Are Maltese Bichons? - Page 2 - Maltese Dogs Forum : Spoiled Maltese Forums

**aprilb** · 08-28-2010, 10:13 AM

We must keep in mind that people not familiar with the Maltese do confuse them with the Bichon Frise which (I believe) is more popular. We have quite a few of the Bichon Frises in my neighborhood. I concur that the Bichon is a newer breed. I have been asked that question before, too.

**Orla** · 08-28-2010, 11:00 AM

Bichon Frises are much more popular here in Ireland - when Milo was a puppy everyone thought he was a bichon but now that his hair is long they don't

**Furbaby's Mommie** · 08-28-2010, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amby

under the FCI maltese are in group 9 and within group 9 they are in bichon breeds.

That's right, Bichon family, not Bichon "breed"--no more than a German Shepard is a wolf.

They used to "say" Maltese "Terrier" when speaking of the breed. They are not in the terrier family.

**Katkoota** · 08-28-2010, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aprilb

We must keep in mind that people not familiar with the Maltese do confuse them with the Bichon Frise which (I believe) is more popular. We have quite a few of the Bichon Frises in my neighborhood. I concur that the Bichon is a newer breed. I have been asked that question before, too.

I gotta agree.
Actually, I noticed that people who aren't familiar with these breeds will see all white, small, fluffy dogs the same (personally, I see the bichon frise to be far different than a Maltese or bolognese or cotton de tutelar...etc) but some can't really differentiate them. A friend of mine was a big time cat person - when he met my malts and got to know more about how fun, nice, loving, big in personality they are, he started to like the *small white fluffy* dogs. He told me once that his neighbor got a dog who is just like Snowy and Crystal - me being the crazy about the Maltese breed person, I wanted to see the pup. When I did, I was very surprised to see a West highland white terrier pup

if only my friend payed very little attention, he would notice the huge difference; those ears (of the westie) speak loudly that they aren't a Maltese ears. LoL

Nikki's Mom · 08-28-2010, 07:00 PM

The reason why Maltese are in the "Bichon" family is that the word "Bichon" means small white lap dog. In France, the Maltese is one of 5 breeds that are considered to be in the Bichon family, and are called "Bichon Maltese"

So "Bichon" is a word used in France to describe a class of dogs. Bichon is also used for a particular breed, which is "Bichon Frise," which means "curly lap dog."

Under AKC, the Maltese and the Bichon Frise are two separate breeds. The Maltese is the older breed. The Bichon Frise is thought to have originated from a cross between a Maltese and a Poodle.

In my experience, unless people are really into identifying dog breeds, they generally will lump dogs of the same color and size together. I've had both a Maltese and a Bichon Frise, and both are great dogs.

**mss** · 08-30-2010, 01:29 AM

I would like to meet a Bolognese some day. I've only read about and seen pictures of them. Some say they are more "serious". I'm not sure that's what I need--I am serious enough on my own and want to be entertained.

**Katkoota** · 08-30-2010, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mss

I would like to meet a Bolognese some day. I've only read about and seen pictures of them. Some say they are more "serious". I'm not sure that's what I need--I am serious enough on my own and want to be entertained.

I haven't heard that they are serious - really interesting.

I think that they are adorable

ok, let me be honest and say, all these fluffs are adorable- i love them.

**Aarianne** · 09-13-2010, 04:04 PM

They're called bichon maltais by french-speaking Quebec show breeders too. To the french, that's just their proper name. They always seem to make the distinction between bichon maltais and bichon frisé though. If an english-speaker would refer to a dog as a bichon, I'm sure 99% of the time they mean a bichon frisé.

Still, calling them bichon maltais kind of makes sense to me. I remember googling "canadian maltese association" way back to see if we had one, and we do! In fact we have many! But they're all for Canadian Maltese people... not for dogs.

**ParisandRio** · 11-10-2010, 06:35 PM

I've been a Bichon Frise mom for over 25 years.. The breed has developed many severe genetic problems since I bought my first one, unfortunately, due to overbreeding and poor breeding. They were the puppy mill/ pet store darlings and highest sellers for most of the 80's and 90's. Now, puppy mills give them away to the country's largest Bichon-specific rescue group. Small Paws.

I live with both elderly and middle aged adult Bichons Frises ( the correct plural) and young adult Maltese. Overall, my Malts are healthier and hardier than my larger Bichons were at the same ages. The breeding lines of all are quite sturdy and good.

I love my Bichons dearly, but at this point and time in their troubled breeding programs, I would be quite afraid to buy a Bichon from the top show/ breeding program in the country, even with the 2 DNA certs which Bichons can have done. I know that this forum is about Maltese, but since the discussion has taken this turn, I have to say that my research shows that the Maltese breed still retains more purity of bloodline that has not been diluted, overbred and filled with fraudulent pedigrees like the possibly more popular Bichon Frise has been. That's the main reason we chose Malts over Bichons Frises for our last 3 fluffs. Their tiny preciousness being the other.

**Ladysmom** · 11-10-2010, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ParisandRio

I've been a Bichon Frise mom for over 25 years.. The breed has developed many severe genetic problems since I bought my first one, unfortunately, due to overbreeding and poor breeding. They were the puppy mill/ pet store darlings and highest sellers for most of the 80's and 90's. Now, puppy mills give them away to the country's largest Bichon-specific rescue group. Small Paws.

