How long does a Bichón Maltés live?

The life expectancy of the Bichón Maltés is 12-15 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.

How much does a Bichón Maltés weigh?

An adult Bichón Maltés weighs between 3-4 kg, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is toy.

How much exercise does a Bichón Maltés need?

The Bichón Maltés has media energy. **Exercise:** 45-60 min/day split into at least 2 sessions. Calm walks + mental play.

Who is the Bichón Maltés NOT recommended for?

It isn't the right breed for: Very young children (fragile). Households with no time for brushing. It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.

Is the Maltese hypoallergenic?

It is among those considered suitable for allergy sufferers: it sheds very little and has no undercoat. No dog is 100% hypoallergenic, but it triggers fewer reactions than most.

How much upkeep does its coat need?

A lot. The long white coat tangles easily: it requires daily brushing, regular baths and periodic grooming.

Why does it have brown stains under the eyes?

These are tear stains caused by epiphora, common in small white-faced breeds. They are controlled with daily cleaning of the area.

Is it a good dog for older people?

Yes. Its size, affectionate character and low exercise needs make it ideal for older people, provided they can keep up with its brushing.

It can. It is a watchful companion dog; with socialisation and without reinforcing the barking it is kept in check.

Breed profile

Bichón Maltés

An aristocratic white toy. Long, silky, pure white coat. Affectionate, playful, brave "in miniature". A good urban companion dog. Hypoallergenic.

Origin: Mediterráneo (Malta) Size: Toy Lifespan: 12-15 años Energy

Foto: Wikipedia Commons · CC BY-SA

Ideal for

✓Small flats
✓Older people
✓Those looking for a companion dog

Reconsider if

×Very young children (fragile)
×Households with no time for brushing

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Is the Bichón Maltés a good match for you?

Indicative rating from 1 (low) to 5 (high).

Suitable for flats

Suitable for first-timers

Good with children

With other dogs

With cats

Tolerates being alone

Energy level

Ease of training

Shedding level

Grooming needs

Tendency to bark

Tolerates heat

Tolerates cold

💶 Estimated cost of ownership

35-60 €/month

Feeding: 10-18 € · Grooming: 15-25 € · Vet and dental: 10-20 €

History and origin

One of the oldest breeds (3,000 years). Mediterranean, refined in Malta. A pet of the European aristocracy for centuries.

Recognised by the FCI within group 9 (companion dogs). Its small size makes flat living easy, but "small" is not a synonym for "needs no training": small dog syndrome (excessive barking, fearfulness, reactivity) is common when it is not given the same routine as a large dog.

Temperament and character

Affectionate, cheerful, brave. Attached to its human. Can be a barker. Intelligent but stubborn. Needs daily mental stimulation — scent games, food-stuffed Kongs and short trick sessions channel its energy better than physical exercise alone. Responds best to positive reinforcement: physical punishment generates fear, anxiety and reactivity — coercive methods are NOT recommended by veterinary behaviourists. Sensitive to its family's mood: it picks up on tension and is affected by it.

Living together

Children: with older ones. Other dogs: sociable with small ones. Cats: good.

Life stages of the Bichón Maltés

Each stage has its own care priorities. Life expectancy: 12-15 años.

Puppy

0-8 months

Careful handling due to fragility; watch for hypoglycaemia and signs of portosystemic shunt; start of dental and coat hygiene.

Junior

8 months-1.5 years

Socialisation, patella and dentition check; care of the white coat and tearing.

Adult

1.5-9 years

Rigorous dental hygiene (periodontal), patella monitoring and use of a harness due to the risk of tracheal collapse.

Senior

9+ years

Dental and cardiac health, tracheal monitoring and joint management; long-lived with good care.

Care

Exercise: 45-60 min/day split into at least 2 sessions. Calm walks + mental play.

Brushing: daily; intensive during moulting seasons (spring and autumn).

Feeding: quality food suited to life stage (puppy/adult/senior) and size. Weight control: obesity is the leading preventable cause of joint problems.

Vet: annual check-up with preventive blood work from 5 years of age (7 years in giant breeds); twice a year from 8.

Brushing daily or it tangles. Bath every 2-3 weeks. Tears (brown stains under the eyes): clean daily. Periodic grooming.

Care in detail

🍽️ Nutrition

Quality food for small breeds; in puppies, frequent feeds to prevent hypoglycaemia.

