A Maltese Husky mix is the result of the breeding of a Siberian Husky and a Maltese. The “Maltsky” breed has a unique physical appearance sought by many!
Moreover, this might be an uncommon breed for dog owners. Most people think that a Maltese and a Siberian Husky aren’t a great combination, but in fact, you’ll get the best of both worlds!
Where Did the Maltese Husky Mix Come from?
The Maltese Husky mix breed still needs recognition from the American Kennel Club. As such, its historical background is unknown. However, dog owners theorized that a Maltsky is an accidental breeding of a Siberian Husky and a Maltese.
On top of that, the Maltese and Siberian Husky’s history is entirely different, so it’s hard to determine how a Maltsky came to be.
Maltese Husky Mix Physical Appearance
As mentioned earlier, the Maltese Husky mix needs recognition from the AKC, so there are no breed standards yet. Plus, it’s hard to predict the dog’s appearance because his physical appearance might only lean towards a Maltese or a Siberian Husky.
There’s a chance that the Maltsky would inherit the physical characteristics of a Maltese. If that’s the case, he’d have long, fluffy white fur with black markings throughout his body. Additionally, the dog will have long ears that lay flat.
On the other hand, a Maltsky could also resemble a smaller Siberian Husky. His color pattern would most likely include white, black, and brown. The dog’s ear will be the perfect triangle shape that most Huskies have.
Luckily, a Maltsky can inherit both the physical characteristics of a Siberian Husky and a Maltese. In this case, you should imagine the two descriptions mentioned earlier.
When it comes to the dog’s height, he’ll most probably be larger than a Maltese but not as big as a Siberian Husky.
Eye Color
According to AKC’s breed standard for a Siberian Husky, the dog’s eye color can be brown, blue, or particolored. On the other hand, AKC stated that Maltese have dark eyes with black rims.
With that said, a Maltese Husky mix dog can inherit any of the eye colors mentioned.
However, because there’s no standard for this breed, other eye colors may emerge sooner or later.
Size and Weight
There’s a vast range of height and weight that a Maltese Husky mix might be.
A Maltsky can be anywhere from eight to twenty inches, but again, the dog can exceed this measurement. Furthermore, they can weigh from ten to fifty pounds.
If your Maltsky inherits the characteristics of a Maltese, then you should expect that he’ll be leaner. On the other hand, if your dog inherits the attributes of a Siberian Husky, he’ll be more muscular and heavier.
Maltese Husky Mix Rarity
The Maltese Husky mix breed is relatively new and uncommon. As a result, it’s harder to come by. There aren’t a lot of breeders who specialize in this breed, so it might take some effort before you can adopt one.
If you can’t find one in your area, scouring the internet will likely lead you to a Maltese Husky mix listing.
Maltese Husky Mix Price
A Maltese Husky mix costs anywhere between $900 to $2000 from a reputable breeder. However, the price can go up if the demand for the breed in your area is high.
Furthermore, the lack of breeders in your area that can safely breed Maltese Husky mix dogs also play a role in the price you pay.
The cheaper alternative is adopting one from your local designer dog rescues. You can adopt a Maltsky for as low as $300.
Maltese Husky Mix Ownership Expenses
Along with the adoption fee, you should also consider the other expenses that’ll come with your Maltese Husky mix. Considering that the breed is intelligent yet stubborn, firm training and adequate healthcare are vital.
High-quality dog food can cost anywhere from $50 to $150, depending on its brand and type. However, if you want to cut down on food expenses, you can opt for lower-quality ones that can still fulfill the nutrients that your Maltsky needs. The price of these types usually ranges from $20 to $40.
Moreover, you should also make an annual visit to the vet at least twice a year. It’s to ensure that your Maltsky is thriving and has no health issues. A basic trip usually costs $50, but the price could bump if you’re going to do laboratory exams and vaccines. As a result, you should expect to spend at least $200.
If you want to get pet insurance for your dog, the monthly cost for a plan with decent coverage starts at $30. Still, the price depends on your location.
You’ll spend other things such as food bowls, treats, a leash, and a bed. Most of these range from $5 to $50. All in all, you’ll spend at least $2000 annually for your Maltese Husky mix dog.
Maltese Husky Mix Life Expectancy
A Maltese Husky mix can live for more than fifteen years. However, his life might get shortened if he has poor health conditions.
A Maltese and a Siberian Husky’s life expectancy is 12 to 15 years. As such, you can expect that your Maltsky will also have a similar lifespan. Of course, your dog can outlive others as long as he’s well taken care of and has no illnesses.
Maltese Husky Mix Common Health Issues
Your Maltese Husky Mix will most likely be prone to health issues that his parents commonly experience.
Both the Siberian Husky and the Maltese are at risk for joint and eye diseases. So, you should look out for these health issues and their symptoms:
- Patellar Luxation
Patellar Luxation is a common congenital or developmental disorder among toy breeds. It’s a condition wherein the dog’s kneecaps move out of their usual position.
As a result, your Maltsky might limp or even have a bowlegged stance. This disorder usually gets treated through medication and weight loss, but more severe cases need surgical treatment.
- Hip Dysplasia
A hereditary disorder that your Maltsky might develop when he’s still growing is Hip Dysplasia. Your dog’s hip joints loosen, leading to extreme pain and dysfunction. If left untreated, it can cause muscle atrophy and arthritis. On top of that, it’ll limit his mobility.
