All About the Maltese Bichon Mix

The Maltese Bichon mix is known as the white fluffball. You won’t help but fall in love with this absolutely adorable mixed dog breed. This mix combines the Maltese and a Bichon Frise together.

This is a trendy designer mixed breed that was created on purpose for looks and companionship. This breed stands true to this because it is a great family companion, loyal dog, and one of the best lapdogs around.

Want to learn more about the Maltese Bichon mix? Keep reading on to learn more about its temperament, food requirements, history, and much more here!

Maltese Bichon Mix

Maltese Bichon Mix History

The Maltese Bichon Frise mix was deliberately crossed together to create this designer dog breed. The exact year that these two dog breeds were crossed together is unknown, but it has likely been in the past decade or two.

It is interesting to know that both of these purebred dog breeds are actually very closely related. Both of these breeds came from a really old dog breed called the Barbet.

As evolution happened, it created a few varieties of different dog breeds, and these two were part of that. So you will see similarities in history, temperament, and looks.

Let’s talk more about the history of the two-parent breeds of this mix.

Maltese

The Maltese is one of the descendants of the Barbet dog, but its history goes back even farther than that. It was noted that the breed used to be on an island near Italy called Malta. This dog breed was wildly popular over the past thousands of years with the wealthy.

Eventually, the dog breed made its way around the world, gaining more and more popularity. The American Kennel Club accepted the Maltese breed in 1888.

Bichon Frise

As you already know, the Bichon Frise is also a descendant of the Barbet dog. This dog breed stayed in the Mediterranean area until the 1300s when sailors brought some Bichon Frise dogs with them.

This breed was brought to Europe, where it had many jobs such as chasing rats on the ships, circus performers, etc. They remained a very popular dog breed until the 1800s.

Eventually, the Bichon Frise was brought over to the United States; this wasn’t until the mid-1900s. The new dog breed wowed everyone, and it wasn’t until the 1970s that the Bichon Frise got recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Maltichon Appearance

The appearance of your Maltichon will all depend on the traits it takes from which parent. The good thing is that both parent’s breed are actually very similar.

First, you will notice the size of your Maltichon. It will be a rather small but very proportionate dog. If you have ever seen a Maltese, then you will notice this cross to be bigger than a Maltese but smaller than a Bichon Frise.

Your Maltese Bichon mix will have a round head with ears that hang down on the sides of the face. Ears are usually not seen as they are covered with a lot of hair.

Bichon Frise Maltese Mix

Bichon Frise Maltese Mix Temperment

Without a doubt, this mixed dog breed will make itself the center of attention. You will not be able to help yourself. One look at that cute little face will make it impossible not to devote all your time and energy into playing with it.

This mix is very friendly with everybody. If your dog is socialized at a young age, it will easily get along with other dogs, children, and other people.

This dog doesn’t need too much time for exercise, so if you’re looking for a lovable lap dog, this will be the dog breed for you.

Maltese Bichon Mix Coat

The Maltese Bichon mix will inherit either a flat silky coat or a more dense curly coat. Generally, their coat will come in one color, which is white. Both parent breeds have a white coat that tends to be the most popular coloring.

The coat will be long, whether it’s wavy or curly. You will need to take your Maltese Bichon mix to the groomer to have the coat trimmed.

The coat is also hypoallergenic, meaning it is better for people who suffer from dog allergies. Your Maltichon will shed a lot less due to this factor. That is always a bonus because then you won’t have hair all over your floors or carpet.

What Colors Do They Come In?

Both the Bichon Frise and the Maltese are generally white dogs, so there will not be much variation.

  • White
  • Cream

Your new Maltichon will sport the traditional black nose along with brown eyes.

Maltichon Size

This is a small dog breed that will weigh between 9 to 13 pounds in weight. Your dog will span between 8 to 11 inches in height.

Both females and males will fall similar to each other in regards to weight. Since the Maltichon is such a small size, it will be suitable to live In small homes such as an apartment or condo.

