All About The Bichon Frise

Developed solely to be a companion dog, the Bichon Frise is a friendly, happy little dog. These delightful little characters have a long and interesting history.

The breed originated in Spain during the 13th century, and is thought to have been created by crossing Poodles and Barbet Water Spaniels. They were used as an item of trade by Spanish sailors and as a result reached many European countries. In France, they became a particular favorite of the aristocracy, and by the 16th century, the Bichon was entrenched as the favorite dog of the French royal court.

The Bichon has always had an unsurpassed ability for learning tricks, and for this reason has always been a popular performing dog with circuses and other entertainment troupes.

The Bichon Frise is classified in the toy dog group and is normally between 9 and 12 inches in height at the shoulder. These sturdy little dogs can weigh up to 12 pounds, and have a soft, silky coat which is usually white in color but may have apricot or cream shading around the ears. The coat is considered to be hypoallergenic, making them ideal pets for allergy sufferers.

Given their history as companion dogs it is no surprise that these little guys are renowned for their winning personalities. They form close bonds with their people and are known to be excellent with children. They also generally get on well with other pets in the household.

Training one of these dogs is generally a breeze, as they are very intelligent and biddable. Surprisingly though, the Bichon is difficult to potty train.

As with most small dogs, the Bichon enjoys a relatively long life and it is not unusual for these dogs to live beyond 15 years. They are not immune to health problems though, with cancer, cataracts, epilepsy and fleabite allergies among the conditions that can occur. Another common concern is a disease called liver shunts, which requires surgery to correct.

Grooming a Bichon Frise is a labor intensive task requiring daily brushing as well as regular clipping to keep the coat in shape. The dog can be bathed in required, but don't do this more than once a month as the skin is quite sensitive. Always use a mild dog shampoo, never a human shampoo.

It goes without saying that this is an indoor dog. The Bichon is perfect for apartment living and needs to always be close to his human family. They are quite prone to separation anxiety, and should therefore not be left unattended for long periods.

As with all dogs, the Bichon needs regular exercise, and while much of this can be met with indoor games, you'll still need to get your dog outdoors for a short walk daily.

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