Maltichon Puppy Information

Recognized purebred puppies are the products of mixing established breeds to create a hybrid with desirable characteristics and eliminate unwanted ones. The Maltichon, or Maltechon, is the result or crossing purebred Maltese with the Bichon Frise.

  1. Identification

    • A Maltichon puppy is produced by breeding a Maltese with a Bichon Frise. The Maltichon is a "designer dog," or hybrid, recognized by the International Designer Canine Registry. Most Maltichon puppies are not a 50/50 mix of the two breeds, rather the product of multi-generational breeding.

    Characteristics

    • The most dependable way of determining the characteristics of a Maltichon puppy is to research the parents. Desirable traits in a Maltichon puppy include the kind, playful temperament of the Maltese and the wavy, non-shedding hair of the Bichon Frise. Maltichon puppies should weigh 8 to 10 pounds at maturity.

    Choosing a Puppy

    • Because it is important to select a Maltichon puppy with the temperament and physical characteristics desired in the hybrid, find a breeder who guarantees the parents have the desired stable traits. Pet stores may sell "designer" puppies of questionable parentage.

    Considerations

    • Maltichon puppies should exhibit gentle, affectionate temperaments and a lively fearlessness, like their Maltese parents. They will be intelligent, fast learners, similar to the Bichon Frise--but may be difficult to house train, like many small-breed dogs.

    Expert Insight

    • "Designer dogs" are popular for their unique breeding and special characteristics. One important motive in developing hybrids is to reduce hereditary health problems found in some purebreds. Maltichon puppies are generally healthy, exhibiting the best physical traits of both the Maltese and the Bichon Frise.