Bichon Frise Breed

By Dr. Sara Ochoa

Are you on the hunt for a perky and peppy puppy?

Do your kids need a playmate who will adore and be gentle with them?

Are you looking for a dog who will happily accompany you wherever you find yourself?

The canine you are searching for may very well be the Bichon Frise!

This cheerful and loving pup is a bundle of absolute joy.

Great with kids and other pets, your bichon will happily hang out with whoever is around.

With a loving personality, this pup will put smiles on the faces of everyone he encounters!

So, what do you need to know about owning a Bichon Frise?

This article will cover the breed’s personality, appearance, and history.

I want you to know what you are getting into, so we will also cover recommended exercise, training, and grooming expectations.

This will give you a good baseline on what to expect when you bring your bichon home.

And finally, we will go over some medical conditions that may affect your pup at some point in his life.

Are you ready to learn about this spunky pup?

Let’s get started!

Appearance

The Bichon Frise might very well be called the ‘snowball dog’.

This little bundle of energy stands between 9.5-11.5 inches tall.

But don’t let his small stature fool you, he has a big personality!

His coat is similar to a poodle’s in that it consists of a soft undercoat and a silky smooth topcoat.

When well-groomed, the bichon’s coat looks like a puff or powder-ball of snow!

The grooming commitment for this breed is high.

Below we will discuss the grooming requirements you can expect if you choose a Bichon Frise.

This pup is always white but can come with shadings of cream and apricot.

Your bichon will have a black nose and sparkling, intelligent eyes.

The breed is a smaller dog, weighing in at around 7-12 pounds when healthy.

The Bichon Frise has long been acknowledged as a wonderful companion dog.

No matter if you want a show dog to tote around or a friend to go on adventures with you, the bichon is the perfect fit!

And after a long day of exploring, your pup will be more than happy to relax and chill with you on the couch.

This pup is an entertainer for sure, and loves being the center of attention!

Personality

The bichon is, first and foremost, a social dog.

He loves being with people and will get depressed if left alone for long periods of time.

This breed is known for developing separation anxiety if habitually left alone.

If you aren’t able to spend the majority of your time with your pup, the bichon might not be the breed for you.

A household with children is ideal for this breed.

As long as your kids understand how to be gentle with the dog, your pup will adore them!

Your bichon’s black eyes will sparkle with joy and excitement at having constant playmates.

His happy-go-lucky personality means that this pup will always find something to be cheerful about.

Your bichon is naturally curious and will pursue anything he finds interesting.

Don’t be surprised if your pup pays attention to both your family and the comings and goings of those in your neighborhood.

This breed is known to bark a medium to large amount, which is just an expression of his natural curiosity and social needs.

As long as you take the time to exercise your pup and spend quality time with him, your bichon will adoringly follow you to the ends of the earth!

Exercise

He may be small, but the bichon encapsulates a lot of energy!

This breed is known for long periods of calm interspersed with fits of excited running around.

Thankfully, your bichon is a small dog so he can reasonably get his energy out inside the house.

Even apartments will provide your pup with enough room to blow off some steam.

However, just like with any other breed, regular outdoor activity is recommended for the bichon.

Ideally you should set aside 3-4 times a week when you can take your pup outside for exercise.

The bichon loves hanging out with other dogs, so finding a local small-dog dog park would be a perfect situation.

As always, start socialization training young and continue it throughout your pup’s life.

That way he will always be respectful and safe around other dogs.

Play is very important for your bichon, whether with humans or with other dogs.

Always take the time to play games with your pup.

This will not only give him a physical outlet for his physical energy but provide mental stimulation.

Spending time with you playing will easily become your bichon’s favorite part of the day!

Grooming

The bichon frise has a special coat that requires commitment to proper grooming.

His coat has a double layer and is curly.

If left untrimmed, your pup’s coat will be long.

This means that your bichon’s coat picks up dirt very easily.

Your pup needs to be brushed at least every other day.

If you have the time, brushing your bichon every day is recommended.

When it comes to bathing, the bichon needs a bath at least once a month, as well as a good trim.

This grooming regime is often overwhelming for the normal bichon owner.

Most bichons go to the groomers every 4-6 weeks for their regular bath and trim.

This leaves only the daily brushing for the owner.

Unless you are showing your dog, it isn’t expected of you to do all your dog’s grooming at home.

This breed is often recommended for those with allergies.

However, the bichon is not hypoallergenic.

The way the coat resists shedding helps to keep any allergens to a minimum.

If you have allergies and are considering the bichon, make sure to spend a significant amount of time around the breed first.

This will help you assess if you will have allergic reactions to the pup or not.

The daily brushing recommended for bichons will also help lower chances of having any kind of allergic reaction.

So, take the time to get to know your pup’s needs.

This is a serious time commitment.

If you aren’t able to commit to the grooming needs of the bichon, this might not be the breed for you.

Taking the time to give your pup proper grooming will also help you build your relational bond.

A well-groomed bichon frise is a happy pup!

Training

Training varies from person to person and dog to dog.

However, the bichon is generally an easy breed to train.

The only area where the bichon is known to have trouble is housebreaking.

This little pup has developed a reputation for being difficult when it comes to training them to do their business only outside.

However, if you are willing to stick it out and fight through that challenge, your bichon will eagerly participate in any other training you give them.

As with any other breed, socialization training is an absolute must.

Start as early as you can in your bichon’s life.

