10. Jan, 2012
About the Breed
The adorable white fluff ball of a dog that we know as the Bichon Frise originated in the Mediterranean region from a dog known as the Barbet or Water Spaniel.� Four groups of dogs evolved from this common ancestry: Bichon Havanese, Bichon Bolognese, Bichon Maltese, and Bichon Tenerife (which would later be renamed Bichon Frise).
The Bichon Frise was a seafaring traveler which is how he found his way to the Canary Islands and the Island of Tenerife.� He served as companion to lonely Spanish sailors as well as a bartering chip along the way.� He later traveled from the Islands back to Europe.
He was widely admired for his appearance and demeanor but after years of high popularity ended up as a street dog and circus performer by the late 1800s.� Luckily for the breed, he survived and his cuteness returned him to popularity throughout Europe and the United States.
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Physical Characteristics
The Bichon Frise is a small breed of dog that is only 9 � to 11 � inches tall, although he looks larger when in show ring grooming style.� He has an endearing face with soft, brown eyes that are inquisitive.� He has a long tail that curves up over his back merrily.
The standard color for a Bichon Frise is pure white although some dogs do have a light buff or apricot color as well, but it should be a very small percentage.
His coat is what the breed is most known for.� It is both soft and springy to the touch.� This comes from the soft undercoat and the curlier topcoat.� This coat combination when properly bathed and brushed stands off the body giving him the appearance of a small cotton ball.
Personality
The Bichon Frise is the quintessential family dog who is designed to be cheery at all times.� He is first and foremost a companion dog who absolutely craves the attention of his family and doesn?t do well with social isolation.� He does well with all ages of people and can make an excellent companion for a gentle child.
He loves to play games and is very intelligent.� He can easily be taught all levels of obedience, tricks, or whatever one puts their mind to.� He can be shown in a variety of competitive sports, be a nice therapy dog, or just a beloved family companion.
It is important to note that many consider the Bichon Frise as a hypo-allergenic breed, but this isn?t entirely true.� While many allergic people can live successfully with the breed, it is important to know that not everyone can.� He still produces dander, but it is reduced compared to many dogs.
The breed loves all people and makes friends easily.� He also enjoys all kinds of animals and other dogs if socialized to them although care should be taken with larger dogs to avoid injury.
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Training
The Bichon Frise is a great dog for training.� He is an eager learner that wants to work closely with his human and really does desire to please his person.� He learns exceptionally well using positive reinforcement techniques and making the training a lot of fun.
Bichon Frises do best in a companion role, and if left unattended for long hours, may become lonely, bark, or could even develop separation issues.� Try to prevent any separation issues from forming and consider having a second dog as a companion if you work or are gone from the home.
The breed can be more difficult to housetrain.� It is imperative that an owner have a lot of patience, be consistent, and crate train.
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Shedding & Grooming
The Bichon Frise doesn?t shed, but he requires a substantial amount of grooming or his beautiful coat will mat into a painful clump of tangles.� He requires brushing at least weekly or every few days plus he will need professional grooming every 6-8 weeks to trim his coat.
Tear staining can occur in the breed, so washing the area below his eyes each day with a warm, moist towel will help keep the area clean.� If tearing is profuse, consult with your vet.� Otherwise, staining can be assisted with tear staining removal products.
Regular nail trims are important as is tooth brushing.� Bichon Frise can suffer from gingivitis and eventual tooth loss if the teeth aren?t taken care of.
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Health & Life Expectancy
The average lifespan of the Bichon Frise is 14-16 years although some individuals may even live longer.� While the Bichon Frise is often considered an overall healthy purebred dog, there are quite a few health problems that might be encountered.� According to the Bichon Frise Club of America, Inc. (www.bichonhealth.org), here are a few of the issues that might be seen:
- Primary ciliary dyskinesia
- Allergies
- Gingivitis and tooth loss
- Cancer
- Bladder/kidney infections or stones
- Luxating patellas
- Pancreatitis
- Diabetes
- Cushing?s Disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Liver shunt
- Heart issues, primarily Mitral valve disease
- Cataracts
- Spinal disk degeneration
- Orthopedic issues (to a lesser extent hip and elbow dysplasia, Legg-Calves Perthe, etc.)
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