Bichon Frise

A Bichon Frise is a small dog breed of the Bichon type. They are well-liked pets, comparable in look to, but bigger than, the Maltese. They are a non-shedding dog breed that needs daily grooming.

The Bichon Frise is a petite but robust dog that weighs approx. 7-17 lbs and stands 23-30 cm/9-15in at the withers, but slightly bigger dogs are not exceptional. It has a black nose and dark round eyes, and its white hair consists of a wavy outercoat and a sleek undercoat. A small degree of buff, cream, or apricot color could be seen about its ears, snout, paws or body, but usually these colours do not go above 10% of its body. The head and legs are proportionate in size to the body, and ears and tail are natural (not docked or cropped). Regularly the coat is trimmed to make the hair appear of even length. Bichon Frise's may be middle-high intelligence.

The AKC refers to the Bichon Frise as "merry" and "cheerful", and the breed standard calls for a dog that is "gentle mannered, sensitive, playful and affectionate". Bred to be companion dogs, the Bichon Frise tends to get along fine with both children and other animals. Bichon Frises are extremely obedient if training is started early and continued over and over again.

Bichon Frises are appropriate for people with allergies, as they are bred to be hypoallergenic. Still, it is crucial to note that, human sensitivity to dog fur, dander, and saliva varies considerably. Although hair, dander, and saliva can be minimized, they are still present and can attach to "clothes and the carpets and furnishings in your home"; inhaling the allergens, or being licked by the dog, could initiate a reaction in a hypersensitive person.

Bichon Frise History

The Bichon Frise descended from the Barbet or Water Spaniel, from which came the name "Barbichon", later shortened to "Bichon". The Bichons were separated into four categories: the Bichon Malteise, the Bichon Bolognaise, the Bichon Havanese and the Bichon Tenerife. All originated in the Mediterranean area.

Because of their merry disposition, they traveled to a large extent and were regularly} used as barter by sailors as they moved from continent to continent. The dogs found initial success in Spain and it is usually thought that Spanish seamen introduced the breed to the Canary Island of Tenerife. In the 1300s, Italian sailors rediscovered the petite dogs on their voyages and are credited with returning them to the continent, where they became brilliant favorites of Italian upper class. Frequently, as was the style of the day with dogs in the courts, they were cut "lion style," like a modern-day Portuguese Water Dog.

Despite the fact that not considered a retriever or water dog, the Bichon, due to its ancestry as a sailor's dog, has an attraction for and enjoys water and retrieving. On the boats however, the dog's duty was that of a companion dog.

The "Tenerife", or "Bichon", had success in France all through the Renaissance under Francis I (1515-47), but its status skyrocketed in the court of Henry III (1574-89). The breed also enjoyed extensive success in Spain as a darling of the Infantas, and painters of the Spanish school regularly} included them in their works. For example, the renowned artist, Francisco de Goya, integrated a Bichon in a number of of his works.

Appeal in the breed was renewed during the reign of Napoleon III, but then waned until the late 1800s when it became the "common dog", running the streets, accompanying the organ grinders of Barbary, leading the blind and doing tricks in circuses and fairs.

Will it be cute and adorable all of its life, or will it turn into a raging monster who tears your entire home up the minute you leave it alone and go out food shopping for more dog food! Or will you get a cute and adorable puppy who will tear up the room regardless of whether or not you’re home?

These are all questions that can be easily answered by Bichon Frise breeders. And they are the reason why you need to find a breeder that will help you not only find the right Bichon Frise puppy for you, but who will also give you an initial leg up on what to do with your puppy.

Please watch this video on the Bicon Frise dog breed