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Bichon Frise

Breed Information


All About The Bichon Frise
Bichon, puppy, dog


"Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful."
- Ann Landers


Bones Chart
How They Score
0 - 5 Bones

Trainability
General Breed Health
Easily Housebroken
Low Maintenance
Good w/Other Pets
Non-Shedding




Bling Hearts Collar Collection - Lime
Bling Hearts Collar Collection - Lime


Marilyn MUTTroe Puppy Purse
Marilyn MUTTroe Puppy Purse




All the many reasons to love them...

Watch Dogs-They make keen watch dogs! You can trust your Bichon to alert you upon every knock at the door or ring of the bell.

Size- Show dogs typically range between 9 1/2" to 11 1/2" high and 7 to 18 pounds. Temperament, as opposed to size, should your first consideration when shopping for any breed. Pet quality dogs can vary a little in their size.

Friendly-This is a very "people friendly" breed. Not especially shy or timid, he can be trusted not to nip at the heels of strangers. This breed is also friendly with and tolerant of other animals, especially other Bichons.

Trainability-Patience will get you much further than scolding with any breed. Shouting, impatient or harsh training is completely unnecessary and will hinder progress. Patience will go a long way when training a Bichon Frise. They have a tendency to be stubborn and are noted for having a mind of their own. We highly recommend these positive training techniques.

Loyal-They are very affectionate and loyal little dogs. He will want to be with you on every trip to the bathroom, dining room, kitchen...

Excitability- More sensitive than quick-tempered, adult Bichons are gentle and easy going. They are known to love children and are normally tolerant, but supervision is always recommended.

Non Shedding- They are non-shedding dogs (losing very little to no hair), but many Bichons suffer from skin disorders that can lead to usightly bald spots and irritation caused by their own chewing, allergies, etc.



bichon
Bichons love the attention and the company of people. This is a positive thing until the time comes when you have to leave him alone. Seperation anxiety can be alleviated in several ways. See our page on seperation anxiety for more inforamation.



Side Note: With the popularity of small dogs increasing, so too has the number of breeders, both good and bad. With the hype surrounding many small breeds, so in turn has the population of unwanted dogs become ever increasing. There is probably a Bichon Frise rescue group near you. Why not consider adoption first.

Owning a dog is a joy, but like anything worth doing, it's worth doing right. And a serious long-term obligation such as this warrants a closer look.

Have you also prepared yourself for…

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.






New! Bichon Frise Pictures

(featuring adoptable dogs)!




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