The Maltese mix with Bichon is a hybrid between two popular small dog breeds – the Maltese and the Bichon Frisé.
During a Darwin’s Ark 2020 study on dog breed ancestry, more than 2,000 dogs were sequenced in its database. Both the Maltese were among the most popular dog breeds seen in pet dog ancestry. This would explain why the Bichon Frisé Maltese mix popularity is growing this fast.
Also known as the Maltichon, this crossbreed inherits some of the best traits from both parents resulting in a friendly, playful, smart, happy, and curious pooch. This mixed breed is suitable for families, novice dog owners, and homes with multiple pets. More than its attractive looks, the hybrid is much loved for its hypoallergenic capabilities. They are good for individuals that are sensitive to dog fur.
Individuals that own hybrids, says the International Wolf Center, often find that their canine buddies’ behavior makes it a challenge to care for them. There is a diversity of genetic composition even within one litter of hybrid pups. This leads to a wide range of appearances and behavior patterns among all hybrids. This, in turn, makes their behavior fickle and harder to predict.
So, before you commit to owning a mixed dog breed, like the Maltese Bichon Frisé cross, take time to understand this cross.
Our article today comprehensively talks about the Maltichon. Everything you need to know, such as temperament, appearance, how to care for a Maltichon, price, and more. We got you covered.
Table of Contents
What is a Maltese Bichon Mix called?
A Maltese mixed with Bichon Frisé is commonly known as a Maltichon.
Maltichons are designer dogs not purebreds like their parents. For this reason, major kennel clubs such as the American Kennel Club (AKC), Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), and Kennel Club UK (UKC) do not recognize them as a breed.
The Maltichon is accepted by registries such as the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Dog Registry of America (DRA), Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), and Designer Breed Registry (DBR), and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).
Maltese Bichon Mix Puppies
Since both the Bichon Frisé and the Maltese are toy dog breeds, their offspring, the Maltichon, is a tiny doggie. Maltichon puppies are very small and fragile but with great personalities.
Maltichon puppies are extremely intelligent, very trainable, and are low-maintenance, and will fill your life with fun and affection. These cravings for human company and the desire to please are what make them wonderful pets. Thanks to their low energy, Maltichons are great dogs for apartment dwellers.
Maltese Bichon cross puppies get along with pets and are great with kids although they are best suited for families with older kids. Since they are very playful, make sure that you monitor how they interact with other dogs, especially the large ones.
Maltichon puppies cost anywhere between $450 and $1,500 when bought from a reputable dog breeder.
Maltese Bichon Mix Full Grown
When fully grown, a Bichon Maltese cross stands 8 to 11 inches tall at the shoulders with a weight of 9 to 13 lbs. This small size makes this mixed breed an ideal choice for people that love pooches but live in apartments. In addition, they have limited exercise needs as playing indoors is sufficient for these companions.
We shall talk more about this mixed breed below.
A summary table for the Maltese Bichon mix
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Breed | Crossbreed |
| Size | 5 to 12 inches |
| Weight | 5 to 12 lbs. |
| Grooming | Low-maintenance |
| Best Suited for: | Experienced dog owners |
| Lifespan | 10 to 14 years |
| Temperament | Loving, loyal, cheerful, and easy going |
| Coat | Medium to long; dense; straight or wavy |
| Coat Colors | Black, black & tan, brown, silver, red, and blue |
| Energy Levels | High |
| Exercise Requirements | At least 30 to 45 minutes per day |
| Health | Average |
| Price | $400 to $800 |
History of the Breed
According to Darwin’s Ark, there are more than 400 pure breeds of dogs and many other mixed dog breeds. Unlike purebreds, most mixed breeds, such as the Bichon mixed with Maltese, have an unknown origin.
Therefore, no one knows their true origin because, as VCA Hospitals says, they have an unspecified parentage. There are no official records about their ancestry or how many distinctive breeds were used to develop them. As such, we assume that most of them first existed as a result of accidental breeding.
Designer dogs, such as the Maltichon, are developed by mixing two purebreds on purpose to get the best qualities from both thus creating an ideal companion dog. Decent breeding when creating hybrids helps avoid undesirable recessive traits found in some purebreds. With careful and responsible breeding, breeders are also able to create a dog that is healthier than its parents.
For these crossbreeds to be listed in the kennel club to be “a breed”, the Maltichon must have been bred from F2 generation crosses resulting in a multi-generational cross or F3 Gen. This is the kind of practice that is only possible with unscrupulous dog breeding, something that the creator of designer dogs says is unfortunate.
That being said, designer dogs have been around for the last 2 to 3 decades and that is all we are sure of.
Parents
To know more about the Maltese Bichon cross, let us take a look at their parents.
The Maltese – One of the ancient dog breeds, the Maltese is thought to have been developed in the Mediterranean Basin although its exact origin is complicated. These dogs were solely bred for companionship and while they may be small and gentle, the Maltese fearless. The breed is famous for its stunning white coat that gives it a noble look. This would explain why the breed was popular among the French aristocrats in the 15th century and a royal dog in the 16th century.
