltese is considered to be one of the most ancient dog breeds around and the oldest toy dog breed in Europe. These tiny white dogs have a long and rich history as treasured pets and lap dogs for nobles, from Ancient Greece to modern times. On the other hand, the Miniature Pinscher had a less glamorous role in the past: this toy dog was used to hunt rats on German farms. Even though they had very different histories, these two popular breeds are now among the most popular and loved pets in the world. It’s no surprise, then, that their mixed breed offspring is set to become one of the more sought-after designer dogs, too.
However, even though there’s no doubt what the origin of the Malti Pin breed is when it comes to its parents, there’s not enough information about the time and place this designer dog was created. Most sources agree, though, that these hybrids were probably first bred somewhere in the United States, in the last two decades.
Pedigree
The impressive ancestry of the Malti Pin speaks volumes about this dog’s good breeding. Provided that you didn’t get a Maltese-Min Pin puppy from a backyard breeder, you’ll be getting a pooch that originates from two very well-bred and respected purebreds. Both parental breeds belong to the AKC toy group and are considered to be ideally suited for companions and family pets.
However, even though the family tree of a designer dog such as the Malti Pin is well-documented and clear, these hybrids can’t have official pedigree papers. The reason for this is that the American Kennel Club and it’s international counterparts don’t view mixed breed dogs as breeds in their own right. The official stance is that designer dogs are closer to mutts than to purebreds in terms of breed standards; so it’s impossible for some of the canine clubs to recognize them.
Food/Diet
Making sure that your dog has a healthy, well-balanced diet should be one of your primary concerns as a pet owner. Meeting your pooch’s nutritional needs will go a long way, and promote good health throughout your pet’s life. Malti Pin does best on premium dry dog food, suited to their size ( toy), age (puppy, adult, senior), and activity level (low or moderate). Some brands even offer kibble specially blended by certain dog breeds- both the Maltese and Miniature Pinscher food are a suitable choice. Lastly, some pet owners prefer feeding their pets a home cooked diet or a raw regime such as B.A.R.F. If you decide on an unconventional diet for your designer dog, make sure to ask your vet for advice and opinion first.
For a toy dog breed such as the Malti Pin, you won’t have to pour much kibble in the bowl. Their petite frame doesn’t handle excess weight well, and even the slightest gains could put stress on their joints and bones. To make sure your pet has a healthy weight, follow the serving size guidelines printed out on the kibble bag or instructions from your veterinarian.
In addition to basic training, early socialization is essential for the Malti Pin.
Training
There’s no denying that a Malti Pin is a sharp pooch with an inquisitive mind. Unfortunately, they also tend to have a very stubborn streak which doesn’t make them the easiest breed to train. This is the main reason why these hybrids need a patient, experienced owner that would know how to use positive reinforcement methods to teach their new puppy manners. Potty training is rumored to be particularly hard for these pooches, as the Maltese is also difficult to housebreak. Nevertheless, with a bit of an effort and the right attitude, you’ll get your Malti Pin puppy to grow into a pooch that knows how to behave!
In addition to basic training, early socialization is essential for the Malti Pin. Unless their behavior is corrected on time, these dogs can be the epitome of the “ small dog syndrome”. Bossy attitude, dislike of other pets and lack of patience with children are usually not the traits people want their pet to have. To make sure your new pooch grows up to be the friendly and charming dog it has the potential to be, work with them and teach them what types of behavior are acceptable and correct those that aren’t.
Weight
Designer dogs, especially those that have parents that are not similar in appearance, can have wildly inconsistent looks. The same holds true for the offspring of the Maltese and the Miniature Pinscher, but not when it comes to their size. As both of its parental breeds belong to the toy group, the Malti Pin will also be a very small dog. On average, these hybrids weigh between 8 to 10 pounds when fully mature.
Temperament/Behavior
Playful, friendly, and devoted to its owner, the Malti Pin makes a wonderful companion. These tiny dogs have a big personality, and they’re natural charmers. Goofy behavior and entertaining attitude make them quite the canine comedian! Of course, a lot of their silly antics stems from their inquisitive, curious nature.
