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The Maltese and the Bichon Frise consistently appear of Animal Facts.
These two similar breeds share a lot in common.
But, although they are both adorable and white, the two are not interchangeable.
And, once you know the defining characteristics of each, you'll never confuse them again.
What are the differences between these two beautiful, fluffy dogs?
Today, we continue our series Dog vs, Dog to find out the differences between the Maltese
and the Bichon Frise.
Let’s get started, but before we start, make sure to hit that subscribe button and
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Appearance
There are some things these two breeds have in common.
Both are white, non-shedding small house dogs.
It’s easy to see why the two could be confused, especially when they’re puppies, but there
are significant differences in their appearance.
The Maltese are covered with silky, long, white hair that almost touches the ground
and has no undercoat.
You can tie up the long hair on the head in a topknot.
Its hair should not be curly or kinky.
The Maltese is also the tinier of the two and should weigh between 4 and 6 pounds.
The Bichon, on the other hand, has a curly double coat.
The outer coat is textured, and the inner coat is silky providing an insulating effect.
The Bichon looks like a big powder puff or cotton ball and can weigh quite a bit more
than the Maltese at anywhere from 10 to 18 pounds.
Histories
These two breeds have entirely different histories.
As the name implies, the Maltese breed was established in Malta, an island group off
the southern coast of Italy where these royal dogs were adored for many centuries and nicknamed
"Ye Ancient Dogge of Malta."
The Bichon Frise, whose name means “small dog with curly hair”, accompanied English
and Spanish sailors on voyages from the Mediterranean to the Canary Islands, where they became popular
on the Island of Tenerife.
The Bichons were cherished by the Italian nobility and French aristocrats, but after
falling out of fashion, they began to find work as circus performers.
Group Classification
The American Kennel Club categorizes dog breeds by their name and by their group.
The Maltese and the Bichon Frise don’t share either.
The Maltese are in the toy group.
Dogs in the toy group are there because of their size; they need to weigh less than 7
pounds.
Their purpose, according to the AKC, is “to embody sheer delight.”
Toy dogs typically like to sit in your lap, and they are a good choice for apartment dwellers.
And the Bichon is in the non-sporting group.
The non-sporting group contains a diverse grouping of dogs.
These dogs are sturdy and all have varying sizes, coats, personalities and overall appearance.
According to the AKC, most dogs in the group are good watchdogs and house dogs.
Other breeds in the non-sporting group are the ever-popular Dalmatian, Poodle and Lhasa
Apso, which we covered in our last video linked in the card.
Personality and Temperament
With a history of being cherished for centuries, it doesn't come as a surprise that Maltese
are known for being charming, pampered pooches who love to sit on your the lap.
But, don't be fooled by their royal appearance.
These dogs make feisty watchdogs and lively agility competitors.
The Bichons have a cheerful attitude, are easy to train, and, because of their previously
mentioned history as circus performers, love to show off and entertain with their playful
antics.
If you want to see more of this Bichon showing off his talent, check out Ozzy the Bichon
in the description below.
Health and Life Expectancy
While most Maltese are healthy, they may suffer from hypothyroidism, knee joint problems,
epilepsy, allergies, heart disease, dental disease and eye problems.
Their biggest health problem, however, is from injury, given their small frame size.
They are quite easy to injure.
The average lifespan of the Maltese ranges between 13 and 15 years.
For the Bichon, dental care is important; this breed is prone to early tooth loss and
gum infection.
Other health concerns include allergies, bladder infections, ear infections, cataracts, and
knee joint problems.
As mentioned before, he’s a more sturdy dog and is better suited to be around small
or rambunctious children.
The average lifespan of the Bichon is between 16 and 18 years.
So, who wins?
Well, that’s up for you to decide.
Which breed do you think wins?
The Maltese or the Bichon Frise.
Let us know in the comments.
Any other breeds you’d like us to compare?
Shout ‘em out.
We’ll give them a look.
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And as always, catch ya next time.