Maltichon

Angela Vuckovic
by Angela Vuckovic
fast facts

About Maltichon

Height
8-11 inches
Weight
8-13 lbs
Lifespan
12-15 years
Group
Not applicable
Best Suited For
Families with children, people who live in an apartment, multiple pet households, seniors, singles
Temperament
Affectionate, friendly, sweet, cuddly, goofy, amusing, intelligent
Comparable Breeds
Maltese, Bichon Frise

Maltichon Basics

Cute, fluffy, and loving- the Maltichon will make your heart melt. Maltichon, or Maltese Frise, as it is also known, is a very popular designer dog breed, and with good reason. These beautiful dogs were developed by crossing the Maltese and Bichon Frise, two well-loved toy breeds. At first glance, these two white-haired, small dogs look a lot alike, but each of the parental breeds brings something unique to the mix. It’s not often that the puppies inherit only the best traits from their mom and dad, but the Maltichon is as close to being the best of both worlds as a designer dog can get.


Of course, while its lovely appearance plays a role in its popularity, it’s not the only reason why the Maltichon is a sought-after breed. But not only that – the breed is popular because of its great personality as well! They are quirky, fun, energetic, and very affectionate. What’s not to like!? Perfectly suited to life in an apartment, these petite pooches get along with everybody and adapt to any family. Children, other pets, seniors, or singles- the Maltichon will fit in with ease. 


If you are looking for a family-friendly canine companion that will do well in an apartment setting and bring a bit of fun into the daily grind, you can’t go wrong with a Maltichon. Let’s learn more about these fun doggos.


Origin


It’s not often that the origin of a designer dog breed is known. For the majority of these hybrid breeds, it’s impossible to pinpoint an exact time and place of their creation. Of course, there have surely been many accidental pairings of the Maltese and the Bichon Frise, but their intentional crossbreeding is a fairly new occurrence. It’s highly likely that the first litters of purposely bred Maltichon puppies came to be in the United States, sometime in the last twenty years. That is when many designer dog breeds that we know and love have come to be. 


Granted, we might not know much about the history of each of the designer dog breeds, but the origin of their purebred parents can tell us a lot about their offspring. For the Maltichon, it’s easy to see how these mixed breed puppies are bound to be ideal companions for families. Both the Bichon Frise and Maltese have been treasured as pets and lap dogs for centuries- the Maltese is even considered to be the oldest European toy breed known to man. Their long histories were bound to come together at one point – the end result is the wonderful Maltichon. 


Pedigree

As designer dog breeds are not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club and its international counterparts, it’s impossible to obtain official pedigree papers for Maltichon puppies. While there’s not much room for surprise when it comes to appearance and temperament of this particular hybrid breed, it’s not usually the case with designer dogs. The lack of set show-quality standards for the newly created breeds might prevent them from flaunting a pedigree, but it doesn’t mean you won’t know anything about your Maltichon puppy’s family tree.


A reputable breeder will have a pedigree for the Maltese and Bichon Frise parents. Knowing the ancestry of your puppy can indicate the potential for inherited traits, from health issues to appearance in maturity, so make sure to inquire about the parent’s if you’re buying a Maltichon puppy. Of course, the better the parents, the better the Maltichon is likely to be – in every regard! 


Food/Diet

Creating a well-balanced, nutritious diet for your new pet is one of the first things you’ll need to do in order to set down a solid foundation for their future wellbeing.Luckily, the vast choice of commercial pet foods makes it easy for owners to figure out what’s best for their pooch, and the same goes for the Maltichon. Due to its compact size and moderate activity levels, this mixed breed canine would do well on a high-quality dry food for small dogs. Due to its white coat and genetic makeup, the Maltichon can be prone to allergies, especially those triggered by foods. If you notice your pet scratching more than usual or exhibiting any other signs of allergic reaction, it will be best if you switch to hypoallergenic dog food.  Of course, all things diet-related can be talked over with your veterinarian. They can tell you exactly which foods will be ideal for your pet, as well if there are any allergies at play. 


Additionally, you could opt for a homemade raw or cooked diet for dogs over kibble, but only after consulting with a vet to make sure this meal plan is meeting all of your pet’s nutritive needs. Either way, if you choose to make a change in your pet’s diet, don’t do it suddenly as it can cause problems. Instead, introduce changes gradually, step by step, until the full transition is complete.


Due to its compact size and moderate activity levels, this mixed breed canine would do well on a high-quality dry food for small dogs.


Training

The Maltichon is a smart cookie that thrives when in the center of attention. A winning combination when it comes to learning commands! They’re not particularly stubborn or willful, either, so it stands to reason that this eager-to-please designer dog will be fairly easy to housebreak, even if you haven’t had any previous experience with dog training.