Maltese Bichon Frise Mix

Maltese Bichon Mix Health Problems

All breeds are prone to a variety of health issues, with some ranging from more minor to more severe ones. Just remember, I am in no way saying that your little Maltese Bichon puppy will one day inherit any of these health conditions. What I am saying is that you should be aware of these conditions just in case.

Dental Issues – Small dogs usually have issues with dental issues and will lose teeth as they get older. One way to prevent the loss of your dog’s teeth is by maintaining them. Brush your dog’s teeth frequently to ensure that it will not start early tooth decay.

Cataracts – This is another common condition that affects the way your dog sees. A film begins to develop over the eye, making it particularly difficult to see properly. This can be fixed with the help of your veterinarian.

White Dog Shaker Syndrome – This is a syndrome that is both presents in the Maltese and the Bichon Frise. It is a condition where the body gets tremors. This will make your little dog’s body shake uncontrollably. It gets worse if your dog has a lot of added stress.

Cushing’s Syndrome – Have you notice your dog getting stressed out lately? This condition has to do with the stress of your dog. Your dog’s body will actually produce too much cortisol, which is caused by stress. It can cause a lot of health issues with weight and even hair loss.

Patent Ductus Arteriosis – This is a more serious condition that affects the heart. If not taken care of in time, it can lead to heart failure.

Life Expectancy of a Bichon Frise Maltese Mix

When you have a mixed breed dog, it can be very challenging to determine your dog’s life span. It will honestly all depend on the genetics, health of your dog, and the parent breeds life spans.

The life span of a Maltese is generally between 12 to 15 years. The Bichon Frise can also live between 12 to 15 years.

So your Bichon Frise Maltese mix can likely live between 12 to 15 years. Some dogs may live shorter, and some may live even longer than 15 years.

If you are worried about your dog’s life span, you can consult your veterinarian to see what they think.

Maltichon Playing

Living Conditions

One good thing to note is that you can accommodate this mixed breed if you live in a smaller home or apartment. Since this is a small dog, it won’t need a whole lot of room to roam around.

Most apartments and condos limit the size of dog that can live in these types of buildings. The Maltichon will have no problem following these rules.

The Maltese Bichon mix does not need very much exercise. If you are a very active person and want a dog to go running with, then this would not be the dog breed for you.

This mix breed is considered hypoallergenic, which means that this breed would be suitable for you if you suffer from mild dog allergies. It does not shed like other purebred and mixed dog breeds.

Maltichon Exercise

The Maltese Bichon mix needs around thirty minutes of exercise each day. This mixed breed is not as active as it could be. You will really have to motivate your dog to get it to play outside.

Walks around the neighborhood, playing fetch, or even going to the dog park make great ways to get some exercise into your dog.

Mental stimulation is always great too, to combine with your dog’s exercise. Not only do you exercise your dog’s body but also its mind. There are a variety of mental stimulation puzzles out on the market that you can purchase for your dog.

If your dog is a puppy, you will want to wait until your dog has finished its puppy shots, and you know it’s safe for your dog to go outside before starting exercise outdoors.

Maltese Bichon Mix Feeding

Keep in mind that this is a very small dog breed, so it doesn’t need much food to sustain itself. ½ a cup a day will be plenty for your small breed dog. When your Maltese Bichon mix is a puppy, you feed it a small breed puppy formula.

As your dog turns into an adult, you will then switch over to a small breed of adult dog food. Please do not purchase the cheapest dog food around. Make sure you get your dog a high quality food that will provide your dog with complete nutrition.

Remember to split up the daily amount of food into smaller meals. For example, you can give your dog ¼ cup in the morning and the other ¼ cup in the evening, totaling ½ cup of daily food needed.

You can always reward your dog with a small treat in the afternoon. There are a variety of vegetables that your dog can consume. For example, jicama is a wonderful vegetable that can be added on top of your dog’s food to add some extra nutrients.

Maltichon

Maltichon Grooming

As you may already know, the Maltichon is a next to no shedding dog breed, so you won’t have to worry about de-shedding this mix. This dog breed will still need to be brushed frequently as its hair is longer, so it tends to knot up or mat. A good detangling spray can help with this issue.

