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

**Mindi's mom** · 08-27-2010, 03:59 PM

Sorry, if this is a really dumb question...

I get asked if Mindi is a Bichon and I always reply, " no, a maltese." I was reading on wikipedia and now I am confused. Maltese are a type of Bichon? And if so, how should I answer when people ask if she is a Bichon?

Bichon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Maltese (dog) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**Orla** · 08-27-2010, 04:08 PM

maltese are in the bichon family - as are bichon frise, cotton de tuler, havanese and some more

**LJSquishy** · 08-27-2010, 04:11 PM

I've never heard that they are in the Bichon family, but perhaps they are.

Regardless, Maltese & Bichon Frise are completely separate AKC recognized breeds and are not the same.

**Orla** · 08-27-2010, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LJSquishy

I've never heard that they are in the Bichon family, but perhaps they are.

Regardless, Maltese & Bichon Frise are completely separate AKC recognized breeds and are not the same.

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

Quote:

1.1 Bichons
1. Central Mediterranean Region (Italy)
Maltese (65)
27/11/89 FR/EN/DE/SP
2. Western Mediterranean Region (F.C.I.)
Bichon Havanais (250) (Havanese)
04/11/08 FR/EN/DE/SP
3. Belgium/France
Bichon à poil frisé (215) (Bichon Frise)
10/01/72 FR/EN/DE/SP
4. Italy
Bolognese (196) (Bolognese)
27/11/89 FR/EN/DE/SP
1.2 Coton de Tuléar
1. Madagascar (France)
Coton de Tuléar (283)
25/11/99 FR/EN/DE/SP
1.3 Petit chien lion
1. France
Petit chien lion (233) (Little Lion Dog)
24/03/04 FR/EN/DE/SP

**Mindi's mom** · 08-27-2010, 04:53 PM

Thanks!

**The A Team** · 08-27-2010, 09:59 PM

I've never heard of that before.

**Cosy** · 08-27-2010, 11:35 PM

I've never heard of it either. A Maltese is a Maltese. :-P

**CloudClan** · 08-28-2010, 12:05 AM

In french Maltese are called Bichon Maltais. As I understand it Bichon is a way of saying small/cute dog. So of course Maltese are small cute dogs. This should not be confused with claiming that a Maltese is a type of Bichon Frise. Though I believe based on the histories I have read that Maltese were the earlier of the two types and Bichon Frise dogs were developed from the historic Maltese dogs. So the answer is, it depends on what you mean when you say are Maltese Bichons. Yes, they are small and cute and in some languages they have the name Bichon Maltais, but they are not the same breed as a Bichon Frise (though the Frise breed has been influenced by Maltese).

To me this is like the question are Maltese terriers. English people often refer to the breed as Maltese Terriers (and some terriers were influenced by Maltese) but they are not truly terriers.

Here in the US, we simply call them Maltese. It is the best description as all the others add confusion.

**MalteseJane** · 08-28-2010, 01:52 AM

"Family" and "Breed" are not the same thing. Maltese, Havanese, Bolognese, Coton de Tulear, Bichon Frisé are all in the same Family (Bichon) but they are all different breeds. My understanding is that the Maltese is called Bichon Maltais in France because he is a part of the Bichon Family.

I just checked the french dictionary to see what the explanation of "bichon" is.
Bichon - Bichonne : petit chien ou chienne à poil long (small male or female dog with long coat/hair).

**Katkoota** · 08-28-2010, 09:02 AM

jane - thanks for bringing this up . I was at a store in France (during my trip) with Snowy and Crystal. A lady approached, had a little chat, petted the malts, went Awwhing and cute talking to them...etc then she looked at me and was like "I also have a bichon"

My response was "these two are Maltese dogs". She smiled and said "yes I know, bichon Maltese". I do know that they are grouped in the bichon family under FCI because I read that when I was doing my first search on the breed when I got Snowy, but it did confuse me at that second when i heard that lady, so I repeated once again to her "there is no bichon in them - they are Maltese" lol the funny part is that we were like going back and forth "bichon Maltese" and "Maltese" for a couple more times

she sure was a nice lady, nevertheless - ended that breed convo with a giggle from both sides and continued petting the malts

I learned that the term bichon maltese is common there. However, they do know that the bichon fries is a different breed than a Maltese.
Kat

08-27-2010, 03:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mindi's mom Member Name: Camille Dog's Name: Mindi Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Buford, Georgia Posts: 154	Are Maltese Bichons? Sorry, if this is a really dumb question... I get asked if Mindi is a Bichon and I always reply, " no, a maltese." I was reading on wikipedia and now I am confused. Maltese are a type of Bichon? And if so, how should I answer when people ask if she is a Bichon? Bichon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Maltese (dog) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

08-27-2010, 04:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
Orla Maltese Guru Name: Orla Dog's Name: Amber, Roxy(pomxjrts) & Milo(maltese) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 3,726	maltese are in the bichon family - as are bichon frise, cotton de tuler, havanese and some more __________________ Click here to learn all about Milo & see pics! Last edited by Orla; 08-27-2010 at 04:19 PM.

