Breed History: 

The Bichon Frise first appeared in the 14th century, resulting from a cross between the Barbet Water Spaniel and the Poodle. Traded by Spanish sailors, the breed quickly gained popularity and became a favourite among the French royal courts in the 16th century. Known for its playful and charming nature, the Bichon was also a beloved organ grinder's companion and a star performer in circuses. Today, the Bichon Frise is primarily cherished as a companion and show dog.

Size – Small

Life Expectancy: 15 years

Breed Appearance: 

The Bichon Frise is a small, fluffy dog with a charming appearance. It has a loosely curled double coat, with a textured outer layer and a soft, silky undercoat that is 3 to 4 inches long, making it virtually hypoallergenic. Typically all white, it may also have cream, grey, or apricot shades. 

The breed can be shown with a poodle-style clip or long hair, trimmed at the feet and muzzle for a rounded look. It has a moderate, non-pointed muzzle, a slightly accentuated stop, and a scissors bite. Its round, dark eyes, well-covered hanging ears, long neck, and curved tail give it an elegant and friendly expression.

Breed Type - Family/guard: 

The Bichon Frise is an excellent family dog, known for its affectionate and sociable nature. It thrives on human companionship and enjoys being part of the family, making it an ideal pet for households with children and other pets. This breed is playful, gentle, and easygoing, getting along well with everyone it meets. 

Though not a traditional guard dog, it's alertness and lively demeanour make it a good watchdog, as it will notify its family of any unusual activity.

Training:

Bichon Frise requires patience, consistent training and early socialization. Without proper, positive guidance, they can become quite stubborn and independent.

Health & Care:

Some Bichon Frises are prone to watery eyes, cataracts, skin and ear issues, as well as epilepsy and dislocated kneecaps. They can also be highly sensitive to flea bites.

Living Condition:

The Bichon Frise can thrive in an apartment as long as it gets enough exercise. They are fairly active indoors and can do well without a yard.

Exercise:

These active little dogs require a daily walk to stay healthy. While play can fulfil much of their exercise needs, it doesn't satisfy their primal instinct to walk. Without daily walks, dogs are more likely to develop behaviour problems. They also enjoy a good romp in a safe, open area off-lead, such as a large, fenced-in yard.

Grooming:

The Bichon Frise requires frequent grooming and should be bathed once a month. Professional grooming every 4 weeks is recommended to maintain its coat. Use blunt scissors to trim around the eyes and ears, and clean the eyes thoroughly to prevent staining. Show dogs are trimmed with scissors, while pet dogs may have their bodies clipped with electric clippers, though the rest of the coat should still be scissored. The Bichon sheds little to no hair, making it a good choice for allergy sufferers.

Advantages:

• Cheerful, affectionate, and sociable

• Hypoallergenic coat – great for allergy sufferers

• Small size ideal for apartments

• Gets along well with kids and other pets

• Eager to please and responsive to training

• Low shedding (with regular grooming)

Disadvantages:

• High grooming needs – requires regular brushing and professional trims

• Prone to separation anxiety if left alone too long

• Housebreaking can be slow

• Sensitive to harsh correction – needs gentle training

• May bark excessively if not trained early