Complete Guide to the Maltese Bichon: characteristics, care, and training

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Lively, energetic, affectionate, and loyal, the Maltese Bichon can become more than just a companion dog. Its personality, abilities, and how it interacts with people can turn it into a fun and reliable friend. It easily adapts to apartment living and is not very demanding. In this guide, we discuss everything about:

• General characteristics of the Maltese Bichon
• The Maltese Bichon - a brief history of the breed
• Appearance, behavior, personality 
• Food and care 
• Maltese Bichon training
• Ailments and predisposition to diseases

General characteristics of the Maltese Bichon

• Height: 20-25 cm;
• Weight: 2-3.5 kg;
• Color: white;
• Average age: 12-15 years;
• Litter size: 1-3 puppies;
• Temperament: playful, fast, lively, quickly attaches to owner/adoptive family, intelligent, friendly, and loyal;
• Care: needs daily walks, requires intense grooming, brushing twice a week; 
• Food: two meals a day; for an adult male, a maximum of 200 calories/day is recommended;
• Training: learns quickly, easy to train;
• Ailments and predisposition to diseases: ear infections, digestive problems, allergies, excessive tearing, patellar luxation, hypothermia. 

The Maltese Bichon - a brief history of the breed

Few people know that the Maltese Bichon is a representative of one of the oldest companion dog breeds. Evidence of this fact has been found in Egypt and Greece, dating back to the pharaohs' era. Statuettes representing this breed were found in the tomb of Ramses II (the third pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty of Egypt, New Kingdom). Thus, despite its name, the Maltese Bichon does not originate from Malta, or at least there is no clear evidence in this direction, but it is known that its name comes from the Semitic word "màlat," meaning "port," which is the root of many place names in the Mediterranean region. Later, the breed was imported to Great Britain during Henry VIII's reign, thus becoming a beloved breed, especially by kings, nobles, and aristocrats. 

Appearance, behavior, personality 

You recognize the Maltese Bichon by its immaculate white, silky coat, extremely fluffy and soft to the touch, and by its small size – rarely exceeding 25 cm and 4 kg. It is a dog with a short muzzle and small black eyes, which contrast with its white fur. As small as it is, it is just as energetic, lively, loyal, and affectionate, qualities it retains even as it ages. At the same time, the Maltese Bichon has a certain degree of independence, individuality, and stubbornness, which can cause headaches for the owner. It is a rather curious, brave, agile breed and knows how to alert its family when something seems amiss. These qualities make it suitable as a house dog, but it can also be noisy. The Maltese Bichon is friendly with the family's entourage, loving, but very cautious with strangers. 

Food and care 

If you're thinking of adopting and enjoying the company of a Maltese Bichon, you need to know that it requires proper care. First, it needs intense grooming, as its sensitive coat can easily tangle when not regularly washed, trimmed, and brushed. Being small, dust and impurities can easily collect in its fur, which is why bathing is done quite often, once every 2-3 weeks. Also, the Bichon needs to be trimmed regularly if you want to avoid the chore of daily brushing and the costs associated with grooming and special fur care products. To prevent infections, you need to ensure that its ears and the area around its eyes are always clean and remove any dirt collected in the corners of its eyes when necessary.  

Regarding food, you need to pay special attention in the first months of life, when the puppy needs nutritional support adapted to its requirements so that it can develop harmoniously. 

👉 Discover the entire range of products in the category 👉 Dog food for small breeds

Being very small, Maltese Bichons will not need very large quantities of food, and this can be an advantage because it allows you to focus on quality rather than quantity. On average, for an adult male, 200 calories per day are sufficient, while for a growing, active Bichon, up to 300 calories per day can be given. In the first 6 months, the daily portion should be divided into 3-4 meals a day, without other snacks between meals. Even though Bichons love to be spoiled with all sorts of treats, it is recommended that treats only occur strictly at meal times; otherwise, the potential for weight gain increases. To avoid overweight issues, you can offer your dog food with a higher protein content and less rich in carbohydrates. Here are some examples:

• Equilibrio Longevity dry dog food 12kg - contains 27.0% crude protein from poultry, dehydrated beef, eggs, and 14.0% crude fat from fish oil and poultry fat. In addition, Equilibrio Longevity food is rich in fiber and vitamins, necessary for maintaining your dog's health. 
• Equilibrio Puppy dry dog food, small breed, 7.5kg - is recommended for puppies and growing dogs. It provides the necessary nutritional support for healthy development, through its 29.0% crude protein, 21.0% fat and fiber, and rich content of vitamins and minerals. 

Maltese Bichon training

Being a loyal and attentive breed to its owner, the Maltese Bichon is quite easy to train and quickly learns various tricks and commands. It has above-average intelligence and, for this reason, can be found in various shows, spectacles, exhibitions, and competitions or in dog therapy clinics. As with many breeds, edible rewards, small treats, are the reliable aid for successful training. In addition to these, patience, gentleness, and affection must be added, as Maltese Bichons are loving and attached to their owners. For guaranteed results, you can take it to a dog training school, but it is recommended to do so up to the age of 10-12 weeks. 

Ailments and predisposition to diseases

The delicate coat of Bichons requires intense care. Otherwise, these small pets can suffer from certain skin allergies and ear infections. 

Read also:  Dog skin diseases – causes, treatment, prevention

Furthermore, due to their long eyelashes, they can touch the eyeball, and the small dogs may experience painful eye irritations and excessive tearing. Therefore, you must ensure that their ears and the area around their eyes are always clean.

Being a small dog, the Maltese Bichon is predisposed, with age, to problems related to the kneecap - patellar luxation. The risk increases if the small dog is overweight, so you must ensure it has a quality diet that is as adequate as possible for its needs.  

Last but not least, the Maltese Bichon, being loving and loyal, adores spending time with those it loves. It is a classic, reliable, gentle companion dog that enjoys being surrounded by people, so for it, the ideal owner is one who provides the care and attention it needs. It is not recommended for families with children aged 1-6, as young children can accidentally hurt the friendly little dog. Additionally, if not treated correctly, the Maltese Bichon tends to bite, scratch, or nip. However, this breed can be ideal for families with older children who will adore the cheerful, energetic, lively, and affectionate nature of the Maltese Bichon.

Photo source: Shutterstock

Frequently asked questions

How long can a Bichon live?

A Maltese Bichon has a life expectancy of 12-15 years, sometimes even longer, if it receives proper care and a balanced diet.

Is a Maltese Bichon a good apartment dog?

Yes, the Maltese Bichon is an excellent apartment dog because it is small, quiet, does not require much exercise, and easily adapts to indoor living.

How often should you bathe a Maltese Bichon?

Generally, it is recommended to bathe a Maltese Bichon every 2-3 weeks, or more often if it gets excessively dirty, to keep its coat clean and healthy.

How much does a Maltese Bichon sleep?

An adult Maltese Bichon sleeps, on average, 12-14 hours a day, divided into longer sleep periods and short naps throughout the day.

See also other dog breeds

Last edited: October 17, 2024