Bichon Frise Breed Characteristics
Height
23 to 28 cm at the shoulder
Weight
9 to 15 pounds
Life Expectancy
12 to 15 years
Coat Colours
White
Bichon Frise
Cheerful, playful and charming
About the Bichon Frise
Perky and cheerful, the Bichon Frise is one of the dog world’s most popular companion breeds. Their all-white powder puff coat gives them the appearance of a small white teddy bear.
The curious and alert Bichon Frise tends to be easygoing even with first-time dog owners. They’re happy and playful with their family, though they can tend to be a little clingy, especially after being left alone for a long time.
Bichons are also smart and sensitive, and excel at knowing what their owner is feeling. They seem to have a great sense of humour and love to make people laugh. They can be trained to be therapy dogs due to their gentle nature and pleasing disposition.
Here are some of the qualities you can expect from the Bichon Frise, rated from one to five stars. However, all dogs are individuals, and your Bichon Frise may not display exactly the same characteristics.
Family Life
5/5
Friendly with Kids
4/5
Friendly with Dogs
4/5
Ease of Grooming
1/5
Exercise Needs
3/5
Prey Drive
4/5
Tendency to Bark or Howl
2/5
Good for Novice Owners
5/5
Apartment Living
5/5
Bichon Frise Breed History
No one knows exactly when the Bichon Frise breed was created. There are those who say that the Bichon is descended from a woolly water dog called the Barbet. What we do know is that the Bichon Frise originates from the Mediterranean, more specifically the island of Tenerife.
The breed is part of the Barbichon family of dogs, which includes the Maltese, Havanese and Bolognese. These dogs were generally named for their region of origin. The Bichon Frise was previously known as the Bichon Tenerife. These breeds were associated with royalty and nobles, and were popular court dogs.
Almost all members of the Barbichon breeds went through a period of decline in the 19th century. Court dogs were going out of fashion at the turn of the 20th century, and the Bichon Frise itself almost went extinct.
Thankfully, the breed has now recovered, and the qualities that made them popular court dogs also make them excellent family pets.
Caring For a Bichon Frise
- Temperament: The Bichon Frise loves to make friends, and loves giving and receiving affection. They’re almost always outgoing and charming, and can be gentle playmates with children and other dogs. However, due to their small size and fragile bodies, a Bichon Frise puppy should be supervised when playing with children.
- Grooming: The pure white coat of the Bichon Frise is their most prominent feature, and requires frequent maintenance to look its best. Daily brushing is advisable, as are trips to the groomer every couple of weeks.
- Exercise: Most Bichon Frises do not have a great deal of stamina, but are high-energy dogs nonetheless, with a great deal of agility and speed. Around 30 to 40 minutes of exercise is sufficient for most Bichons, split into a couple of shorter sessions.
- Nutrition: Adult Bichon Frises will need around 1 to 1½ cup of high-quality dry dog food per day. A Bichon Frise puppy will need around 1 cup, divided into four meals throughout the day. More specific advice can be given by your veterinarian.
- Training: A Bichon Frise is relatively easy to train, as they are eager to please and very smart. A training program based around positive reinforcement will be best for these highly sensitive dogs.
How to Choose a Responsible Bichon Frise Breeder
As a pet owner, you want to give your Bichon Frise puppy the best life possible. That starts by choosing a responsible Bichon Frise breeder. Breeders with the best knowledge of how to raise their dogs will be able to produce healthy and even-tempered puppies. It’s even better if they are part of a breeding organisation and are accountable for their breeding practices.
When looking for a Bichon Frise for sale, visit your breeder if you can afford to do so. This will give you an opportunity to meet the puppy and the puppy’s parents – allowing you to gauge the temperament of the dogs in person.
Bichon Frise FAQ
Can Bichons Frises be left alone throughout the day?
No. A Bichon puppy needs to be around people throughout the day, as they tend to become poorly behaved when they don’t get enough mental and physical stimulation. They thrive on contact with humans.
Is the Bichon Frise hypoallergenic?
Yes, Bichons are generally considered to be hypoallergenic as their double coat traps shed hair and dander. However, if you suffer from dog allergies, it’s still best to visit and spend time with a Bichon before committing to buying one.
Dog Breeds Similar to the Bichon Frise
The information is for general use only. For any specific advice or queries, please consult with your veterinarian.
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