Considering getting a Bichon Frise? Makes sure you know the characteristics of the breed. We've put together the following Bichon Frise breed information and facts to create a profile of this dog so you have the critical information necessary to make a decision.
The Bichon Frise (which translates from French into "curly [haired] lap dog") is best known for its beautiful, hypo-allergenic coat. It is a friendly dog that cherishes human companionship. The Bichon is a thoughtful and intelligent breed and not a frequent barker. They are extrememly social and affectionate dogs and dowell in the company of children, other pets and strangers. Although Bichons are easy to train and can pick up tricks easily, they can be difficult to housebreak, so crate training is recommended. They are small dogs (males grow up to 30 cm and weight between 7-12 pounds between bitches grow between 9-11 inches and weight between 5-10 pounds), and are fairly active indoors. The Bichon Frise is suitable for apartment life, but does require daily exercise, either through a daily walk or through a run in a local dog park. If left inactive for long periods of time, Bichons tend to become overly aggressive, snippy, and moody.
The Bichon is thought to have originated in the 14th century and was the preferred breed of French Royalty in the 1700s. In the past they were commonly used as circus dogs, but today they are commonly found in dog shows are often seen in suburban homes.
Bichons
The Bichon is sensitive to flea bites and is prone to eye problems such as watery eyes and cataracts. This can be prevented (or, at the very least, detected early) via regular vet checkups. If you are considering this pup, pay special attention to the eyes and ears when dog grooming. Try to avoid getting excess water into these sensitive areas - this can lead to infection. Some Bichons are prone to epilepsy. Their life span is 15+ years.
Bichon Frise require frequent grooming and should, at the very least, be bathed once a month. If left untrimmed, their coast can become unruly, so a professional trim is recommended every 4-6 weeks. Because of their light-coloured coats, Bichons commonly have brown tear stains around the eyes which should be trimmed regularly. The Bichon is an extremely light shedder.
Bichon Frise Puppies
While both males and female Bichons are highly intelligent, the former appears to be easier to train. Bichons benefit from a lot of positive praise, and tend to shy away from scolding. Housetraining will be difficult, and they best way to attempt this task is with a crate and by following a strict routine. Most Bichon Frise puppies will need to go to the bathroom at the same time every day, based upon their feeding time(s) with dog pedigrees. Some Bichons are known to have an independent streak and can become nippy if frustrated, so keep sessions short. Despite thier intelligence, Bichons normally mature later in life, so keep training and daily exercise fun and exciting for your puppy. All Bichons, but especially puppies, are known for sporadic, random bursts of energy that can last for several minutes. This is a breed that can easily become "wound up" when overexcited. Bichons are normally ready to leave their mothers around 6 weeks, and an average litter can yield between 1 and 6 puppies. Bichons were popular among young professionals in the 1980s, which lead to careless over breeding. When searching for a Bichon Frise breeder, do your homework and make sure they are reputable
