Bichon Frise

Throughout history, this dog has been referred to as the clown dog due to its strong desire to entertain and bring smiles to its family and friends.

Bichons are of French and Spanish descent. The Spanish originally used them as sailing and herding dogs. However, the French ultimately bred them to be noble lapdogs.

In later years, they were sometimes used in the circus for their ability to walk on their hind legs and perform other tricks. Many of these dogs also enjoy dressing up and being the life of the party.

Evolution

Royals and aristocrats have loved these little white dogs for millennia. Lap dogs were traded and purchased around the Mediterranean Basin and came to be favored by European royalty, including King Henry VIII of England. Bichon Frise is known as a Barbichon-type dog along with the Bolognese, Havanese, and Maltese. It is believed that these breeds began on the island of Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands. The Bichon Tenerife became the primary ancestor of today’s Bichon Frise.

Around the 13th century, the little white lap dogs began their association with European royalty — including the courts of Italy, France, and Spain. There are many of these pretty little dogs depicted in paintings of the great masters of this era.

After the French Revolution, the once pampered pets were out on the street on their own. They were so lively and friendly that they caught the eyes of the circus and street performers — and quickly rose to stardom with their natural charisma and ability to do tricks.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Bichon Frise

Appearance

These non-sporting dogs are small but sturdy. While they are small dogs, they are not considered a toy breed. Bichon puppies have an exceptionally soft and supple white, cream, or apricot-colored coat that should turn snowy white by the time they reach adulthood.

Bichons are generally good with children and other pets. Their small size also makes them a good choice for apartment or city living. Bichons need minimal exercise and will be content to spend as much time as possible with their families.

Size and Weight

Male and female Bichons should both be between 9.5 and 11.5 inches tall. This breed typically weighs between 11 and 18 pounds. However, average size and weight do differ slightly between the sexes. The average height of a male Bichon is 11.8 inches, while the average height of a female is 10.6 inches. Males have an average weight of 15.4 pounds, while females have an average weight of just over 11 pounds. Even though Bichons are small, they are not small enough to be considered a toy breed.

Common Health Issues

Bichons are generally a healthy and sturdy breed. They have an average lifespan of between 14 and 15 years. However, with proper care and nutrition, these dogs can live for 19 years or longer.

Despite their long life and typically healthy makeup, Bichons are prone to some potential issues. One of the most common maladies for bichons is skin allergies. Reactions to some proteins or other ingredients in their diet are the most common cause of these allergies.

For example, bichons can be allergic to chicken, beef, or other meat proteins in their food. Signs that your bichon may be allergic to these meats include red, itchy “hot spots” on their skin. Your pet will likely scratch and bite its skin to try to relieve the itching sensation.

Bichons are also frequently allergic to corn or cornmeal. Dogs that are allergic to these foods often chew their paws or the fur on their legs. You may also notice a yeasty odor if your Bichon Frise is having an allergic reaction to the corn products in his or her food.

These allergy issues are more common with smaller Bichons or ones that were the runts of their respective litters. Liver shunts or other similar problems can contribute to these allergies and lead to liver failure later in life.

Like many other small dog breeds, Bichon Frise dogs can have dental issues. Many veterinarians recommend high-quality kibble combined with dental treats for these dogs to help them clean their teeth. You may also need to brush your furry friend’s teeth one or more times per week to help remove plaque and keep its mouth healthy.

Cancer is also another significant health concern for this breed. According to the UK Kennel Club, cancer was the second leading cause of death for Bichons behind old age. However, Bichons who contract cancer generally still live to be 12.5 years old before they succumb to this malady.

Temperament

A happy demeanor and alert intelligence are two of the Bichon Frise’s best-known behavioral traits. They like to spend time with their families and will follow you from room to room to be close to you. Many people say that their dark, intelligent eyes convey a merry twinkle when they are content. They have been known to “smile” by partially extending their tongues when they are truly satisfied.

Because of their personality and a strong desire to please, another key trait of this breed is their relative knack for training. However, you may need consistency and patience when it comes to housetraining your new family member.

How to Take Care of a Bichon Frise

Because of their happy-go-lucky nature and small size, Bichons generally take care of their own exercise needs by buzzing around your house. However, these dogs do not shed, and their curly hair tends to trap dirt and dander. As a result, most breeders recommend daily brushing to remove dead hair and prevent mats or tangles.

If your Bichon suffers from allergies, then it may need special hypoallergenic kibble or other limited-ingredient diets. Given their small height, you should also watch your dog’s weight to ensure that it does not put undue stress on its knees, hips, or other joints.

The Best Dog Food

Because of their history of food and skin allergies, you should put some careful consideration into the ideal food for your Bichon. Some of these dogs are allergic to chicken, beef, and other traditional proteins found in mass-marketed kibble. If your dog has such allergies, then you may need to consider kibble made from other proteins such as fish, duck, pork, or other, more exotic meats.

