The Maltese French Bulldog Mix – The Ultimate Simplified Guide

The Maltese French Bulldog is a mix between a French Bulldog and a Maltese, so naturally, the combination of these two breeds will be one of the most adorable creatures walking on this earth.

However, we should all know by now that looks shouldn’t be everything, and there are many other things we should know before absolutely falling in love with them, so are they as charming as they seem? Well, they are, so let’s get to know them.

Other Names	The French Maltese
Weight	10 – 20 Pounds
Height	10 – 12 inches
Lifespan	10 – 15 years
Colors	White, cream, brindle, fawn, or a combination of two or three colors.
Health	6/10
Grooming Needs	7/10
Exercise Needs	8/10
Shedding	9/10
Kid Friendliness	10/10
Pet-friendliness	9/10
Protectiveness	1/10
Good for apartments	Yes
Average puppy cost	$1,000 – $3,000

The Maltese French Bulldog Mix Characteristics 

• Size: 10 – 12 inches
• Weight: 10 – 20 pounds 
• Colors: White, cream, brindle, fawn, or a combination of two or three colors.
• Coat Type: Single coated/coarse or wire 

When it comes to the size of the mixed breed, it’s not challenging because both of the parent breeds are small and close to each other’s size, the French bulldog is a little bigger, but they usually have the same height as the Maltese.

Their coats are opposite; Maltese have long silky hair that requires lots of maintenance to keep it clean and healthy, while French Bulldogs have short and shiny hair.

The Maltese and French Bulldogs have single coats, so the mixed breed will also have a single coat.

The color of the French Maltese can vary since the parent breeds have different colors; the Maltese often have white coats, while French Bulldogs can come in various colors such as cream, many shades of brindle, and fawn.

French Bulldogs can also have dark and light markings, as does the mixed breed.

Parent Breeds

Knowing a mixed breed temperament and personality can be a little complicated, so to have a background of what you might be dealing with if you are considering getting the Maltese French Bulldog, let’s get to know the parent breeds a little more.

So let’s start with the Maltese; they have a fun personality that helps them steal peoples’ hearts immediately.

Maltese are one of the oldest toy breeds, Aristotle mentioned them, and the ancient Egyptian culture even prized them. People in Europe believed that the Maltese had the ability to cure diseases and called them “the comforter.”

They are known for their sweet nature that helps them get along with other animals, they love to be surrounded by people, which makes them prone to separation anxiety, so they should never be left alone for long periods. They are also energetic and need around 30 minutes of exercise per day. 

French Bulldogs also thrive around their people; they love spending time with their family and have a gentle and loving nature. They need at least one hour of exercise per day, but they shouldn’t be exercised if the weather is too warm due to their breathing problems and because they can overheat quickly.

Temperament 

The Maltese French Bulldog mix is a well-tempered pup; since both parent breeds have a calm and gentle personality, the mix will also have these common qualities.

The French Bulldog and the Maltese have similar characters, so you can expect the mix to have all the things the two parent breeds have in common such as their loyalty, people-pleasing nature, and playful personality.

They love playing and spending time with their loved ones, so if you are thinking about getting the French Maltese, you have to make regular playtime for them and include them in many family activities as possible.

However, they may be a little stubborn due to their French Bulldog parent, so you have to be patient when dealing with them, but with the proper training, they won’t be as stubborn as much.

They will also be incredibly friendly so prepare yourself because your pup will definitely go up to people and other pets in the streets, and you will have to make small conversations. Still, they can also be the cutest conversation starters if you want to break the ice with someone.

If they are more like their Maltese parent, you won’t have to worry about your puppy getting along with anyone because they are born friends with everyone; it’s literally in their blood.

They also love cuddling, and you may find it challenging to have some alone time if you got the Maltese French Bulldog mix. 

Health and Lifespan 

The Maltese French Bulldog mix is prone to some health issues, but they are usually relatively healthy dogs.

The average lifespan of the Maltese French Bulldog is around 10 to 15 years like any toy or small breed; however, with the proper care, ensure your pup is healthy, and take them to the vet regularly for check-ups, they can have a long and healthy life.

There are some health conditions they are more prone to than others because both parent breeds are prone to the same diseases, such as patellar Luxation and hip dysplasia.

However, it would be best to know everything you may have to deal with if you decided to get the French Maltese, so here are the most common health issues in the Maltese French Bulldog mix to be familiar with.

• Hip dysplasia 
• Patellar luxation 
• Brachycephalic Syndrome 
• Portosystemic liver shunt
• Allergies 
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
• Hemivertebrae
• Hypoglycemia
• Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
• White Dog Shaker Syndrome
• Von Willebrand’s Disease
• Collapsed trachea
• Cleft Palate
• Reverse sneezing
• Elongated Soft Palate

It’s crucial to take your pup to the vet if you noticed any changes in their behavior because the sooner you catch the issue, the easier it will get to deal with it and treat it.

