Maltese vs Miniature Poodle vs Bichon Frise – Which one is a better dog breed for you?
"Find similarities and differences between Maltese vs Miniature Poodle vs Bichon Frise"
Compare Maltese and Miniature Poodle. Which is better: Maltese or Miniature Poodle or Bichon Frise?
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
Name | Maltese | Miniature Poodle | Bichon Frise |
---|---|---|---|
Origins | ![]() | ![]() ![]() | ![]() ![]() |
Group | Companion Dogs | Companion Dogs | Companion Dogs |
Popularity Rank | 33 | 435 | 46 |
Reviews | 2 | 1 | 4 |
Rate |
Other Names | Maltese Dog, Maltese lion dog | Caniche, Barbone, Chien Canne, Carniche Moyen, Barboncino Miniatura, French Poodle, Pudle, Zwergpudel | Bichon Frise, Tenerife Dog, Bichon A Poil Frise, Bichon Tenerife, Purebred Bichon |
---|---|---|---|
Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred | Purebred |
AKC Group | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888 as a Toy breed. | Not recognized by the American Kennel Club. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1972 as a Non-Sporting breed. |
FCI Group | Recognized by FCI in the Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the Bichons and related breeds section. | Not recognized by FCI. | Not recognized by FCI. |
Breed Recognition | 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 | 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 Canadian Canine Registry | 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 |
Price | $600-$800 | 1000-1500 | $700-$1000 |
General Appearance - Maltese vs Miniature Poodle vs Bichon Frise
Size | Small | Small | Small |
---|---|---|---|
Weight | 6.5-9 pounds (3-4 kg) | 15-17 pounds (7-8 kg) | 7-13 pounds (3-6 kg) |
Avg. Weight | 6.7 pounds (3.5 kg) | 16 pounds (7.5 kg) | 10 pounds (4.5 kg) |
Height | Male: 8-10 inches (21-25 cm), Female: 8-9 inches (20-23 cm) | 11-15 inches (28-38 cm) | Male: 9-12 inches (23–30 cm) Female: 9-11 inches (23-28 cm) |
Avg. Height | Male: 9 inches (23 cm), Female: 8.5 inches (21.5 cm) | 13 inches (33 cm) | Male: 10.5 inches (26.5 cm) Female: 10 inches (25.5 cm) |
Hair & Care - Maltese vs Miniature Poodle vs Bichon Frise
Coat | Feathered | Dense Curly Thick | Curly |
---|---|---|---|
Colors | White | Apricot Black Brown Gray Silver White Fawn Blue Cream Red Beige | White Apricot Buff Cream |
Grooming | Average: The Maltese requires average grooming effort. | Professional: This breed needs a lot of work to keep in good condition. | Professional: This breed needs a lot of work to keep in good condition. |
Shedding Level | Malteses shed none to minimal. | Miniature Poodles shed none to minimal. | Bichon Frises are low shedders. |
Characteristics - Maltese vs Miniature Poodle vs Bichon Frise
Temperament | Active Easygoing Intelligent Responsive Docile Gentle Playful Sweet Tempered | Active Faithful Intelligent Alert Instinctual Trainable | Affectionate Playful Sensitive Cheerful Gentle Intelligent |
---|---|---|---|
Intelligent Rank | Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one. | Outstanding: Miniature Poodle is one of the brightest dog breeds. | Average: Bichon Frise's has average obedience intelligence. |
Trainability | Malteses are quite easy to train. | Miniature Poodles are very easy to train. | Bichon Frises are quite easy to train. |
Playfulness | Malteses, like any other dog breed, like playing. | The Miniature Poodle is a playful breed. | The Bichon Frise is a playful breed. |
Sensitivity Level | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. |
Affection Level | Malteses are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | Miniature Poodles 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. |
Social Needs | Malteses need a lot of social interaction. | Miniature Poodles need a lot of social interaction. | Bichon Frises need a lot of social interaction. |
Barking | High: The Maltese is a very vocal breed. | Average to high: The Miniature Poodle is a vocal breed. | Average: The Bichon Frise barks occasionally. |
Watchdog Ability | Malteses are average watchdogs. | Miniature Poodles are good watchdogs. | Bichon Frises are average watchdogs. |
Territorial | Malteses strongly protect their territory. | Miniature Poodles are average defenders. | Bichon Frises are not the best to protect their territory. |
Biting Potential |
Low The Maltese has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Miniature Poodle has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Bichon Frise has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Mouthiness | Malteses have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Miniature Poodles have lower 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. |
Impulse to Wander or Roam | Malteses are not the biggest explorers. | Miniature Poodles tend to escape less than other breeds. | Bichon Frises have average wanderlust potential. |
Prey Drive | Malteses have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | Miniature Poodles have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals. | Bichon Frises don't have an impulse to catch or chase small animals. |
Apartment Friendly | Malteses are very apartment-friendly dogs. | Miniature Poodles are very apartment-friendly dogs. | Bichon Frises are very apartment-friendly dogs. |
