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Bichon Frise History

The Bichon Frisé descended from the Barbet or Water Spaniel and Poodle, and is a generally white, small "lap" or ladies' dog, which existed in the Mediterranean area as far back as 600-300 B.C. Because of their merry disposition, they traveled much and were often used as barter by sailors as they moved from continent to continent. The Bichon went to sea as a working Spanish boat dog. They were perfect for a boat because they do not shed, don't need a lot of exercise, are fine companions, as well as obedient and easily trained. These dogs were to small to do any real work, so their job was go greet new boat passengers and to entertain weary passengers. The breed was oficially recognized by the AKC in 1973.

Bichon Frise Temperament

Bichons are happy, merry dogs that have an inquisitive nature. They get along well with children, other animals and strangers, which makes them excellent family pets. They are fairly easy to train and love to show off tricks that they have learned. Bichons can, however, be difficult to housebreak and sometimes will appear to not be housetrained when they are unhappy. They can be an energetic dog, at times, but need a moderate amount of exercise to be kept happy. Bichons are considered a hypoallergenic breed, since they do not shed much, and are good for people that suffer from dogallergies. This breed is an excellent choice for a first time dog owner.

Bichon Frise Appearance

Bichons are small dogs that usually weigh between 12 to 20 pounds and stand 6 to 12 inches at the withers. They have long, loose curly hair, a curly tail and floppy ears. The coat colours are white and sometimes cream. When they are in a show clip, some people say that they resemble a powder puff.

Bichon Frise Grooming

Bichons do not shed muchbut do need a trip to the groomers every few months to have their coats shaved down. They must also be brushed frequently to keep their coats looking as best as possible. Bichons can also get tear stains around their eyes and may need special grooming remedies to get rid of them

Bichon Frise Life Expectancy and Health Problems

common health problems include Cushing's Syndrome, dental disease, Patellar Luxation and cruciate ligament tears, and bladder and kidney stones. Cushing's Syndroms is endocrine disorder caused by high levels of cortisol in the blood. Bichons can also suffer from liver shunts, and Autoimmune Hemolytic Amemia, which is when the body attacks it's own red blood cells.

The typical lifespan of a Bichon is 12 to 14 years.

Bicho Frise Pros and Cons

This simplified list may help you decide if a Bichon Frise may be a good fit for your lifestyle.

Do You Want

• a small dog that is easy to pick up?
• a hypoallergenic dog?
• a happy, friendly dog?
• a dog that gets along well with kids and makes a great family pet?
• a dog that needs a moderate amount of exercise?

Do You NOT Want

• a dog that must go to a professional groomers every few months?
• a dog that can be difficult to housetrain?
• a dog that can be yappy?
• a dog that has the potential to have serious health problems?

Useful Bichon Frise Links

The Bichon Frise Club of America

Bichon Frise Club of Canada

The Bichon Frise Club of Great Britian