Compare Maltese and Bichon Frise on temperament, grooming, health, hypoallergenic traits and separation anxiety to find which fits your life.

Quick Comparison Table

Maltese vs Bichon Frise: Side-by-side analysis

Choosing between a Maltese and a Bichon Frise comes down to matching breed traits to your household, time availability, grooming tolerance and activity level. Below I break down the key factors side-by-side: temperament, exercise, grooming, health, costs and special considerations like hypoallergenic claims and separation anxiety.

Temperament

• Maltese: Affectionate, gentle, and often quite devoted to a single person or family. Maltese are alert and can be lively; many enjoy lap time and close contact. They can be bold despite their small size and sometimes bark to announce visitors. (AKC)

• Bichon Frise: Cheerful, outgoing and naturally social. Bichons are often clownish, very people-oriented, and generally get along well with children and other pets when socialized. They tend to be more robust in play style than Maltese and are usually described as even-tempered. (AKC)

Exercise & Activity Needs

• Maltese: Moderate but low-impact activity. Expect 20–40 minutes of walks/play daily. Short walks and indoor play are usually enough, though some Maltese enjoy agility or trick training.

• Bichon Frise: Moderate activity level. Expect 30–60 minutes of daily exercise, broken into walks, play sessions, and mental enrichment. Bichons are energetic for small breeds and benefit from interactive play and basic obedience.

Grooming & Coat Care

• Maltese coat: Long, silky, single coat that hangs straight to the ground if kept in full show length. This coat mats easily and requires daily brushing to prevent tangles. Many owners keep a shorter "puppy cut" for easier maintenance. Professional grooming every 4–8 weeks is common. Baths every 3–4 weeks help keep the coat and skin healthy.

• Bichon coat: Dense, curly, double-layered coat that tends to trap hair in the curl rather than shedding heavily into the environment. The coat needs regular brushing—several times per week at minimum, daily for certain trims—and professional grooming every 4–6 weeks if you keep the breed-standard cut. Baths every 3–4 weeks are typical.

Health & Common Issues

Both breeds are generally long-lived for dogs of their size (commonly 12–15 years) but have breed-specific predispositions. Responsible breeders screen for genetic problems; check OFA and breed health club recommendations.

Common Maltese health concerns:

• Dental disease: small mouths predispose to overcrowding and tartar buildup; frequent dental care is essential.
• Luxating patella (kneecap slipping).
• Reverse sneezing and tracheal sensitivity in some individuals.
• Portosystemic shunt and liver issues are reported occasionally.
• Eye issues: progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and tear staining/eye infections.

• Skin allergies and atopic dermatitis (common; requires management).
• Patellar luxation.
• Dental disease (small breed risk).
• Eye problems: cataracts and PRA can occur.
• Bladder stones (some lines more predisposed).

Hypoallergenic Qualities

Claim: Both Maltese and Bichon Frise are often listed as "hypoallergenic" by breed registries and many breeders because they shed minimally and have hair-like coats that trap dander.

Reality: No dog is 100% hypoallergenic. The allergen that most people react to (Can f 1 and other proteins) is found in saliva, skin flakes and urine as well as hair. Low-shedding breeds can reduce airborne hair/dander, which helps many sensitive people, but individual responses vary. Consider spending time with the specific dog and consulting an allergist before committing. (American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology)

Separation Anxiety & Social Needs

Both breeds are people-oriented and can develop separation anxiety if left alone for long periods without training and enrichment.

• Maltese: Can become clingy and distressed if left alone for hours. Early crate training, gradual departures, and enrichment toys help reduce anxiety.
• Bichon Frise: Very social and more prone to separation-related issues in some studies/groups. They thrive on interaction and can develop destructive behaviors if bored or anxious.

Cost to Buy & Maintain

• Initial purchase/adoption: Puppy prices vary widely. Purebred Maltese puppies from reputable breeders often cost more per puppy due to smaller litter sizes and demand; expect several hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on lineage and location. Bichon puppies are similarly priced, often $800–$2,500+ from reputable breeders. Adoption from rescues is typically less expensive.
• Annual care: Expect $1,000–2,000+ per year for routine care (food, preventive meds, annual vet visits). Grooming can add $500–1,200/year depending on frequency and salon. Dental care, training classes, and insurance or emergency funds increase costs.

