Florida Fur Babies > Dog Breeds > Bichon Frise
Bichon Frise Breed Information
Bichon Frise puppies are sweet, gentle, and always ready for a cuddle. They love their humans more than anything else and are renowned for their loyalty and devotion. One of the best puppies for kids, adults, and seniors alike, Bichon Frises are currently one of the most popular breeds in America. They are hypoallergenic, low-shedding, moderately easy to groom, and very easy to care for.
BREED TYPE / MIX
Purebred
ENERGY
Moderate
SHEDDING
Minimum
TRAINING
Responsive
TEMPERAMENT
Affectionate, Cheerful, Gentle, Playful
ADULT WEIGHT
10-16 lbs
ADULT HEIGHT
10-12 in
LIFE SPAN
12-15 yrs
Characteristics
- Bichon Frise puppies have been a top dog breed in the United States since 1990
- Hypoallergenic Bichon Frise coat with minimal shedding
- Bichon Frise are one of the most trainable dog breeds in the world. They have been performers in the circus, therapy pets, and show ring dogs for centuries
- Moderate Bichon Frise grooming requirements
- Excellent Bichon Frise health
- Bichon Frise dogs have a gentle behavior towards humans. They are affectionate, playful, and very sweet
- Calm Bichon Frise temperament. Bichons also lack aggression and make one of the best breeds for families with children
- The Bichon Frise is an affectionate and playful little dog who needs plenty of attention
Appearance
The Bichon Frise is an elegant, adorable-looking dog that is easily recognized by its curly white coat and sweet, playful demeanor. These little white puffballs have a small, compact body with large, dark eyes that make them look like they are smiling. They are petite and entirely adorable. The Bichon Frise wears its fluffy tail upwards and curled, exuding happiness with every tail wag.
The Bichon Frise size is on the smaller side with adult dogs weighing an average of 10 to 16 pounds. Their height is typically 10 to 12 inches tall. There is little difference between the male and female Bichon Frise size. The coat of the Bichon Frise is soft, curly, and typically very long if left to grow. The coat sheds very little and has excellent hypoallergenic qualities. Frise Bichons are generally solid white, but they may appear with light shades of gray, cream, and apricot.
Temperament
The Bichon Frise is a petite and cute little dog that is loved for its gentle temperament. These fluffy bundles of joy are very playful and love to learn new things. They make great companions for children and other animals, and they thrive in homes where they are the center of attention.
The Bichon Frise is a very adaptable dog that doesn’t mind living with just one owner or with a family of ten. Its friendly and adaptable nature makes it one of the best companion dogs for any type of household. These cute dogs are playful and friendly with everyone they meet. They thrive with other pet siblings and have excellent behavior around children. They are also naturally well-mannered, outgoing, and unfamiliar with aggression.
Bichon Frise is also one of the dog breeds that is renowned for its skills in therapy work. For centuries, these little sunshine dogs have proven their qualities for assisting humans with stress relief. They are naturally joyful and lively, and they spread their happiness wherever they go.
Care
Bichon Frise Grooming
Grooming a Bichon Frise is an important part of caring for them. Maintaining their coat in a tangle-free condition is important because it keeps the dog cool and comfortable. Dogs with long hair also require regular brushing to prevent mats from forming that may lead to discomfort or injury.
Grooming takes some effort if the dog is high maintenance. Bichon Frises require frequent brushing to maintain their coats mat-free. This can be done by using a standard brush and comb or a wide tooth comb. Brushing removes dead hair from the coat, lubricates the skin, and removes matting. Baths need to be taken more frequently when a dog has a lot of hair.
Bichon Frise should be bathed at least every month or so, or twice as often if the coat is long or the dog is particularly fond of getting dirty. Their ears should be checked for excess wax, dirt, and debris. If there is any sign of infection or the dog has an unusual odor from the ear, see a veterinarian immediately. Be careful when bathing your Bichon and avoid getting water in his eyes.
It is also important to take precautions when handling water for your pet and never leave them unattended as they may engage in risky behaviors. Your Bichon Frise’s nails should be clipped if they are too long as overgrown nails may cause damage to their paws or your furniture.
Bichon Frise Exercise Needs
With the Bichon Frise's low-to-moderate exercise needs, it is important to provide them with the right amount of exercise daily. Bichons can get bored easily and are likely to find ways to entertain themselves which may not always be to your liking. The Bichon Frise is a dog that will happily live inside with you and be perfectly content to lounge around on the couch or play a game of tug. These dogs thrive on positive attention from their humans and crave more companionship than exercise. Although they are moderately active as a breed, Bichon Frise still need about half an hour of exercise each day. They should go on at least two walks every day and play a few games indoors.
Bichon Frise Health
The Bichon Frise dogs are one of the best breeds for families with small children and other pets. These small, friendly dogs can adapt to any home environment with ease. They are a healthy breed but can develop some of the health issues that affect most small breeds. One of the most common health issues for this breed is luxating patella which occurs when a dog's kneecap pops out of place. Cataracts, which can lead to blindness, are also common as well as teary eyes. Other illnesses include dental decay, hip dysplasia, and allergies.
Bichon Frise Lifespan
The average lifespan of a Bichon Frise is typically between 12 and 15 years. These cute dogs can live up to 15 years or more, given they are provided with a healthy lifestyle and raising environment. They are hardy and resilient and can reach as much as 20 years old with proper care.
Bichon Frise Training
Bichon Frise puppies are a sweet, affectionate and intelligent breed. They need to be petted and praised when they do something right. They also love to play with their puppy toys, which is a tool you can use in training. Positive reinforcement is the best way to train these dogs as they respond well to rewards like food, toys, and praise. If you find that your dog is displaying negative behaviors, it's important to be consistent in your training so they understand what behaviors are appropriate and what are not.
Bichon Frise puppies and dogs are social animals that require a lot of attention, which is why it is important to start the process of separation anxiety prevention during puppyhood. Puppyhood is crucial for developing good habits for your Bichon, such as establishing a "den" and teaching them to engage in activities that will occupy their mind. These habits will carry over as they age and can help prevent the onset of separation anxiety. If your dog is already suffering from separation anxiety, they may need more time and patience than what is typically needed in the first few months of their life.
History
The Bichon Frise is one of the most popular breeds of dog in the world. The breed's name means "curly lap dog" in French, which is a perfect description for the affectionate and loving personality of this breed. The Bichon Frise is believed to have originated on the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands and was originally bred for companionship. The breed is also commonly referred to as Bichon a Poil Frise and Bichon Tenerife.
The dogs were popular with royalty who often kept them as pets, while others became a symbol of the wealth of their owners. Through time, the popularity of the dogs continued to spread across Europe and in many countries, they were used as gifts for influential people. The Bichon Frise is believed to have traveled to Europe with sailors who took a liking to the small, curly white dogs they found on the Island of Tenerife.
The Bichon Frise pups eventually made their way to the United States where they were received with enthusiasm. The breed quickly joined the American Kennel Club and was assigned to the Non-Sporting Group in 1972. As their popularity is on a constant rise, Bichons are often selected to be one of the parent breeds of various designer puppies. Some of the more popular Bichon Frise mixes are the Aussiechon, Poochon, Shichon, Cavachon, and Yorkie Chon.