Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is famous for his profuse and puffy coat, merry temperament and loyal attitude to all people, not only those belonging to the family they live with. He gives a hearty welcome to anyone coming into the house, and can get on well with children and other pets. The Bichon Frise seems to always be looking for a job to do, and he may get frustrated if bored or neglected. These dogs appreciate all sorts of interaction and physical activity.

The Bichon Frise originated in the Mediterranean region, descending, along with the Poodle and the Maltese dog, from the Barbet (water spaniel). As long as the Bichon shares much of his ancestry with the Poodle, these two breeds have much in common. Early offspring of the Barbet formed four groups: Bichon Bolognese, Bichon Havanese, Bichon Maltese, and the Bichon Tenerife. The latter is considered to be a direct ancestor of the modern Bichon Frise, as he was shipped to the “Island of Teneriffe” (the Canary Islands). Teneriffe sailors used to present these dogs to their beloved women, so these dogs were often referred to as “Dogs of Love”. The Bichon Frise gained popularity among noble authorities in the times of Henry III. Later, the dog became the darling of circus artistes, due to their exceptional intelligence and learning abilities.

The Bichon Frise of today is a small and balanced dog, measuring 9-12 inches high at the withers and weighing 7-12 pounds. Although the Bichon Frise is active and bouncy, he belongs to the Non-Sporting group and is not intended for any service. Bichon Frise dogs are white, with or without shadings of apricot, buff or cream. The coat mats easily, so it requires daily grooming. It will be useful to clip or trim the coat on a regular basis, in order for your dog to look neat. A well groomed dog will look much like a living puffy toy. These dogs have dark patches around the eyes, called “halos”.

Due to his compact size, the Bichon Frise does not require much space, and usually does okay indoors. Bichons can be litter trained, but this does not mean that they should be confined in an apartment. All dogs, regardless of size or temperament, appreciate fresh air, so your Bichon must have a chance to take a breath of fresh air every day. However, Bichons are no great hunters, and they should not be exposed to physical strains.

The Bichon Frise is a healthy and long-lived breed of dogs. His life expectancy averages 13-15 years. Bichons rarely suffer from genetic diseases, but some lines may have kneecap dislocations (patella luxation), Cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). Some Bichon Frise dogs are affected by dental problems, infections and allergies.