Bolognese dog vs Bichon Frise vs Maltese – Which one is a better dog breed for you?
"Find similarities and differences between Bolognese dog vs Bichon Frise vs Maltese"
Compare Bolognese dog and Bichon Frise. Which is better: Bolognese dog or Bichon Frise or Maltese?
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Name | Bolognese dog | Bichon Frise | Maltese |
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Origins | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
Group | Companion Dogs | Companion Dogs | Companion Dogs |
Popularity Rank | 288 | 46 | 33 |
Reviews | 1 | 4 | 2 |
Rate |
Other Names | Bichon Bolognese, Bolognese Toy Dog | Bichon Frise, Tenerife Dog, Bichon A Poil Frise, Bichon Tenerife, Purebred Bichon | Maltese Dog, Maltese lion dog |
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Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred | Purebred |
AKC Group | Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1972 as a Non-Sporting breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888 as a Toy breed. |
FCI Group | Not recognized by FCI. | Not recognized by FCI. | Recognized by FCI in the Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the Bichons and related breeds section. |
Breed Recognition | American Canine Registry America's Pet Registry Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Foundation Stock Service Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. | American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club The Bichon Frise Club Of America | American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club |
Price | $1200-$1400 | $700-$1000 | $600-$800 |
General Appearance - Bolognese dog vs Bichon Frise vs Maltese
Size | Small | Small | Small |
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Weight | 4.5-9 pounds (2.5-4 kg) | 7-13 pounds (3-6 kg) | 6.5-9 pounds (3-4 kg) |
Avg. Weight | 6.75 pounds (3.25 kg) | 10 pounds (4.5 kg) | 6.7 pounds (3.5 kg) |
Height | Males: 10.5-12 inches (27-30 cm), Female: 10-11 inches (25-28 cm) | Male: 9-12 inches (23–30 cm) Female: 9-11 inches (23-28 cm) | Male: 8-10 inches (21-25 cm), Female: 8-9 inches (20-23 cm) |
Avg. Height | Males: 11.25 inches (28.5 cm), Female: 10.5 inches (26.5 cm) | Male: 10.5 inches (26.5 cm) Female: 10 inches (25.5 cm) | Male: 9 inches (23 cm), Female: 8.5 inches (21.5 cm) |
Hair & Care - Bolognese dog vs Bichon Frise vs Maltese
Coat | Curly Silky | Curly | Feathered |
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Colors | Pure white | White Apricot Buff Cream | White |
Grooming | Average: The Bolognese dog requires average grooming effort. | Professional: This breed needs a lot of work to keep in good condition. | Average: The Maltese requires average grooming effort. |
Shedding Level | Bolognese dogs shed none to minimal. | Bichon Frises are low shedders. | Malteses shed none to minimal. |
Characteristics - Bolognese dog vs Bichon Frise vs Maltese
Temperament | Loyal Playful Easygoing Earnest Willing Intelligent Devoted Serene Active Calm Faithful | Affectionate Playful Sensitive Cheerful Gentle Intelligent | Active Easygoing Intelligent Responsive Docile Gentle Playful Sweet Tempered |
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Intelligent Rank | Smart: Bolognese dog's has great intelligence. | Average: Bichon Frise's has average obedience intelligence. | Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one. |
Trainability | Bolognese dogs are easy to train. | Bichon Frises are quite easy to train. | Malteses are quite easy to train. |
Playfulness | Bolognese dogs, like any other dog breed, like playing. | The Bichon Frise is a playful breed. | Malteses, like any other dog breed, like playing. |
Sensitivity Level | Bolognese dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household and frequent guest visits. | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. |
Affection Level | Bolognese dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Bichon Frises are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Malteses are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
Social Needs | Bolognese dogs need a lot of social interaction. | Bichon Frises need a lot of social interaction. | Malteses need a lot of social interaction. |
Barking | Average to high: The Bolognese dog is a vocal breed. | Average: The Bichon Frise barks occasionally. | High: The Maltese is a very vocal breed. |
Watchdog Ability | Bolognese dogs are one of the best watchdogs. | Bichon Frises are average watchdogs. | Malteses are average watchdogs. |
Territorial | Bolognese dogs strongly protect their territory. | Bichon Frises are not the best to protect their territory. | Malteses strongly protect their territory. |
Biting Potential |
Low The Bolognese dog has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Bichon Frise has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Maltese has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Mouthiness | Bolognese dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Bichon Frises have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Malteses have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. |
Impulse to Wander or Roam | Bolognese dogs are not the biggest explorers. | Bichon Frises have average wanderlust potential. | Malteses are not the biggest explorers. |
