The Bichon Frise is a wonderful happy little dog that is in love with life and her family. She wants to go everywhere and loves attention. She is ideal for an apartment because she needs little exercise, although she can be difficult to housebreak. She is a good watch dog but do not expect her to attack a prowler. She barely sheds but she does require extensive grooming to achieve that fabulous look. She is generally not a barker. She does very well with other dogs, pets and children. As a reminder, never leave any child unsupervised with any dog for any length of time.
*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the Bichon Frise male is 9 to 12 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and the female ranges from 9 to 11 inches to the withers. Both sexes range between 7 and 12 pounds on weight, males slightly heavier.
*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Bichon Frise is no exception. Look for skin problems, blocked tear ducts, epilepsy (common in dogs) cataracts, flea bite allergy, dislocated kneecaps, ear ailments, low blood sugar and watery eyes. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list. She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots.
*Grooming. The Bichon Frise needs frequent grooming and monthly bathing. She should be professionally groomed every month or so. If her coat is left to its own, it will turn tight and curly and she will lose her snowball look. Clean around her eyes daily to control tear staining. She sheds very little hair. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat and also help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with your pet. Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease. Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and competent instructions to accomplish this can be found on the net.
*Life Span. The Bichon Frise can live between 14 and 16 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.
*History. The Bichon Frise originated in the Mediterranean area and they are decended from the Water Spaniel. They became popular and then forgotten in such places as France under Francis I and later under Napolean III. When World War I ended, some people realized that the breed could be valuable and the lines started to be established. March 5, 1933 found the official standards of the breed enacted by the Societe Centrale Canine of France. She was first registered with the American Kennel Club in 1972.:
Some Registries: *Bichon Frise Club of America, Inc. *UKC United Kennel Club *NKC National Kennel Club *CKC Continental Kennel Club *APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc. *AKC American Kennel Club *FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale *NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club *KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain *ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club *ACR = American Canine Registry
*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS Good watch dog. Very good with children. Very good with other pets. Easy to train. Very intelligent. Not a noisy dog. Get along well with other dogs and pets. She barely sheds which is good for allergy sufferers. A very happy dog. Requires little exercise. She can act like a clown.
*SPECIAL BAD POINTS Very poor guard dog. May be difficult to housebreak. Can be stubborn.
*Other Names Known By: Bichon Tenerife, Bichon a poil Frise, Tenerife Dog
*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.
The Bichon Frise is a small breed of dog descended from the poodle that is popular in many homes around the world. The name literally means curly lap dog, and these dogs sure are. While they do not shed, they need regular grooming, but they will be happy for the attention. Bichon Frise dogs are intelligent and have positive dispositions. They are bold, independent and lively, but they are also very gentle, making for the perfect combination of loyalty and fun. The spunky, lively attitude of the Bichon Frise is perfect for families with children. A Bichon Frise puppy will want to play and socialize with both people and other dogs. They are good watchdogs, and will watch over the children regardless of their small stature. They are friendly toward people even outside of the immediately family, and while they have a tendency to nip, it is only during play. And when the puppy grows up, he will only want to play even more; the Bichon Frise never lose their love for life, a characteristic often reflected in Bichon Frise puppy names. Due to its non-shedding nature, the Bichon Frise is usually the perfect breed for individuals with allergies. However, reaction to pet fur differs from person to person, and a potential buyer should always visit with the Bichon Frise puppy before purchasing. Like most non-shedding dogs, the Bichon Frise is very susceptible to allergies and skin problems, and the owner must be prepared for a high-maintenance pet. Grooming can be expensive and time-consuming. The Bichon Frise should be groomed professionally at least once every three months, but daily upkeep of the coat is also important. The Bichon Frise puppy should be exposed to grooming at an early age, both to ensure healthy fur and to accustom the puppy to touch. Eventually, the dog will find grooming to be pleasurable and will often look forward to grooming time. Brushing twice a week will prevent tangles in the fur, and more brushing will create a fluffier coat. A Bichon Frise puppy should also be exposed to baths and blow dryers to keep the clean and free of matting. Frequent nail clipping is also required, and any tears or mucus should be cleared from the fur around the eyes and mouth. Even with the necessary maintenance, the Bichon Frise is a wonderful breed. It is a happy dog with beautiful features. The creamy white fur and dark black eyes are the epitome of innocence and love. With such beautiful features, what owner would not want to keep his or her Bichon Frise puppy well groomed? The Bichon Frise is a lap dog but so much more else well, like a guard dog, a playful dog and a dog with many friends. A Bichon Frise puppy is not as expensive as other small-breed dogs; in fact, the price tag of five hundred dollars is quite reasonable for a dog of such show-quality. Grooming costs will add to the cost over time, but every dog or pet comes with extra charges. Puppy brokers and puppy mills can physically and emotionally injure puppies, and the good temperament and disposition of a Bichon Frise puppy is not something that should be lost.
Both Mitch Endick & Mary Stevenson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Mitch Endick has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home, Puppies Dogs and Education. Mitch Endick is a short article writer, editor and website developer for the popular pet site petpages.com.