As it is the case with all dogs, the Maltichon responds best to positive reinforcement training. Motivated by treats and praise, these clownish, people-loving pooches can be taught easily. As soon as your fluffy designer dog realizes that going potty on a designated place or playing dead makes you happy and gets them a yummy reward, too- there’s no saying what kinds of tricks they could learn.


Early socialization and training are important with Maltichon puppies, as this will ensure that they don’t have any behavioral issues down the road. Not unlike all toy breeds, this hybrid is also prone to separation anxiety and yappiness if not corrected on time.


Weight

There’s always a possibility for a surprise when it comes to mixed breeds, but it’s not often that unexpected happens with Maltichon puppies. Due to the similarity between the parental breeds, it’s easy to accurately guesstimate what their crossbred offspring will look like, including its weight. Most Maltichon dogs weigh between 8 and 13 pounds when they’re fully grown. Needless to say, these are tiny dogs that don't require a lot of free space in your home. As long as they are not cooped up and constrained, they will do well in tiny homes, small or regular apartments, and anything larger than that! 


Temperament/Behavior

You might think that being a small, white, fluffy pooch is what makes the Maltichon so loved among pet owners. Of course, their adorable looks are one of the traits that make them attractive to prospective dog parents, but it’s their temperament that steals hearts. The Maltichon is friendly, affectionate, smart, and amusing. People who had the opportunity to spend time with these designer dogs were charmed from the get-go, without exception! This is a dog that is easy to fall in love with. 


It’s not often that toy dog breeds are so docile and sweet natured, but the Maltichon defies the stereotype. If socialized on time, these mixed breed dogs get along with kids and have a lot of patience for them- in fact, they cherish spending time with children. However, neglect their socialization in puppy years, and you might end up with an adult dog that is fearful, anxious, or aggressive towards strangers. And this can result in accidental bites, nippy behavior, and lashing out when unknown pets and people are around.


Additionally, owing to its Bichon Frise parent, the Maltichon can often be a bit of a canine clown. These pooches love being in the spotlight and will bring joy to any household with their goofy behavior and silly antics. Usually, there are no boring days when a Maltichon pet is around. Their silly antics, clownish behavior, and endless hours of goofing off won’t fail to bring out the smiles of everyone in the household. Add to that all their other positive traits, and you get a dog breed that leaves little to be desired. That is ideal if you need a bit of entertainment and brightness after a hard and long day of work. When you come home to your family - the Maltichon will be waiting, eager to bring back a smile to your face. 


Common Health Problems

One of the main reasons why people became more interested in crossbreeding practices is the belief that mixed breed dogs are healthier than their purebred parents. Provided that the designer dogs come from a reputable source and not a backyard breeding situation, this often turns out to be true. And, while there can never be any good health guarantees with any type of dog, the Maltichon is considered to be quite healthy.


These petite pooches have no major hereditary issues you should worry about, but be on the lookout for breed-specific issues that affect its parents. These include conditions such as patellar luxation (kneecap dislocation), patent ductus arteriosus (congenital heart defect), or Cushing disease. As for other common health problems, the Maltichon might be prone to skin issues and allergies, both related to its white coat.


In addition, as a small breed dog, the Maltichon can face early teeth loss. To prevent this, brush your pooch’s teeth regularly to prevent plaque buildup and maintain good dental hygiene. In addition to regular brushing, aids such as dental treats, breath sprays, water additives, and chew toys can help keep oral health in top shape. It is best to begin a dental hygiene routine from a very early age, as to get your pet used to the brushes and the toothpastes. Trying dental hygiene late and during adulthood can be a challenge, as your doggo might hate the feeling. 


Life Expectancy

In most cases, designer dogs haven’t been around as long for us to know what their exact lifespan is. However, by looking at the life expectancy of the Bichon Frise and the Maltese, we can successfully estimate their offspring’s lifespan.


With the right care, your Maltichon will have a long and happy life. On an average, these designer dogs can live between 12 to 15 years, but a lot will depend on your pet’s lifestyle and genes, as well. If you take good care of them, making sure all their essential needs are met, you can easily look at a 15 year lifespan for your Maltichon. That’s quite good – for any dog. In fact, for most dog breeds, this is the maximum age of all! That’s great news for all current and future Maltichon owners, as it means that you will have a true companion by your side, and the two of you will get to create all sorts of adventures for a solid number of years.


Exercise Requirements

Although you can’t say that the Maltichon is a completely lazy couch potato, these dogs are not too active, either. These little balls of fluff have low to moderate exercise requirements, and won’t need to go on hikes or play fetch for hours to burn off energy. They are simply too small to need such strenuous activity in their daily life. For a Maltichon dog, circa 30 minutes of daily exercise will keep them exercised and happy. Ideally, it would be a few short walks or a visit to a dog park, where this friendly doggo can hang out with its four-legged pals and play fetch with you.