Also, it’s essential to ensure that your Maltese French Bulldog mix gets its vaccinations up to date to prevent any unexpected health issues or parasites.

Nutritional Needs 

The nutritional needs of mixed breeds aren’t as straightforward as purebreds, so it would be better to consult their vet about their diet and dietary needs.

The vet can give you a diet specifically made for your puppy based on their age, energy level, and size, and they will also tell you about any restrictions you should know of, such as if your dog is allergic to something.

However, there are some main things in every dog’s diet that you should know about; their diet should only consist of high-quality dog food, and you should always check the ingredients on the product packaging. The protein and fats should be listed first; if they are not, you should look for another brand that did.

The Maltese French Bulldog mix will need between 25-45 calories per pound of their body weight daily.

Both of the parent breeds are prone to obesity, so you should never overfeed them because obesity can lead to many health issues.

If you believe that you are overfeeding your pup, you should consult their vet first, and do not cut down the food portion all of a sudden; it won’t make them lose weight as much as they will lose their strength and may even lead to depression.

Your vet will recommend switching a few things on their diet but won’t cut it down.

Puppies should eat at least three meals a day to help them grow properly, and you may also notice that your puppy is sleeping a lot, and it’s completely natural. However, adult dogs should only eat two meals a day and ensure that they have fresh water access all the time to keep them hydrated.

You can put an ice cube in their water in the summer to help them cool off and warm it up a little bit in cold weather to keep them warm. 

There is also some food that you should keep your dog far from it because it’s harmful to them, such as chocolate, avocado, garlic, grapes, raisins, onions, nuts, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and corn. If you ever notice that your pup ate one of these things, you should take them to the vet as soon as possible.

Grooming Needs and Shedding

The Grooming needs of the Maltese French Bulldog mix can vary greatly depending on which parent they are more like.

If they have a similar coat to their French Bulldog, they will not need lots of maintenance, and they are low shedders and need to be brushed at least two times a week and bathed five times a year.

On the other hand, if they have the Maltese coat, and even though they don’t shed much as well, their coat still needs lots of maintenance because their coats mat and get dirty quickly, and they need to be brushed daily and bathed once a week or once every two weeks.

You should use a shampoo made specifically for dogs because our shampoos can harm and irritate their skin.

They may also be prone to tear stains, so you can clean them by mixing a tablespoon of peroxide with an 8-ounce glass of water. Then, use a cotton ball, dampen it into the solution you just made, and wipe the tear stain. Finally, rinse it off with warm water and gently dry it with a paper towel or another cotton ball.

You should trim their nails regularly, at least once every three weeks, or whenever you feel their nails are too long.

Our dogs’ teeth are just as prone to bacteria, tartar build-up, and gum disease as anyone else, so it would be best to brush their teeth at least three times a week; however, if you don’t like bad breath, I would recommend brushing their teeth daily.

Ensure to check their ears weekly for any signs of ear infections such as redness, swelling, or odor, and clean them after every bath with a cotton ball dampened in a pH ear cleaner solution.

Exercise Needs 

The Maltese French Bulldog mix is energetic and needs a daily routine to stay healthy and sane.

As I’ve mentioned before, both the parent breeds love any activity as long as they are with their family or their loved ones, so you can take them for a walk, swim, hike, or run, and they will be perfectly happy about it.

They need around an hour of exercise a day, so you can take an hour’s walk every day or for a 30 minutes swim.

It would be better to set a family time once every week; you can play fetch, hide and seek, tug-of-war, or whatever you want; it will make them bond with you better than ever. You can also provide them with puzzles and toys to keep them mentally and physically stimulated; it will also keep them entertained if you leave them alone.

The French Maltese can get destructive if they are bored, so if they are still too energetic even after their daily exercise, maybe you should increase the period of their exercise after consulting their vet.

Training 

The Maltese French Bulldog mix isn’t the easiest breed to train, but every dog can be trained if you are consistent and patient enough.

They may be a little stubborn initially due to their French Bulldog genes, but if you use the positive reinforcement method, they will respond soon enough.

You should never hit them or yell at them but instead, use a calm, emotionless voice during the training and as soon as they respond correctly to the training, praise them in a cheerful and happy voice because they are people pleasers.

Dogs can tell how we are feeling by the sound of our voice. They will understand they are doing something correctly and try to do it again to please you; also, give them their favorite treat whenever they obey a command.

You should start training your puppy as soon as possible because the older they get, the harder it will be to train them.

