Bichon Frise (Bichonfrise) Dog Breed Facts, Information and Pictures

Bichon Frise History

The Bichon Frise are generally very happy and cheerful individuals, and they seem to have a great love of traveling. Quite often, sailors would barter with these little white dogs, using them as trade items as they traveled across the seas and from continent to continent. It is believed that it was the trading practices of the Spanish sailors that first introduced the Bichon Frise to the Canary Islands, but as far back as the early 1300’s, Italian sailors claimed to have discovered this unique little island-bred dog and they eagerly reintroduced it back to the Continent. In no time, they became a favorite of the Italian nobility and, amongst those that frequented the courts, the Bichon Frise was often clipped in a fashionable style, resembling a lion.

In addition to their popularity in Italy, the Bichon also remained a favorite of the Spanish Infantas, and the painters of the Spanish school frequently painted the Bichon Frise in many of their works. During the Renaissance, this adorable little white dog also captivated the French, though it wasn’t until the court of Henry III, that the Bichon truly gained a place amongst the French nobility. Of course, as court fashion came and went, it wasn’t long before the powder puff Bichon was set aside for something else that was new and exciting.

The Bichon Frise would enjoy a brief popularity peak while Napoleon III ruled, but he would soon become known as the "common dog" and was then left to the peasants, where he ran loose in the streets or performed in local fairs and circuses. Popular amongst the organ grinders from Barbary, this happy-go-lucky white dog enjoyed his place in the spotlight and eagerly learned new tricks that endeared him in the hearts of many. Common dog or not, he was determined to make his mark in the dog world.

In 1933, the Societe Centrale Canine of France adopted an official standard for this fluffy white dog. At this time, they were known as either the "Bichon" or the "Teneriffe," so the president of the International Canine Federation proposed that a single name would be decided, that would identify the traits of this unique little dog and, with that, so he was named the Bichon Frise ("Frise" making reference to the breed’s soft and curly hair).

Bichon Frise Appearance

The Bichon Frise stands between 9 and 12 inches at the shoulder and is well known for his incredibly curly, soft coat. With their only variety being white, they are quite often referred to as powder puffs, simply because of their fluffy appearance. Coupled with a plumed tail which is always carried happily draped over his back and very dark, inquisitive eyes, the Bichon seems to radiate exuberance and a willing nature.

Bichon Frise Temperament

The Bichon is best described as a very open and "happy" dog, full of personality and generally friendly to all.  Rarely are Bichon Frise suspicious or aloof dogs, and skittishness is something that few Bichon will ever exhibit.  More likely than not, a properly-socialized Bichon Frise puppy will greet everyone at the door with a happy attitude and acting as if they are long-lost friends... even if he's never met them before!

Bichon are usually very friendly with other pets, including cats and other dogs.  Children are especially favored, particularly if they are big enough to play a gentle game of tug-o-war, but old enough so as to know better than to pull ears and tails.

Bichon Frise Exercise Needs

While the Bichon Frise are playful and outgoing little dogs, they do not require a great deal of exercise. If you’re the type of person who doesn’t like to go for lengthy walks, but isn't adverse to a short trip to the park or you enjoy a light game of tug-o-war or fetch in the living room, then the Bichon Frise may be well-suited to you. While not a lazy dog, those short legs have to cover twice as much ground as that of their human counterparts, and can quickly get worn out, making them a good match for the elderly or for those who do not have a fenced in yard and enjoy taking the dog out for an afternoon walk.

Bichon Frise Grooming Requirements 

For many, this is the deciding factor on whether or not to get a Bichon Frise puppy; with their soft and wooly coat, they easily fall into the high-maintenance pooch category. Requiring either a thorough brushing at least every other day or a couple of trips to the grooming salon, every week, this is often far too much for a person with a busy lifestyle to even consider taking on. In addition to this, pale colored dogs can get rust-stains at the corners of their eyes or the hair around their muzzles can get dirty when they eat. In addition to bathing the Bichon Frise, responsible owners also have to take the time to dry their furry companions, particularly if the weather is cool.

If you’re considering taking a look at some Havanese puppies, be sure to keep in mind just how much work one of these little dogs will be, and weigh that into your pros and cons.

Bichon Frise Training

The Bichon Frise possesses a very keen mind and sharp wit. More often than not, he is quick to learn obedience commands, as well as tricks. Provided he is properly encouraged and his good behavior is properly reinforced, the Bichon owner is sure to discover that her four-legged friend will learn a wealth of tricks. Just beware that the Bichon Frise enjoys playtime and is not adverse to playing the clown, if he thinks it will make his humans happy. His lack of seriousness can sometimes grate on the nerves of the more serious dog trainers.

Bichon Frise Health Information

Unlike many purebred breeds, the Bichon Frise does not suffer from a long list of various maladies. Nevertheless, there are some various conditions that can affect your Bichon puppy and it’s best to be educated on the subject. Bichon Frise health concerns include, but are not limited to:

• Dental problems
• Bladder infections
• Eye Disease
• Patellar Luxation
• Skin conditions
• Ear infections

Is the Bichon Frise Dog Breed Right For You?

The Bichon is a wonderful companion animal and is generally happy and friendly. Rarely snappish, they are a favorite amongst the elderly, as well as with those who are allergic to most dogs, due to the fact that they don’t shed like many breeds. Bichon also love children and tend to get along, very well, with cats and other dogs as well.

There are three main concerns to keep in mind, if you’re thinking about getting a Bichon Frise puppy. The first of these is the amount of time that you have to spend with your puppy; Bichons are companion animals and they enjoy company. While they can be taught to stay in a crate happily, they dislike being left alone for long periods of time, and they do love to travel. The second and third concerns have to be the safety issues within your home - do you have larger, more aggressive dogs? If you do, you may want to have them meet on a more neutral territory and make sure that they get along.