I live with both elderly and middle aged adult Bichons Frises ( the correct plural) and young adult Maltese. Overall, my Malts are healthier and hardier than my larger Bichons were at the same ages. The breeding lines of all are quite sturdy and good.

I love my Bichons dearly, but at this point and time in their troubled breeding programs, I would be quite afraid to buy a Bichon from the top show/ breeding program in the country, even with the 2 DNA certs which Bichons can have done. I know that this forum is about Maltese, but since the discussion has taken this turn, I have to say that my research shows that the Maltese breed still retains more purity of bloodline that has not been diluted, overbred and filled with fraudulent pedigrees like the possibly more popular Bichon Frise has been. That's the main reason we chose Malts over Bichons Frises for our last 3 fluffs. Their tiny preciousness being the other.

That is heartbreaking. Whenever a breed becomes popular, greeders jump on the bandwagon and ruin their health.

I've seen that happen with Yorkies. Liver shunts, Legg-Perthes and other serious health issues are rampant in Yorkies now. I always wanted a Yorkie, but I would be too afraid to buy one today.

I hope Maltese never make the that top ten list.

08-28-2010, 10:13 AM	#11 (permalink)
aprilb Maltese Guru Name: April B Dog's Name: Rose & Lily(Josymir), Eva Victoria(I Lovitt) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Southeastern U.S. Posts: 3,187	We must keep in mind that people not familiar with the Maltese do confuse them with the Bichon Frise which (I believe) is more popular. We have quite a few of the Bichon Frises in my neighborhood. I concur that the Bichon is a newer breed. I have been asked that question before, too. __________________

08-28-2010, 11:00 AM	#12 (permalink)
Orla Maltese Guru Name: Orla Dog's Name: Amber, Roxy(pomxjrts) & Milo(maltese) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 3,726	Bichon Frises are much more popular here in Ireland - when Milo was a puppy everyone thought he was a bichon but now that his hair is long they don't __________________ Click here to learn all about Milo & see pics!

08-28-2010, 07:00 PM	#15 (permalink)
Nikki's Mom Maltese Guru Name: Suzan Dog's Name: Keiko & Nikki Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 6,250	The reason why Maltese are in the "Bichon" family is that the word "Bichon" means small white lap dog. In France, the Maltese is one of 5 breeds that are considered to be in the Bichon family, and are called "Bichon Maltese" So "Bichon" is a word used in France to describe a class of dogs. Bichon is also used for a particular breed, which is "Bichon Frise," which means "curly lap dog." Under AKC, the Maltese and the Bichon Frise are two separate breeds. The Maltese is the older breed. The Bichon Frise is thought to have originated from a cross between a Maltese and a Poodle. In my experience, unless people are really into identifying dog breeds, they generally will lump dogs of the same color and size together. I've had both a Maltese and a Bichon Frise, and both are great dogs. Last edited by Nikki's Mom; 08-28-2010 at 07:02 PM.

11-10-2010, 06:35 PM	#19 (permalink)
ParisandRio Newbie Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 30	MANY differences :) I've been a Bichon Frise mom for over 25 years.. The breed has developed many severe genetic problems since I bought my first one, unfortunately, due to overbreeding and poor breeding. They were the puppy mill/ pet store darlings and highest sellers for most of the 80's and 90's. Now, puppy mills give them away to the country's largest Bichon-specific rescue group. Small Paws. I live with both elderly and middle aged adult Bichons Frises ( the correct plural) and young adult Maltese. Overall, my Malts are healthier and hardier than my larger Bichons were at the same ages. The breeding lines of all are quite sturdy and good. I love my Bichons dearly, but at this point and time in their troubled breeding programs, I would be quite afraid to buy a Bichon from the top show/ breeding program in the country, even with the 2 DNA certs which Bichons can have done. I know that this forum is about Maltese, but since the discussion has taken this turn, I have to say that my research shows that the Maltese breed still retains more purity of bloodline that has not been diluted, overbred and filled with fraudulent pedigrees like the possibly more popular Bichon Frise has been. That's the main reason we chose Malts over Bichons Frises for our last 3 fluffs. Their tiny preciousness being the other.

08-30-2010, 01:29 AM	#16 (permalink)
mss Maltese Guru Dog's Name: Moonie, Charlie, Annie, Butchie Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern California Posts: 981	I would like to meet a Bolognese some day. I've only read about and seen pictures of them. Some say they are more "serious". I'm not sure that's what I need--I am serious enough on my own and want to be entertained.

09-13-2010, 04:04 PM	#18 (permalink)
Aarianne Maltese Guru Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Vaughan, ON, Canada Posts: 570	They're called bichon maltais by french-speaking Quebec show breeders too. To the french, that's just their proper name. They always seem to make the distinction between bichon maltais and bichon frisé though. If an english-speaker would refer to a dog as a bichon, I'm sure 99% of the time they mean a bichon frisé. Still, calling them bichon maltais kind of makes sense to me. I remember googling "canadian maltese association" way back to see if we had one, and we do! In fact we have many! But they're all for Canadian Maltese people... not for dogs.

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