Perhaps you've seen a Maltichon, a.k.a. a Bichon Frise Maltese mix, at your local puppy store or at a friend's house and thought to yourself:
Oh My Goodness! I've just gotta have one of those cutie-pies for myself!
Upon seeing that beautiful face with those beady black eyes, I can't say I blame you. They're just so sweet-looking and fluffy.
If you love small dogs, then the Maltichon can easily steal your heart.
But, you may be thinking, I know nothing at all about a Bichon Frise Maltese mix:
- What should I know about a Bichon Frise?
- What should I know about a Maltese?
- Do I even need to research the temperaments of both breeds?
- Is either breed a barker or a whiner?
Do these dogs get along well with other animals? How about children?
The Maltichon Temperament and Personality
As far as the Maltichon temperament goes, I bring you good news: this Bichon Frise Maltese mix is an equal combination of the best traits of her parents.
She is a smart dog who doesn't need a big yard, so she does well in smaller living spaces.
And she gets along with pretty much everyone.
- She's approachable,
- Upbeat, and cheery,
- A positive ray of sunshine.
- She rarely has a bad day.
What's nice about the Bichon Frise Maltese mix is that not only does she look sweet, she is sweet – to her masters, that is.
If you're an intruder, the Maltichon will think nothing of barking to alert her family that danger may be near.
Her small size does not hold her back from telling you off if she thinks you need it.
Here are a few of the specific Maltichon temperament traits to be aware of:
Friendly
There is not a person or animal that the Maltichon does not like. Of course, the better you socialize her, the better she’ll be, but she is naturally inclined to like everybody.
Happy
The Maltichon is a happy dog by nature, which is probably why she is so friendly. She never has a bad day. It’s infectious really.
Protective
She may be small but, by gum, if there’s a person or animal nearby that she perceives as a threat to her family, she’s going to tell them off.
Needy
The Maltichon can be a rather needy dog, so you don’t want to leave her alone for long stretches of time or she can become destructive.
Maltichons Can Be Anxious
Everyone has a flaw, and the same holds true for the Maltichon. Her one flaw is that she hates to be alone.
So, if you work long hours and you know you're going to need to leave her alone during that time, then the Maltichon may not be a good match for you.
You may be able to train her out of it, though, especially if you leave enough toys around the house for entertainment.
But even a quick trip to the grocery store may be enough to trigger her anxiety and lead to her becoming destructive.
Children and Maltichons
While Maltichons love children and love to be around them, it is important that you keep an eye on your children when they're around the Maltichon.
This is because the Maltichon, like any small dog, is rather fragile, so any rough play is bound to hurt the little pup.
Make sure your children are old enough to understand that while the Maltichon may look like a stuffed animal, she has emotions and feelings like any other living thing.
She deserves the same respect and proper care that a child would show to a human baby.
Training Your Maltichon
Generally speaking, Maltichons are easy to train.
Those who suffer from behavioral problems have either suffered from inconsistent training in the past, or their owners have not socialized them well enough with people or other animals.
Socializing your Bichon Frise Maltese mix at an early age is key to fostering her healthy development into adulthood, and it makes sense. You wouldn't be so quick to make friends as an adult either if you had never seen how to do it when you were younger.
When you train your Maltichon to socialize right from the beginning, you can avoid issues like shyness, aggression, and jealousy.
You can also stop your Maltichon from getting too clingy before her anxiety gets out of hand.
If you allow her to follow you everywhere you go when she's a puppy, then, of course, she will think this behavior is normal and will continue it into adulthood.
While this may seem cute when she's little, trust me: your work and social lives will suffer significant impacts when you can’t leave your older dog home alone.
Train her to embrace her independence when she's younger, and you'll get to enjoy yours when she's older!
The downside to being independent, though, is that a Maltichon can also be pretty darn stubborn!
This too can be turned around, so long as you train her early on and that you are consistent with your training. If you repeatedly show her that you're the boss, she'll eventually straighten out and listen up.
Helpful Dog Training Resource:
For help with training your Maltichon dog, you should take a look at The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan. Doggy Dan is an expert Dog Trainer based in New Zealand. His online resource contains Hundreds of Excellent Dog Training Videos that will take you step-by-step through the process of developing a healthy, happy well-behaved dog.
The Health of a Maltichon
As with any breed, there are certain maladies that affect the Bichon Frise Maltese mix more than other breeds.
Below is a brief list of some of the more serious concerns to be aware of that tend to affect Maltichons:
- Patellar luxation (kneecap dislocation)
- Liver issues
- Eye issues
- Hyperglycemia
- Collapsed trachea (more common in smaller dogs)
- Vaccination sensitivity
Some of the more minor but still common concerns include:
- White dog shaker syndrome (tremors)
- Reverse sneezing (common in smaller dogs)
- Bladder problems
- Allergies
- Hip dysplasia
The average lifespan of a Maltichon is between 12 and 15 years.
The average height of a full-grown Maltichon is between 9 and 12 inches, and their average weight is between 10 and 18 lbs. for a healthy adult.
Note: Don't let the many issues above scare you. The best way to approach health problems is to prevent them in the first place. The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health is a great place to start. Get a copy to keep at home. It will help you prevent the painful health issues that can plague your lovely Canaan pet from expressing his winning personality and maximizing his life expectancy.
Grooming
Good news! When it comes to grooming a Maltichon, you really don’t have to do much. She is by no means a high maintenance animal.
That being said, both of the Maltichon’s parents do not shed; so, by proxy, neither does she. Because of this, they are nearly hypoallergenic dogs. I say “nearly” because no dog is truly hypoallergenic.
