Maltese vs Bichon Frise
Breed Snapshot
Best For
The Maltese breed can thrive in small or large homes as long as they have a lap to snuggle in. New and experienced pet parents will love this easy-going breed who gets along with people...
The Maltese breed can thrive in small or large homes as long as they have a lap to snuggle in. New and experienced pet parents will love this easy-going breed who gets along with people and even cats. However, take care around young children or bigger pets who might accidentally hurt the sweet, tiny dog.
Maltese Temperament
From deep in their history, Maltese dogs have a love for laps and their people. Truly, their favorite place is to be wherever you are. Their intense love for their family means they may feel anxious if they’re alone for too long, leading them to bark if they get...
From deep in their history, Maltese dogs have a love for laps and their people. Truly, their favorite place is to be wherever you are. Their intense love for their family means they may feel anxious if they’re alone for too long, leading them to bark if they get bored or worried.
If you live in an apartment, be warned: This tiny dog can carry a persistent bark that some neighbors won’t appreciate. Training and socialization are important to help your pup be at ease with the noises that come with apartment life and lessen their need to bark.
These friendly, social butterflies love people and other pets, including cats. Because they’re about the same size as a cat, the two can get along surprisingly well. But even though they’re fearless, their small weight and height make them fragile. So, they should always be supervised around very young children and babies to make sure the pup isn’t injured or overwhelmed by rough play.
The tiny Maltese has a sweet personality that makes them great therapy dogs. But more than anything else, they just want a chance to sit in your lap and be close to you.
Maltese Traits
Breed Snapshot
Best For
Bichon Frises are best for pet parents who are home a lot. They do well as apartment-dwellers or in homes on the range. And they love people of all ages—older people and kids alike....
Bichon Frises are best for pet parents who are home a lot. They do well as apartment-dwellers or in homes on the range. And they love people of all ages—older people and kids alike. Their moderate energy level is ideal for people who have more low-key lifestyles.
Bichon Frise Temperament
If the movie biz was composed entirely of canines, the Bichon Frise would win a People’s Choice Award. Their charming personality effortlessly captures everyone’s attention, including other pups. The Bichon is a lover, not a fighter and has a natural urge to engage with other people and pet...
If the movie biz was composed entirely of canines, the Bichon Frise would win a People’s Choice Award. Their charming personality effortlessly captures everyone’s attention, including other pups. The Bichon is a lover, not a fighter and has a natural urge to engage with other people and pets. Smart with plenty of emotional intelligence, a Bichon can be adept to navigating the needs of people around them—especially if trained and socialized at an early age.
The Bichon Frise dog breed is great with kids and babies and can happily spend the morning romping with toddlers in the backyard. Later in the day, they’re content to spend hours curled on the lap of your great grandma. In fact, it’s this calming characteristic that makes them great emotional support and therapy dogs.
Velcro dog alert: Bichons do not like to be left alone for long (their name does mean “curly lapdog” after all), but that doesn’t mean you need to entertain them 24/7. (It does mean you can say goodbye to peaceful soaks in the bathtub.) They need to have people around during the day.
Bichon Frise Traits
