The Bichon Frise dog breed is a perky little white dog with starkly contrasting black eyes and nose. Their white coat is hypoallergenic, soft and fluffy to the touch. They were first developed in the Mediterranean region but became known as French dogs when France invaded Italy in the 1500s.
As pets of first Francis I and later Henry III, his successor, they became popular among the French court. For some unknown reason, the Bichon Frise fell out of favour with the noble class over the years but, because of its intelligence and playful personality became a preferred pet for street performers.
After World War II, the breed was brought to the US where it floundered until it started getting a bit of publicity in the 1960s. Finally, in 1971 it enjoyed recognition by the AKC and has become a popular household pet.
The Bichon Frise is playful, perky, and always up for a bit of fun. Because of its playful personality, small size, and hypoallergenic coat, they make great family dogs and are easy to have in the home.
They are active and intelligent but don’t require tons of exercise each day. They will be happy with a few vigorous indoor games, a small yard in which to play, or a short walk on the leash.
They are super friendly and get along well with children, other dogs, and pretty much anyone or anything that will play with them. They like company and may get sad if left at home for long periods of time alone.
They are alert and will definitely make it known when new people come to the house. However, to a Bichon Frise, there are no strangers, just friends that they haven’t yet met.
On the downside, they can be barkers, especially if they get bored.
Because of their small size and friendliness, they make great city dogs and are good as apartment dwellers. A yard is handy to let them go out and play on their own, but not necessary. A short walk each day will do for the exercise that they need.
They love everyone and are good with small children. Because they can get lonely, a family or owner who is home a lot is ideal for this happy-go-lucky dog. Barring that, a little buddy would do the Bichon Frise well.
The hair of the Bichon Frise is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they are hypoallergenic and don’t shed all over the furniture, which makes them wonderful as house dogs. But on the other hand, their coat does require a fair bit of maintenance.
The little bit of hair they do shed gets caught up in their thick undercoat. This means they won’t leave it lying all over the house, but the dog does need to be brushed at minimum 2-3 times a week — daily is better, if possible. Otherwise, the hair will become matted and tangled and a pain to get sorted out again.
Their hair keeps growing so they should also receive a bath and clipping once a month to keep them looking adorable. Bichons are sometimes difficult to keep white.
Bichon Frises are generally healthy dogs but do suffer from a few common maladies. If you’re buying a Bichon Frise puppy from a breeder, you may wish to ask for health clearances for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, von Willebrand’s disease, and hypothyroidism from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. The Canine Eye Registry Foundation can certify that the eyes are normal.
These certifications can help ensure that your new friend will have a long and happy life. Plus, you may get a discount on Bichon Frise pet insurance for having them.
Feeding is straightforward. They should have ½ to 1 ½ cups of high-quality dry dog food each day depending on activity level. Divide their portion into two meals and don’t leave food out all day. As always, keep an eye on their weight to ensure optimum health. You should be able to see a waist and feel the ribs without pressing too hard.
They can be prone to developing stones in the urinary tract, so ample fresh water is a must.
Hip Dysplasia is an inherited condition that means the thighbone doesn’t fit snuggly in the hip joint.
The symptoms are generally pain and lameness which will vary in severity and can be present in one or both rear legs.
Sadly, it’s not uncommon for the disorder to lead to hip replacement.
Make sure you ask any breeder if the puppy’s parents have been tested and cleared for Hip Dysplasia. If they have not, or the issue is present in one or both, find another breeder.
Dogs suffer from allergies in much the same way that humans do with the three main types being food, contact, and inhalant.
As the saying goes – prevention is better than a cure.
Treatment for food allergies is as simple as eliminating certain foods from their diets.
Contact allergies can be anything from shampoos, to flea powders, and other chemicals. If you notice your pet has had a reaction, try a new product with different ingredients.
Inhalant allergies are caused by airborne allergens such as pollen and dust. This is a difficult one to avoid, but you can try to do so with vet recommended medications and environmental changes.
Patellar Luxation is a relatively common problem that occurs when the patella is not properly lined up. This causes the Femur (thigh bone), Patella (kneecap), and Tibia (calf) to slip out of place. When this happens, the dog will generally skip or hop.
There are four grades, ranging from I, an occasional luxation causing temporary lameness in the joint, to grade IV, in which the turning of the tibia is severe, and patella cannot be realigned manually.
The constant rubbing caused by this issue can lead to arthritis, a degenerative joint disease and severe levels of Patella luxation may require surgery to avoid further issues and pain.
Hereditary Juvenile Cataracts is a fast-acting condition that leads to opacity and cloudiness in the lens of the eye at an early age.
The rapid progression can mean a dog is blind by just 3 years of age.
DNA tests are available to identify dogs that are carriers, affected, or clear of the defective gene, so when you’re considering buying from a breeder make sure they have had this DNA test to screen their dogs.