Bichon Frises: A guide to dogs and puppies of the Bichon Frise breed

The Bichon Frise!

The Bichon Frise is a small toy dog breed known for its white puffball coat. These dogs are very affectionate and get along with people, kids and other pets. As "people" dogs, they should not be left alone for long periods of time. The Bichon Frise is a great indoor dog that requires minimal exericse such as a short daily walk. Although it does not shed much, it has above average grooming requirements in order to maintain its beautiful, unmatted, pure white coat. The Bichon Frise is not suitable as a guard dog, watchdog or primarily outdoor dog.

Some Quick Facts:

Life Expectancy:
15-17 years

Energy Level:
Average

Living Conditions:
Great apartment dog

Barking:
Below average.

Exercise Needs:
Minimal; regular walks.

Breed Group:
Toy

Size:
Small

Height:
9-11 inches

Weight:
7-13 pounds

Standard Hair Colors:
White

National breed club:
The Bichon Frise Club of America

Bichon Frise Skills

There is still some argument as to the exact origins of the Bichon Frise. It is thought that they come from the Mediterranean and cross-bred between a poodle and a Barbet water spaniel, although others claim that the Bichon Frise is descended from the Maltese. The breed became a great favorite with the French and Spanish royal families, as evidenced by their inclusion in royal portraits.

Bichon Frise Personality

The Bichon Frise is a highly sociable, affectionate breed; it adapts well to children and other dogs and pets. Their happy temperament is one of the reasons why it is a great family pet. In the presence of humans the Bichon Frise becomes lively and loves it when attention is lavished. As a breed, they are also intelligent, obedient, and easy to train. The Bichon Frise is not prone to barking and yapping and therefore not suitable as guard dogs.

Exercise Needs

The Bichon Frise will do with walks outdoors and with occasional romps in the yard or in the garden.

Living Conditions

The Bichon Frise is a small breed and does not need a lot of space to move around, so an apartment will do well for them. What is more important to their well-being is that they should be around people constantly.

Grooming Requirements

In its keeping as a toy dog, the Bichon Frise requires a fair amount of grooming. Its coat needs to be combed every day in order to avoid matting and it will need some professional clipping to keep it under control. To keep the coat purely white, the Bichon Frise will need a regular bath. The breed is not known to shed, although owners will still need to check for dead hairs through combing.

Health Issues

The Bichon Frise is a healthy breed of dog with no major hereditary issues. The breed may be prone to ear infections, and the female prone to bladder stones and epilepsy. The eyes also need to be cleaned in order to prevent staining.

If you liked this dog…

...try looking at other toy dog breeds such as the Maltese. The Maltese has a long white coat and has an ample amount of energy and activity for owners to play with. It is also gentle and affectionate.