The Malti Pin is an intelligent breed, but all that smarts can lead them right into trouble sometimes. To boot, if the puppies take up after the Min Pin parent, these hybrids can have a strong prey drive, prompting them to always investigate their environment for small animals they could “hunt”- which is why you shouldn’t walk them off leash or let them play in the yard unattended. One look at a squirrel and your Malti Pin will take off after it!
Even though they have a bit more energetic personality than your average toy breed dog, these hybrids are still lap dogs through and through. The Malti Pin will love nothing more than to be the center of the universe and get pampered every day. Snuggles, puppy kisses and cuddling while you watch TV are to be expected. After all, the Min Pin-Maltese mix is a real cuddle bug and won’t hesitate to show its devotion to the owner.
Of course, no dog is born perfect (even though some pooch parents would argue on this). Sometimes, if not trained and socialized on time, the Malti Pin can be a yapper, barking at anything and everything. True, their alertness does make them a good watchdog, but their size prevents them from actually scaring off any potential intruders- unless they’re terrified by absolute cuteness!
Common Health Problems
The belief that mutts and designer dogs are inherently healthier than their purebred counterparts is a fairly common one. The reason for this is the concept of hybrid vigor, which indicates that crossbreeding of species improves resiliency and leads to far fewer genetic conditions in the hybrid offspring. Sadly, there is not enough real proof to support these claims, but there are some crossbreeds that do boast better health than their parents do.
When it comes to the Malti Pin, these dogs are prone to issues that are common for all toy breeds in general. In their case, the mix of two petite pooches made it impossible for the offspring to avoid the size-related issues, such as early tooth loss and proneness to obesity. Additionally, the Malti Pin might be at risk for Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, hip dysplasia, or patent ductus arteriosus.
Life Expectancy
As a small breed dog that’s not prone to too many genetic issues, this hybrid has a good life expectancy prognosis. With good preventive care throughout their life, a Malti Pin can get to live at least for 13 to 16 years.
Exercise Requirements
Although undeniable more energetic than most small dogs, the Malti Pin still doesn’t have high-maintenance activity needs. As a rule of thumb, 30 to 60 minutes of daily activity should keep your designer dog tired but content. A lot will depend on which parent the puppies favor more: if it’s the Min Pin, they’ll need more exercise. Nevertheless, these pooches make great apartment dwellers, as all of their activity requirements can be met either indoors or with a few daily walks around the block.
Another important aspect is their need for mental stimulation, which can sometimes be overlooked by novice dog owners. Get your pooch puzzle toys that will keep them occupied and entertained for hours on end.
This hybrid will not need hours of exercise and a big yard to be happy.
Recognized Clubs
The canine clubs and organizations that recognize the Malti Pin include the American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Breed Registry, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Dog Registry of America, and International Designer Canine Registry.
Coat
Designer dogs are renowned for their unpredictability- you never know what mixed breed puppies will look like. The Malti Pin is an excellent example of this. As this is the offspring of a Maltese with a white, long-haired coat and the Miniature Pinscher with short, sleek, and dark hair, there is always room for surprise concerning their appearance. In most cases, they are moderate to low shedders, with a medium-length coat. The colors vary from black, brown, stag to cream and everything in between.
Low maintenance when it comes to their grooming requirements, the Malti Pin will need regular brushing and a bath every few weeks to keep their coat looking dazzling.
Puppies
The fact that Malti Pin puppies are out-of-this-world cute makes it hard for some owners to be assertive with their new pet from the start. You don’t want to make this mistake! You shouldn’t be harsh or use aversive methods of training, but it’s important to let your puppy know that they’re not the pack leader- you are. This will save you a lot of trouble in the long run, when the cute puppies grow into cute dogs that could have behavioral issues if you neglect their training.
Overall, their friendly and lively personality, as well as their small size, make the Malti Pin a great companion for seniors and singles. They’ll love to be in the center of attention and function better when they don’t have other pets or kids to compete with.
Photo credit: fongleon356/Shutterstock; Brandy Wright/Shutterstock
