Last Updated on November 1, 2021 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 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.
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. A small head is held on a short neck, visually it seems more voluminous due to fluffy wool. The ears are small, drooping. The muzzle is short, the eyes are like two buttons, round, black. The nose is black against a background of white fur, the eyes and nose look very beautiful in sharp contrast. Scissor bite.
The physique is proportional, strong. The chest is wide, the abdomen is tucked up. The limbs are short, straight, the legs are round. The tail, practically, all the time is thrown over the back.
The coat is long, reaching 9-11 cm. The hair is curly, soft, to the touch like silk. Due to its unusual structure and snow-white color, the Bichon coat is considered unique. From the touch, it springs, when stroking it looks like a plush. There is a dense, dense undercoat.
According to the standard, only white color is allowed. Puppies have beige, reddish spots, which disappear with age.
Bichon Frise Temperament and Personality Traits
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
Modern Bichon Frise are kept only in private houses or in apartments. This pet is able to feel comfortable even in the smallest apartment. The main thing is to provide him with sufficient physical activity. The dog is active, mobile, loves to run and play.
In the house, the pet should have its own corner. For such a small dog, you can buy and install a whole house with a couch. Also, immediately determine the angle for feeding, there should also be a bowl of water.
Bichon Frise will look healthy and beautiful if the owner follows all the rules of care:
- The unique bichon coat requires special care and attention. It almost does not shed, but the hairs are prone to tangling and tangling. Therefore, you need to brush your dog daily.
- A haircut and trimming is required every 3-4 months. If this is not done, hair that is too long will interfere with the movement of the dog.
- Usually, dogs are rarely bathed, but this does not apply to Bichons. These pets need to be bathed in the summer once a week, the rest of the time bathing is carried out once a month. When doing this, use detergents intended for white long-haired dogs. After bathing the pet with a dry hair dryer and a terry towel. A dog with wet hair can easily catch a cold.
- We brush our dog’s teeth regularly using a special paste or special bones.
- We cut the claws as they grow, using a claw cutter.
- We examine and clean the ears. If excessive accumulation of secretions is noticed, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian, as this may be a symptom of an infectious disease.
- There is a thick coat on the bichon’s face, because of the long hairs, eye problems often occur. The fact is that the hair gets into the eyes, as a result of which inflammation can develop. To avoid this problem, the hair around the eyes should be cut regularly. You also need to wipe your dog’s eyes with a damp cotton pad dipped in boiled water or in a weak chamomile solution.
Bichon Frise is prone to allergic reactions, so its food should be carefully thought out and selected. Diet and portions are best discussed with your dog veterinarian. If you find a negative pet reaction to a particular product, dry food, urgently exclude it from the diet.
Feeding
The fact is that each owner independently decides what to feed his Bichon Frise, someone prefers to feed the French lapdog exclusively with natural products, while the rest choose a combined feeding option, which involves mixing natural products and dry food, and the last option is dry food. We advise you to definitely include in your dog’s diet: a little boiled meat, fish (preferably exclusively seafood and without bones), vegetables both raw and boiled, as well as boiled porridge, a choice of buckwheat or oatmeal.
It is customary to feed adults Bichon Frise twice a day, it is advisable to grind the meat so that it is easier for the animal to digest it. It is permissible to feed puppies 5-6 times a day. An adult two meals a day begins when the dog reaches 9 months of age, reducing the number of meals per day as the puppy matures.
It is recommended to give vitamins to animals, especially those who consume natural products. However, you should pay attention to the composition of vitamins, namely, it is necessary to exclude preparations based on extracts from algae and carrots, this may affect the color of the coat.
In adults, milk must be excluded from the diet; it can only be given to puppies. But fermented milk products are permissible in the diet of an adult no more than 1 time per week. Too spicy and salty dishes are unacceptable to give to a pet, as well as such delicacies as: pasta, legumes, potatoes, sausages and especially bones are strictly prohibited.
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.
These dogs are excellent for living in an apartment in the city, because they adapt very well to small spaces and can practice within the department. However, these are not dogs that can spend a lot of time alone, so they are not suitable for people who have to spend long hours away from home and who cannot take their pet with them. Nor can they live alone in a yard or garden, because they need a lot of company.
Training and education
A decorative dog does not require serious training courses, but socialization, education and the simplest commands the Bichon Frise must go through and master. From an early age, a pet is taught to use a litter box, familiarized with the world around it and taught the commands “no”, “come to me”, “your place”, etc.
An ill-mannered bichon will become uncontrollable, wayward, he will do whatever he wants. Therefore, discipline should always come first. Of course, it is difficult not to pamper such a cute creature as the Bichon Frise, but you cannot give in and indulge him in everything.
Pet training should take place in a playful way, its innate artistry allows you to quickly memorize commands and master different, even the most difficult tricks. It is not for nothing that many representatives of the breed successfully perform in circus arenas. The fact that dogs do not seek to dominate and dominate makes the process of training easier. Rudeness and physical punishment are unacceptable; use delicacies and affection as an encouragement.
Bichon Frise Fun Facts
- Literally translated from French, Bichon Frise sounds like “a cat with curly hair.”
- The Bichon Frise is compared to a dandelion or a snowman, and the dog also looks like snow-white cotton candy.
- Bichon translates to velvet hat cushion.
- 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.
Bichon Frise Dog Breed Highlights
Bichon Frise are decorative dogs that are ideal house pets. It is believed that they are suitable for any person, both adults and children. In fact, before you start a Bichon in your house, you need to think carefully about whether you can pay enough attention to it. After all, such a gentle dog will suffer from loneliness, lack of love and affection. To make the right decision, you should familiarize yourself with the main pros and cons of this breed.
Positive points:
- Very adaptable and incredibly cute.
- Playful even in its senior years.
- The Bichon Frise is very smart and in the good environment easy to train.
- This dog breed often has a long-life expectancy, some Bichon Frise live until the age of 17 years.
- Creates close ties with homeowners and families.
Negative points:
- The Bichon Frise hate being left alone.
- This dog often suffers from separation anxiety.
- High maintenance when it comes to grooming, the Bichon Frise requires a professional grooming every 4 to 6 weeks.
- Can be difficult to house train.
- The Bichon Frise often suffers from allergies