08-27-2010, 04:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
LJSquishy Maltese Guru Name: Lisa Dog's Name: London (12/20/07) & Preston (03/25/09) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Washington Posts: 5,329	I've never heard that they are in the Bichon family, but perhaps they are. Regardless, Maltese & Bichon Frise are completely separate AKC recognized breeds and are not the same. __________________

08-27-2010, 09:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
The A Team Maltese Guru Name: Pat Dog's Name: Archie, Abbey, Ava and Tinker Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: South Jersey Posts: 15,974	I've never heard of that before. __________________ Pat and "The A Team" Life is Good!!!

08-27-2010, 11:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
Cosy Maltese Guru Name: Brit Dog's Name: Cosy from Bonnie's Angel Maltese Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: I live in Cowboy country :) Posts: 13,390	I've never heard of it either. A Maltese is a Maltese. :-P __________________ Please buy from reputable exhibitor breeders or Rescue.

08-27-2010, 04:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mindi's mom Member Name: Camille Dog's Name: Mindi Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Buford, Georgia Posts: 154	Thanks!

08-28-2010, 12:05 AM	#8 (permalink)
CloudClan Maltese Guru Name: Carina Dog's Name: Cadeau, Cadie, Cacia, Cherry B & Cherish (Cloud, Clancy, Clouseau, Cameo & Calypso @ bridge) Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,439	In french Maltese are called Bichon Maltais. As I understand it Bichon is a way of saying small/cute dog. So of course Maltese are small cute dogs. This should not be confused with claiming that a Maltese is a type of Bichon Frise. Though I believe based on the histories I have read that Maltese were the earlier of the two types and Bichon Frise dogs were developed from the historic Maltese dogs. So the answer is, it depends on what you mean when you say are Maltese Bichons. Yes, they are small and cute and in some languages they have the name Bichon Maltais, but they are not the same breed as a Bichon Frise (though the Frise breed has been influenced by Maltese). To me this is like the question are Maltese terriers. English people often refer to the breed as Maltese Terriers (and some terriers were influenced by Maltese) but they are not truly terriers. Here in the US, we simply call them Maltese. It is the best description as all the others add confusion. __________________ *~ Carina & the CloudClan ~*

08-28-2010, 01:52 AM	#9 (permalink)
MalteseJane Maltese Guru Name: Janine Dog's Name: Charlie & Alex at Rainbow Bridge Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Buckeye, Arizona Posts: 6,482	"Family" and "Breed" are not the same thing. Maltese, Havanese, Bolognese, Coton de Tulear, Bichon Frisé are all in the same Family (Bichon) but they are all different breeds. My understanding is that the Maltese is called Bichon Maltais in France because he is a part of the Bichon Family. I just checked the french dictionary to see what the explanation of "bichon" is. Bichon - Bichonne : petit chien ou chienne à poil long (small male or female dog with long coat/hair). __________________ Last edited by MalteseJane; 08-28-2010 at 01:59 AM.

08-28-2010, 09:02 AM	#10 (permalink)
Katkoota Super Moderator Name: Katkoota Dog's Name: Snowy & Crystal Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Oasis in the desert Posts: 13,495	jane - thanks for bringing this up . I was at a store in France (during my trip) with Snowy and Crystal. A lady approached, had a little chat, petted the malts, went Awwhing and cute talking to them...etc then she looked at me and was like "I also have a bichon" My response was "these two are Maltese dogs". She smiled and said "yes I know, bichon Maltese". I do know that they are grouped in the bichon family under FCI because I read that when I was doing my first search on the breed when I got Snowy, but it did confuse me at that second when i heard that lady, so I repeated once again to her "there is no bichon in them - they are Maltese" lol the funny part is that we were like going back and forth "bichon Maltese" and "Maltese" for a couple more times she sure was a nice lady, nevertheless - ended that breed convo with a giggle from both sides and continued petting the malts I learned that the term bichon maltese is common there. However, they do know that the bichon fries is a different breed than a Maltese. Kat __________________ xoxo Kat & the Malts "catch me if you can" Click here for Crystal & Snowy Videos

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