Wanna know if you’re allergic to a Maltichon? Curl up next to one. If you start sneezing or itching your eyes – bingo! You’re allergic. It may sound cruel, but that’s truly the only well to tell.
You should still regularly brush her coat to prevent tangles and matting, and you should give her the occasional bath when you notice that “dog” smell on her.
You also may need to invest in a special solution to clean up her eyes, so she doesn’t walk around with those “tear stains” that little white dogs like her are prone to getting.
As far as colors go, the Maltichon is typically white with apricot, buff, or cream markings.
Exercise
The Maltichon’s energy level is rather low. This is not to say that she’s a couch potato by any means, but you don’t have to do as much with her to satisfy her desires to run and play.
You don’t need to take her for a hike or play a rousing game of fetch with her. All she needs is about 30 minutes per day of activity to feel sated.
Not up for a walk? Take her to the dog park. She’ll get in all the activity she needs just by mingling with the other dogs there.
Maltichon vs. Maltipoo
If you’re trying to decide between the Maltichon and the Maltipoo, the best way to do that is to research the traits of each mixed breed’s parents. One mixed breed is already a mixed bag of unpredictability, let alone comparing it another mixed breed.
Your best bet is to weigh what you like about the Bichon Frise with what you like about the Poodle. Then, understand that you could get any combination of Bichon and Maltese, or Poodle and Maltese traits. Which dog you’d rather have is, in the end, up to you.
Finding the Perfect Maltichon
After reading this, the Maltichon has stolen your heart, and now you want to adopt a Maltichon puppy. The only problem is, you’re wondering, how do you do that?
There are breeders who specialize in breeding Maltichons, or you can adopt a Maltichon from an animal shelter. Of course, there are pros and cons to both.
If you go through a breeder, you must be aware of what to look for, as you need to be even more careful than normal when buying a mixed breed.
Maltichon Puppies for Sale
The average Maltichon price varies wildly, with breeders charging anywhere from $450 to $1,500 for this little designer dog.
This is where you need to be very careful. Anyone charging too much for a dog is overcharging you. And any dog priced too low may either have health or behavioral issues or might not even be the mixed breed the breeder claims it is.
Maltichon Adoption and Rescue
If you’re planning on adding a Maltichon to your family, adoption or rescue is always a viable option. Adoption is great because you can find your new best friend while simultaneously helping an animal who needs a home.
The majority of the Maltichons available at animal shelters are adults. While you may be looking for a puppy, it’s good to consider adopting an adult Maltichon, too.
For one thing, an adult dog comes with its own set of perks. Chances are good that someone has already housebroken him at the very least, and he has also graduated past the chewing stage, which helps.
If you’re considering adoption, visit some of your local animal shelters and humane societies. Let the staff know you’re interested in a Maltichon, and they may just place you on a waiting list for when the next one comes in!
If you are willing to consider similar breeds as a second choice, be sure to let them know.
The cost of adoption varies, depending on the group. On average, adoption fees at an animal shelter range between $75 to $150. Rescue groups may charge more because of the additional services they provide, such as foster care as rehabilitation for the animal.
Something else to consider when you adopt a Maltichon: the shelter neuters him for you and makes sure he has a final vet visit before he goes home. Most shelters ask that you also bring the dog to your own vet within a few days after adopting him, but this is just for that second opinion on the all-clear.
Maltichon Breeders
I cannot stress this enough: you have to be so careful when you go to a Maltichon breeder that you are actually getting what you’re paying for. It is always important to ensure that you’re getting a healthy dog with minimal behavioral issues, but with mixed breeds you have to be sure you’re also getting a First-Generation dog.
What this means is that the dog is, in fact, a “pure” Maltichon – not a Maltichon that the breeder has bred with yet another dog. The more “mixed” the breed is, the more likely he will have temperament and health issues, and the more likely you are to get an unpredictable personality.
Do your research, ask around, and use internet reviews as your guide. And if you arrive on the premises and something doesn’t smell right (literally or figuratively), don’t be afraid to move on to another breeder.
It may seem hopeless at first, but don’t give up. If you put the work in, you will find that ethical, fair breeder who cares just as much about housing her dogs as you do about buying the right one.
A Final Word About the Bichon Frise Maltese Mix
When it comes to the Maltichon temperament, the positives truly outweigh the negatives.
A Maltichon is a happy dog who loves to be with you – though if you don't train her properly, she may want to be with you a bit too much!
She can be a stubborn dog, but with proper training, she will mature into an independent little dog.
And if you live in an apartment and can't have a big dog, or if you want a dog who's good with kids and other animals, then look no further than the Maltichon. Just keep an eye on her interactions with the kids. Be sure to train them too, that a dog is a living thing, and they should never abuse her.
More Bichon Frise Mix-breeds
If you did not find what you looking for maybe our article on the Top Bichon Frise Mix will answer your question. Or you can check out each Bichon mix directly by clicking on the links below:
- The Bichpoo – Bichon Frise Poodle Mix
- The Shichon – Bichon Frise Shih Tzu Mix
- The Yorkie Bichon – Bichon Frise Yorkie Mix
- The Chi Chon – Bichon Frise Chihuahua Mix
- The Kashon – Bichon Frise Cairn Terrier Mix
- The Goldichon – Bichon Frise Golden Retriever Mix
- The Chonzer – Bichon Frise Miniature Schnauzer Mix
- The Glechon – Bichon Frise Beagle Mix
- The Corgi Bichon – Bichon Frise Corgi Mix
Kailyn has worked as a professional freelance writer since 2012, and during that time she has written about nearly every dog breed imaginable. Her mother loved Collies, and so Kailyn grew up with three of them throughout her childhood – including a blonde one who was half-blind! Now her home belongs to her first official dog, Macho, a Dogo Argentino rescue.