Maltichon (Maltese & Bichon Frise Mix): Info, Pictures, Care & More!

A Loving Little Lap Dog: The Maltichon

Are you looking for the perfect pint-sized companion to share your days with? Look no further than the marvelous Maltichon! A delightful designer dog breed, the Maltichon combines the gentle sweetness of the Maltese with the playful, happy-go-lucky spirit of the Bichon Frise. The result is an utterly charming, affectionate little lap dog that will steal your heart.

Perfectly Portable

Standing just 8 to 11 inches tall and tipping the scales at 9 to 13 pounds, the Maltichon packs a whole lot of love into a conveniently compact package. Their small size makes them ideal for apartment and city living – no sprawling suburban yard required. Maltichons are content to be by your side whether you‘re working from home, running errands around town, or Netflix bingeing on the couch.

Don‘t let their diminutive dimensions fool you though – these spunky little pups have outsized personalities! Maltichons inherit the lively, inquisitive nature of their Bichon Frise parent. They‘re always eager to play and entertain with their clownish antics. That Bichon influence is balanced by the more demure, mild-mannered qualities of the Maltese. Maltichons are gentle souls who adore nothing more than snuggling up on your lap for extended cuddle sessions.

Cute as a Button

It‘s impossible not to fall in love at first sight with a Maltichon‘s adorable teddy bear face. Their soft, fluffy coat, soulful round eyes, and black button nose are cuteness overload. Maltichons typically have a solid white coat, but some may have hints of apricot or cream.

The texture of the coat can vary a bit depending on which parent breed the dog favors. Some have a curlier coat more like a Bichon, while others have silkier straight hair like a Maltese. Either way, Maltichons have a single layer coat with hair that continually grows long, rather than shedding. This makes them a great choice for allergy sufferers. They‘re considered hypoallergenic and won‘t leave your furniture covered in clouds of fur.

While Maltichons may be light in the shedding department, they do require a fair amount of brushing and grooming to keep that lovely locks looking good. Daily brushing is a must to prevent painful tangles and mats from developing. They‘ll also need regular haircuts every 1-2 months to keep the coat manageable. Those floppy ears need to be cleaned frequently too. This prevents moisture and wax build up that can lead to infections. Nail trims and dental care are also important. With those big eyes constantly leaking tears, some Maltichons may need daily face washes as well. It‘s all part of maintaining that cute-as-a-button appearance.

Brains and Good Behavior

In addition to their good looks, Maltichons also have the brains to match. Both the Maltese and Bichon Frise are highly intelligent breeds, so it‘s no surprise their offspring inherit those smarts. Maltichons pick up quickly on training and are eager to please their owners. They excel at learning tricks, performing complex tasks, and can even have a knack for agility courses.

That intelligence comes with one caveat though – Maltichons need plenty of mental stimulation to prevent boredom. A bored Maltichon is prone to developing bad habits like excessive barking, chewing, or digging. Puzzle toys that dispense treats are a great way to keep those bright minds engaged. Maltichons also thrive when given "jobs" to do around the house, like bringing you a specific toy when asked.

Early socialization and training are important for any dog, but especially so for smart cookies like Maltichons. Proper positive reinforcement training will ensure your pup grows up to be a well-mannered member of the family. Just keep training sessions short and fun so they don‘t lose interest. About 5-10 minutes a few times a day is perfect for Maltichons.

Low Key on Exercise

For such lively little dogs, Maltichons actually have fairly low exercise requirements. A couple short 15-20 minute walks per day is usually sufficient to meet their needs. They‘ll also get a lot of their energy out through playtime at home. A game of indoor fetch down a hallway, chasing after toys, and romping with their humans is how Maltichons prefer to stay active.

High impact activities like long runs or hikes aren‘t ideal for Maltichons though. Their small size puts them at risk of overexertion or injury. Save the strenuous stuff for larger breeds. When it comes to Maltichons, regular moderate exercise is best for their long-term joint and spine health.