While the Maltese make a great companion dog that loves to sit on your laps and cuddle, they are not one of the smartest dogs. They are considered to have below-average dog IQ, but this does not make them dumb as they are excellent therapy dogs. You will find them in retirement homes, hospitals, and other environments that need calmness. The Maltese were recognized as a dog breed by the AKC in 1888.
According to the AKC, the standard height of Maltese is 4 to 7 inches at the shoulders, and a weight of between 10 and 15 lbs. These small furballs have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years and are prone to health conditions such as reverse sneezing, collapsed trachea, luxating patella, white dog shaker syndrome, and progressive retinal atopy. Ear & eye problems, bladder stones, bad breath, and leg problems are also possible health issues.
Read more on how to care for Maltese.
The Bichon Frisé – The Bichon Friséis a small breed of dog that dates back to the 14th century and is said to have been developed in Italy. According to records, this breed came to the US with French sailors from Tenerife, Canary Islands where it had been brought by traders. This dog breed is also known as Tenerife.
Originally bred for human companionship, the Bichon Frisé was the best choice for Italian and French nobles. As their popularity increased, these small dogs became circus favorites where they were used to performing tricks. The Bichon Frisé was accepted by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a dog breed in 1972 under the Non-Sporting Group.
When it comes to dog IQ, the Bichon Frisé is classified as average in dog intelligence at 75th/138 position in obedience and work. They are higher compared to Maltese dogs that are in 111th place. These dogs have a playful, cheerful, and gentle temperament which makes them superb pets, although they can be feisty and sensitive.
The Bichon Frisé stands 9 to 12 inches tall and weighs 8.8 to 15 lbs. and has a hypoallergenic coat that is considered good for allergy sufferers. Coat colors for this breed include white, white & apricot, white & cream, as well as white & buff.
The breed has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years but is susceptible to serious health issues like patellar luxation, hyperadrenocorticism, and allergies. Other likely health conditions include canine hip dysplasia, cataract, liver disease, and Legg-Perthes.
Table comparison of Parents of Maltese Bichon mix: Comparative features of Maltese and Bichon Frise
| Feature | Bichon Frise | Maltese |
|---|---|---|
| Height | Under 12 inches | 7 to 12 inches |
| Weight | 7 to 12 lbs. | 4 to 8 lbs. |
| Temperament | Playful, gentle, feisty, cheerful, affectionate, and sensitive | Playful, docile, affectionate, fearless, gentle, sweet-tempered, lively, easygoing, docile, and responsive |
| Energy | Moderate | Moderate |
| Health | Average | Average |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Puppy Prices | $1,000 to $2,000 | $800 to $2,000 |
Maltese x Bichon: Appearance
What does a Bichon Frisé Maltese look like?
Telling what your mix will look like is a little tricky. However, a Bichon Maltese mix may either take after one parent more or have exceptional traits of both parents. Both parents of the mix are small dog breeds, and their offspring will be a very tiny pooch.
So, how big will a Maltese Bichon mix get?
Typically, a Maltese Bichon mix stands 8 to 11 inches tall at the withers and weighs 9 to 13 lbs. The Maltichon tends to be bigger than the Maltese parent but smaller than the Bichon Frisé parent.
This trendy designer dog is much loved for its looks. The Maltichon has a round head and floppy ears that hang down on the sides of the face. This mixed breed has a compact size with beady black eyes that makes it hard to resist this fluffy tiny doggie.
Both the Maltese and Bichon Frisé are sought after for the adorable coats that their mixed breed inherits due to their low maintenance and is hypoallergenic. This mixed breed can take after the white, short, and curly coat of the Bichon Frisé parent or the Maltese parent’s long, silky white coat.
When it comes to coat colors, the Maltichon comes in a range of striking colors such as white, apricot, and cream.
Temperament and Characteristics
Both the Maltese and Bichon Frisé are adored for their attractive temperaments and the same goes for the Maltichon. It is their nature, in addition to the adorable looks, that makes this mixed breed popular.
The Maltichon is friendly, playful, affectionate, intelligent, and humorous. Owners of this hybrid expressed how these little furballs love spending each moment with them. They love to love! When socialized properly, Maltichons get along with other pets at home just fine and love playing with kids.
And did we mention that Maltichons love to be the center of attraction? Yes, they will use their charms and amusing nature to get your attention with silly tricks. This kind of love and craving for human company, however, makes the Maltichon susceptible to separation anxiety.
If the Maltichon is not socialized early it is still a puppy, you might end up with a mature doggie that is anxious or aggressive towards unfamiliar persons. Introduce training early to prevent the development of behavioral problems.
The Maltichon is also very intelligent.
Ease of Training
The Bichon Frisé is highly trainable and is eager to please its owners and the same goes for the Maltese dog. This is a characteristic that their offspring will inherit thus making them easy to train.
The Maltichon may have a little bit of a stubborn streak inherited from both parents and this can affect training. Therefore, make sure that you introduce training when they are puppies. Keeping the training sessions amusing and engaging also boosts response to training.
