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?

General Appearance Hair & Care Characteristics Good With Health Factors Reproducibility Show differences only

Name	Bolognese dog	Bichon Frise	Maltese
Origins	Italy	Spain Belgium	Italy
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Companion Dogs	Companion Dogs	Companion Dogs
Popularity Rank	288	46	33
Reviews	1	4	2
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Other Names	Bichon Bolognese, Bolognese Toy Dog	Bichon Frise, Tenerife Dog, Bichon A Poil Frise, Bichon Tenerife, Purebred Bichon	Maltese Dog, Maltese lion dog
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
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
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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