That low key activity level combined with their petite portable size and people-oriented personality make Maltichons fantastic on-the-go companions. From rides in the car to al fresco dining to trips to the dog-friendly shop, Maltichons are content to tag along on all your adventures. Just be prepared for your pup to attract plenty of attention and compliments everywhere you go together!

Healthy and Hardy

For all their tiny tenderness, Maltichons are generally a healthy, hardy breed with a lifespan of 12-15 years. Of course, like all dogs, they can be prone to certain health issues. The most common concerns in Maltichons include:

Patellar luxation: A genetic malformation of the knee joint that causes the kneecap to slip out of place. Can lead to lameness or arthritis.
Dental disease: Their small mouths are prone to crowding and tartar buildup. Regular dental cleanings are a must.
Allergies: Maltichons can develop allergies to certain foods, environmental irritants, or flea bites. Watch for itchy skin and ears.
White dog shaker syndrome: An inflammatory disorder that causes full body tremors. More common in small white dogs like Maltichons.
Reverse sneezing: Not really a health problem, but it can be alarming! Short honking episode caused by an irritant or over-excitement.

Many of these issues can be prevented or managed with proper veterinary care, dental hygiene, and nutrition. Choosing a reputable Maltichon breeder who conducts health testing on their dogs prior to breeding is also important for getting a healthy puppy.

Maltichon breeders are still relatively rare since it‘s a newer designer breed. You can expect to pay anywhere from $800 to over $2500 for a Maltichon puppy from a quality breeder. Adopting a Maltichon from a rescue organization may be cheaper, usually a few hundred dollars, if you can find one. But for many, the cost is well worth it for long years with a devoted, delightful little companion by your side.

Finest Family and Animal Friends

Want to know one of the best things about Maltichons? They absolutely adore their humans – the more the merrier! Maltichons aren‘t one-person dogs. They love everyone and have plenty of affection to go around.

This makes them wonderful for families with kids. Maltichons are incredibly patient, tolerant playmates for children. Their gentle, friendly nature and small size makes them far less likely to accidentally knock over or injure small kids than a larger breed. Maltichons view kids as partners in crime for playtime romps and snuggle sessions. Just be sure to teach children how to properly handle such a small dog. Some supervision is always a good idea.

Maltichons also get along famously with other dogs, cats, and pets. They inherited the Bichon‘s happy-go-lucky attitude toward other animals. Rather than being fearful or aggressive, Maltichons are more likely to march right up to a new animal friend with a wagging tail, ready to play. Their cheerful, social personality makes them a great fit for multi-pet households. Properly introduced, a Maltichon will likely view a cat or another dog as a best buddy.

That said, you may need to remind your Maltichon of their small stature around bigger dogs. Maltichons often forget they only weigh 10 pounds! They have no qualms about instigating play with a dog ten times their size. It‘s up to you to make sure a well-meaning larger dog doesn‘t accidentally hurt your bold little Maltichon during a play session.

No Lonely Lap Dogs Here

There is one type of household that may not be the best fit for Maltichons though – one where they are frequently left alone for long periods. These are companion dogs through and through. They thrive on attention and togetherness with their humans.

If you work long hours away from home, travel frequently without your dog, or are generally too busy for consistent quality time with your Maltichon, then you may want to reconsider this breed. Maltichons can develop separation anxiety if left alone too often or for too long. This can lead to excessive barking, destructive behavior, house training regression, and other issues.

If you do need to be away from your Maltichon for extended periods, you‘ll need to arrange for a pet sitter, dog walker, or doggie daycare to keep your pup company and looked after. Puzzle toys and long-lasting chews can help keep them occupied as well. But at the end of the day, there is no substitute for quality time with their beloved humans. If you can‘t provide that consistently, a Maltichon may not be the right breed for you.

Conclusion

Fun-loving and friendly, cute and cuddly, smart and sweet – Maltichons really are the full package when it comes to companion dogs. For the right person or family, a Maltichon will be your "Velcro dog", sticking by your side through all of life‘s adventures. You‘ll never have a more devoted best friend than a marvelous little Maltichon.