Basic Information To Know About The Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise (sometimes called the "Tenerife Dog" or "Bichon Tenerife" after the Canary Island they were first introduced to) is much like their French name suggests - a "curly white lap dog" - and is a popular pet that resembles a larger version of the Maltese. The breed has origins dating back to the 13th century, and they were first valued as items of trade and companions for Spanish sailors.

A few of their most recognizable features include their high level of friendliness, cheerful spirit and non-shedding coat that necessitates a high amount of grooming attention - which help make the Bichon Frise a suitable companion dog for families, allergy sufferers or apartment dwellers who are willing to commit to a high level of grooming.

The Bichon Frise is well-known for their playful, cheerful and affectionate temperament. They are generally friendly with strangers, which along with their small size can make them unsuitable as a guard dog.

The Bichon Frise is also known to be quite intelligent - ranking equal 45th compared to other dogs based on their ability to learn obedience commands. They are also known to be great with children - making them highly suitable as a family pet. The Bichon Frise is very compatible with other animals such as cats and other dogs.

Grooming the Bichon Frise is an extremely demanding task that requires a lot of patience or at least occasional attention from a professional dog groomer. They require a high amount of brushing every day and complete grooming to maintain a powder puff look every 4 to 5 weeks or whenever they need to ready for the dog show - though their hair may alternatively be clipped short in a "teddy bear" cut if they are primarily a house pet.

The Bichon Frise doesn't need a large yard to run around in, and they can be very suitable for apartment living if they are exercised enough. They enjoy warmer temperatures, and can be uncomfortable in cold weather as their curly coat is not designed to protect against it - so they will need extra clothing to keep them warm during cooler months.

The Bichon Frise enjoys activities such as playing games in the yard or at the local dog park. They have a fairly high level of energy and need to be given daily exercise in the form of moderate to long daily walks to prevent behavior problems such as excessive barking.

The Bichon Frise can make the perfect dog for a family, apartment dweller or allergy sufferer who has a lot of time to groom and look after a dog. They are suitable for anyone who is willing to commit to (or pay for) a very high amount of grooming and take time to give them positive, gentle training and patient housebreaking as well as take them for moderate to long daily walks and give a very high amount of companionship and attention - they don't like to be left on their own. Though they might be somewhat unsuitable for those who don't have the time or patience for a high amount of grooming, if you are able to meet this requirement as well as their need for attention and gentle loving care then the Bichon Frise could make the ideal dog breed for you.

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