This will give him the tools to interact with other dogs and people no matter what situation may arise.

Your pup will love any other training that you participate in with him.

The bichon just wants to spend time with his owner, so engaging him in training is the perfect way to keep him happy!

And as always, continuing training throughout his life will keep your pup challenged and excited about life!

Health

The bichon is a generally healthy breed.

However, there are certain medical conditions that your pup may be prone to.

This doesn’t mean that your bichon will definitely develop these health problems.

It just means that, genetically, the bichon frise is more likely than other breeds to manifest these specific symptoms.

The bichon is susceptible to dental diseases.

This can manifest with a buildup of tartar on the teeth which leads to infection in the gums.

A gum infection can lead to other health issues that may impact your bichon’s lifespan.

You can preemptively take action against dental disease by regularly brushing your pup’s teeth.

Just make sure to check with your local veterinarian about what teeth cleaning products are best for your bichon.

This breed can develop a variety of different heart issues.

These are unpredictable even with the best preventative measures.

Your best plan of action will be to take your pup for regular checkups at your local veterinarian.

With regular appointments, your vet should be able to catch any irregularities before they become life-threatening.

There are many options for mitigating medication to help your bichon live the rest of his life comfortably.

Caught early enough, heart conditions don’t have to be life-threatening in the short term.

As always, finding a reputable breeder who screens their breeding stock for medical issues is the most important step to preventing potential health issues.

Do not hesitate to ask plenty of questions about your pup’s medical history.

You can also inquire about any screenings that the breeder has already put your puppy through.

It never hurts to ask questions to help prevent future issues!

History

The actual ancient background of the bichon frise is shrouded in the mysteries of time.

However, the breed is believed to have originated on the Canary Islands along with other well-known breeds such as the Bolgnese, Havanese, and Maltese.

Our earliest records of the breed are from 14^th century French sailors.

The documents tell how the sailors found the little dogs on the island of Tenerife and brought them home with them.

There is some debate as to whether that was the first time Europeans had encountered the friendly breed.

However, it is the earliest documentation of the bichon frise.

From there, this pup became popular in royal courts and noble houses all across Europe, particularly France, Italy, and Spain.

With the advent of the French Revolution, the breed was disgraced and largely thrown into the streets.

Here, the bichon was discovered by traveling street performers and the circus.

For a time, this little pup earned a well-known reputation as a circus-dog.

And that’s not very surprising, considering how cute and eager to entertain the bichon is!

The breed again faced hard times during the World Wars.

Too small to be helpful in the war effort, the breed was largely abandoned to the streets again.

The breed survived due to several French dog enthusiasts who took in the bichons they saw wandering the streets.

Since then, the breed has only grown in popularity and reach.

The first bichon to come to the United States was brought by his French family to Michigan in 1956.

After coming to America, the popularity of the breed exploded.

The bichon frise now sits in the top 50 most popular dog breeds in the U.S.!

Where Can I Find Bichon Frise Puppies?

The most important part of finding a puppy is first finding a reputable breeder.

There are internet scams and puppy mills out there waiting to take advantage of you.

Only purchase a puppy from a reliable breeder who is willing to answer any question you may have.

One sign of a good breeder is someone who is conscientious about their breeding.

This means that they screen their breeding stock for any medical issues and don’t use them if anything pops up.

They will also raise their puppies in a safe and ethical home environment.

When choosing a puppy, it can be hard to tell which one will be a good fit.

Breeders often have suggestions based on personality and can provide insight into what each puppy is like.

Make sure to spend time with your puppy before taking him home.

That will help him to adjust to his new surroundings easier.

Most of all, have fun!

This puppy will be your companion for many years to come, take your time and find the one for you!

FAQ

Q: Is the Bichon Frise a good apartment dog?
A: Yes! His small size makes the Bichon a perfect apartment dog. Just make sure that you give him exercise at least 3-4 times a week.

Q: Does this breed have a long lifespan?
A: The Bichon has a life expectancy of thirteen to fifteen years. A healthy diet and lifestyle will help in giving your pup the best life possible!

Q: Is the Bichon good with kids?
A: Yes! This breed loves kids! They are highly social and love to romp with human playmates. Socialization training is important so your pup is gentle with others.

In Closing

What do you think of this perky pup?

Are you charmed by the Bichon’s cheerful friendliness?

If you think this pup is the one for you, take a look at these Bichon Frise Puppies here!

Thank you for learning about this adorable breed with me!

Until next time!

References

American Kennel Club. (2022, 4 30). BIchon Frise. Retrieved from American Kennel Club: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/bichon-frise/

Countryside Veterinarian Clinic. (2022, 4 30). Bichon Frise. Retrieved from Countryside Veterinarian Clinic: https://www.countrysideveterinaryclinic.org/services/dogs/breeds/bichon-frise

Dogtime. (2022, 4 30). Bichon Frise. Retrieved from Dogtime: https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/bichon-frise#/slide/1

Hillspet. (2022, 4 30). Bichon Frise. Retrieved from Hillspet: https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/dog-breeds/bichon-frise

Petfinder. (2022, 4 30). Bichon Frise. Retrieved from Petfinder: https://www.petfinder.com/dog-breeds/bichon-frise/#temperamentSection_jumpTarget

Vetstreet. (2022, 4 30). Bichon Frise. Retrieved from Vetstreet: http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/bichon-frise#history