Housebreaking difficulties- Some toy breeds are difficult to housebreak... A Bichon Frise is no exception. You'll need to be very patient and probably clean up several messes in the meantime. Small dogs come with small bladders.
Click here for helpful training tips for tricks and housebreaking.
Separation anxiety
is common- He will show you his frustration by destructive chewing and barking or by having "accidents" on your furniture. This is probably not the breed for you if you work long hours and would have to leave him home alone.
Maintenance- Care must be taken to keep the face of your Bichon clean. Discharge from their eyes accumulates in the fur and can cause serious problems when it builds in front of the eye. Brushing at least twice weekly and regular grooming will help to keep your dog's fur from becoming matted.
Not recommended for homes with small children- Though the Bichon Frise is a sturdy little dog for the most part, they are still a small breed dog. They are known to enjoy the company of children, but we would caution against bringing a puppy into a home with toddlers. Older, well behaved children should do very well with an older and well behaved dog.
-Health Issues-
| The Bichon Frise, in general, is a healthy breed. You can help to keep it this way by avoiding pet store puppies. Many pet stores buy their dogs from puppy mills and puppy brokers. Because not every problem can always be avoided, below are a few of the things you might still enounter with this breed. |
Luxating patellas-A joint condition in which kneecaps dislocate. This is very painful for your dog and expensive to correct. This is a common complication among many small breed dogs. The use of Pet Steps has been shown to significantly decrease the occurence of hip and knee conditions in dogs of all sizes.
Kidney Stones- Obviously painful, Bichons seem to be at the disadvantage of being predisposed to painful bladder and kidney stones. Fresh water should always be available to your dog and can help prevent minerals from forming.
Cataracts, Ear Infections and Skin allergies are also common ailments of the Bichon Frise.
(featuring adoptable dogs)!