Prey Drive | Bolognese dogs have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. | Bichon Frises don't have an impulse to catch or chase small animals. | Malteses have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. |
Apartment Friendly | Bolognese dogs are very apartment-friendly dogs. | Bichon Frises are very apartment-friendly dogs. | Malteses are very apartment-friendly dogs. |
Adaptability | Bolognese dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Bichon Frises adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Malteses adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. |
Tolerates Being Left Alone | Bolognese dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. | Bichon Frises tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. | Malteses tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. |
Fighting Dog |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Good With - Bolognese dog vs Bichon Frise vs Maltese
Stranger Friendly | Bolognese dogs are very stranger friendly dogs. | Bichon Frises are very stranger friendly dogs. | Malteses are very stranger friendly dogs. |
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Child Friendly | Bolognese dogs are kid-friendly dogs. | Bichon Frises are kid-friendly dogs. | Malteses are kid-friendly dogs. |
Cat Friendly | Bolognese dogs are very cat-friendly dogs. | Bichon Frises are very cat-friendly dogs. | Malteses are very cat-friendly dogs. |
Dog Friendly | Bolognese dogs are very dog-friendly dogs. | Bichon Frises are very dog-friendly dogs. | Malteses are very dog-friendly dogs. |
Office Friendly |
No Bolognese dog is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Bichon Frise is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Maltese is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
Senior Citizens Friendly | Bolognese dogs are usually recommended for elderly people. | Bichon Frises are usually recommended for elderly people. | Malteses are usually recommended for elderly people. |
Pet Friendly | Bolognese dogs are one of the friendliest dog breeds. | Bichon Frises are one of the friendliest dog breeds. | Malteses are one of the friendliest dog breeds. |
Good For First Time Owners |
No Bolognese dogs are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
No Bichon Frises are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
No Malteses are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
Service Dog |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
Therapy Dog |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Boat Dog |
Not really Bolognese dog breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Not really Bichon Frise breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Not really Maltese breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Health Factors - Bolognese dog vs Bichon Frise vs Maltese
Health Issues | The Bolognese dog is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | The Bichon Frise is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | The Maltese is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. |
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Health Problems | Chronic Eye Irritation Hip Dysplasia Legg-perthes Disease | Allergies Bladder Stones Hip Dysplasia Juvenile Cataracts Patellar Luxation Vaccination Sensitivity | Collapsed Trachea Hypoglycemia Patellar Luxation Portosystemic Liver Shunt Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Reverse Sneezing White Dog Shaker Syndrome |
Life Expectancy | 13-15 years | 12-15 years | 15-18 years |
Hypoallergenic | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Energy Level | Bolognese dogs have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you. | Bichon Frises have a lower energy level than other dogs. | Malteses have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you. |
Exercise Need | Bolognese dogs exercise need is minimal. | Bichon Frises exercise need is minimal. | Malteses exercise need is very minimal. |
Sleeping Need | Bolognese dogs sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered as a lazy breed. | Bichon Frises like sleeping so they do sleep a lot. | Malteses sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered as a lazy breed. |
Avg. daily food consumption | 1 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 1/2 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | Recommended daily amount: 1/4 to 1/2 cup of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
Weight Gain Potential | Average. | Average to High. | Average. |
Weather & Climate | Prefers average to warm weather conditions | Prefers average to warm weather conditions | Prefers warm weather |
Stinkiness |
Medium The Bolognese dog has an average chance of bad smell. |
Low The Bichon Frise has a low chance of bad smell. |
Medium The Maltese has an average chance of bad smell. |
Drooling tendency | The Bolognese dog is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. | The Bichon Frise is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. | The Maltese is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. |
Reproducibility - Bolognese dog vs Bichon Frise vs Maltese
Gestation Length | 60-64 days | 60-64 days | 60-64 days |
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How often can the have a litter? |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Litter Size | 2-5 puppies | 2-5 puppies | 3-5 puppies |
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