Adaptability | Malteses adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Miniature Poodles adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Bichon Frises adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. |
Tolerates Being Left Alone | Malteses tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them. | Miniature Poodles 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. |
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 - Maltese vs Miniature Poodle vs Bichon Frise
Stranger Friendly | Malteses are very stranger friendly dogs. | Miniature Poodles are stranger friendly dogs. | Bichon Frises are very stranger friendly dogs. |
---|---|---|---|
Child Friendly | Malteses are kid-friendly dogs. | Miniature Poodles are very kid-friendly dogs. | Bichon Frises are kid-friendly dogs. |
Cat Friendly | Malteses are very cat-friendly dogs. | Miniature Poodles are cat-friendly dogs. | Bichon Frises are very cat-friendly dogs. |
Dog Friendly | Malteses are very dog-friendly dogs. | Miniature Poodles are dog-friendly dogs. | Bichon Frises are very dog-friendly dogs. |
Office Friendly |
No Maltese is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Miniature Poodle is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Bichon Frise is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
Senior Citizens Friendly | Malteses are usually recommended for elderly people. | Miniature Poodles are one of the best breeds for elderly people. | Bichon Frises are usually recommended for elderly people. |
Pet Friendly | Malteses are one of the friendliest dog breeds. | Miniature Poodles are usually friendly towards other pets. | Bichon Frises are one of the friendliest dog breeds. |
Good For First Time Owners |
No Malteses are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
No Miniature Poodles 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. |
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. |
Yes This breed makes a perfect 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 Maltese breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Not really Miniature Poodle breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Not really Bichon Frise 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 - Maltese vs Miniature Poodle vs Bichon Frise
Health Issues | The Maltese is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | The Miniature Poodle 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. |
---|---|---|---|
Health Problems | Collapsed Trachea Hypoglycemia Patellar Luxation Portosystemic Liver Shunt Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Reverse Sneezing White Dog Shaker Syndrome | Addison's Disease Bloat Epilepsy Hip Dysplasia | Allergies Bladder Stones Hip Dysplasia Juvenile Cataracts Patellar Luxation Vaccination Sensitivity |
Life Expectancy | 15-18 years | 14-16 years | 12-15 years |
Hypoallergenic | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Energy Level | Malteses have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you. | Miniature Poodles have a higher energy level than other dog breeds. | Bichon Frises have a lower energy level than other dogs. |
Exercise Need | Malteses exercise need is very minimal. | Miniature Poodles need quite a lot of exercise. | Bichon Frises exercise need is minimal. |
Sleeping Need | Malteses sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered as a lazy breed. | Miniature Poodles are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend to much time with sleeping. | Bichon Frises like sleeping so they do sleep a lot. |
Avg. daily food consumption | Recommended daily amount: 1/4 to 1/2 cup of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | 0.5 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. |
Weight Gain Potential | Average. | Average to High. | Average to High. |
Weather & Climate | Prefers warm weather | Prefers average to warm weather conditions | Prefers average to warm weather conditions |
Stinkiness |
Medium The Maltese has an average chance of bad smell. |
Low The Miniature Poodle has a low chance of bad smell. |
Low The Bichon Frise has a low chance of bad smell. |
Drooling tendency | The Maltese is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. | The Miniature Poodle is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. | The Bichon Frise is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. |
Reproducibility - Maltese vs Miniature Poodle vs Bichon Frise
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 | 3-5 puppies | 2-8 puppies, average 5 | 2-5 puppies |
Popular Dog Compares
Sharing is caring.
Help our free service by spreading information about dog breeds.
Link to this: Maltese vs Miniature Poodle vs Bichon Frise – Which one is a better dog breed for you?
<a href="https://dogell.com/en/compare-dog-breeds/maltese-vs-miniature-poodle-vs-bichon-frise">Maltese vs Miniature Poodle vs Bichon Frise – Which one is a better dog breed for you?</a>
Help our free service by spreading information about dog breeds.
Link to this: Maltese vs Miniature Poodle vs Bichon Frise – Which one is a better dog breed for you?
<a href="https://dogell.com/en/compare-dog-breeds/maltese-vs-miniature-poodle-vs-bichon-frise">Maltese vs Miniature Poodle vs Bichon Frise – Which one is a better dog breed for you?</a>