Description

The little Bichon Frise is a rounded dog, with big round eyes, a black nose, and a soft expression. The Bichon’s eyes are dark and surrounded by a black rim that resembles eyeliner. The head is slightly rounded, with floppy ears, and jaws that meet in an even scissor bite. The graceful arched neck leads down to a compact body and a nice deep chest. The fluffy tail is typically arched up and carried over the dog’s back. The Bichon Frise’s legs are neither too long nor too short, making this quite a nimble dog breed.

Origin: Canary Islands; Belgium/France

Look

The Bichon’s most striking feature is that snowy coat. Those white curls do take effort to maintain: if you opt for a Bichon Frise, be prepared to brush him/her daily, and to take him/her for regular grooming appointments. The good news is that Bichons shed very little, and are considered hypoallergenic. This can make them a good pet for someone with allergies.

Health

While generally a healthy breed, the Bichon Frise can suffer from one or more of the following health issues:

• Patellar luxation
• Hip dysplasia
• Bladder problems, such as stones and infections
• Juvenile cataracts
• Allergies
• Sensitivity to vaccines

At Newdoggy.com, we recommend that you buy your dog from reputable breeders, who use genetic testing and good breeding practices to remove genetic conditions from their breeding lines.

Learning

Don’t dismiss this fluffy dog as an airhead! The Bichon Frise is famous for its intelligence. These dogs are generally easy to train, and love to learn all sorts of tricks. A gentle, positive approach works best for the Bichon Frise, as they are sensitive and won’t appreciate being shouted at. The only thing this breed seems to have difficulty with is house training.

Temperament

The Bichon Frise is famously bright, curious, and happy. They tend to be gentle, affectionate, and playful. The Bichon Frise adores people (and other dogs), and hates to be left alone: this breed frequently suffers from separation anxiety. These dogs can become territorial, but you can discourage this behaviour. Early training and socialisation will help your Bichon Frise to become a well-rounded and confident dog.

Living with

This happy little dog is a wonderful addition to any family. They are happiest when they are with someone, so don’t leave your Bichon Frise alone all day. The Bichon Frise is incredibly friendly: these dogs love everyone, from the neighbours to the vet. They are friendly with children, and get on well with other dogs. The Bichon is especially affectionate with their family.
Although the Bichon Frise looks tiny and vulnerable, you shouldn’t coddle him/her. This can make them fearful and shy. It’s important to instil confidence in your Bichon; good socialisation will help with this. You should also know that although the Bichon is small, they are very active: you’ll need to walk and play with your Bichon Frise to burn off that energy. This is a bonus if you want your children to play more outside: send them out into the garden with your Bichon Frise for hours of fun.