It is also worth mentioning that the Maltese mix with Bichon gets bored easily. So, keep the training sessions short and consistent.
Exercise Requirements
The Maltese mixed with Bichon is not the type of dog that will not keep you on your toes which is why they are best suited for seniors. However, these hybrids have exercise needs although they are not as demanding.
The Maltichon needs about 20 to 30 minutes of exercise per day divided into two short walk sessions. This mixed breed will enjoy playing in the house and this is more than enough to keep it healthy and fit.
One of the challenges that you will have as a Maltichon owner is keeping up with its brainy nature. Just make sure that you invest in puzzle toys and spend time playing with them.
Nutritional Requirements
The ideal Bichon mix with a Maltese diet should be well formulated to meet all the dietary needs of a dog. This means that the dog food must comprise the 6 basic nutrients of a dog such as water, proteins, carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
These vital nutrients must make up your dog’s regular diet to promote proper growth and optimal health. Scientific study has shown that an adult dog’s daily regime can contain up to 50% carbs by weight, while 2.5 to 4.5% should come from fiber. At least approx. 5.5% of the diet should be derived from fats and 10% from protein.
High-protein diets can be beneficial for endurance exercise in dogs.
So, how much food should you feed your Maltese Bichon mix per day?
Feeding your dog too little food, according to PetMD, leads to nutritional deficiencies while too much causes obesity. The dietary needs of your Maltese Bichon mix will change slowly from their puppy stage to adulthood and senior age.
To know the exact amount of food that a Maltichon should eat each day, talk to your vet and come up with a feeding schedule. Just remember to split their daily intake into two or three small portions throughout the day. This will prevent overeating which could lead to weight gain.
Health Issues
PLOS GENETICS conducted a study on genetic diseases of purebreds and mixed breed dogs. The study found out that fewer mixed-breed dogs than purebred dogs are affected by the disease-causing mutations tested. This is what makes mixed dog breeds healthier than their purebred parents.
This analysis, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), found that mixed breeds were 1.4 times more likely than purebreds to be a carrier of a recessive disease. That is better compared to 2.8 times in purebreds.
And while mixed dog breeds, such as the Maltese mixed with Bichon as healthier, are still susceptible to certain health problems affecting their parents.
Serious common health issues in Maltese Bichon crosses are hypoglycemia, liver disease, patellar luxation, Cushing’s syndrome, and patent ductus arteriosis. Other minor health problems in Maltichons include deafness, cataracts, chronic allergies, and dental diseases. White dog shaker syndrome and Legg-Calve-Perthes diseases are also possible illnesses.
Maltese Bichon Mix Lifespan
Based on a WebMD article on the mortality of mixed breed dogs, these pooches have an average lifespan of 14 years, with small breeds living longer than large ones.
That being said, the Maltese mixed with Bichon Frisé has a life expectancy of between 12 and 15 years.
Good grooming, neutering, proper feeding, and a richer genetic pool have an effect on the lifespan of a dog. Make sure that your mixed breed attends all planned vet visits.
Grooming
The grooming needs of the Maltese mixed with Bichon are similar to those of its parents. They are not as demanding as other mixes out there, but regular grooming is recommended.
That being said, the Maltichon should be brushed once a week to prevent its coat from matting as well as the accumulation of dead hairs. Taking the Maltichon to a professional groomer for a pro touch is also recommended.
The nails of the Maltichon should be clipped regularly, every 4 to 6 weeks, to avoid overgrowth. Regular baths are not necessary unless your mix gets too dirty when playing outside. Check and clean their floppy ears often to prevent infections. Make sure that you use the recommended products.
Brush the Maltichon’s teeth daily or at least three times a week to prevent dental problems and give them optimal oral health.
Maltese Bichon Mix for Sale
Do you think that the Maltese mixed with Bichon Frisé is a perfect addition to your family?
Those that live here in the US can check Maltichon puppies from reliable places such as Green Field Puppies. This is just an example. You can also talk to people who know scrupulous breeders.
Maltese Bichon Mix Price
Expect to spend between $500 and $1,500 when purchasing a Bichon Frisé Maltese cross puppy from a reputable breeder.
Avoid buying puppies from puppy mills or online sites. While it is possible some of them are well-bred, most of them are developed by unscrupulous breeders. Visit the breeder’s location and ask to see the medical records of the parents as well as the hygiene of their workplace. Ask to see the parents.
Where to Adopt
Every year, says Wolf.org, thousands of pet hybrids are abandoned or euthanized because people buy a pooch they were not prepared to care for. Thankfully, there are many rescue organizations and a few facilities around the country that accept unwanted doggies. They may have limited resources, but they try to keep the canines as comfy as possible. They need you to save them.
Adopting a Bichon mix with Maltese is always better and cheaper than shopping, especially when you do not know where to find a responsible breeder.
You can start by asking workers from your local shelter whether this mixed breed is available. Alternatively, you can also check with the rescue organizations of Maltese and Bichon Frisé such as Pomeranian Rescue and the Bichon Frise Club of America Charitable Trust.
FAQs
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