Today, we are looking at a very special breed, the Bichon Frise, and asking the question:
What Is A Bichon Frise?
As soon as you see the Bichon Frise, you will love this breed.
It’s easy to see why, they are very cute, super small, and they come with that massive white, hypoallergenic coat that everyone enjoys seeing.
With that in mind, they also have rounded head hair too. These are adaptable companions, and that’s why people love them.
They are not wild or hard to tame/train like other breeds, and that’s maybe the major advantage that comes from them in the first place.
They are unique, different, and really set the tone in an exciting and engaging manner.
With this in mind, let’s dig deeper and try to find out a bit more about them and also to see if they would be a good dog for you to own.
Character Of A Bichon Frise
This is the type of pet that’s very adorable and also a pleasure to be around. Not a lot of people know this, but the Bichon Frise can actually be a great watchdog.
They are very confident and fun to be around, not to mention they like playing a whole lot.
It’s their cute and fun personality that a lot of people like, and the fact that they are connecting very well with kids and other dogs can make them a very good pet to begin with.
A Bichon is a cheerful mischievous small dog with a big heart. Playful yet gentle, they make great family companions that are suitable for apartment living.
With their small stature and cute little face like that of a doll, they are a very appealing breed.
They may look fragile because of their small body, but these dogs are quite robust and are recognized as a non-sporting breed rather than toy dogs
The exact origin of them is unknown. Most believe that the dogs descended from the Barbet.
The common belief is that they were originally developed in Italy.
After arriving in Europe from Italy, they quickly became a great favorite with the nobility. Many royal family members wanted to own one among them being England’s King Henry III.
By the late 18 hundred’s nobility lost her interest in the breed and the dogs became somewhat of a common breed.
The first Bichon was brought to the US in 1956 and was admitted to the kennel club registry in October 1972.
Coat Care Of A Bichon Frise
How often should bichons be brushed?
Since they have quite the coat, every Bichon Frise needs brushing at least 2-3 times every week.
If you can brush your pet every day, this will be great. Clipping and a bath are also needed once every month.
On top of that, their coat is hypoallergenic. The shed hair is caught in the undercoat, so you have to brush it out.
They are low shedders.
No dog is truly hypoallergenic but Bichons come quite close to this concept. These dogs do shed but their hair remains stuck in their undercoat instead of falling.
Also, they produce less dander than other dogs.
So for dog lovers with mild dog allergies, this is a perfect breed. However, you will still need to attend to their extensive grooming.
Regular nail trimming is also needed too.
They dislike water.
The majority of dogs love to swim but not all canines and your Bichon falls under the category that doesn’t like water.
Getting your dog accustomed to occasional bathing may prove quite tricky, and after bathing, make sure to dry them quickly by wrapping them in a warm towel.
They need extensive grooming.
If you’re getting a Bichon then be prepared to spend a lot of money and time on their grooming.
This is certainly a reason to think about employing the services of a good dog groomer who will have a lot of experience with this breed, if you feel confident, however, bathing is something well worth starting from when they are puppies just to get them used to it.
There are many good courses that you can go on to become a groomer and Youtube is an excellent resource to learn about grooming and the video below is an excellent one to watch if you fancy giving it a go.
Weight Of A Bichon Frise
Your Bichon Frise usually has between 12 to 18 pounds, so they are quite small.
It’s not a very large dog, but it can be cute and that’s what matters!
Health
What health problems does Bichon Frise have?
This breed can deal with cataracts, luxating patella, bladder infections, and allergies.
Some Bichon Frise will also end up with dental complications. Ear infections can be a problem too, so you need to take extra care of your pet and ensure its safety.
Otherwise, there can be severe problems to deal with, and the faster you avoid that, the better it will be in the end.
You should expect to see health clearances for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, hyperthyroidism, and von Willebrand disease.
Other health issues that may arise include allergies and as they get older, bladder relaxation.
While getting a puppy buy one from a reputable breeder who can show you the health clearances for the pup’s parents.
They can easily gain weight and they have an average or high risk of obesity.
If you don’t give proper attention to your dog’s weight, they can easily gain weight. They won’t say no to a treat even if they’re full.
Regulate your dog’s intake and add enough exercise to the list do this way your dog will remain fit and healthy.
Life Expectancy
It’s normal for the Bichon Frise to live around 14 to 15 years. Sometimes they can go even more, depending on how good you take care of them.
Price Of A Bichon Frise
What is the average price for a Bichon Frise?
If you want to buy Bichon Frise puppies, they range from $700 on the lower end and $2000 on the higher end. The average Bichon Frise will cost $1000 or $1500, with higher pedigree and other great values going towards $2000 sometimes.
Also if possible, adopt one from a shelter rather than buying from a pet shop or online and always do your due diligence.
Exercise Requirements
How long should I walk my Bichon Frise?
This is a somewhat active dog who likes being a companion when you run or go biking, but it’s not a dog that needs a huge amount of exercise.
That being said, these dogs can be very fast sometimes, so they can surprise you.
They may be great apartment dogs but they can quickly get unaccustomed to apartment living.
Boredom factors can soon set in along with destructive behavior, so make sure they are getting outside activity daily.
All these dogs need is enough playtime outside, to burn off energy, and to be able to interact with the world and they make perfect little darlings inside the house.
They’re also known to bark rarely so you won’t be hearing any neighbor’s complaints.
Take them on walks and give them plenty of playtimes. With that, they will be satisfied.
If your home has secure outside space, a garden, or a yard then this would be an ideal kind of home for them.
I saw this question on Google the other day which was quite specific so I decided to answer it!
Can you leave a Bichon Frise alone for 8 hours?
They don’t like being left alone. It’s the type of dog to suffer from separation anxiety easily, they can learn to keep themselves occupied with toys but still leaving them alone for a long time probably is not just a good idea.
They like being the center of your attention and they enjoy it like nothing else.
If left alone for long periods that can become destructive chewing and tearing up anything they find.
If you can’t spare much time for your dog, this might not be the right breed for you.
Trainability
When it comes to training, the Bichon Frise likes it and it will learn new tricks. These dogs respond very well to the reward-based training system.
Avoid any harsh or negative methods.
I would add here that those outdated ways of treating a dog will not end up being a very good experience for your Bichon and this will lead to a dog that in all likelihood will be a very timid and scared pup.
Training them is fun and easy.
Training can be entertaining and fun thanks to their high intelligence they are easy to train and they pick up on things quickly.
They’re especially good at tricks and some canine sports as well. Positive reinforcements and crate training work best with them also, just like every other dog.
Don’t forget that your Bichon, just like other breeds, requires early socialization to make them the best dog they can be.
