Breed comparison
Maltese vs Bichon Frise
Two small white companions — the silky, delicate lapdog versus the curly, sturdy little clown.
People compare these two because they occupy the same niche: small, white, low-shedding, bred for centuries to do nothing but be adored. The real differences are build and coat — the Maltese is a tiny, silky, fine-boned lapdog, the Bichon a sturdier, curly-coated extrovert — and those two facts drive almost every practical decision between them.
Side-by-Side
| Maltese | Bichon Frise | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Toy | Non-Sporting |
| Size | Small | Small |
| Height | 7-9 in | 9.5-11.5 in |
| Weight | 4-7 lbs | 12-18 lbs |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years | 14-15 years |
| Coat | Long, silky, white single coat | Curly, plush double coat; low-shedding |
| Exercise | 30+ min/day | 30+ min/day |
| Puppy price | $1,500-$3,500 | $1,500-$3,000 |
| AKC popularity | #37 | #49 |
| Energy level | ||
| Trainability | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Grooming needs | ||
| Barking | ||
| Good with kids | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Good with cats | ||
| Apartment friendly | ||
| First-time owners |
The Differences That Matter
Sturdiness and size
The Maltese is a genuinely tiny dog — typically under seven pounds — with fine bones that a fall from the couch or a tripping child can break; he suits calm, careful households. The Bichon is roughly double the weight with a compact, springy build that handles family life, playful handling, and bigger-dog friends far better. For homes with kids under ten, the Bichon is the responsible answer.
Coat type and what it demands
Both are grooming commitments, but different ones. The Maltese wears a straight, silky single coat — kept long it needs daily brushing and stains easily; most pet owners keep a short 'puppy cut.' The Bichon's plush double coat of curls mats from the skin out and non-negotiably requires brushing several times weekly plus professional grooming every four to six weeks — skimp and the shave-down is inevitable. Budget more grooming money for the Bichon, more stain management for the Maltese.
Tear stains
Both are white-faced and prone to tear staining, but it is the Maltese's signature cosmetic battle — those rusty streaks under the eyes require daily face wiping, and stubborn cases need a vet check for blocked ducts or dental issues. Bichons stain too but the fuller face coat and curl hide it somewhat better. If pristine white faces matter to you, know you are signing up for daily maintenance either way.
Temperament energy
The Bichon is the merrier extrovert — famous for 'Bichon blitzes' of zooming joy, generally delighted by strangers, other dogs, and life itself. The Maltese is affectionate and lively but more of a discerning lapdog: deeply attached to his person, sometimes suspicious of newcomers, and quicker to appoint himself a four-pound alarm system. Both are companion breeds that genuinely suffer when left alone long hours.
Housetraining honesty
Both breeds are notoriously slow to housetrain — the Bichon in particular has a reputation among groomers and trainers as one of the hardest small breeds to make fully reliable, and tiny Maltese bladders plus bad weather aversion cause their own backsliding. Plan on months of rigorous crate-and-schedule work for either, and consider a covered potty option for rainy climates. This is the most under-discussed reality of both breeds.
Health profiles
Both are long-lived little dogs, commonly reaching the mid-teens. The Maltese's small size brings luxating patellas, collapsing trachea (use a harness, never a collar), dental disease from a crowded tiny mouth, and hypoglycemia risk in very small puppies — avoid any breeder marketing 'teacup' Maltese. The Bichon's flags are allergies and chronic skin issues, ear infections under all that coat, patellas, and bladder stones. Dental care is a daily job for both.
Get the Maltese if...
Choose the Maltese if you want a featherweight, devoted lapdog for a calm adult household and you will keep up with face wiping, dental care, and gentle handling rules. Do not get a Maltese for a home with toddlers or big boisterous dogs, and walk away from anyone selling 'teacup' versions — deliberately shrinking an already tiny breed multiplies every health risk it has.
Get the Bichon Frise if...
Choose the Bichon Frise if you want a cheerful, sturdy, everybody's-friend companion that can handle real family life, and you will genuinely pay for professional grooming every four to six weeks forever. Skip the Bichon if that grooming budget is fantasy, if you are gone all day, or if slow housetraining would break you — those three are the breed's honest costs.
The bottom line
The niche is the same but the households differ: the Maltese is the connoisseur's delicate lapdog for quiet homes, the Bichon the more robust, more social all-rounder and the better default for families. Grooming costs favor the Maltese in a short cut; sturdiness and sociability favor the Bichon; housetraining patience is required equally. Both repay the fuss with fifteen-ish years of devoted, portable comedy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Maltese and Bichons really hypoallergenic?+
They are among the better breeds for many allergy sufferers — both shed minimally, and the Bichon's curls trap loose hair — but no dog is truly hypoallergenic, because allergens live in dander and saliva, not just hair. Reactions vary person to person and dog to dog. Anyone with allergies should spend real time with the specific breed, ideally the specific dog, before committing.
Which is better with young children?+
The Bichon, clearly — his sturdier body and merry, tolerant temperament handle kid chaos far better. A Maltese under seven pounds can be seriously injured by an accidental drop or trip, and many Maltese respond to rough handling with fear or snapping; most reputable Maltese breeders discourage homes with small children outright. With gentle older kids, both breeds do beautifully.
Can a Maltese or Bichon be left alone during a workday?+
Neither breed is built for it — both are companion dogs bred to be with people, and long daily isolation commonly produces barking, house soiling, and separation anxiety. With alone-time training, midday help, and enrichment, adults of either breed can manage a few hours, but an eight-plus-hour empty house on repeat is a bad fit for both. These are get-a-second-opinion breeds for full-time-office households.