However, while the tiny bodies of these designer dogs might not need much exercise, the same can’t be said for their bright minds. The Maltichon is an intelligent, inquisitive dog and will become destructive and depressed if his mind is not challenged. They will immensely enjoy engaging playtime with their owner or figuring out puzzle toys. So don’t fail to keep them entertained throughout the day. You can do this by teaching them tricks, providing unique doggo toys and puzzles, or simply having some fun time together. Whatever stimulates their mind!  


The unique mix of traits makes Maltichons ideal lap dogs. They form strong bonds, love to cuddle and snooze (especially on your lap), and require just a little bit of exercise and walking daily. Add to that their inquisitive minds and love of play, and you get a balanced dog breed that doesn’t ask much in return for the tons of affection and fun they offer. What’s not to like?


Of course, all of this means that they are not dogs to be left all alone for longer periods of time. If you have a busy daily schedule or work a job with long hours, you shouldn’t opt for a Maltichon. Leaving them all alone in the house for hours and hours on end won’t be good for them. They can grow anxious, lethargic, and depressed.


The Maltichon is an intelligent, inquisitive dog and will become destructive and depressed if his mind is not challenged.


Recognized Clubs

As a designer dog breed, the Maltichon is not recognized by the American Kennel Club. However, there are various unofficial canine clubs and organizations that are dedicated to designer dog breeds. These hybrid breed enthusiasts are working to make designer dogs widely recognized and ensure that the breeding practices are up to highest standards. The list of clubs that recognize the Maltichon includes American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Breed Registry, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Dog Registry of America, and the International Designer Canine Registry.


Coat

Both the Bichon Frise and the Maltese are highly sought-after breeds, and their coats play a role in their popularity. Namely, both of the Maltichon’s parents are breeds that don’t shed and are considered to have a nearly hypoallergenic coat quality because of it. The Maltese has a white, silky coat, and the Bichon sports a fluffy, curly hair. This means that a Maltese Bichon Frise mix dog could favor one parent over the other when it comes to hair type, but in any case, their coat should be white and low-shedding. Due to this, Maltichon puppy could be a potentially good choice for people who are sensitive to dog hair and dander.


When it comes to grooming, you’ll be happy to hear that the Maltichon is not a high maintenance pooch. However, they will still require a bit more effort than your average mixed breed pooch. Their grooming routine should include regular brushing to prevent their fine hair from matting and tangling, as well as an occasional bath. Additionally, your pretty pup might have tear staining you’ll need to clean up with a special solution. Of course, all these needs can be solved by some occasional visits to the pet grooming salon. This takes care of the brushing and hair-cutting, and can also get rid of tear staining. Of course, grooming salons can be pricey if visited often! Luckily, Maltichon requires only the basics of grooming needs, so you can space out your visits and save a few dollars in the process!


Puppies

Maltichon puppies are the personification of cuteness. These tiny, white, fluffy babies will melt your heart in an instant, but it doesn’t mean you should spoil your puppy rotten or cuddle them to no end. Early socialization and training will ensure that your cute and cuddly puppy grows up to be a well-behaved, happy dog. Remember that moderation is key. Too much indulging will make your puppy hard to control and near-impossible to train properly. So try and resist the cuteness. An occasional stern command and some early training will get you a long way, and ensure that your Maltichon grows into a model pet. There’s always room for cuddling and just a tad bit of spoiling nonetheless – no worries! What is more, the cuteness of Maltichon puppies will be especially attractive to overly eager children. Try to avoid large crowds and to control the ever-playful kids. This can scare a tiny puppy, and leave them fearful of handling and human attention. So be wary of crowds in those early puppy days.


If you are looking for a family-friendly canine companion that will do well in an apartment setting, you can’t go wrong with a Maltichon. These pretty pooches love everyone they meet, including children, but make sure not to leave them alone with young kids. Due to their petite stature, the Maltichon can get injured easily if picked up or handled roughly. Additionally, as these designer dogs don’t need much exercise to stay healthy and content, they make excellent pets for seniors. But even so, it goes a long way to remember that most dog breeds just don’t do well being cooped up for hours on end in a small apartment. It can lead to separation anxiety and the development of some very nasty habits. Apartments are good for them (since they are so small) but it is still not a reason to limit their daily activities. A Maltichon depends on the time they spend playing, running around or walking. Just keep that in mind when thinking about getting a puppy.


Photo credit: Eric Isselee/Shutterstock; N K/Shutterstock

Angela Vuckovic
Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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