It’s crucial to socialize with your Maltese French Bulldog mix, and it will expose them to everything they will meet in their life so they won’t always be afraid of new things. However, if you don’t have time to socialize or train your puppy, you can take them to a professional trainer or training classes.

As Family Dogs 

The Maltese French Bulldog mix is an ideal family dog, they have both of their parents’ sweet and gentle nature, and they don’t need a lot of work to get along with people and other animals.

They can get along with children well due to their playfulness and love of playing and can keep each other company.

The Maltese French Bulldog mix is not a threat to your children since they are not aggressive, but the small pup can be in danger around children due to their small size; someone can step on them or drop something on them accidentally.

You should train the puppy to never bite anyone or anything except for their toys, whether they are teething or not, and always provide them with chew toys.

When it comes to your children, you should teach them how to behave around the pup. They should never play rough with the pup because they may both end up getting harmed.

The pup will get used to playing rough with them and may bite them while playing, believing that they are just playing. They should never try to pull the dog’s ears or tail because the pup will snap at them out of pain or never try to sit on them (I know it sounds crazy but what’s even crazier is how often this actually happens).

You should always supervise any interaction between your children and pup, at least until your children are mature enough to take care of the pup themselves.

As Guard Dogs 

The Maltese French Bulldog mix is not the best as a guard dog because they may have the worst qualities of both dogs, becoming the furthest thing from guard dogs.

They won’t even make good watchdogs; if they are more like the French Bulldog that rarely barks, they usually won’t alarm when they are something off.

They are also small, which isn’t a great thing about guard dogs, and The French Maltese isn’t even an aggressive small dog such as the Chihuahua. 

So if you want to get a dog to be protective and make a decent guard dog for you and your family, then maybe you should consider another breed such as German shepherds, Pitbulls, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, or boxer.

However, if your heart is set on the Maltese French Bulldog mix, then let me tell you that they are the ideal pets to raise in apartments because they are quiet and won’t annoy the neighbors with their barking, and they are small and won’t knock over things when they are running around inside.

I won’t even recommend training them to be better guard dogs, but I will say this, you can get another dog to make a good guard dog so they can keep each other company and have a friend for life.

Where To Find Them?

You can check your local animal shelters or rescue centers, you may not find what you want, but you may find what you need and be lucky enough and save a pup’s life.

Pictures of dog breeds are cute and all, but they are not as capturing as meeting the dogs in the shelters and rescue centers and finding a dog with a soul that matches yours and with adorable puppy eyes that instantly steal your heart.

If you didn’t find what you are looking for in the local shelters, you could also check the rescue groups of the parent breeds; sometimes, they have some mixed dogs.

You can also get the French Maltese from any breeder, which will cost you around $1000 and $3000; it depends on the breeder, but it can reach up to $5,000, while adopting a pup is only $250 or $300.

However, you should always check the puppies’ papers and ensure they are healthy and have health clearances that prove that they’ve been checked for some health issues and cleared from them. Some shelters abuse and mistreat the animals they have, and as humans, we should do our part and help them as much as we can; all animals deserve homes, families, and love.

All About the Maltese French Bulldog Mix in a nutshell 

The Maltese French Bulldog mix is a sweet, loyal, and gentle pup; they can get along with everyone as long as they’re properly socialized and trained; they’re not easy to train, and you have to be consistent with them; also, the French Maltese don’t make the best guard dogs, but they’re ideal family dogs.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is the Maltese French Bulldog Mix A Good Family Dog? 

The Maltese French Bulldog mix is a good family dog; they’re friendly, loyal, and loving family dogs, and they’re also gentle around children; with proper socialization and training, the French Maltese can get along with other pets, make sure to supervise interactions between your pup and children. 

Is the Maltese French Bulldog Mix Easy to Train? 

The Maltese French Bulldog mix is easy to train, the Maltese parent is considered one of the easiest toy breeds to train, and the French Bulldog can be a bit stubborn, but they are people pleasers, which makes training them easier as long as you are using the positive reinforcement method.

Is the Maltese French Bulldog Mix Good with Kids? 

The Maltese French Bulldog mix is good with kids; they are gentle, playful, and energetic, which makes them a perfect fit to be the playdate for your child; it would be best to teach your kids the boundaries and what’s off-limits when dealing with puppies and vice versa.

How Much Is the Maltese French Bulldog Mix? 

The Maltese French Bulldog mix can cost between $1000 and $3,000; however, it depends on the breeder you purchase from; the higher the breeding quality is, the higher the price will get, and it can be even more than $5,000 because their small size it costs much to breed them.

Helpful Resources

French Bulldog Breed Information

Maltese Breed Information

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