BICHON FRISE

Temperament: Feisty, Affectionate, Playful, Sensitive, Gentle
Height: 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight: 7 to 12 pounds
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
Dog Breed Group: Companion Dogs

MORE ABOUT THIS BREED

The Bichon Frise is a cheerful, small dog breed with a love of mischief and a lot of love to give. With their black eyes and fluffy white coat, the Bichon looks almost like a child’s toy.

It doesn’t take long to realize that the Bichon can be your happiest and most enthusiastic companion. They’re super playful and intelligent, and even novice pet parents and apartment dwellers will get along great with these dogs. However, they do need plenty of playtime and activity, and they don’t care for being left home alone for long hours of the day. If you can give your dog lots of attention and love, you’ll get it back tenfold from an adoring Bichon.

With compact bodies, baby-doll faces, and fluffy white hair, Bichons are a very appealing breed whose looks are enhanced by a perky, good-natured disposition. They are often mistaken for white Poodles.

If you’re looking for a wonderful family pet, consider the Bichon. This dog loves to play. He’s always happy (except when left alone for long periods of time), and his demeanor is affectionate and gentle.

PERSONALITY

The Bichon Frise is considered a great all-around pet that is a playful yet gentle dog. Bichons get along well with other pets. They are generally considered very good with kids. In one survey, they ranked high on snapping at children, but caution is in order anytime dogs and small children are together. In the same survey, they were found easy to housebreak and train but some owners disagree with the easy housebreaking label.

FEEDING

Recommended daily amount: 1/2 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.

NOTE: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level.

HEALTH

Bichons are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they’re prone to certain health conditions. Not all Bichons will get any or all of these diseases, but it’s important to be aware of them if you’re considering this breed.

If you’re buying a puppy, find a good breeder who will show you health clearances for both your puppy’s parents

CARE                

Bichons are active dogs but do well as apartment dwellers with proper exercise and play and they live to play. Don’t leave your Bichon alone for long periods of time. To prevent destructive behavior, the wise owner leaves the Bichon in a crate when leaving the house for even a short time.

GROOMING

Even in a pet home, the Bichon’s curly coat requires daily brushing and occasional professional grooming. A neglected coat becomes matted, which is painful and can lead to serious skin infections.

 Train him to sit for daily brushing or combing so that both of your lives will be easier. Use a pin brush.

If you fell in love with the Bichon because of the way their pure white coat sets off those dark eyes, you’d better be prepared to spend a lot of time cleaning away tear stains, which cause a rust discoloration that most people find pretty unsightly.

The rest is basic care. Trim the nails as needed, usually every few weeks. Keep the ears clean and dry to prevent bacterial or yeast infections. Small dogs are especially prone to periodontal disease, so brush the teeth frequently for good overall health and fresh breath.

Source: dogtime, hillspet, vetstreet.