You will also want to keep your dog seeing a groomer regularly for clipping. Thair hair of this mix is oner and will need to be trimmed every so often to keep it looking pristine.

You can also have the groomer bathe your dog to keep its coat white and dirt-free. A bath once a month should be enough to keep your pooch looking clean and smelling fresh. Having a high-quality shampoo and conditioner on hand will make bathing your dog a breeze.

Ask your groomer to trim your dog’s nails that way they do not get too long and cause your dog pain.

Bichon Frise Maltese Mix Training

Training is important for every dog, no matter the dog breed. Some dogs need help with training more than others. The Maltichon can actually be quite easy to train as long as you don’t overdo it.

This mix responds the best to very short training exercises. Keep the basic training steps the same, and reward and praise your dog when it does a good job.

Small treats will work great to praise and reward your dog with. If you do not want to use treats from a store, you can use all-natural unsalted sunflower seeds or even cheerios.

If your dog is stubborn and has an attitude, you can sign your dog up for obedience training. This would be very beneficial as it will teach your dog to listen to you better.

Maltese Bichon Mix Puppies

Maltese Bichon mix puppies are actually quite affordable compared to other mixed breed dogs. You can expect to pay a range between $500 to $1,500.

If you do happen to find this mix in a rescue which would be quite rare, you will pay even less, around $300 to $500.

Make sure you look for a reputable breeder that can give you a healthy Maltese Bichon mix. I do not suggest purchasing from a puppy mill or pet store. Those places usually carry highly sought-after designer dogs.

Once you find a reputable breeder as questions about the other dogs, their health, and see if you can plan a visit. This will ensure you are getting a puppy from someone reputable.

Maltese Bichon

Maltese Bichon Mix Litter Size

Litter size is a lot like size and life expectancy, which are all things that can be hard to determine when you have a mixed breed.

Maltese can have a litter size between two to five puppies, and the Bichon Frise can have around four puppies in a litter.

So you can expect your Maltese Bichon mix to fall into this category of having between two to five puppies in a litter. Some litters may have more, and some will have less.

FAQ

What is a Maltese and Bichon Called?

Maltese Bichon mix is often called the Maltichon. It is a combined wording of the Maltese and Bichon Frise. Other people also refer to this mix by calling it the Maltese Bichon mix.

How Much Does a Maltichon Cost?

A reputable breeder will charge between $500 to $1,500 for a Maltese Bichon mix puppy. Some breeders may even charge more than that based on the demand, pedigree, and breeder reputation.

Do Maltese Bichons Shed?

No, Maltese Bichons do not shed. They have traits that give them a hypoallergenic coat, so they are very low to no shedding. People who struggle with dog allergies should stand a better chance with the Maltese Bichon.

How Often Should you Bathe a Maltichon?

If you want to keep that white coat of your Maltichon looking white, then you will want to bathe your dog every month. Make sure you use conditioner after shampooing, as it will keep the coat looking shiny and smooth.

Can Maltichons Be Left Alone?

Yes, the Maltichon can be left alone for a few hours at a time, but it is important not to leave your dog alone by itself for longer than eight hours. Some dog breeds actually have separation anxiety which makes it almost impossible to leave them alone. Thankfully you won’t have this issue with this mix.

Key Takeaways

Here are some facts that really stand out in this article about the Bichon Frise Maltese mix.

  • Its small size makes it suitable for apartment and condo living.
  • The long coat of the dog will need to be kept up with bi-weekly to monthly grooming visits.
  • It is important to still brush through your Maltichons hair to keep it free of tangles.
  • This is a very loving and loyal dog companion.
  • It may take longer for you to house train your dog as it has a very small bladder, leading to more bathroom breaks/accidents.
  • The coat of this mixed breed is considered hypoallergenic, which means it will be suitable for people with mild dog allergies.

Close relatives of the Maltichon

Here as some dog breeds that are quite similar to the Maltichon:

2 thoughts on “All About the Maltese Bichon Mix”

    • JIm, My dog does too. It’s normal given their short snouts, according to my vet. My dog also “reverse sneezes” from time to time, which sounds like he’s sucking in air. The vet says this is also normal.

      Reply

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