The Maltese belongs to the ninth group in this classification: pleasure and companion dogs. These are therefore dogs that have a lower level of energy and physical activity compared to dogs in other groups. These dogs are generally easier to train. It relates more precisely to the category of Bichons and related breeds, which also includes the Bolognese, the Havanese, the Bichon frize, the Coton de Tuléar as well as the Little Lion Dog.

The Maltese Bichon is a very old breed whose origins are often controversial. Their ancestors lived in the ports and maritime towns of the central Mediterranean where they were used to hunt pests. Its presence, or at least that of very similar dogs, is attested in Egypt and Greece well before our era as well as in ancient Rome. Strabo, a Greek geographer, even reports that there is a town in Sicily called Melita from which dogs called “Canis Meliteri” were exported. Although his name refers to the city of Malta, there is no proof that he originated there. The Maltese Bichon was appreciated by the greats of this world; he was notably one of the favorites of the royal court of England during the time of Elizabeth I. The breed nevertheless remains relatively rare today.

In the Maltese Bichon, the male measures between 21 and 25 cm and the female between 20 and 23 cm for a weight which varies between 3 and 4 kg. It is therefore a small breed of very elegant dog, with a proud and distinguished head carriage. The skin of the Maltese Bichon is pigmented with dark spots and a wine-red color. Its grazing and open gaits combined with its particular trot can suggest that it is rolling. The body of the Maltese Bichon is elongated, the withers slightly out of the line of the back. His chest is lowered, his back straight. Its croup is very wide and long, slightly oblique. Its limbs are short with good bone structure. Its feet are round and its fingers are well joined and arched. Its tail is large at birth and thin at its tip forming a single large curve whose tip falls between the dog's hips, touching the rump. The Maltese Bichon's head is rather broad with a flat skull. His lips are poorly developed and his nose is large. Its eyes are quite large, dark ocher in color, the edges of the eyelids black. Its ears are set high, drooping and touching the sides of the head. The coat of the Maltese Bichon is pure white, a slight pale ivory tint may be allowed. Traces of a pale orange shade are tolerated provided they give the impression of soiled hair. However, they constitute an imperfection. Its hair is very long all over the body, straight throughout its length and without waves or curls. Its texture is silky. On the trunk, the hair must exceed in length the height at the withers and fall heavily to the ground. The Maltese Bichon does not have an undercoat. On the head, the hair is very long and on the tail, the hair falls on one side of the trunk.

Despite its small size, the Maltese Bichon is a robust dog, which rarely falls ill. Its longevity varies between 12 and 15 years. Very occasionally, he may be subject to eye problems or suffer from teeth and gums which are more sensitive in this breed. Cancer, old age and heart disease are the most common causes of death. However, some pathologies have been observed in the Maltese Bichon: congenital portosystemic shunt (birth malformation leading to the accumulation of toxic waste in the brain leading to neurological disorders), Shaker Dog Syndrome (tremors, motor skills disorders or even convulsions). in the most serious cases, a disease common in small dogs with white coats), hydrocephalus, medial luxation of the patella, trichiasis or distichiasis (failure to implant eyelashes causing an infection of the cornea) or even persistence of the ductus arteriosus (anomaly leading to heart failure). Its maintenance requires some regular care: daily detangling and brushing, regular baths and grooming twice a year. The condition of his ears and eyes should be monitored.

The Maltese Bichon is a robust, tireless dog with a lively temperament, which goes well with its reputation as a ratter. He is a bon vivant, both playful and provocative. But above all he is an adorable companion, tender, very calm, often a real little glue who barks little. His education must, however, be rigorous. But they are intelligent dogs, which makes learning easier. The Maltese is an apartment dog that needs a limited amount of exercise. He can't stand loneliness.