MALTESE VS BOLOGNESE VS BICHON FRISÉ: SIMILARITIES, DIFFERENCES, AND WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU

White. Small. Fluffy.
And yet – not the same.

If you think the Maltese, Bolognese dog, and Bichon Frisé are basically one breed with different names, you’re not alone. Many people don’t know the difference between:

• Maltese dog
• Bichon Frisé (also known as Bichón Tenerife or Bichon à poil frisé)
• Bolognese dog (also called Bolo, Bichon Bolognese, or Bologneser)

They look similar.
They’re all small.
They’re all white.
And yes – they all steal hearts easily.

But living with them?
That’s where the differences start to matter.

What Do They All Have in Common?

Let’s start with what makes people fall in love with them in the first place.

All three breeds are:

• Small in size
• White-coated
• Fluffy and adorable
• Deeply bonded and loyal to their owners
• Alert and surprisingly good little guardians
• Non-shedding
• Odor-free
• Hypoallergenic

They also share the same origin:
They belong to the Bichon family and are classified in FCI Group IX – Companion and Toy Dogs.

Perfect for families.
Great for seniors.
Easy to adapt.
Quick to learn.

So far, so similar.

But don’t let first impressions fool you.

Size Matters (A Little)

If we rank them by size:

🥇 Smallest: Maltese
🥈 Medium: Bolognese
🥉 Largest: Bichon Frisé

The difference isn’t dramatic – but if you’re sensitive to size, you will notice it.

Same Color, Different Coats

All three are white, but their coats tell a different story:

• Maltese: long, straight, silky hair
• Bolognese: thicker, softer, slightly wavy coat
• Bichon Frisé: the densest coat of all – fully curly and plush

Grooming style and maintenance can feel very different depending on which coat you choose to live with.

Who Barks the Most?

Let’s be honest.
Some people care a lot about this.

🏆 1st place: Maltese (yes, very vocal)
🥈 2nd place: Bichon Frisé
🥉 3rd place: Bolognese – the quiet observer

If barking is a dealbreaker for you, this ranking matters.

Energy Levels Compared

Not all small dogs are equally energetic.

⚡ Most energetic: Maltese
⚡ Moderate: Bichon Frisé
⚡ Calmest: Bolognese

Same size category.
Very different daily rhythms.

Popularity (And Reality)

Popularity doesn’t always equal compatibility – but here it is:

🥇 Maltese
🥈 Bichon Frisé
🥉 Bolognese

And this is where I’ll stop being neutral.

My Choice? The Bolognese Dog.

Quietly ignored.
Unfairly neglected.
And absolutely wonderful.

Bolognese dogs are not as numerous, not as trendy, and not as loud—literally or figuratively.
But living with them?
It’s calm. Deep. Beautiful.

Sometimes the best dogs are the ones people overlook.

Now I’m curious.
Which one would you choose and why? 😊

Written by Nataša Miranović