Your veterinarian may be able to recommend a hypoallergenic diet if your dog has severe allergies. Many vets recommend kibble over canned wet food for Bichons because the hard morsels can help to remove plaque and other causes of tooth decay.

The good news is that, as a small breed, most adult Bichons only require up to one cup of food per day. Due to their smaller stomachs, you might want to split this food into a morning and an evening meal. Eight-week-old puppies should eat every 4-5 hours. You can split one cup of food into quarters and feed your puppy throughout the day.

Keep in mind that it’s best for dogs prone to dental issues like this breed to eat dry kibble rather than wet food. Select a high-quality formula from a reputable manufacturer. You should always read the ingredient label on the bag. If the first ingredients start with cornmeal, chicken meal, or rice as opposed to whole meats, then you may want to look for another option.

Maintenance and Grooming

Bichon Frise dogs typically require more grooming than many other dog breeds. These dogs do not shed and therefore will need to be groomed at least once every four to eight weeks. Furthermore, we recommend daily brushing with a slicker brush and a metal comb to remove dead hair follicles and to remove tangles.

Insufficient grooming may cause a Bichon Frise to develop mats or clumps of hair close to its skin. These mats can pull on their skin and become uncomfortable over time. Excess or overgrown hair around their mouths can contribute to tooth loss or other dental issues.

Similarly, the hair in a bichon’s ears needs to be plucked regularly to limit the accumulation of dust, dirt, and bacteria. These bacteria can lead to painful ear infections if the hair is not removed.

Due to their soft, white coats, many Bichon owners prefer to bathe their dogs once a month. It is recommended that you use a gentle brightening shampoo to help restore the luster and snowy white color to your dog’s coat. However, bathing your dog too often can remove essential oils and nutrients that help to protect his or her skin.

Training

Bichon Frise dogs are relatively easy to train. They like to get attention from their families and friends and will be more than happy to do some tricks. This breed’s bubbly personality means that they often love to get dressed up in costumes or outfits for the holidays.

Exercise

As noted above, Bichons are a non-sporting breed and are not overly active. They generally take care of their needs by walking or running around the house. Short walks two or three times per day to go to the bathroom should be enough exercise for this breed.

Puppies

Bichon Frise puppies are cute cotton balls that love to play. They typically come in white, cream, or apricot colors. Their eyes should be dark black, and their noses and lips should also be black as opposed to brown.

Because of their small size, housetraining a Bichon Frise can be a challenge. Their small bladders and other organs mean that you will need to take them out more frequently than other, larger breeds. Some owners note that it can take one year or more to fully potty-train your Bichon and avoid accidents in the house.

Bichon Frises And Children

Bichons usually have a laid-back and happy-go-lucky demeanor. As a result, they are a great choice for families living in the city, apartments, or houses with limited outdoor space. While these dogs are generally sturdy, they are small. Toddlers and young children could inadvertently step on or otherwise hurt your Bichon while they are learning to play.

You may want to wait until your children are older before you decide to add this breed to your family. These dogs are also highly social and love being with their humans. Many discerning breeders will require that someone be at home with the puppy or that you have a plan in place so that your Bichon is not left alone for extended periods of time.

Dogs similar to the Bichon Frise

Other breeds that have similar traits to the Bichon Frise include the Bolognese, the Maltese, and the Havanese.

• Bolognese: Bichon Frise and Bolognese dogs are both small breed dogs with a height of 12 inches or less. While Bichons are typically 12 to 18 pounds, Bolognese are only 5.5 to 9 pounds in weight. Bolognese are also easy-going, playful, and affectionate with their human families, just like Bichon Frises.
• Maltese: Maltese dogs are also well-known for their coats. However, while the Bichon Frise has a soft and cotton-like curly coat, the Maltese’s coat is straight and silky. Many owners keep their Maltese dogs with long coats that touch the ground. These dogs are also normally white with dark eyes and noses. They have a similar lifespan to the Bichon of 12 to 15 years. Yet Maltese are shorter and lighter at a maximum of nine inches and 7 pounds, respectively.
• Havanese: The Havanese is the only known dog breed to originate on the island of Cuba. Like the French Bichon Frise, these dogs are intelligent and friendly. They have a comical personality and are most happy around their friends and family. Havanese are also a non-sporting breed, like Bichons. According to the AKC breed standard, Havanese are between 8.5 and 11.5 inches tall and weigh between seven and 13 pounds. They, like the Bichon, are long-lived with an average lifespan between 14 and 16 years.

Famous Bichon Frises

Bichons have been a popular dog breed for many years. Because of this, there are lots of Bichons with famous owners, both now and in the past.

• Sammy was Barbara Streisand’s Bichon. Two days after he died in 2003, she recorded a version of the song ‘Smile’ for him.
• Buddy was Demi Lovato and Wilmer Valderrama’s Bichon Frise.
• King Henry III of England and King Francis I of France both had Bichon Frises in the 16th century.