The last and one of the most important concerns has to deal with children. While the Bichon Frise is an excellent family dog, and is very good with children, be wary of getting any puppy until your child is over the age of 5 years. Puppies are very fragile creatures and can easily break bones if they are dropped, kicked, or fallen on. Be sure to protect your baby Bichon, just as you protect your own baby.

For more information on the Bichon, or to examine whether or not a Bichon Frise will do well in your home, contact your veterinarian or local breeders and be sure to ask lots of questions. If you decide on one of these adorable little dogs, discuss with the breeder, ahead of time, what will be needed for your new puppy. You definitely won’t regret having such a warm and happy individual cross paths with you!

Finding A Responsible Bichon Frise Breeder

Now that you have decided that the Bichon Frise is the right breed for you, it's time to start the process of finding a responsible Bichon Frise breeder from which to buy a healthy, well-socialized puppy. Not all breeders are alike; there are good breeders - and bad breeders. Don't be in a hurry to buy the first Bichon Frise puppy you find at the cheapest price available! To buy a puppy from a responsible Bichon Frise breeder, you may need to pay more and wait longer. The additional money and waiting time will be well worth it. Buy a puppy in haste from a newspaper ad, pet store or "backyard breeder", and you'll likely also purchase a great deal of additional expense and heartache, since you will likely end up falling in love with a puppy with health and behavioral problems that will likely need special care, plenty of veterinary visits, regular medication - or even euthanasia. But do your homework and find a responsible, caring Bichon Frise breeder who home-raises their puppies with love, screens their breeding dogs for health problems, offers a health guarantee and post sale support, and who genuinely loves the Bichon Frise breed and is in it for the love of the breed, rather than profit, and you can be fairly well assured of getting a healthy, happy, long lived and affectionate family companion that will provide you and your family with many years of joy, laughter and companionship.

Further information about choosing a responsible breeder...

Here are a few breeder directory sites that we recommend. These sites attempt to screen advertisers to ensure that the breeders listed are responsible and sell healthy, home-raised German Shepherd puppies to carefully screened buyers. There are many, many sites now online that advertise dog breeders - many are a Mecca for puppy mills and backyard breeders. We recommend that you steer clear of these resources in favor of sites that are more selective in the breeders whom they allow to advertise.

We Highly Recommend:

• Bichon Frise Puppies For Sale
• Bichon Frise Breeders Showcase
• Bichon Frise Puppy Finder on Pet Net
  
  

Bichon Frise Names

Choosing a name for your Bichon Frise puppy can be a daunting task! There are so many names to choose from that it can take a lot of thought and research to find just the right name for your bichon-frise. Usually, it's best to get to know your puppy for a few days or weeks. Often your puppy's personality will help you decide on just the right name to choose. Does he have a sense of humor? A serious side? A goofy way of cocking his head to one side? A strange love of cantaloupe? By observing your new Bichon Frise puppy over the first days or weeks, you should at least have a clue about what type of name you want to give. There are a ton of dog names and pet names web sites on the internet. Some are wonderful information resources, while others, unfortunately, are just "garbage" sites set up with the sole purpose of cashing in on visitor hits for this popular subject.

We recommend the following sites to assist you in choosing a name for your new Bichon Frise puppy. These sites offer inventive, unique, original and creative pet names suggestions that have helped thousands of new puppy owners in selecting just the right name for their new baby!

• Dog Names
• Choosing A Name For Your Dog Or Puppy
• Unique Pet Names
  
  

Bichon Frise Pictures

Bichon Frises are a very photogenic dog breed. By looking at Bichon Frise pictures, you can usually gain more insight into what these dogs and puppies are like as a breed, and this can help you decide if you really want to become an Bichon Frise owner. The following sites below offer pictures of Bichon Frise dogs, Bichon Frise puppy photos, funny Bichon Frise photos and more. Enjoy!

• Bichon Frise Dog Pictures
  
  

Additional Bichon Frise Information Resources

There are a wealth of resources online that can help you learn more about the Bichon Frise dog breed. We've compiled a list of Bichon Frise information sites to assist you in quickly locating quality information about the Bichon Frise dog breed, while avoiding the "garbage" sites that are nothing more than poor attempts to capitalize on the popularity of dog breeds in general. If you know of an Bichon Frise information site that offers unique, quality information and photos of the Bichon Frise breed, please contact us with the URL and a brief description so that our editors can consider it for inclusion in our list below.

• Wikipedia - Bichon Frises

Bichon Frise Clubs and Rescues

Bichon Frise clubs and rescues web sites can help you learn even more about the Bichon Frise dog breed, help you locate a responsible Bichon Frise breeder, or help you find an German Shepherd dog or puppy in need of a second chance for a loving, forever home. We've compiled the following list of Bichon Frise clubs and Bichon Frise rescues web sites for your convenience:

USA Bichon Frise Clubs

• Bichon Frise Club of America - Show results, healthcare articles, and training tips.
• Southern Bichon Frise Breeders Association - Provides forthcoming events, grooming advice, future seminars calendar, and puppy register.

Canada Bichon Frise Clubs

• Bichon Frisé Club of Canada - Code of ethics, breed standard, newsletter, and membership application.

UK Bichon Frise Clubs

• Bichon Frise Club of Great Britain - Object of the club is to safeguard and promote the interests of the breed. Application form, list of upcoming events, and club information.

International Bichon Frise Clubs

• Bichon Frise Lovers Club - Located in Singapore. Provides information on committee members, club objectives, breed history, and standards.
• The Unofficial Bichon Frise Lovers' Club of Singapore - Members' photograph gallery, list of upcoming events, and rescue information.