Pros and Cons

Maltese — Pros

• Compact and well-suited to apartment living.
• Deeply affectionate and excellent lap dog companions.
• Low shedding; many households with mild allergies do well.
• Long lifespan for small dogs (commonly 12–15 years).

Maltese — Cons

• High-maintenance coat if kept long — daily brushing required.
• Can be prone to small-breed health issues (teeth, patella, trachea sensitivity).
• May become overly attached and develop separation anxiety without training.

Bichon Frise — Pros

• Friendly, social and excellent with families and other pets.
• Playful and adaptable — often good with children and active owners.
• Low shedding, curly coat that often suits allergy-sensitive households.
• Sturdy small-breed energy for games and training.

Bichon Frise — Cons

• Requires frequent professional grooming and regular brushing.
• Prone to skin allergies and some eye/bladder issues.
• Can be more energetic and demanding of playtime/mental stimulation than a Maltese.

Which Breed Is Right For You?

Consider these lifestyle scenarios to help match a breed to your household.

• Apartment dweller, works from home half-time: Maltese often fit well — smaller size, lower daily exercise needs, and strong lap affinity. Both breeds are ok in apartments but Maltese may be easier to manage in a small space.

• Family with children who want a playful dog: Bichon Frise generally tolerates rougher play and is more robust for family activity. Supervision and gentle handling remain important with any small dog.

• Allergy sufferer who still wants a small dog: Both breeds are often good choices for people with mild allergies because they are low-shedding, but neither is guaranteed hypoallergenic. Spend time with adult dogs of each breed first and consult an allergist.

• Busy household where owners are away >6 hours daily: Neither breed loves long alone periods. If you must be away long hours, plan for dog walking, doggy day care, or a companion pet. Bichons are especially social and may suffer without companionship; Maltese may become clingy and anxious.

• First-time dog owner: Both breeds are suitable for first-timers, but consider grooming commitment and small-dog handling. Training, socialization and consistent routines help either breed thrive.

• Senior owner seeking a low-energy companion: Maltese often make excellent companions due to their calm lap-dog nature and smaller size, but Bichons can also fit if the senior wants a slightly more active companion.

How to Choose a Responsible Dog

• Meet the parents or adult dogs when possible.
• Ask breeders for health clearances: patella, eye exams (CERF/CAER), cardiac checks and any relevant tests recommended by OFA.
• Consider adoption from breed rescues — many adult dogs need homes and their personalities and medical histories are often known.
• Arrange breed-specific meet-and-greets to evaluate allergy reactions and temperament with your family.

Key Takeaways

• Both Maltese and Bichon Frise are affectionate, small companion breeds with long lifespans (commonly 12–15 years) and low-shedding coats.
• Maltese are often quieter, more lap-focused and slightly lower-energy (20–40 minutes/day exercise), but require daily brushing if kept long.
• Bichon Frise are social, playful and need a bit more exercise and mental stimulation (30–60 minutes/day); they also need frequent professional grooming for a show cut.
• Neither breed is 100% hypoallergenic — try before you commit and consult an allergist.
• Both breeds can develop separation anxiety; plan training, enrichment and companionship accordingly.

FAQ

Q: Are Maltese or Bichon Frise better with kids? A: Bichon Frise are generally more robust and playful with children, but both breeds can be excellent with kids if early socialization and gentle handling are ensured.

Q: How often should I groom a Maltese or Bichon? A: Daily or near-daily brushing is ideal for Maltese in long coat; Bichon brushing several times per week (daily for show or clipped coats) is recommended. Professional grooming every 4–8 weeks (Maltese) or 4–6 weeks (Bichon) is common.

Q: Do either breed bark a lot? A: Both can be alert barkers; Maltese often bark to alert or announce, while Bichons may bark out of excitement or boredom. Training and socialization reduce nuisance barking.

Q: Can people with allergies live with these breeds? A: Many allergy sufferers do well with low-shedding breeds like Maltese and Bichon, but no dog is fully hypoallergenic. Spend time with the dog first and consult an allergist.

Q: How do I prevent separation anxiety? A: Build independence using gradual departures, crate training, enrichment toys, predictable routines, and seek behaviorist help if anxiety is severe. Consider dog walkers or doggy day care for long absences.

Reading time: ~9 minutes

Primary citation source: American Kennel Club (AKC)

Primary citation URL: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/maltese/ and https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/bichon-frise/

Additional references: OFA breed health data; AVMA guidance on separation anxiety; American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology information on pet allergies.

Frequently Asked Questions