Early diagnosis is vital to prevent the long-term risks associated with the disease. However, the most common treatment for this is a triple pelvic osteotomy.
- Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a relatively common disorder among Siberian Huskies that’s also genetic. This condition occurs when your dog’s thyroid can’t produce the vital hormones essential for his metabolism.
It often leads to slow metabolism, unexplained weight gain, lethargy, and sudden coat changes.
Treatment for this condition includes taking thyroid supplements.
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) is a congenital heart disease in dogs. It occurs when the ductus arteriosus fails to close at birth.
This makes the whole heart work harder because it causes the blood to flow improperly.
It’s a life-threatening condition because your Maltsky will experience difficulty in breathing, stunted growth, and lethargy even if he’s still a pup. So, surgery is necessary to close the ductus arteriosus.
- Liver Shunts
The Portosystemic shunt or Liver shunt is the abnormal vessel that allows blood to bypass the liver. This condition often happens at birth, but dogs with cirrhosis can experience this too.
When your Maltsky has this condition, he’ll most likely show abnormal behaviors such as head pressing and random seizures. Plus, he’ll experience poor muscle development and stunted growth.
Considering this is a severe health issue, surgical treatment is the best option.
- Eye Diseases
Your Maltsky might also develop eye diseases like Corneal Dystrophy, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and Cataracts.
Cataracts are a genetic disorder that makes your Maltsky’s eyes opaque due to protein buildup. When it happens, the light can’t pass through to the retina, reducing their sight line. In some cases, it also leads to blindness.
Corneal Dystrophy is an inherited progressive condition often caused by a genetic disturbance in the metabolization of fats. It significantly affects the vision of your dog, and similar to Cataracts, it makes their corneas cloudy.
Lastly, Progressive Retinal Atrophy is an umbrella term for degenerative diseases that affect your Maltsky’s photoreceptor cells. The two forms of PRA are early onset and late onset. The former usually develops during the first three months of your dog, while the latter forms when he’s already an adult.
There’s a plethora of treatments for Corneal Dystrophy. Additionally, veterinarians usually treat Cataracts through surgery. However, there’s no cure for PRA yet.
Maltese Husky Mix Temperament
The temperament of a Siberian Husky and a Maltese are completely opposite. One is a breed that works for his leader, while the other is a toy dog that brings all sorts of happiness to his owners.
With that said, you should expect your Maltsky to be feisty yet sweet.
- Lively
A Maltsky is overflowing with energy. Your dog can play and run for hours on end. In fact, the breed got this trait from both of his parents.
However, this might become a problem because if your dog can’t properly exhaust his energy, it can lead to destructive behavior. There’s a chance that he might chew on things or bark excessively. That said, mental stimulation is necessary for your Maltsky.
- Affectionate
The breed is highly affectionate towards his master. A Maltsky will constantly try to seek attention whenever he pleases.
A problem arises whenever your Maltsky doesn’t get the attention he wants. Siberian Huskies are vocal about their emotions and express them through howling and barking. As such, your dog might also do the same if you don’t notice them right away.
- Intelligent
You shouldn’t underestimate your Maltsky because even though he’s small, he makes an excellent watchdog. It’s because the breed is intelligent, which results in him being highly trainable.
If you want your Maltsky to guard your family, you should let him undergo obedience training. Doing so establishes harmony between you and your dog, so you won’t experience any trouble when you train them to be a watchdog.
- Intense Prey Drive
Considering that Siberian Huskies have a strong prey drive, there’s a possibility that your Maltsky might have it as well. So, you should prepare for your dog to run and chase smaller prey whenever you take him outdoors.
Luckily, you can tame your Maltsky’s prey drive through positive reinforcement. Along with training your dog’s recall, you should also encourage off-leash walking whenever you take him outside. When his hunting instinct is active, Immediately discouraging his behavior will also work.
- Clingy
Since a Maltsky is affectionate, it also means that he can be extremely clingy not only towards his master but also to other people in the household. He’ll also be friendly to other dogs if he has exceptional social skills.
With that said, early socialization is vital for your Maltsky. If he grows up without exposure to other people or dogs, he might get snappy whenever he sees an unfamiliar face. Plus, it’ll lead to problematic behavior, such as excessive barking and whining.
Furthermore, the dog’s clinginess can also lead to separation anxiety. If you’re away from home often, your Maltsky will likely develop this disorder. As such, you have to prevent this through crate training, desensitization, and counter-conditioning.
- Gentle
A Maltsky is lovable because of his gentle nature and sweet temper. He gets along well with family members and is respectful towards them.
As a result, a Maltsky makes a perfect family pet because he’ll bring you lots of joy. However, it still depends on how you raise him.
A dog with a traumatic upbringing won’t show any warmth towards his owner. On the other hand, a Maltsky will reciprocate the love and care of his family members if he grew up in a loving household.
- Playful
The breed needs constant mental stimulation due to his abundance of energy. So, it’s normal for your Maltsky to move around often.
As much as possible, you should play with your Maltsky because it’s a way to strengthen your relationship with him. However, if you can’t physically do so, you should give him toys and puzzles that stimulate his brain. Through mental stimulation, he’ll be able to exhaust his energy.