Bichon Frise | Dog Breed Information & Facts – Pictures

Last Updated on October 22, 2022 by Pets Feed

The Bichon Frise is one of the small and solid dogs, balanced and intelligent. The black eyes and muzzle contrast with the snow-white fur and the tail looks like a feather that curves around the spine.

The unique wool, similar to snow-white cotton, the miniature size and the abilities of the circus artist made the Bichon Frise an extremely popular dog. She is gentle, affectionate, intelligent and makes an ideal pet even for inexperienced owners. These French dogs used to be indispensable circus performers, now they can also be seen in the circus arena. But for the most part, the Bichon Frise acts as a decorative faithful companion of a person.

The Bichon Frise stands out as a pet for its cheerful and lively character. In short, it is the perfect dog breed for those who have not previously adopted or who are looking for an easy to train dog, while being playful and fun. Living with a Bichon Frise is really easy, because it is a dog that adapts perfectly to its owners.

Breed name	Bichon Frise
Country of origin	France
Weight	3 – 5 kg
Height (at the withers)	23 – 30 cm
Life expectancy	15 years
Size	Small

Bichon Frise photos

Breed standard

One of the most beautiful, miniature dogs is the Bichon Frise. The weight of adults is 3-5 kg., Height is 23-30 cm.

• Head: Flat, longer than the muzzle. The nose is round, very black, the lips are thin, dry, the cheeks are flat.
• Jaws: The teeth are strong, the incisors of the lower jaw are located directly behind the tips of the canines of the upper jaw.
• Ears: Slender, let down, well covered with curly hair, carried forward when the dog is awake.
• Eyes: Maximum round and dark shape, with dark, bright and expressive eyelids.
• Torso:
• Muscular, slightly plump, the chest is well developed, the flanks are raised. The tail is slightly below the line of the back, raised and curved, but not curled. The loin is wide, muscular, arched, the neck is about a third of the length of the body.
• Paws :
• Compact, round and tight, pads and studs should be black.
• Wool: Long (7 to 10 cm), fine, silky, elastic. The color is clear white. Up to a year, the fur may have a beige tint.

Behavior and character

The Bichon Frise tends to be cheerful, dynamic and playful, while being sensitive, affectionate and soft. Because of his dynamism, he generally needs more exercise than other dogs of the same size, although he is not a nervous dog, but on the contrary. The Bichon Frise is a dog who enjoys receiving affection from his family, resting with them at home and enjoying their company. Therefore, it is essential to pay enough attention to ensure that he lives a healthy and happy life.

The Bichon Frise tends to socialize easily, whether with people, dogs or other animals. It is particularly sociable with children, a characteristic that is difficult to find in other small breed dogs. Despite this, it is important to socialize puppies to reduce the risks of shyness or aggression when dogs are adults

Health

If you properly care for the Bichon Frise and keep the dog in proper conditions, it can live up to 13-15 years. In general, the health of the Bichons is strong, but there is a predisposition to some diseases:

• Diseases of the eyes – volvulus of the eyelid, cataract, corneal dystrophy.
• Epilepsy – accompanied by seizures, involuntary urination and bowel movements, excessive salivation.
• Hypotrichosis – with this disease, there is a partial or almost complete loss of hair.
• Dermatitis – accompanied by itching, inflammation of the skin, covering all layers of the skin. Dermatitis can be infectious or allergic.
• Diabetes mellitus – occurs due to a lack of insulin.
• Urolithiasis is a very dangerous disease, it is difficult to treat, it is manifested by the untidiness of the dog.
• Allergic reactions.
• Dislocation of the knee joint – can be congenital and acquired, manifested by lameness and pain.
• Kidney disease.
• Atlantoaxial instability – displacement of the epistrophy (axis) – the second cervical vertebra relative to the first (atlas). Leads to damage to the spinal cord and the development of neurological deficits. It is accompanied by unbearable pain.

In addition to the fact that the owner of the Bichon Frise must independently monitor the condition of the pet, it is necessary to show it to the veterinarian for preventive examinations. Routine vaccination and treatment with special preparations against external and internal parasites are also needed.

Basic care

The Bichon frise dog breed needs proper care, which mostly consists of combing and trimming (grooming). These dogs are usually shorn at special hairdressers, although some owners learn this on their own.

Also, always keep your pet’s ears and eyes clean and trim their nails about once a week. Bathe your dog 2-3 times a month.

Exercise

Being a small dog, the Bichon Frise does not require intense exercise, but we must not ignore its need for physical activity because it is a very dynamic dog. It is good that he exercises moderately every day, through at least two daily walks, playing time (look for the ball and similar things) and playing with other dogs of his size.

Bichon Frise Fun Facts

• The Bichon Frise is compared to a dandelion or a snowman, and the dog also looks like snow-white cotton candy.
• The first Bichons lived on ships, their duties included catching ship rats.
• The coat of the Bichon Frise is similar to that of a Mongolian goat.
• Representatives of the breed were considered an expensive trophy, they were often exhibited in barter transactions.
• Henry III was madly in love with Bichons, he kept several of these pets. The monarch never parted with them. Even when solving state affairs, the ruler took a basket with dogs to meetings. The basket hung around his neck. The reign of Henry III (1574-1589) was the peak of fame for the Bichon Frise.

Breed history

The Bichon Frise breed belongs to the ancient types of dogs, it has existed for more than two millennia. The history of the Bichons is not easy and very interesting. They had to survive on the streets as mongrels, perform in circus arenas, catch rats on ships, and even be the pets of royalty. These snow-white dogs can be seen in portraits painted during the Renaissance in France. It was at this time that the Bichon Frise were very popular with wealthy nobles, they were kept even at the royal court.

Let’s consider in more detail the further history of the French breed:

• Second half of the nineteenth century – Bichons began to appear in families of low-income French people. With their owners, the dogs often performed on the streets, amusing passers-by with their tricks and thus earning money for the family. They also gained fame as talented circus dogs. Bichon Frise is also used as a guide for blind people. During this period, their popularity is at the highest level.
• The twentieth century – cynologists of France came to grips with breeding work, improving the breed.
• 1956 – French settlers brought several Bichon Frise dogs with them to America.
• 1966 – the first club of Bichon Frise breed lovers was created.
• 1973 – the breed is officially recognized in the USA.
• Today, snow-white French dogs are very popular. They have proven themselves to be ideal companions capable of cheering up any person at any time.