Its hair forms a long coat of pure white descending to the ground, its tail is raised, its black nose, like its round eyes, contrasts with the coat and its haughty head bearing gives a certain elegance to its general appearance. .

Poil : long, stiff or slightly wavy and silky, white or cream in color.

Size (height at the withers): 20 to 25 cm.

Weight : from 2,7 to 4 kg.

Classification FCI : N°65.

It owes its name to a Semitic word meaning “port” and finds its origin in the islands and on the coasts of the central Mediterranean, including Malta, spreading through trade (the Phoenicians traded in it). In writings dating back several centuries BC, there is mention of a small dog which is thought to be the ancestor of the present day Bichon Maltese. Later, Renaissance painters represented him alongside the great of this world. The Maltese Bichon could be the result of the cross between the Poodle and the Spaniel.

The first adjectives given to him are: cute and funny. But it should be added that this is also an intelligent animal, which is by turns gentle and calm and playful and energetic. He is much smarter and more playful than a simple ceremonial dog! The Maltese Bichon is made for family life. He must participate in common activities, play and be surrounded to be in good shape. Otherwise, he could develop behavioral problems: excessive barking, disobedience, destruction …

It is difficult to get reliable information regarding the health of the breed, laments the Maltese Club of Great Britain. Indeed, it seems that most Maltese Bichons are born outside the circuits of official clubs (at least across the Channel). According to data collected by the British Kennel Club, he enjoys a relatively long life expectancy: 12 years and 3 months. Cancer, old age and heart disease are the leading causes of death, accounting for more than half of deaths. (1)

Congenital portosystemic shunt: a birth defect prevents the blood from being cleaned by the liver of its toxic waste for the body. Toxic products such as ammonia from digestion then accumulate in the brain, causing hepatic encephalopathy. The first clinical signs are often neurological disorders: weakness or hyperactivity, behavioral disorders with disorientation, motor disturbances, tremors, etc. The use of surgery is necessary and it has good results. (2) (3)

Shaker dog syndrome : slight tremors shake the animal’s body, sometimes gait disturbances and seizures appear. Nystagmus is also observed, which is jerky and involuntary movements of the eyeballs. This disease is described in small dogs with white coats. (4)

Hydrocéphalie : congenital hydrocephalus, the hereditary nature of which is strongly suspected, mainly affects dwarf breeds, such as the Maltese Bichon. It is characterized by an excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles or cavities of the brain, causing behavioral and neurological disturbances. The excess fluid is drained by diuretics and / or by a mechanical drain.

Other ailments are quite or very frequent in the breed: medial dislocation of the patella, Trichiasis / Distichiasis (defects in the implantation of the eyelashes causing infection / ulceration of the cornea of ​​the eye), persistence of the ductus arteriosus (an abnormality causing heart failure), etc.

He knows how to use his intelligence to get what he wants, through seduction. It is an unspoken game accepted by the informed master, but we must not neglect to impose clear constraints and limits on the dog. To keep its beautiful appearance, the beautiful white coat of the Bichon must be brushed almost daily.