Maltese vs Bichon Frisé NZ: Small Fluffy White Dogs Compared

The Maltese and the Bichon Frisé are frequently mistaken for each other — both are small, white, fluffy, and popular across New Zealand's cities. But they have notable differences in size, coat type, temperament, and grooming requirements that can make one a better fit than the other for your household.

The core difference

The Maltese is smaller, has a silky (not curly) single coat, and is more delicate — better for calmer homes and gentler handling. The Bichon Frisé is slightly larger, has a curly double coat requiring professional grooming, and is slightly more robust and playful. Both are excellent companion dogs; the choice comes down to size preference and grooming commitment.

Side-by-side overview

*Scores from PetMall breed profiles (1–5). The 1–5 grooming scores reflect different maintenance regimes — see the grooming section below for important detail.*

Appearance

The Maltese has a long, flowing, silky white single coat that drapes to the floor when kept at full length. Their coat is fine and straight — closer in texture to human hair than dog fur. It's elegant and distinctive, but the length and fineness means it mats easily and requires daily attention.

The Bichon Frisé has a dense, curly double coat that gives it the characteristic round, powder-puff appearance. The curls mean the coat doesn't shed visibly (loose hairs are caught in the curls rather than falling on furniture), which makes the Bichon a popular choice for people sensitive to dog hair in the home. However, because the hair doesn't fall out naturally, it must be clipped professionally every 4–8 weeks.

Grooming commitment: important differences

Both breeds have a "3" grooming score in our profiles, but they require grooming in different ways.

Maltese:

• Daily brushing with a pin brush and metal comb to prevent matting
• Bathing every 1–2 weeks to keep the white coat clean and prevent staining
• Daily eye cleaning to manage tear staining (very common in the breed)
• Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks, or maintain a "puppy cut" at home
• In NZ's warm, humid conditions (especially Auckland/Northland summers), the coat can become matted quickly if grooming is skipped

Bichon Frisé:

• Daily brushing to prevent the curly double coat from matting
• Professional grooming (bath, dry, clip) every 4–8 weeks — this is non-negotiable; without it the coat mats badly and skin issues can develop
• Eye cleaning to manage tear staining
• At $80–$150+ per professional groom in NZ, budget $600–$1,800 annually for grooming

If consistent professional grooming appointments are a challenge, the Maltese (kept in a short "puppy cut") may be more manageable. If visible shed hair is a concern, the Bichon's non-shedding coat is a significant advantage.

Temperament

Maltese are charming, affectionate, and spirited little dogs with a surprisingly bold personality for their size. They bond closely with their owners and can be prone to separation anxiety if left alone frequently. Maltese are generally not recommended for homes with very young children — their small size (under 3.2 kg) makes them vulnerable to accidental injury from rough handling. They tend to be wary of strangers but warm up with positive socialisation.

Bichon Frisé are reliably cheerful and sociable. They love people — including children and strangers — and adapt well to new environments. Their slightly larger size (5–8 kg) makes them more robust than the Maltese in family settings. Bichons have a playful, bouncy energy and enjoy short games and walks, though they're not demanding of exercise.

Both breeds are intelligent and respond well to reward-based training. Neither tolerates harsh correction or prolonged isolation.

Size matters for NZ households

The Maltese is genuinely tiny — under 3.2 kg means they can be injured by a toddler falling on them, stepped on, or hurt by larger dogs during play at the park. In households with young children or large dogs, this fragility is worth factoring in.

The Bichon at 5–8 kg is small but meaningfully more resilient — closer to a proper "lap dog" in body.

Health

Both breeds are generally healthy (★★☆☆☆ = historically low health issue rate), though both can be prone to:

• Luxating patella (kneecap dislocation) — common in small breeds
• Dental disease — small jaws crowd teeth; daily brushing or dental chews important
• Tear staining — cosmetic but requires daily management
• Bladder stones — especially Bichons; fresh water and quality diet help

Ask breeders for eye and patella health certifications. See our NZ vet costs guide for ongoing health budget expectations.

Shedding

The Maltese's single coat does shed, though less than many double-coated breeds. The Bichon Frisé's curly coat traps loose hairs, making it virtually non-shedding in terms of visible hair on furniture — a meaningful advantage for those with mild allergies to dog hair (though note: no dog is truly hypoallergenic — allergy reactions depend on the individual's sensitivity to Fel d 1 / Can f 1 proteins, not just shed hair). See our hypoallergenic dogs NZ guide for more context.

Who each breed suits in NZ

Maltese suits you if:

• You want the smallest possible companion dog
• You have a calm household without young children or large dogs
• You can commit to daily grooming and regular vet-quality dental care
• You want an intensely loyal, velcro-style companion

Bichon Frisé suits you if:

• You want a slightly more robust small dog for family life
• You're sensitive to shed hair on furniture
• You can budget for professional grooming every 4–8 weeks
• You want a dog with reliably cheerful, sociable temperament

Both suit NZ apartment and townhouse living well, provided they get 20–30 minutes of walking and regular play time. For more options, see our best small dog breeds NZ guide and use the Find a Breed tool.

See also

• Maltese breed profile
• Bichon Frisé breed profile
• Best small dog breeds NZ
• Hypoallergenic dogs NZ
• Best dog breeds for apartments NZ
• Find a Breed

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References

• MPI New Zealand, Code of Welfare for Dogs, checked 2026-06-05: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/animals/animal-welfare/codes/all-animal-welfare-codes/code-of-welfare-dogs/

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*This guide provides general information. Individual dogs vary — meet the breed before purchasing, and consult a registered NZ vet for health advice.*