✂️ Grooming

Very demanding: daily brushing to prevent matting of its white coat, a bath every 2-3 weeks, daily cleaning of the tears and periodic grooming.

🎓 Training

Intelligent but somewhat stubborn and prone to barking; early socialisation and positive reinforcement to prevent small dog syndrome.

🏃 Exercise

Calm daily walks and play at home; 45-60 minutes spread out is enough.

Breed-specific health

Patellar luxation. Shaker syndrome (tremors). Hypoglycaemia (puppies). Dental problems. Life expectancy 12-15 years. Life expectancy of 12-15 years with proper care. Pre-breeding tests are recommended in responsible breeding programmes (dysplasia + cardiac + ophthalmology according to the breed's conditions). When adopting, ask the shelter for a vet report on the current health status.

🩺 Health predispositions of this breed

Conditions this breed is more predisposed to. Knowing about them helps with prevention and early detection. A predisposition does not mean the animal will develop them.

🦿Luxación de rótula 🌬️Colapso traqueal 🦷Enfermedad periodontal 🟠Shunt portosistemico (derivacion hepatica)

Common diseases in dogs

Learn the symptoms, prevention and when to see the vet. Reviewed indicative information that does not replace a veterinary consultation.

🐾Dermatitis atópica 🍄Tiña (dermatofitosis)🦟Alergia a la picadura de pulga (DAPP)🤢Gastroenteritis ☠️Parvovirosis canina 🆘Torsión gástrica (dilatación-vólvulo)

See all 158 diseases in the health guide

Screening and prevention for the Bichón Maltés

Recommended tests and screenings

✓Orthopaedic evaluation for patellar luxation
✓Dental check-up
✓Ophthalmological examination
✓Blood glucose monitoring in puppies

Prevention

Frequent tooth brushing, control of hypoglycaemia in puppies with regular feeds, daily cleaning of the tearing under the eyes and avoiding jumps from height.

Check-up schedule

Annual check-up with attention to mouth, kneecaps and eyes.

Warning signs

!Lameness or the kneecap slipping (patellar luxation)
!Generalised tremors (shaker syndrome)
!Brown stains and moisture under the eyes (epiphora)
!Weakness or tremors from hypoglycaemia in puppies

Bichón Maltés gallery

Foto de la raza bichon maltes — Foto: Wikimedia Commons

Frequently asked questions about the Bichón Maltés

How long does a Bichón Maltés live?: The life expectancy of the Bichón Maltés is 12-15 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.
How much does a Bichón Maltés weigh?: An adult Bichón Maltés weighs between 3-4 kg, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is toy.
Where does the Bichón Maltés breed come from?: The Bichón Maltés originates from Mediterráneo (Malta). One of the oldest breeds (3,000 years). Mediterranean, refined in Malta. A pet of the European aristocracy for centuries.
How much exercise does a Bichón Maltés need?: The Bichón Maltés has media energy. **Exercise:** 45-60 min/day split into at least 2 sessions. Calm walks + mental play.
Is the Bichón Maltés good with children?: Children: with older ones. Other dogs: sociable with small ones. Cats: good.
Who is the Bichón Maltés NOT recommended for?: It isn't the right breed for: Very young children (fragile). Households with no time for brushing. It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.
What health problems does the Bichón Maltés have?: Patellar luxation. Shaker syndrome (tremors). Hypoglycaemia (puppies). Dental problems. Life expectancy 12-15 years. Life expectancy of 12-15 years with proper care. Pre-breeding tests are recommended in responsible breeding programmes (dysplasia + cardiac + ophthalmology according to the breed's conditions). When adopting, ask the shelter for a vet report on the current health status.
Is the Maltese hypoallergenic?: It is among those considered suitable for allergy sufferers: it sheds very little and has no undercoat. No dog is 100% hypoallergenic, but it triggers fewer reactions than most.
How much upkeep does its coat need?: A lot. The long white coat tangles easily: it requires daily brushing, regular baths and periodic grooming.
Why does it have brown stains under the eyes?: These are tear stains caused by epiphora, common in small white-faced breeds. They are controlled with daily cleaning of the area.
Is it a good dog for older people?: Yes. Its size, affectionate character and low exercise needs make it ideal for older people, provided they can keep up with its brushing.
Does it bark a lot?: It can. It is a watchful companion dog; with socialisation and without reinforcing the barking it is kept in check.